1,700km of cycling between the Ardennes and the Pyrenees
The Scandibérique crosses France from north to south. This cycle route is the French section of the greater EuroVelo 3 cycle route; it crosses four French regions and 20 French counties (départements).
French section of EuroVelo 3 cycle route
The Scandibérique is the French part of EuroVelo 3, a European cycle route linking Trondheim (in Norway) to Cap-Fisterra (in Spain). It wends its way through France for over 1,700km, going northeast to southwest and crossing Paris. This is the longest cycle route in France. The Scandibérique is record-breaking in many ways, for example crossing no fewer than four French regions and 20 French counties (départements). It offers a great diversity of areas, heritage and remarkable sights to discover by bike!
A cycle route to savour
Along the Scandibérique, your tastebuds will be on the alert thanks to the exceptionally wide range of local specialities you can sample, from beer and Maroilles cheese, emblematic of the county of Nord, to foie gras fattened duck liver from the county of Landes down south, via Poitou lamb, Bordeaux cannelés (caramelized little cakes) and even kiwi fruit from the Adour Valley. The towns and villages you cross are full of fine restaurants keen to present a rich array of local produce. On fine days, the bars beside the Seine or the Ourcq and St Martin Canals, just like the many village markets, offer endless excuses for a restorative pause.
Intoxicating Scandibérique!
From the edges of the Champagne wine region to the Landes, the Scandibérique is dotted with vineyards, allowing cyclists to discover a wide variety of wines, from vins de pays to world-renowned appellations. The names of Saint-Emilion, Buzet, Saumur, Cognac, Armagnac and Bergerac resonate with delights for those who appreciate a delicious bottle!
The Scandibérique can be tackled in a thousand and one ways, from a short cycling outing lasting just a few hours to a major cycling trip spread out across a summer month, practising slow tourism.
For some, this cycle route can be used daily for local trips, for example commuting to and from work. The range of experiences you can enjoy is extensive, going from plains to hills to the Pyrenees, from historic towns to fortified bastides to memorials, and from towpaths, to state forests or moors to protected natural spaces.
