Carrouges / Bagnoles-de-l'Orne
You ride along small country roads and through forested parts before reaching Bagnoles de l'Orne. Nestling in its wonderfully green setting, this natural thermal spa resort, the largest in Western France, will happily welcome you, even providing treatments for sore legs and relaxation to perk you up!
Gradients and elevation
Road types
Surface
On this stage, you are following one of the two alternative routes between Alençon and Bagnoles de l'Orne Normandie. Still undecided which to choose? See the dedicated paragraph in our Frequently Asked Questions.
Stage description
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-DĂ©sert 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.
Not to be missed:
- 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 global UNESCO 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.
- 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, lending itself to legends such as the sacred spring of Chaude Fontaine and the fairy Gisèle's cave.
- Why not treat yourself to a relaxing stopover in the natural spa town of Bagnoles de l'Orne, with its arboretum, Belle Époque villas, casino and lake. Climb the Roc au Chien by foot to enjoy the views.
On the map, activate the to discover nearby services and points of interest.
Food and drink en route
- Carrouges: a few food and drink stores, including a butcher-delicatessen and a bakery offering takeaway meals for cyclists (do check 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 at Place des Halles.
Bring up Accueil Vélo accredited restaurants by clicking on the 🍴 icon on the map. De-select "only show accueil vélo accredited services" to view further possibilities.
Bike repair
Consult the list of all the bike repairers along or near the route.
Nearby train stations
- Bagnoles de l'Orne coach station (shuttle bus to the train station at Briouze, on the Paris-Granville line)
- Briouze station (Paris-Granville line), accessible by bike via a 21km greenway from Bagnoles de l'Orne
See our article on reaching the veloscenic cycle route for more information on options for travelling with a bicycle.
