La Vélobuissonnière Pascal Beltrami

La Véloscénie Alexandre Leroy

Cyclistes sur la Vallée du Loir à vélo à Bonneval

Stevan Lira

Tour nature entre Perche, Loir et Alpes mancelles

Tour à vélo au naturel !

Au départ d’Alençon, capitale de la dentelle, cette boucle envoûtante flirte avec les vallées secrètes du bocage, entre Perche, Loir et Sarthe. La Véloscénie vous mène d’abord vers Illiers-Combray, berceau de Proust, à travers les collines verdoyantes du Perche. Puis, suivez La Vallée du Loir à vélo jusqu’à La Flèche, où châteaux et paysages ligériens vous émerveilleront. Pour le retour, La Vébuissonnière vous guide à travers forêts et villages de caractère dans le surprenant décor des Alpes mancelles… jusqu’à Alençon. Une immersion authentique au cœur de la campagne française, à la découverte d'un patrimoine pittoresque et d'une nature préservée.

Départ : Alençon ou Le Mans

Distance : ~ 512 kilomètres
Variante augmentée de ce tour à vélo - 630 kilomètres : Boucle entre Loire et Normandie
Sens du parcours : horaire
Balisage : boucle vélo 100% balisée dans les 2 sens / empruntant plusieurs véloroutes
- La Véloscénie : Alençon > Illiers-Combray
- La Vallée du Loir à vélo : Illiers-Combray > La Flèche
- La Vébuissonnière : La Flèche > Alençon

La Véloscénie Alexandre Leroy

Parcours en dentelles sur la Véloscénie

Alençon fait dans la dentelle en vous proposant pour rouler vers l’est une splendide voie verte de grande qualité. Au programme, une immersion progressive dans les paysages bocagers du Perche. Il ne faudra pas hésiter à en sortir pour explorer les bords de Sarthe tout proche et vous échapper vers l’altière Mortagne-au-Perche... à la halle aux grains réhabilitée en médiathèque.

Après Nogent-le-Rotrou, changement de décor, avec des petites routes aux confins de la Beauce et quelques pépites sur cette section : l'ancienne Abbaye de Thiron-Gardais et l‘incontournable Pré-Catalan, sans omettre la maison de Léonie à Illiers-Combray. Il sera opportun de sortir de vos sacoches un exemplaire de La Recherche et bien entendu quelques madeleines pour reprendre des forces…

Pays Dunois

Du côté des châteaux du Val de Loir

Direction plein sud après Illiers-Combray, pour rouler sur La vallée du Loir à vélo. Un itinéraire qui ondule au gré des petites routes empruntées pour franchir les discrètes vallées affluentes du Loir. Comme pour la Loire, dont le Loir est un sous-affluent, les châteaux s’y épanouissent sur ses rives. Tel un sémaphore dominant la rivière, le château de Châteaudun est la 1ère place forte de ce parcours ou presque chaque virage de cette véloroute révèle une forteresse.

Les vignobles s’étirent eux sur les coteaux ensoleillés tandis que le manoir de Couture-sur-Loir, maison natale du poète Pierre de Ronsard, marque la transition vers une vallée qui s’évase à l’approche de Le Lude. Avant de remonter au Nord vers Alençon, et boucler cette échappée nature, avec des enfants, le zoo de la Flèche et son ours polaire farceur est une immanquable halte !

La Vélobuissonniere Pascal Beltrami

Remontée buissonnière vers les Alpes mancelles

À La Flèche, on quitte La Vallée du Loir à vélo pour remonter par la Vélobuissonnière vers Alençon…. Le parcours évolue sur de petites routes en suivant au plus prêt le tortueux lit de la rivière. La Sarthe tisse un fil conducteur entre des villages de caractère où il fera bon s’attarder. Après le Mans, réputée pour son iconique vieille ville, décor naturel du cinéma de cape et d’épée, on roule ensuite plein Nord vers les Alpes mancelles.

La vallée de la Sarthe se plisse et ses côteaux se couvrent de bois. Un profond sentiment de déconnexion vous envahit au cœur de cette surprenante nature abritant de somptueux villages médiévaux, et offrant pêle-mêle un terrain de jeu fabuleux pour de nombreux sports outdoor.

Côté pratique :

Accès en train :

Paris - Alençon en TGV + TER (2h28) avec correspondance au Mans | ligne TGV avec emplacements vélos
Paris - Le Mans en TGV (1h) ou TER (2h15) | ligne TGV avec emplacements vélos
Voir d'autres possibilités d'accès en train

Services :

Voir les offres de services Accueil Vélo sur les pages détaillées des étapes

Tailor-made itineraries

17 Le Mêle-sur-Sarthe / Alençon

24 km

1 h 35 min

I begin

You're on a greenway for this stage of La Véloscénie, with just a short stretch on roads to take you through hamlets around the A 28 motorway and another to reach Alençon town centre. A delightful trail leads through the Bourse Forest, beside the Vésone River.

16 Mortagne-au-Perche / Le Mêle-sur-Sarthe

15 km

1 h 01 min

I begin

La Véloscénie continues along the greenway from Condé-sur-Huisne to Alençon. You just swap the Parc Naturel Régional du Perche for the adjoining Parc Naturel Régional Normandie-Maine, just before Le Mêle-sur-Sarthe. The lake here provides a refreshing halt, one that children greatly appreciate.

15 Rémalard / Mortagne-au-Perche

21 km

1 h 33 min

I begin

Continue along the greenway hugging the Huisne River and cross through the heart of the Parc Naturel Régional du Perche. In many places, perhaps half-hidden by trees, you'll spot a typical old manor or restored mill. All told, this is one of the most enchanting stages along La Véloscénie.

14 Nogent-le-Rotrou / Rémalard

18 km

1 h 10 min

I cycle often

At the start of this stage of La Véloscénie you follow undulating little forest roads. Then you join the greenway from Condé-sur-Huisne to Alençon, cycling beside the Huisne River. Enjoy the total peace and quiet of this long country section up to Rémalard.

13 Thiron-Gardais / Nogent-le-Rotrou

19 km

1 h 16 min

I cycle often

La Véloscénie continues to follow small country roads across the Perche's hills; these do require some effort to climb. As a reward, enjoy the splendid views from their heights. Finally, you pass the Château St-Jean arriving at Nogent-le-Rotrou.

12 Illiers-Combray / Thiron-Gardais

25 km

1 h 40 min

I cycle often

You mainly follow ordinary roads along this stage of La Véloscénie, taking you from the Beauce Plain to the edge of the Perche. Little Thiron-Gardais is a gateway into this beautiful rustic area and provides a surprise with its remarkable abbey and grounds.

1 Illiers-Combray / Châteaudun

39 km

2 h 35 min

I cycle often

Determined cyclists might begin this journey by the source of the Loir, at Saint-Éman. Many will opt to start from the little historic town of Illiers-Combray, immortalized in Marcel Proust’s masterpiece, Remembrance of Things Past.
South through fields and pastures, you come to the walled medieval town of Bonneval, nicknamed the Little Venice of the Beauce area. Finally comes the town of Châteaudun, a member of the association “Les Plus Beaux Détours de France”. Its historic centre and vast château look down dramatically on the Loir.

2 Châteaudun / Vendôme

52 km

3 h 28 min

I cycle often

This stage sticks closely to the Loir, taking you along its undulating valley. Early on, the striking Château de Montigny-le-Gannelon will stop you in your tracks. Next, the village of Cloyes-les-Trois-Rivières proves charming. Then comes the Vendômois area, with its forests and agricultural land, plus the odd vineyard. Picturesque villages stand out. The town of Vendôme, rich in heritage and crisscrossed by branches of the Loir, makes an ideal stop, both cultural and gastronomic… with trips on the river on offer too!

3 Vendôme / Montoire-sur-le-Loir

25 km

1 h 38 min

I cycle often

This stage continues to follow the Loir’s meandering curves. Near the start, the nautical centre at Villiers-sur-Loir offers a great opportunity for you to cool off before crossing more of the Vendômois area’s countryside. The town of Montoire-sur-le-Loir boasts a rich medieval heritage, including historic houses right by the water. It makes a good stop on the route.

4 Montoire-sur-le-Loir / Ruillé-sur-Loir

24 km

1 h 36 min

I cycle often

Back in the saddle, head to the intriguingly named village of Trôo, right by the Loir. Climbing from the waterside, discover troglodytic homes concealed in the riverbank. Next, after hugging the Loir for a time, the route moves furtively away from it at Couture-sur-Loir, where the birthplace of splendid 16th-century poet Ronsard stands out. Then comes the intense Jasnières wine area, before you enter the county of Sarthe at Ruillé-sur-Loir.

5 Ruillé-sur-Loir / Château-du-Loir

23 km

1 h 33 min

I cycle often

The Vallée du Loir à Vélo starts its part in the county of Sarthe at Ruillé-sur-Loir, then goes to Château-du-Loir via La Chartre-sur-le-Loir and the wine-producing Coteaux du Loir slopes. Wine-lovers can enjoy discovering the rare Jasnières wines and Marçon vineyards. If you enjoy swimming, try Les Varennes Lake and its outdoor sports centre.

6 Château-du-Loir / Le Lude

29 km

1 h 56 min

I cycle often

The Vallée du Loir à Vélo cycle route takes to the high ground above the town of Château-du-Loir before going back down to the River Loir. Enjoy the meadows, hedgerows and lakes as you pass through the valley. At Vaas, riding beside the Loir, go and see Rotrou Mill. Then continue on towards Le Lude.

7 Le Lude / La Flèche

21 km

1 h 25 min

I cycle often

The splendid Château du Lude and its formal French gardens make for a great visit. Then rejoin the Vallée du Loir à Vélo via a greenway. This lovely, gentle track takes you along a former railway line, up to the riverside town of La Flèche, where you can rejoin the V44 La Sarthe à Vélo route.

5 La Suze-sur-Sarthe / La Flèche

30 km

2 h 12 min

I begin

At La Suze-sur-Sarthe, there’s no forgetting the close connection between the Vélobuissonnière® and our local rivers. Take to the water once again in a canoe or kayak, or on a stand-up paddle board. Or, pile into a pedalo – great family fun! If you’re really brave, try electric surfing on an eFoil and fly above the water! If that all sounds a bit too energetic, simply relax at the water sports centre with an aperitif and a platter of cured sausage. By now, your bike will be beckoning, so hop back on and head for Malicorne-sur-Sarthe, which holds “Ville et Métiers d’Art” (arts and crafts towns) status in recognition of local earthenware expertise. You can admire the work of local artists at the Museum of Earthenware and Ceramics, and children can give their creativity free reign at special workshops. Buy a piece of traditional tableware at Faïencerie Bourg-Joly to use on special occasions, then have lunch in an authentic restaurant overlooking the River Sarthe. Afterwards, it’s on to La Flèche, through the leafy hills of the Loir Valley. And once you run out of energy, bed down for the night in your comfortable accommodation for a well-earned rest. The adventure continues tomorrow!

4 Le Mans / La Suze-sur-Sarthe

29 km

1 h 58 min

I cycle often

This stage begins with a gentle ride along the pretty Boulevard Nature, starting from the quay at Le Mans port and following the River Sarthe. At Spay, stop off at Spaycific Zoo for a fun natural history lesson. The unusual mammals and birds will no doubt be the highlight of your children’s day! If your party is a bit older or more into sports, try wakeboarding or water skiing and then relax on the beach. Back on your bike, pedal gently on for a few kilometres until you reach Fillé village. At Île MoulinSart, learn all about milling at the Cyprien Mill, take in the contemporary art exhibition at the Art Centre or refuel with a meal at the Bistrot du Moulin. And, if your legs are still up to it, take to the dance floor at the guinguette!

3 Beaumont-sur-Sarthe / Le Mans

46 km

3 h 06 min

I cycle often

The next stage of the route takes you off the beaten track, along quiet roads that criss-cross the countryside. At Neuville-sur-Sarthe, park your bike and wander along the riverbank to admire the idyllic panorama of the water mill. Then it’s back in the saddle and full steam ahead to Le Mans. This Ville d’Art et d’Histoire® (artistic and historical town) is packed with heritage sites to explore. Play hide and seek in the medieval streets of the Cité Plantagenêt, as the old town is known, contemplate the skill and might of the Romans who built the Gallo-Roman city walls, or wonder at the impressive bulk of Saint Julian’s Cathedral. At the end of an active day, cool down with a well-earned rest at a guinguettes riverside café. Order a slice of crunchy bread topped with rillettes, a local speciality similar to pâté. And if you’re in Le Mans between July and September, take an evening stroll to see the stunning Nuit des Chimères, when the façades and walls of the town are lit up.

2 St-Léonard-des-Bois / Beaumont-sur-Sarthe

33 km

2 h 06 min

I cycle often

At Saint-Léonard-des-Bois, take the time to drink in the beautiful landscapes. If you’re running out of steam, fuel up on the terrace of a “gastrobistro”, where you will find good food and a friendly welcome. Freewheel down to Fresnay-sur-Sarthe, into the mysterious atmosphere of this former walled town with its ruined castle and narrow lanes. Seek out a quiet spot by the River Sarthe, which runs through the town, and dip your feet in the water to cool off before you continue your ride through the countryside. Deserve a treat? Stop off at the Quincaillerie Café in Sougé-le-Ganelon for a coffee and, while you’re there, taste some of the local specialities. With your energy levels restored, head on to Beaumont-sur-Sarthe, a medieval town that will take you back through the centuries. Don’t miss the stunning view of the ruined castle from the Romanesque bridge over the River Sarthe.

1 Alençon / St-Léonard-des-Bois

31 km

2 h 12 min

I cycle often

This stage begins in Alençon. The town is known for its exquisite Point d’Alençon lace. Find out more about the intricate technique used to produce it at the Museum of Fine Arts and Lace, or marvel at the rich architecture of the magnificent basilica before you head out of town on the quiet country roads. On arrival in Saint-Cénéri-le-Gérei, listed as one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France® (a distinction awarded to the country’s most attractive villages), you will feel as if time has stood still. Take a few minutes to stroll around the village, which is also a designated Petite Cité de Caractère® (village with character), a favourite with artists. Then prepare for some more serious cycling as you climb into the Alpes Mancelles to admire the hills and valleys through which the River Sarthe runs. Have a well-deserved break at Domaine du Gasseau to sip a flower cordial in a tranquil setting. Then head off again towards Saint-Léonard-des-Bois, another Petite Cité de Caractère® nestled at the foot of the ancient screes.

Tour nature entre Perche, Loir et Alpes mancelles