The Véloscénie route, from Paris to the Mont-Saint-Michel

Link two of France's most iconic monuments by starting your day at the foot of the majestic Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral and ending it in front of the golden gates of the elegant Château de Versailles. Once you've crossed Saint-Germain-des-Prés and cycled up Rue de Rennes to Montparnasse, it’s an easy ride out of the capital. Follow the greenway as far as Massy, and don't forget to stop off at the Domaine de Sceaux. Then continue your route through small towns. You almost forget how close you are to Paris! One more effort to climb up to Versailles, but you'll soon be rewarded with a royal finish under the plane trees, right up to the gates of the palace!

Leave Versailles and head for a second royal residence: the Château de Rambouillet. Follow the signposted route, which alternates between cycle paths and small roads with little traffic, before beginning the descent into the state-owned forest of Port-Royal, formerly a royal hunting ground. Enjoy the countryside around Saint-Rémy-les-Chevreuses, and make sure you stop off with the whole family at the Coubertin farm or the Château de Breteuil. Young and old alike can also watch animals at Espace Rambouillet, in the heart of the forest, which is directly accessible by bike. Your journey ends at the entrance to the Parc de Rambouillet, a superb estate surrounding the château and its outbuildings.

Leave Rambouillet by cycling through the superb château grounds before continuing your route through the peaceful Guéville valley. The Petite Cité de Caractère (Little Town of Character) of Epernon welcomes you for a stopover, at the entrance to the Eure-et-Loire département. Take the country roads to the banks of the Eure, which you can follow all the way to Maintenon. Allow time to visit the château and flats of Françoise d'Aubigné, secret wife of Louis XIV, better known as Madame de Maintenon, before leaving the town under the impressive aqueduct commissioned by the Sun King. You'll soon find yourself back on the banks of the Eure, which will guide you to the foot of Chartres Cathedral, offering a breathtaking view of its imposing towers. Enjoy this bucolic stage, between rivers and castles, with a majestic finish on a jewel of Gothic art!

This short, almost flat stage gives you the chance to visit the medieval heart of Chartres and its superb cathedral before getting on your bike. Follow the paths along the banks of the Eure to leave the city, then continue on small country roads. Past the village of Fontenay-sur-Eure, you enter the Beauce region, "France’s breadbasket", and pedal through the fields to the charming village of Illiers-Combray, made famous by Marcel Proust. Follow in the writer's footsteps to Tante Léonie's house, where he used to spend his holidays, and stroll through the gardens of Pré-Catelan. Take advantage of this gentle route to go out in search of lost time!

Leave the Belle Epoque ambience of Illiers-Combray behind you and set off again through the countryside. Shortly before Frazé and its impressive château, the landscape gradually steepens, marking the entrance to the Perche Regional Nature Park. The undulating roads will take you first to the Petite Cité de Caractère (small town of character) of Thiron-Gardais, where a stopover in the gardens of the Cistercian abbey is a must. Unless you prefer to stop off and visit its royal and military college just next door. Get your calves ready for the final part of this stage, where the Perche hills come into their own. The finish is on the heights of Nogent-le-Rotrou, directly at the foot of its medieval castle, from where you can enjoy a magnificent view over the entire Huisne valley.

Start your day by following the banks of the Huisne river before picking up the pace again. The first few kilometres will require some effort, but you'll soon be rewarded with a view over the valley and the charming hamlet of Villeray. From there, it's just a short pedal ride to the greenway down the road. Let yourself be carried all the way to the entrance to Mortagne-au-Perche. On the way, don't hesitate to leave the tracks of this old railway line to explore the small villages in the area.
Please note: the end of the stage is a diversion via minor roads, as the Véloscénie green route is currently under work. You'll need to warm up your legs to reach the centre of Mortagne, in the heart of the Perche hills, where you can finally relax in this ancient fortified town and explore its covered market, narrow streets and town houses. Welcome to Normandy!

Follow the descent from the centre of Mortagne to the greenway, which leads directly to Alençon (Caution: as the road surface is currently being upgraded, some gravel sections may be slippery as you leave Mortagne). Families will appreciate stopping off at the waterside leisure centre at Le Mêle-sur-Sarthe. Follow the cycle paths almost all the way to Alençon town centre. You'll soon find yourself at the foot of Notre-Dame Basilica, where you can explore the historic centre at your leisure: the Château des Ducs d'Alençon, built by William the Conqueror's son, the Halle au Grain with its majestic 19th-century glass roof, and of course the Museum of Fine Arts and Lace, whose expertise is on the UNESCO World Heritage List!

The perfectly signposted Véloscénie itinerary guides you easily out of Alençon, where you have two options:

- the greenway: on this easy stage, don't hesitate to leave the itinerary for a moment at Lalacelle to reach Mont des Avaloirs. Located at the summit of the Armorican massif, the lookout offers a breathtaking view of the Normandie-Maine regional nature park, and will delight the whole family. Save some strength for your arrival in Bagnole-de-l'Orne, at the exit of the voie verte, which you can reach via minor roads.

- the sporty itinerary: cycle up the country roads and be rewarded by the arrival at the superb Château de Carrouges. The 14th-century monument is distinguished by its red brickwork, which contrasts with the green landscapes of the Normandie-Maine regional nature park in which it is located. Surrounded by the Ecouves and Andaine forests, it offers a well-deserved stopover before heading back down through the forests towards Bagnoles-de-l'Orne.

Finally, you can stretch your legs with a stroll by the lake, or enjoy a moment of relaxation in this Belle Epoque spa.

Follow Bagnoles' lake to reach the Andaine forest. Its impressive massifs will shelter you until you reach the medieval town of Domfront. Located on a promontory at the crossroads of Anjou, Maine, Normandy and Brittany regions, this Petite Cité de Caractère (Small town of character) bears witness to its strategic role during the Anglo-Norman wars. Take a stroll through its narrow streets and explore the remains of its castle before getting back on your bike and cycling - carefully - down to the greenway. Follow the track and enjoy the Norman countryside on the way to Mortain. A final climb awaits you, but you'll be rewarded with a recommended detour to the 20-metre waterfalls!

Start your day with a descent from the town of Mortain to join the greenway. You'll find yourself back in the hedged farmland that surrounds the track, under the foliage of the trees. This stage is relatively easy, as it is mainly downhill all the way to the sea. As you make your way along, the view opens up and the bay finally comes into view. The pointe de la Roche-Torin concludes this stage with a spectacular view of Mont Saint-Michel!

Take the little-travelled roads until you reach the famous Mont Saint-Michel. A footbridge takes you to the entrance to the site, unless you prefer to leave your bike in one of the dedicated bicycle parks and enjoy the bay on foot. This short stage will give you plenty of time to visit the abbaye, wander around the narrow streets and admire the breathtaking views from the mount.
Finish your stage by joining Pontorson via a quiet, flat greenway, and celebrate your journey!

Take time to stroll around the market in Pontorson or eat a last crêpe, unless you want to extend your stay in Normandy.