The 10 major EuroVelo routes to discover

Have you ever dreamed of pedaling along the Atlantic, with the gentle song of the waves in the background? If so, then La Vélodyssée could become your favorite trail! This cycling itinerary starts in Roscoff and winds its way through Brittany, finally skirting our beautiful Atlantic coastline as far as Hendaye. 🏄‍♂️

On this route, impromptu swims and tastings of fresh seafood are a matter of course (well, for me anyway 😋. Here you cross over 1,300 km of mixed itineraries, including 986.35 km of peaceful cycle lanes (precise, isn't it? 🤓). The surface? Mostly smooth, with a few slightly rougher sections to spice up the adventure.

La Vélodyssée is a cycle route that shines for its layout. In fact, it's ideal for families and anyone looking for an introduction to bicycle tourism. And for those wondering whether the route is well signposted, rest assured! From north to south, every turn is marked with the La Vélodyssée logo and its EuroVelo 1 identifier. ⚠️ Be careful, however, between Bayonne and Hendaye, where the route plays hide-and-seek with a few reliefs and road sections.

EuroVelo 3 is a 5,300-kilometer cycling adventure that takes you from cold Norway to sunny Santiago de Compostela, Spain 🐚. The French portion, the Scandibérique, is 1,700 km long and crosses 20 French départements, with stops in iconic cities like Paris and Bordeaux (bring a corkscrew! 🍷).

Between the varied landscapes of plains, hills, state forests and places steeped in history, every pedal stroke is an invitation to marvel. This cycle route offers a wide range of sensations, from short family rides (a little ride with grandma? 🤶 ) to long, month-long journeys.

As for the layout, this route is largely on shared lanes: 23% dedicated to cyclists and 72% on quiet little roads. The route is well signposted with the La Scandibérique logo, facilitating your cycling adventure. ⚠️ Please note: some sections are still under construction, so keep an eye on the news!

If you thought Central Europe was just a gateway to other destinations, think again! With the Vélomaritime - EuroVelo 4, affectionately nicknamed the Véloroute de l'Europe Centrale, we're talking about an epic crossing from Roscoff in France to Kiev in Ukraine, covering a good 4,000 km. 🚴💨

But let's stay a little chauvinistic and talk about our beloved France (with love, always 🥖). Covering more than 1,500 kilometers, this cycle route is a veritable ode to the sea: gems like the Pink Granite Coast, the majestic Mont-Saint-Michel (a selfie is in order! 🤳), the D-Day Beaches or the cliffs of Étretat.

If you go all the way (anyone dare to doubt you??? 💪), you can also enjoy the Baie de Somme and finish in style with the Côte d'Opale and Dunkirk.

In terms of layout, the route includes 548.80 km of cycle lanes and 1,167.87 km of smooth sections to make your journey comfortable. ⚠️ Beware, however, that there are also rough and uneven sections!

EuroVelo 5, or "Via Romea Francigena", takes you on a 4,000 km adventure from London to Rome. But here, we focus on the French section, which, after a few detours through Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany, plunges into the charms of Moselle and Alsace. 🍷

Following the canals of the Sarre and Marne au Rhin, you'll enjoy a bucolic stroll to Strasbourg, a European landmark. The route then takes you through the heart of Alsace's vineyards, where you pass flower-filled villages that seem to have stepped straight out of a fairy tale (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs on vacation, perhaps? 🍎).

As for the layout, the cycle route alternates between converted old railroad lines (less "choo choo" and more "ding ding"), historic Roman road layouts and tracks winding through vineyards. You'll easily recognize your way by the green and white signs displaying the EuroVelo 5 logo. 🚴‍♀️

EuroVelo 6, or "Véloroute des Fleuves" to its friends, is a bit like a magic trick: one minute, you're pedaling peacefully along the Rhone-Rhine canal in southern Alsace, and the next! You find yourself following the Doubs, dancing between the hills of the Jura (a little sweat in the meantime, though 😅 ).

Then a quick hop and you're in the heart of Burgundy, cruising along the Canal du Centre. Between pedal strokes, let yourself be charmed by the seductive vineyards and winking Romanesque villages. It's la dolce vita à la française! 🍷🚴‍♂️🥖

The signage is 100% operational, with the EuroVelo 6 logo prominently displayed, so it's impossible to get lost (unless it's on purpose for a little Burgundy tasting 🍷). In short, a gentle, accessible adventure for anyone who wants to embark on a week of hassle-free cycling.

EuroVelo 8, aka "The Mediterranean by bike", is your ticket to a sunny adventure that takes you from the Pyrenees to the Alps, connecting Spain to Italy.

Get on your bike and ride through a variety of landscapes: towering mountains (without the yetis, I promise! 🏔️), peaceful lakes, winding canals and treasures of Roman architecture. On this route, you can savor the beauty of the Canal du Midi, pedal along stretches of the ViaRhôna and enjoy beautiful escapes in southern lands.

The signposting? Still undergoing work on some sections, but the sun will still be out! ☀️🚴‍♀️🍇

Take a deep breath of fresh air and set off on La Vélomaritime, which winds its way through the European network of cycle routes.

Starting out from Gravelines, this fortified city, you'll be propelled towards the heart of Dunkirk, France's 3rd largest port (impressive, isn't it? 🚢). This city, which saw the famous privateer Jean Bart sail its waters, is a treasure trove of maritime heritage. Between the Musée Portuaire, the three-masted Duchesse-Anne and the Musée Dunkerque 1940 - opération Dynamo, your curiosity will be more than satisfied.

Don't forget to look up at the belfries, the proud towers listed by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites (another selfie, perhaps? 🤳 ). Every step along the way is a postcard in the making. So, are you ready for this adventure? 🚴‍♂️🌊

Imagine a journey that begins at the source of the Rhine in Switzerland and ends at the North Sea in the Netherlands. That's the promise of EuroVelo 15, the Rhine cycle route, which winds along the river for more than 1,320 km. In Alsace, a stage awaits you, starting in Huningue, near Basel, and ending in Lauterbourg. The landscape is punctuated not only by the Rhone-Rhine Canal, but also by the Rhine itself, a symbol of harmony between France and Germany. 🇫🇷❤️🇩🇪

EuroVelo 15 in Alsace is a veritable cycling symphony, where every lock and every Rhine forest is a note in a soothing melody. And with Germany so close by, why not consider a few detours across the Rhine? Whether you're with friends or family, this is a bike ride not to be missed, at the heart of the ECF European connectivity project. 🚴‍♂️🌿🏞️

Embark on an adventure that will take you from the peaceful shores of Lake Geneva to the sunny beaches of the Mediterranean. ViaRhôna, a cycling route steeped in over 2,000 years of history, takes you on a journey between the Mediterranean and Europe, bearing witness to the imprint of past civilizations. Along the Rhône, discover landscapes of rare beauty, towns and villages of timeless charm, prestigious vineyards (wine break, anyone? 🍷), and a gastronomy that will delight the most demanding palates.

The cycle route covers 506.77 km of cycle lanes, complemented by 305.70 km of road. With a mostly smooth surface, cyclists can enjoy a pleasant ride. ⚠️ However, take care: between Lyon and Givors, the provisional route is in place and, although signposted, can be tricky for families and novices. For this section, use of the TER train between Givors and Lyon is recommended.

The Meuse à vélo, or EuroVelo 19, invites you to take a trip along this river that stretches for over 1,000 km. In France, get ready to cycle 443 km of itinerary.

The route reveals unforgettable panoramas: the limestone plateau, the foothills of the Massif des Vosges (yes, it's a bit uphill, but you're tough, aren't you? 💪 ), the coasts of the Meuse and the schistose massif of the Ardennes. As you pedal along, you'll discover vibrant towns steeped in history, bearing witness to the Meuse's central role in the construction of Europe.

In terms of facilities, 126 km of cycle lanes await you, complemented by 321 km of roads (we didn't happen to take a 4 km detour, did we? 🤪). As for the surface, most of it is smooth, ensuring a comfortable ride. Everything is signposted, so there's no chance of getting lost (unless you're too distracted by the beauty of the landscape, which we could totally understand 😉 ). So, are you ready to follow the rhythm of the Meuse? 🚴‍♂️🌿🗺️