Leaving Guise and its castle behind, the route cuts boldly via Macquigny to follow the meadow-lined banks of the Oise as far as Ribemont. For a less direct option, enjoy following the calm, beautiful meanders of the river, evoked by Robert Louis Stevenson in his travel book, An Inland Voyage. Passing steep slopes and charming brick villages, plus Origny sugar factory, the Scandibérique leads you to Ribemont, the village where Enlightenment philosopher Nicolas de Condorcet was born. Park your bike to visit the house where he came into world, now a museum.
Gradients and elevation
Slope breakdown
Road types
- Cycle path
- Routes reserved for cyclists and pedestrians (greenways, cycle tracks, towpaths), separated from cars for maximum safety.
- Shared road
- Quiet minor roads with little traffic (unless otherwise stated in the stage details). Shared with cars (stay alert).
- Not specified
- Data unavailable or being assessed. Please refer to the detailed stage description.
- Provisional
- Section on a road or cycle path awaiting better-quality facilities (see stage details).
Surface
- Smooth
- Asphalt, tarmac or smooth concrete. Optimal comfort.
- Rough
- Fine gravel, compacted stabilised surface or worn tarmac. Less comfortable, vibrations possible.
- Natural
- Dirt, grass, roots or stones. Under 5%: short sections with little impact. Higher percentage: route suited to mountain or gravel bikes only.
- Not specified
- Data unavailable or being assessed. Please refer to the detailed stage description.
The route
Exclusively on minor roads, with a steep slope taking you from Guise up to the plateau above. The main street in Origny-sur-Oise can be very busy with traffic. Signposted EV3.
Surfacing smooth: compacted tracks or asphalt.
Link
The Scandibérique connects with the Véloroute Stevenson®, which follows the way taken by the adventurous Scottish author in 1876.
Don't miss
- Guise: the fortified castle; the 19th-century Familistère social housing cooperative, now a museum
- Lesquielles, a village where Matisse painted several works
- Canal de la Sambre à l’Oise and its technical constructions (locks, bridge-canals, swing bridges and dams known as rayères, these last made to regulate the supply of water to the local mills)
- The former Bohéries Abbey, where Matisse painted several works
- Chapelle de la Salette
- Macquigny: the fortified church
- Bloucard Cliff
- Lucy: the remarkable mill
- Ribemont: the place from which Enlightenment philosopher and scientist Nicolas de Condorcet hailed, and where the family castle was built.
