Alençon / Carrouges

This is doubtless the most challenging stage along the whole Veloscenic cycle route, but it offers fine views over Écouves Forest and a majestic end at Carrouges. You ride along small roads through the Pays d'Alençon area until you come to the Château de Carrouges, headquarters of the Parc Naturel Régional Normandie-Maine, and a place where you can find local produce to sample.

 On this stage, you are following one of the two alternative routes between Alençon and Bagnoles de l'Orne. Still undecided which to choose? See the dedicated paragraph in our Frequently Asked Questions.

 Stage description

Leaving Alençon, you ride along a mix of small streets and cycle lanes. Going from the town centre, be careful not to follow signposting in the direction of Le Mont – Paris, which might cause you to head off in the wrong way. Leaving from the square in front of the basilica, exit the pedestrian zone via the southwest corner and turn left on Rue du Val Noble.

Once out of town, you ride along quite hilly small country roads taking you on a meandering route to Carrouges. OK, so this is no doubt the most physically demanding stage on the whole Veloscenic cycle route, but the landscapes make it worth the effort!

 Not to be missed:

• Alençon: The Château des Ducs d'Alençon; the Musée des Beaux Arts (on fine arts); the Maison de Sainte-Thérèse (the 19th-century saint's birthplace); the basilica; the circular Halle aux Grains; the Parc des Promenades; and the Maison d'Ozé – these are the most remarkable sites in this charming town that has also been recognized by UNESCO for its historic needle-point lace-making traditions. For further information, see more details under the stage covering Le Mêle-sur-Sarthe / Alençon.
• La Roche-Mabile: the church in this typical little village, one of the oldest in the département (French county) of Orne, the feudal motte and bailey castle in the process of being restored, and the intriguing La Cassine Chapel, all merit that you get off your bike to take a look!
• 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 and Unesco Global Geopark 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.

 On the map, activate the Accommodation Useful information Leasure Restauration to discover nearby services and points of interest.

 Food and drink en route

Please note, except in Alençon, this stage offers few spots at which to stock up on provisions, especially on Sundays or public holidays.

• Alençon: with many food and drink stores and markets on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday mornings.
• Carrouges: just a few food and drink stores, including a butcher's shop offering takeaway meals for cycling tourists (do check on opening days), plus a market on Wednesday mornings on Place Leveneur.

 Bike repair

• Peugeot Bayi Cycles et Vélos Concessionnaires, Alençon.
• Intercycle Alençon, Condé-sur-Sarthe.
• Tendance Vélo, La Ferté-Macé (about 8 km from the Veloscenic route).

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

 Nearby train stations

• Alençon station (take care on the link when crossing the D112 road)

 See our article on reaching the veloscenic cycle route for more information on options for travelling with a bicycle.