Discover the Veloscenic, the spectacular cycling route between Paris and Mont-Saint-Michel!

Transcription

1 Discover the Veloscenic, the spectacular cycling route between Paris and Mont-Saint-Michel! And experience the start of the 2016 Tour de France live! The partners of the Veloscenic are delighted to invite you on a familiarisation trip along this great cycling route, from Tuesday 28 June to Saturday 2 July The trip is reserved for tourist professionals, and is a chance to discover this mythical route and the legendary sites along the way from Paris to Mont-Saint-Michel, via Versailles, Chartres and Bagnoles-del'Orne. The Veloscenic takes in five UNESCO World Heritage sites, many châteaux and other hidden treasures, and provides a signposted route of 450 km along adapted paths, greenways and small country roads. It takes cyclists through forests and plains and from wooded countryside to the seashore. Each day you can: Ride along part of the route by bike Explore identity-rich sites and what is on offer there Meet and exchange with tourist professionals all along the route Discover the programme below Rediscover the greatest tourist sites in France during a cycling trip and as an extra bonus, experience an unforgettable moment at the start of the Tour de France!

2 Tuesday 28 June: Versailles and the Chevreuse Valley For this first day, plunge into history and rediscover the famous Château de Versailles, the residence and personal creation of the Sun King! Then cycle through the Chevreuse Valley and the Rambouillet national forest, with its mysterious treasures and inhabitants... Welcome of participants, and a chance to meet and exchange with tourist professionals from Yvelines, followed by a guided visit to the Château of Versailles. Lunch with tasting of local specialities in the Madeleine Château in Chevreuse, at the heart of the Chevreuse Valley Regional Nature Park. An opportunity to exchange with tourist professionals. You will discover part of the route by bike in the prestigious Rambouillet Forest, as far as the town of the same name. Along the way, a quick break at the Espace Rambouillet for a presentation of this animal park, deep in the heart of the forest. Here you can observe the woodland inhabitants: roe, wild boar, deer, birds of prey, etc. With the Eagle Forest, the Reindeer Forest or the Green Odyssey, this is a fun visit calling on all the senses and taking place high up in the trees to the delight of all nature lovers. After a few kilometres by bike, we will meet the manager of the Huttopia*** Rambouillet Campsite with a presentation of his unusual accommodation offer (trappers' or Canadian tents, huts, Gypsy caravans, etc.) At the end of the afternoon, visit to the Château de Rambouillet Park and presentation of the park by a tour guide. Dinner in Rambouillet Night at the Mercure Hotel in Rambouillet, Relays du Château****

3 Wednesday 29 June: Maintenon, the Eure Valley and Chartres With the unmistakable towers of Notre-Dame de Chartres in the distance, today's route takes us along country roads from the Maintenon château and aqueduct. The valley is lined with pretty villages, and becomes a greenway as we make a panoramic entrance into Chartres, the capital of light and of stained glass! Theatrical visit to the Château and to Mme de Maintenon's apartments. Visit to the new Frenchstyle gardens, created in 2013 according to plans drawn up by Le Notre. Lunch on the lawn in the château park and meetings with the manager of Castel Maintenon, an Hôtel Spa and tourist professionals from Maintenon. Cycling from the Château de Maintenon to Chartres. On the way, visit to the Ateliers Loire, an artistic stained-glass workshop owned by the Loire family, who have been creating works on all the continents for three generations. Personalised audio-guided visit: the cathedral, the old town or the North Tower of the cathedral or a chance to take a stroll before dinner... Notre Dame Cathedral, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, contains the biggest collection of medieval stained glass in the world. From the upper town, protected by the cathedral, to the lower town, along the banks of the River Eure, 60 hectares of alleyways and cobblestone streets, stairs, mottes and gateways, timber-framed houses, residences with stone-sculpted decors, bridges and traditional washing places are an invitation for a delightful stroll. Tasting / Workshop at 11 Cours Gabriel, with a cookery workshop presented by Laurent Clément, a Michelin-starred chef. Meeting and exchanges with hotel and accommodation managers in Chartres and Eure-et-Loir. A unique visit to "Chartres in Light" at dusk. Take part in the spectacular "Chartres in Light" tour of the town. Every evening from mid-april to mid- October, there is a sound and light show all over the town, with 26 illuminated sites. A free show that is unique in the world and not to be missed! Night at Le Grand Monarque hotel**** in Chartres

4 Thursday 30 June: Le Perche and the Bagnoles Thermal Baths Today you are invited to enjoy a rich countryside landscape... You will cross no less than two Natural Regional Parks (Perche and Normandie Maine), and make your way through national forests (Ecouves and Andaines), via the Chäteau de Carrouges, and not forgetting the charming spa resort of Bagnoles-de-l'Orne, a wellness stage where taking care of your body and enjoying some gastronomy go hand in hand! Transfer from Chartres to Condé-sur-Huisne in the Orne department. You will be welcomed at Moulin Pley, a windmill that has been converted into charming accommodation, close to the Veloscenic route, for a chance to meet the Perche region's tourist service providers. Cycling trip through the Perche along the greenway as far as Boissy-Maugis (14 km), then transfer to Carrouges, via Alençon, for lunch in the Château. Visit to the Château de Carrouges. between Bagnoles-de-l'Orne and Alençon, the impressive brick and granite castle surrounded by a moat, brings together seven centuries of history. After this visit, we will make a stop at the Maison du Parc Normandie-Maine (in the castle outbuildings), where cyclists always receive a warm welcome and where activities linked to the fauna and flora in the Nature Park are organised. Time is set aside to meet tourism service providers and local farmers from the Orme department. Visit to the Orne woodlands and a cycling trip across the Andaines hills (9 km), from Saint-Patrice-du-Désert to Bagnoles-de-l'Orne, the biggest spa resort in northwest France. Dinner and night at the Hôtel du Béryl***, overlooking the Bagnoles-de-l'Orne lake. Option: health and body treatments at your hotel (after confirmation when you sign up) or free time.

5 Friday 1st July: Normandy woodlands and Mont Saint Michel Bay We set off towards the Marvel! Listed as a world heritage site, the Mont Saint-Michel Abbey and Bay are the highpoint of the trip. Following ten years of renovation work, the Mont now becomes an island for a few hours at high tide, an exceptional sight that is not to be missed. Transfer from Bagnoles-de-l'Orne to Saint Hilaire-du-Harcouët. Discover the Sud Manche greenway and the Normandy woodlands by bike (20 km). Cocktail lunch and workshop: contacts and exchanges with tourist professionals (hotels, campsites, restaurants, etc.) at the Château de Montgommery in Ducey. Cycling trip to Pontorson as far as the Mont-Saint-Michel dam (10 km of greenway) Visit to Mont Saint-Michel Abbey organised by the National Monuments Centre. This outstanding edifice is an architectural prodigy with the abbey church, cloister, refectory, the monks' covered walk, the Merveille gardens and the west terrace overlooking the immensity of the bay. The National Monuments Centre offers a wide range of visits to discover the Abbey. Non-guided visit to the medieval village of Mont. Dinner at the Pré Salé restaurant and night at the Mercure Mont-Saint-Michel hotel****. in the Tour de France starting stage village, in La Caserne in Mont Saint-Michel.

6 Saturday 2 July: Start of the Tour de France Experience an important moment in the history of the Tour de France live: the departure of the Tour from Mont Saint-Michel! The 3rd biggest sporting event in the world, the 2016 Tour de France will set off from Mont Saint-Michel for three stages in the Manche department. Matin As a conclusion to this professional familiarisation trip, we invite you to immerse yourself in the Tour de France spirit and live a shared and unforgettable experience at the heart of the Tour starting stage village. Watch the greatest riders in the world set off on this mythical race! Early afternoon Lunch and return to Paris by train or shuttle (if option is chosen). Come and discover the Veloscenic, the spectacular cycling route, and watch the start of the Tour de France, an international sporting event! Sign up for the Fam trip! > registration form Only one person per structure is invited on this Fam trip. Your registration will be confirmed from mid-april and is subject to availability and following payment of registration fees (60 euros). You will receive a more detailed programme at a later date. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact: Emma Le Conte, Veloscenic Project Manager Emma.le.conte@manche.fr +33 (0) To find out more, visit You can also meet us at: Fiets & Wandelbeurs, 20 and 21 February 2016, in Utrecht, Holland Rendez-Vous en France 5 and 6 April in Montpellier, France Copyrights: JoëlDamase/ CDT61/ Yvelines Tourisme_Sandrine Tondut/ Patrick_Forget_www.sagaphoto.com/ Spectaculaires les Allumeurs d'images/ 2011-pgreboval-cdt78