Pré-en-Pail-Saint-Samson / 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:

Departing from Pré-en-Pail-Saint-Samson, cross the N12 trunk road and then follow a greenway for 18km, taking you into the commune (parish) of Rives d’Andaine. The compacted sandy surface is smooth and not pot-holed.

At Rives d'Andaine, leave the greenway and follow the signposting to reach Bagnoles riding along quiet little roads for 6km. This stage doesn’t present cyclists with any physical challenges.

⭐ Don’t miss:

• The Mont des Avaloirs, the highest point in France’s northwest quarter (at an altitude of 416m) as well as a listed natural reserve, offering splendid views over the traditional hedge-divided fields in these parts. On exceptionally clear days, it’s said that you can spot the silhouette of the Mont Saint-Michel far away. You can reach the summit by branching off the greenway shortly after the tunnel at the level of the village of Lalacelle.
• La tomme de Pail is a local cheese that you can find in the delicatessen Le Comptoir in Pré-en-Pail-Saint-Samson or by visiting the Ferme de la Mercerie at St-Cyr-en-Pail.
• La ferme de la Mercerie offers guided tours of the production of their excellent goat's cheeses. 
• Chapelle Notre-Dame de Lignou: standing out between Couterne and Bagnoles-de-l’Orne, you can’t miss its 40m-high steeple. The interior was redone at the start of the 20th century in neo-Byzantine style and includes splendid mosaics.
• The grounds of the Château de Couterne covering some 20 hectares and with over 3km of well-maintained, wood-lined paths that prove a joy to walk along. Open freely year-round.
• 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:

• Pré-en-Pail-Saint-Samson: with many stores and a market on Saturday mornings on Place du Général de Gaulle.
• Neuilly le Vendin: a few small shops (reached via little roads by leaving the greenway 11km after Pré-en-Pail-Saint-Samson).
• Rives d'Andaine: boulangerie and a market on Tuesday mornings on Place de l’église.

💡 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.