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.
Gradients and elevation
Road types
Surface
Stage description
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.
Not to be missed:
- 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.
- Le Jardin Retiré: a 2,500 m² English-style garden awarded the Jardin Remarquable label.
- Bagnoles de Pom': a cider-making farm open to the public all year round.
- 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 VĂ©lo Francette cycle route linking Ouistreham- La Rochelle).
- La Tour de Bonvouloir: this strange and mysterious site features an architectural complex listed as a Monument Historique. An interpretive trail leads you through the 15th-century historic site in 9 stages.
- 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.
On the map, activate the to discover nearby services and points of interest.
Food and drink en route
- Bagnoles de l'Orne: with many food stores and restaurants, plus markets on Tuesday and Saturday mornings on Place des Halles (Bagnoles Lac), and on Wednesday and Friday mornings on Allée des Anciens Combattants (Bagnoles Château).
- Domfront: with many food and drink stores and a market on Friday mornings on Place de Gaulle.
Bike repair
- Tendance Vélo, La Ferté-Macé (located ~8km from the Véloscénie).
- Intercycle Flers, Flers. +33 2 33 14 14 26
- La Caisse à Vélo (mobile repairer covering the Bagnoles-de-l'Orne – St-Hilaire-du-Harcouët section). +33 6 58 77 12 01
Consult the list of all the bike repairers along or near the route.
Nearby train stations
- 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 the 21km VĂ©lo Bocage greenway 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 VĂ©lo Francette cycle route, heading in the direction of Ouistreham for 20km.
See our article on reaching the veloscenic cycle route for more information on options for travelling with a bicycle.
