Cycliste Scandibérique forêt bucolique

Drift along the canal

From the Seine to the Loiret

  • From Paris to Gien (230 km) in 7 stages

  • Small roads and developed paths, tracks and cycle lanes, greenways

  • “Follow the guide!” trip, beginner level – tarmac surface

  • Practical: By train: Transilien stations at Montigny-sur-Loing, Bourron-Marlotte-Grez, Nemours Saint-Pierre, Bagneaux-sur-Loing, Souppes Château-Landon. Dordives station (Transilien line R Paris-Montargis), Montargis, Briare, Gien. 

 

Time to branch off! At Briare, La Scandibérique connects to the route of Loire à Vélo.

Quai Paris vélo Scandibérique

Day 1 | Paris

Arrive by train in the capital: your journey begins here. A chance to discover the Parisians’ favourite neighbourhoods near your route: the iconic Marais, the lively République district and the trendy banks of the Canal Saint-Martin. Marvel at the emblematic heritage and make the most of the many café terraces to recharge. Good to know: many museums offer delightful gourmet breaks, such as the Café Mulot at the Maison de Victor Hugo or the Café Rose Bakery at the Musée de la Vie Romantique. At the end of the day, the Seine puts on a magical show, to be enjoyed on a river cruise, on foot or by bike from the banks.

 
Cycliste long fleuve péniche

Day 2 | Paris > Corbeil-Essonnes | 54 km

The time has come to set off! Along the water, La Scandibérique takes you through Paris between historical heritage and bucolic settings. Begin your journey along the Seine, which reveals many iconic monuments but also more unusual places such as the festive barges moored along the Quai de la Rapée. Then ride along the Canal Saint-Martin and the Canal de l’Ourcq, particularly popular with Parisians for their many activities (trendy bars, concerts, outdoor sport…). This escapade lets you reach the Parc de la Villette, a lively park combining nature and architecture. Events are held there all year round: Jazz à la Villette, Paris Plage, open-air cinema, exhibitions and concerts!

Cycliste chateau fontainebleau Scandibérique

Day 3 | Corbeil-Essonnes > Fontainebleau | 44 km

The landscape is now greener, and La Scandibérique continues along the river on a shaded path. The flora around you puts on a colourful show while protecting you from the sun. On arriving at Melun, it is a chance for a cultural break, admiring the residences of another age in these places full of history. Then it is back on the road towards Fontainebleau and its château, on a route designed for relaxation, punctuated by shades of green and blue.

cyclistes village fluvial Scandibérique

Day 4 | Fontainebleau > Nemours | 31 km

Today is slow mode. We allow ourselves a less sustained pace to rest the body and enjoy surroundings that are more rustic in places. There are many places to take a gourmet break along the Loing canal, while enjoying an almost medieval spectacle thanks to the heritage of Nemours. We recharge before setting off again the next day.

Cyclistes Scandibérique village Montargis

Day 5 | Nemours > Montargis | 33 km

La Scandibérique continues along the Loing canal. The setting is idyllic and takes you through wooded landscapes and charming ponds. The Souppes-sur-Loing leisure park offers a stop for a dip to cool off, as a little relaxation will do you no harm! After a few turns of the pedals, you will reach Montargis, the “little Venice of the Gâtinais”.

Canal Montargis cyclistes Scandibérique

Day 6 | Montargis > Rogny-les-Sept-Écluses | 35 km

The day starts with a change of canal: La Scandibérique now follows the Briare canal. The towpath still gives glimpses of the Loing in places, creating a soothing scene. Crossing small river villages makes the ride rewarding, with many locks and boatmen along the way. Once you reach Rogny-les-Sept-Écluses, be sure not to miss its old flight of locks, which made its reputation!

 
Pont-canal de Briare cyclistes Scandibérique

Day 7 | Rogny-les-Sept-Écluses > Gien | 33 km

The last day starts beautifully, with a walk along the locks and various places devoted to boats. It is a peaceful, relaxing ride that takes you straight to Briare and its famous canal bridge. Here you can choose to branch off onto La Loire à Vélo, or carry on to Gien, the final destination of the route. Treat yourself to a visit to the Faïence Factory Museum and a relaxing picnic, you have earned it!

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Bondy / Corbeil-Essonnes

13 Bondy / Corbeil-Essonnes

42 km
3 h 38 min
I cycle often
From Bondy, the Scandibérique leads you boldly southwards along the Seine, through a mix of natural and industrial landscapes, offering a surprising way to cross Paris by bike! At the Rotonde de la Villette, you switch from following the Canal de l’Ourcq to riding beside the Canal St-Martin. Further southeast, the confluence of Seine and Marne Rivers is marked by the startling hotel complex Huatian Chinagora, built along the lines of Beijing’s Forbidden City. Note the industrial heritage visible alongside the cycle path, many old factories converted to new uses: the Saint-Raphaël Factory has become an offshoot of the University of Paris VI, the Eaux de Paris waste-water works a depot for Paris’s spare art works, while the former EDF Coal-fired Power Station, the Rhône-Poulenc Factory and the Hollander Factory are now home to a theatre company and artists’ studios! Reaching Vitry-sur-Seine, admire the Pont du Port à l’Anglais, completed in 1928, replacing the former ferry that linked the banks of the Seine here. At Choisy-le-Roi, take in the old Choisy train station dating from the first half of the 19th century. Note that there’s a ‘service station’ specifically for cyclists on the quays of Choisy’s industrial port!
Corbeil-Essonnes / Melun

14 Corbeil-Essonnes / Melun

26 km
1 h 43 min
I cycle often
After passing the big former Seine-side mills in the town of Corbeil-Essonnes, the Scandibérique then leads you south along calm riverside stretches, the Seine’s broad meanders lined with woods, the way well shaded. As there are no bridges over the Seine along these parts, this stage proves more peaceful than the preceding ones. Following the Seine’s west bank up to the town of Melun, you pass by some remarkable homes built at the turn of the 19th to the 20th centuries, recalling how prized the banks of the Seine had become for getting away from the city bustle. Many painters, writers, actors and stars were tempted by the charms of these parts to come and stay here!
Melun / Fontainebleau

15 Melun / Fontainebleau

20 km
1 h 18 min
I begin / Family
This stage offers a symphony of blues and greens, as you ride between the Seine and the vast Fontainebleau Forest. Cycling between these waters and woods proves a treat for the eyes, and for the lungs, as you breathe in the clean air. The Bois-le-Roi outdoor leisure centre provides an ideal spot at which to unwind a while. A bit further on, Samois-sur-Seine is one of the most beautiful villages in the Ile-de-France Region, a joy to behold… and, should you pass through in June during the Django Reinhardt Festival, a thrill for the ears. The royal town of Fontainebleau counts as a great spot for a stopover; leaving the next morning you’ll feel you’ve topped up your red blood cell count the previous day!
Fontainebleau / Nemours

16 Fontainebleau / Nemours

30 km
2 h 02 min
I begin / Family
At the level of St-Mammès, you shift from the Seine to follow the Canal du Loing. This stage is quieter than the previous one, but the surfacing is rough in parts. Moret-sur-Loing has a bike museum at which cyclists along the Scandibérique may wish to pay homage, while Nemours is proud of its very complete museum dedicated to prehistory in the Ile-de-France Region. Both towns boast a remarkable medieval heritage and are well worth a proper stop. Riders, do make the most of a pause along the charming Canal du Loing before heading further south along the Scandibérique cycle route.
Nemours / Montargis

17 Nemours / Montargis

34 km
2 h 14 min
I begin / Family
The Scandibérique continues through the Gâtinais area, along the towpath beside the Canal du Loing. This canal crosses gentle landscapes, with a mix of woods, fields and lakes. At the level of the hamlet Les Varennes, to enjoy a recreational break, ride over to the outdoor leisure centre at Souppes-sur-Loing, bathing here a treat on hot days. Also consider a detour to the historic fortified town of Château-Landon, with its interesting heritage. After the hamlet of Pont de Dordives, the cycle route reaches Buges Lock, where the Loing, Briare and Orléans Canals meet. Ride on to the town of Montargis, nicknamed the ‘Little Venice of the Gâtinais’.
Montargis / Rogny-les-Sept-Écluses

18 Montargis / Rogny-les-Sept-Écluses

34 km
2 h 18 min
I begin / Family
Leaving Montargis, you change canal, the Scandibérique leading you on via the towpath beside the Canal de Briare. The Loing River meanders on by next to the canal, providing a green setting along this most peaceful of stages. Greet the lock-keepers and those on boats on the canal as you head down this friendly waterway, the route dotted with charming Gâtinais villages. You reach the highlight of this stage of the Scandibérique adventure at Rogny les 7 Écluses, the name giving away the reason for this village’s fame – its flight of seven locks! Do pause here for a picnic, taking in the grand view.

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