The canal de la Marne au Rhin by bike

Canals & intimate rivers

Short trip

147 Km

I begin / Family

Nancy

Strasbourg

Linking Paris to Strasbourg by bike is the aim of the Véloroute 52, a cycle route still being created at time of writing. In time, the route will guide you out of Paris via the Canal de l’Ourcq, on through the Marne Valley and Champagne region, to Alsace, passing along Champagne vineyards, limestone valleys and pilgrimage and World War memorial routes, encompassing UNESCO World Heritage monuments and landscapes. As a foretaste, why not get a train from Paris to try out V52’s Nancy - Strasbourg section? Wending its way gently along Sânon and Zorn Valleys, the Canal de la Marne au Rhin is its guiding thread. From Nancy’s most stunning square, Place Stanislas, with options for fantastic detours via Lunéville, or to visit Sarrebourg or Saverne, this section offers you a fine cycling adventure, ending with the highlight of Alsace’s capital, Strasbourg.

Elevation of the route

273 m 208 m

Waytypes of the cycle route

Cycle path: 115,65 km By road: 31,45 km

Surface of the cycle route

Smooth: 108,86 km Unknown: 38,24 km

147 km along the canal de la Marne au Rhin: from Nancy to Strasbourg

Signposting

Véloroute 52 is a cycle route signposted in both directions on the sections that are already open to cyclists. The signs include the name of communes (parishes) serving the cycle route.

Services

Accueil Vélo accredited accommodation (campsites, hotels, gîtes holiday rentals and chambres d'hôtes, or B&Bs) is available close to the cycle route, so check out the options on our interactive maps.

Acces

Direct rail connections from / to Paris, plus possibility of booking bike space(s) for a fee:

From Paris’s Gare de l’Est train station:
12 connections a day on average, either via high-speed TGV Inoui or regional TER Paris > Nancy services (2hrs 03mins on average)
TER Fluo Paris > Nancy (3hrs 15mins on average)
TGV Paris > Strasbourg (2hrs 22mins on average)
TER Fluo Paris > Strasbourg (4hrs 45mins on average)
From Metz or Dijon, plus possibility of booking bike space(s) for a fee:
TGV Metz > Strasbourg > Mulhouse > Besançon > Dijon
From Lyon Part-Dieu train station, plus possibility of booking bike space(s) for a fee:
1 direct daily Intercités connection Lyon > Nancy (4hrs 24mins)
Several direct daily high-speed TGV Inoui connections Lyon > Strasbourg (4hrs 09mins)

Long-stay car parks along the cycle route

Several car parks can facilitate your planning to reach the cycle route by car, allowing you to park your car for the duration of your cycling trip: Nancy | Strasbourg