Environment
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Did you know that many national monuments are just a short cycle ride away? In this article, you'll find ideas for itineraries that combine cycling and cultural visits!
The best cycle routes to discover our monuments
The Véloscénie
450 km of cycle routes and greenways linking Paris to Mont-Saint-Michel!
Along the way, you'll pass
- the Château de Rambouillet and its immense park, decorated with a delicate dairy built for Marie-Antoinette and a surprising seashell cottage;
- Chartres Cathedral, a jewel of Gothic architecture, whose towers offer a magnificent panoramic view of the city;
- Carrouges Castle, scene of the last duel in French history, which inspired Ridley Scott ;
- and of course theabbey of Mont-Saint-Michel, set between sea and sky!
Cycling ability: I'm used to it
© CMN
The Mediterranean by bike / EuroVelo 8
The Méditerrainnée à vélo, the French link in the EuroVelo8 itinerary, will enable you to enjoy the south of France to the full!
This itinerary combines sea, mountains, lakes, marshes, canals... and a sublime heritage, of course.
The route between Nice and Menton offers sumptuous panoramas and will give you the opportunity to visit :
- Villa Kérylos, a marvellous reconstruction of an ancient Greek residence, not far from Nice
- The Trophée d'Auguste at La Turbie, an ancient jewel overlooking the Bay of Monaco
- Cap moderne, a unique architectural ensemble in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin: Eileen Gray's Villa E-1027, Le Corbusier's Cabanon and Camping Units, and the Étoile de mer bar-restaurant.
Cycling ability: Climbing
© We are Content(s) / Centre des monuments nationaux
The Loire by bike / EuroVelo 6
Described as the valley of kings or the garden of France, the Val de Loire is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Come and discover all its beauty!
This itinerary will take you past
- Angers and its emblematic château
- Tours, where you can visit the cloister of Saint-Gatien cathedral
A variant of the Tours - Villandry or Villandry - Rigny-Ussé stages will also take you to the marvellous château of Azay-le-Rideau!
You can even make a short diversions to the charming château of Fougères-sur-Bièvre, on a tour through the vineyards.
Level of cyclist: Beginner / Family
© Christian Gluckman / Centre des monuments nationaux
The Canal des 2 Mers
Cycle 750 km from Royan to Sète along the Gironde Estuary, the Canal de Garonne and the Canal du Midi.
In the Bordeaux region, you can admire theAbbey of La Sauve-Majeure, a masterpiece of Romanesque art, on the route from Créon to Sauveterre.
Cycling ability: Beginner / Family
The Canal des 2 Mers passes through the medieval city of Carcassonne and its three kilometres of fortified ramparts.
Cycling ability: I'm used to it
Finally, the Capestang - Béziers stage will take you to theEnsérune oppidum and its archaeological museum.
Cycling ability: I'm used to it
© Geoffroy Mathieu / Centre des monuments nationaux
The Great Alps route
If you're an experienced cyclist, follow in the footsteps of the Tour de France riders through the Alps and tackle the highest road passes: Iseran, Galibier, Izoard, Madeleine...
Magnificent scenery and an unforgettable journey await you!
Close to Guillestre is the fortified village of Mont-Dauphin: built by Vauban on a vast rocky promontory at the crossroads of several valleys, it was a testament to the power of King Louis XIV.
Cycling ability: Climbing
© We are Content(s) / Centre des monuments nationaux
The Véloccitanie
This 200km cycle route crosses the departments of Aude, Haute-Garonne, Tarn and Hérault, from the Seuil de Naurouze (near Castelnaudary) to Béziers.
On the Bédarieux - Béziers section, take the opportunity to explore theEnsérune oppidum, a major Gallic town in the Midi, and its archaeological museum, which displays over 1,000 objects from the ancient world.
Cycling ability: I'm used to it
© Geoffroy Mathieu / Centre des monuments nationaux
Other routes
Fancy cycling from the shores of Lake Geneva to the beaches of the Mediterranean? Take the ViaRhôna, an 815 km cycle route that passes through the Fort Saint-André in Villeneuve-Lez-Avignon.
Cycling ability: Beginners / Family
To discover La Rochelle and its towers, you can take the Vélodyssée, which runs along the entire Atlantic coast.
Cycling ability: Beginner / Family
Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey is also on the VéloWestNormandy cycle route linking the D-Day landing beaches to Mont-Saint-Michel.
Cycling ability: I'm used to it
You can also visit the abbey on the Vélomaritime / EuroVélo4 cycle route, which takes in Mont-Saint-Michel, the Grande Armée column in Wimille, the Maison d'Ernest Renan in Tréguier and the great Cairn of Barnenez.
Cycling ability: Beginners / Family
© Colombe Clier / Centre des monuments nationaux
Our monuments with the "Accueil Vélo" label
"Accueil Vélo" is a national label guaranteeing a high-quality welcome and services along cycle routes for touring cyclists.
Several of our monuments have been awarded the "Accueil Vélo" label. Saddle up your trusty two-wheeled steed and come and visit them!
Centre-Val de Loire
Normandy
New Aquitaine
Western France
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
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