Bagnoles-de-l'Orne / Domfront

Leaving the natural thermal spa town of Bagnoles-de-l’Orne, cycle off through the heart of the state-run Andaines Forest. Then you ride past apple orchards and hedge-divided fields. All this variety offers a typical view of Normandy in concentrated form.

🚲 Stage description and details:

To leave Bagnoles, you have to ride along roads shared with motorized traffic, so take care along these. Next, you ride along a forest road taking you to Perrou. After that, small roads, some with slopes, lead you on to Domfront.

Take care between the greenway and Domfront, as the slope is very steep.

⭐ Don’t miss:

• 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.
• La Maison du Fer at Dompierre offers an historical overview of iron-mining in the area, focusing on the many sites still dotted around here, some of which are open to the public, such as the Forges de Varenne at Champsecret. The Forges de Varenne can be reached by following a stretch of greenway for 7km in the direction of Flers/Ouistreham (along part of the Vélo Francette cycle route linking Ouistreham- La Rochelle).
• Domfront, designated a Petite Cité de Caractère® for its historic charms, its medieval town with timberframe houses and the vestiges of its castle on a rocky spur.

🍴 Food and drink en route:

• Bagnoles de l'Orne: with many food and drink stores, plus markets on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday mornings in the covered market.
• Domfront: with many food and drink stores and a market on Friday mornings on Place de Gaulle.

💡 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.
• Gare de Flers (on the Paris-Granville line) accessible by bike by following a greenway forming part of the wider La Vélo Francette cycle route, heading in the direction of Ouistreham for 20km.

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