From Le Mans to the Sarthe and Loir valleys, 185 km of nature and heritage escapism!
Over the course of a few days, this is a cycling getaway that will leave no one indifferent. As you cycle through forests and picturesque valleys, you'll discover some of the Sarthe's most emblematic natural and cultural sites!
Leaving from Le Mans Cathedral, don't miss the chance to explore the Plantagenet City on foot. A real gem! Then head south along the banks of the Sarthe on the Vélobuissonnière cycle route. At the Pont des Tabacs, turn left onto "La Sarthe à Vélo" and cycle past the TGV station. A few streets later, you'll reach Promenade Newton and cycle along the soft path that follows the banks of the Huisne. Founded by Bérengère de Navarre, wife of Richard the Lionheart, the Abbaye Royale de l'Epau, one of the finest examples of Cistercian architecture in France, marks your transition from town to country. You will then cross the Arche de la Nature, a vast 500-hectare natural area, before winding your way through the Pays du Mans on small roads towards the exceptional Bercé national forest and its centuries-old oak trees. From Montval-sur-Loir, you can cycle through the Loir Valley. Tuffeau houses, the railway roundhouse at Montabon and Rotrou's mill at Vaas follow one another along the way. When you arrive at Le Lude, a Petite Cité de Caractère, push open the gates of the imposing castle before taking the green route to La Flèche and its famous zoo. Take a well-deserved break at the Guinguette "Ô Bord du Loir".
From La Flèche, head back along La Vélobuissonnière towards Le Mans. Small, quiet roads will take you through the Sarthe valley and its picturesque villages, including the earthenware town of Malicorne. After a stopover at Spaycific zoo in Spay, the Boulevard Nature will take you to Le Mans in complete peace and quiet on a riverside greenway.
A signposted cycle loop in both directions:
- follow La Sarthe à vélo between Le Mans and Montval-sur-Loir through the Bercé national forest (eastern part of the loop).
- follow La Vallée du Loir à vélo (V47) between Montval-sur-Lir and La Flèche via Le Lude (southern part of the loop).
- follow La Vélobuissonnière (V44) between La Flèche and Le Mans via Malicorne-sur-Sarthe (western part of the loop).