4 practical solutions to simplify your journey
Is there a lack of space on board, or are there changes of train that are too complicated? If so, it’s possible:
to call on a private transport company for a transfer or return home;
to take a coach journey.
Is there a lack of spaces for bikes on board the trains you wish to use? We recommend:
the use of one of the 5 bike-hire companies that provide a one-way service »;
the use of the Mes bagages SNCF service (available from May 2021).
Finally, if you have more time, remember that the Veloscenic is connected to other cycle routes and that it’s possible to prolong your trip or to plan your own circuit.
I wish to use a private transport company for a transfer and/or return home of people + bikes
Are you travelling as a small group? Best choose the option of a private transport company, as that can prove much simpler and cheaper than the train. It’s not necessarily a service one thinks of automatically, but several bike-hire companies and taxi companies can offer transfers of people + their bikes.
The platform www.marandofacile.com can organize this service not just for small groups but also for people travelling alone. Many other services centred around bicycle tours and hiking are available via this platform, created by the travel agency Visit Ouest.
I wish to join/leave the route by coach
Less familiar to many than trains, certain coach lines can offer you options for joining or leaving the Veloscenic.
National coach lines: at time of writing, there was no national coach line (such as Flixbus or Blablabus) offering services between Paris and the Mont Saint-Michel.
Regional coach services:
- ✔️️Normandy: Bicycles are accepted on regular bus lines* with a limit of 2 spots per bus. Here are the bus lines near the itinerary: Caen/Rennes, Caen/Alençon/Le Mans, Villedieu/Le Mont Saint Michel. Bicycles are stored in the luggage compartment. Folded bicycles in a cover are considered as luggage and must be placed in the luggage compartment in addition to 2 unfolded bicycles allowed on board the buses.
- ❌Region Centre-Val de Loire: note that bikes are not accepted on board coaches in this region (certainly concerning lines close to the Veloscenic).
I wish to hire a "one-way" bike...
Perhaps you don’t have a touring bike? Or you don’t want the bother of dealing with the logistics of returning home with your bike? Cycling along the Veloscenic, you can opt to hire a ‘‘one-way’’ bike. The bike and all the equipment (panniers, helmet, etc…) can be delivered to you in the town from which you’re starting out and can be picked up on your arrival at the Mont Saint Michel or any other end point to your cycling trip.
This option can be expensive, but it means you don’t have to worry about the logistics.
VIEW THE 5 BIKE-HIRE COMPANIES THAT OFFER THE ONE-WAY SERVICE
I wish to have my bike and luggage transported by Mesbagages.oui.sncf (available from May 2021)
This service will be launched in its new version from May 2021. In the past, the SNCF French national railways service MesBagages made it possible to transport your bike for €90 from a house/address in France to your starting point on the cycle route.
I wish to continue my trip on another French national cycle route
The Veloscenic crosses paths with several other French national cycle routes, notably the Vélomaritime, the VéloFrancette, the VéloBuissonnière and the Vallée du Loir à Vélo. If it appeals and you have the time, you can put together your own circuit using these interconnecting routes, or then use them to head on to further destinations.
The platform France Vélo Tourisme covers all the major French cycle routes in detail and allows you to put together your personalized trip with ease.
If you have not found a complete answer on this page, please contact our team.
