Our guide
Want to swap traffic jams for a cycling getaway between orchards, hills and spectacular lookouts? Then you're going to love the Orne (61)! This corner of Normandy weaves a mosaic of elegant, natural landscapes, between bocage, forest, horse and gentle way of life.
Nature and gentle roaming: here, each territory has its own personality: the Perche and its hills planted with manor houses and horses, the Pays d'Alençon and its Écouves forest, the Suisse Normande and its craggy reliefs perfect for hiking or kayaking, the Roche d'Oëtre with its 118 m viewpoint over the Rouvre gorges. And let's not forget the Pays d'Auge, home of Camembert, and the Pays d'Ouche, bucolic countryside par excellence. A diversity that can be discovered at the pace of your handlebars, between greenways, back roads and gourmet stops.
Heritage and equestrian passion: the Haras National du Pin, nicknamed the “Versailles of the horse”, is the heartbeat of the Haras region. In Alençon, Alençon stitch lace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and typical villages reveal half-timbered houses and traditional skills. At each stop, castles, stud farms, local markets and stories to share.
Flavours and art of living: along the way, indulge in a glass of poiré, the emblem of the south of the département, a well-matured camembert, a local cider or a platter of Normandy charcuterie. And if you feel like staying the night, the Orne is full of charming gîtes, nature campsites and unusual accommodation close to the stars... or the horses.
To immerse yourself in the Suisse Normande region, take the TER train from Paris to Granville, get off at Flers and follow the Vélo Francette for 23 km to La Roche d'Oëtre (bike hire available at Bréel).
In short, whether you're riding solo, as a duo or as part of a tribe, the Orne offers you a “train + nature + culture” interlude where orchards, valleys, heritage and a gentle way of life form a playground that's 100% rejuvenating. Saddle up?