Carrouges / Bagnoles-de-l'Orne Veloscenic : Paris to Mont-Saint-Michel cycle route

💡 On this stage, you’re taking one of two alternative routes between Alençon and Bagnoles de l'Orne.

🚲 Stage description and details:

On this stage, you'll pass through Lignières-Orgères and Saint-Patrice-du-Désert on small roads. The forest road through the Andaines forest and then a cycle path along the edge of the forest will take you to the entrance to Bagnoles.

Along the way, the service area at St-Patrice-le-Désert offers an ideal stopping-off point for touring cyclists, with water, toilets, shelter and picnic tables.

One kilometre before entering Bagnoles de l'Orne, take care when crossing the D916.

⭐ Don’t miss:

• The Château de Carrouges: a splendid castle built out of brick and granite between the 14th and 17th centuries, making for a mix of defensive medieval architecture, elegant Renaissance features and sober neo-classical ones.
• The Maison du Parc Naturel Régional Normandie-Maine, a stone’s throw from the château, offers both a museum space, a reception area with tourist information point, a shop selling local produce and picnic tables in the orchard outside.
• The chapel at Lignières-Orgères, a little gem of flamboyant Gothic architecture.
• The Gorges de Villiers is one of the most picturesque natural sites in the Orne. Rocky escarpments, scree slopes, peat bogs and Irish-style moorland, springs and a torrential river give this site its wild character...
• Why not treat yourself to a relaxing stopover in the natural spa town of Bagnoles de l'Orne, with its delightful lake, arboretum, Belle Époque villas and casino. Climb the Roc au Chien by foot to enjoy the views.

🍴 Food and drink en route:

• Carrouges: just a few food and drink stores (do check on opening days), plus a market on Wednesday mornings on Place Leveneur.
• Lignières-Orgères: bakery and snack
• Bagnoles de l'Orne: with many food and drink stores, plus markets on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday mornings in the covered market.

💡 Bring up Accueil Velo accredited restaurants by clicking on the 🍴 icon on the map. De-select "only show accueil velo accredited services" to view further possibilities.

🔧 Repair Service:

Consult the list of all the bike repairers along or near the route. 

🚆 Train stations nearby:

• Bagnoles de l'Orne coach station (with shuttle bus service to reach the train station at Briouze, on the Paris-Granville railway line)
• Gare de Briouze  (on the Paris-Granville line) accessible by bike by following a greenway for 21km from Bagnoles de l’Orne

💡 Also see our section on reaching the veloscenic cycle route, including conditions for taking a bicycle on board trains.