Family cycling tourism on La Véloscénie

What are you waiting for to plan your next family cycling trip? La Véloscénie might be the perfect opportunity for you to discover new routes with your family.

Family vacations are great. But family cycling vacations are even better! Welcome breaks from busy lives sometimes led separately by family members, family vacations are a privileged moment to reconnect and spend quality time together. By bike, parents and children discover new places, share efforts, emotions, and moments of grace, probably a few small arguments too, but leading to great reconciliations… and little by little, everyone moves forward together on the path.

Family cycling vacations allow you to discover France while enjoying an eco-friendly mode of transport that’s good for your health… and your morale! At a leisurely or more sustained pace as desired, reunited with parents and children, you take the time to admire the variety of landscapes, meet locals, and discover new activities.

According to a study by the National Institute of Consumption, French people spend an average of 10 days a year on family vacations. Of these 10 days, nearly 30% prefer to spend time in nature and 14% on their bikes. Family cycling vacations in France are increasingly popular.

According to a recent survey by the French Tourism Association, nearly 82% of family trips made by French families in 2020 were within France. France is a country where cycling is increasingly integrated into daily life, and the offer of cycling destinations and routes is growing. Due to the increasing number of cyclists in France, more and more stakeholders, associations, companies, etc., are offering services and products to support families looking for cycling vacations, such as ready-to-use itineraries, guides, and particularly suitable accommodations.

This is the case for the cycling route that connects Paris to Mont Saint-Michel: La Véloscénie. La Véloscénie is a cycling route that crosses magnificent landscapes, including 3 regional natural parks in Ile-de-France, Centre-Val de Loire, and Normandy.

This route is suitable for families and young cyclists, as it is relatively easy and safe to ride. The greenways built on old railway lines, which make up 50% of the itinerary, guarantee minimal elevation gain and immersion in nature, which will suit the youngest. The small shared roads, the other half of the itinerary, have been chosen as much for their scenic quality as for their safety and will suit parents with their teenagers. It’s a fantastic adventure for families who love cycling and the outdoors. La Véloscénie offers many advantages for families: easily accessible, even for families with young children, its itineraries consist of generally flat and well-maintained roads, allowing the little ones to feel safe and comfortable.

Monuments and historic towns, natural parks and gardens punctuate the journey, and the small towns and villages crossed offer an interesting glimpse into local culture and gastronomy.

Whether you opt for a day trip or longer, the experience will be unforgettable: this cycle route is ideal for day trips, itinerant weekends, or even a week of complete disconnection. Divided into several stages, La Véloscénie is easily accessible by train via the stations along its route. La Véloscénie offers a multitude of services to find safe routes adapted to all levels of cycling practice: equipment rental, turnkey trips, and Accueil Vélo establishments. Furthermore, La Véloscénie offers numerous accommodation options, allowing families to choose their type of lodging according to their preferences and budget, from camping to hotels and guesthouses. An original adventure for families who love cycling and the outdoors, La Véloscénie offers the opportunity to share an unforgettable experience with loved ones.

Embark on a family adventure: La Véloscénie, ideal for everyone

Thanks to La Véloscénie, (re)discover the joy of family vacations. Pack your bags, a water bottle, a cap, and good flat shoes, and off you go for an experience rich in discoveries! La Véloscénie offers several stages accessible from station to station, with equipment rental possibilities upon arrival at your destination, so don’t be afraid to try a family micro-adventure!

125 km / 3-4 days
80% roads 20% cycle paths
Difficulty: easy
Access and return by train: Flers station, Pontorson station
Family activities:
• Riddle game in Domfront en Poiraie
• The Pear Cider Museum in Barenton
• Ducey Code
• The Mortain waterfalls (legend says goblins live hidden there…)
• Domaine Coquerel
• St-Hilaire-du-Harcouët market
• Crossing the Salt Marshes via the greenway upon arrival at Mont Saint-Michel
• Mont Saint-Michel Abbey and village
Suggested accommodation: Campsites every 20-30 kilometers with unusual accommodations in some of them.
Bike rental – ONE WAY: Ouibike Sourdeval: Between Flers and Pontorson stations

85 km / 2 or 3 days
80% green cycle paths 20% low-traffic roads
Difficulty: easy
Family activities:
• Château des Comtes du Perche in Nogent-le-Rotrou
• Maison Ferré, cider and apple juice producer (direct farm sales)
• Mortagne-au-Perche, small town of character and artisanal ice cream
• Lake and swimming in Le Mêle-sur-Sarthe
• Alençon city center
Suggested accommodation: Camping Rémalard-en-Perche Le Mêle-sur-Sarthe: eco-lodges, In a hotel or guesthouse
Bike rental – ONE WAY: La Boite à Vélo (Montval-sur-Loir) 02 43 44 18 39

65 km / 2 days
15% cycle paths 85% small low-traffic roads
Difficulty: easy
Access and return by train: Rambouillet station, Chartres station
Family activities:
• Espace Rambouillet: semi-free animal park.
• Rambolitrain: miniature train and toy train museum.
• Urban tree climbing in the heart of Chartres
• Château de Rambouillet
• Château de Maintenon
• Chartres Cathedral
• Maison Picassiette: curiosity of earthenware and porcelain
Suggested accommodation: Camping Les Ilots de Saint-Val: huts for travelers Camping de Chartres: eco-lodge tents
Bike rental: Paulette Bike (75014) /Paris à vélo ABC Vélos (St-Quentin-en-Yvelines)

Source: Press Release

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