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Les Plus Beaux Villages de France by train and bike
Les Plus Beaux Villages de France accessible by train and bike
If you love cycling and ‘slow’ travel, these train-and-bike holiday ideas in Les Plus Beaux Villages de France are just the thing for you! Before you set off, don’t forget to check the carriage conditions for your kit!
N.B.: There’s nothing to stop you from setting off from another town and travelling to the stations mentioned in our suggestions. To do so, use the website to plan your journey.
From Paris to La Roche-Guyon (Val-d’Oise) by train and bike
Vernon railway station
45 mins
Between the Seine and Normandy, set off on a heritage and nature break in the French Vexin region at La Roche-Guyon. From Paris-Saint-Lazare station, book your train ticket to Vernon–Giverny. You’ll be there in under an hour.
> As you leave the station, hop on your bike and head for La Roche-Guyon on a relatively flat 45-minute ride. If you need to, there’s a bike hire shop just a few metres from the station. Don’t forget to stop off halfway at the gardens of Giverny, opposite Claude Monet’s home, before exploring the charms of La Roche-Guyon.
Not to be missed:
- A tour of the village: follow the heritage trail to discover the built and natural heritage of La Roche-Guyon: the old market hall beneath the town hall, the magnificent 18th-century fountain, the 15th-century Church of Saint-Samson, the cave dwellings carved out along the cart tracks leading up to the ridges, and the banks of the Seine with its river landing stage…
- The castle: From the 13th-century keep to the imposing Renaissance building, take a journey through history, from the kings of France to the Second World War, via the Age of Enlightenment.
- The kitchen garden and orchard: Situated between the château and the Seine, the château’s kitchen garden and orchard is designated a ‘Jardin Remarquable’ (Remarkable Garden).
From Rennes to Rochefort-en-Terre by train and bike
Malansac Station
20 mins (2 hours if you do the whole loop!)
Set between the Gulf of Morbihan and the Forest of Merlin the Enchanter, discover the charms of inland Brittany in Rochefort-en-Terre ! From Rennes, which is easily accessible by TGV, take a train to Malansac station.
> From there, take the country lanes through the hamlet of La Ville Rio to the Moulin Neuf pond, then make your way up to Rochefort-en-Terre. This is a section of the route known as the "Slate Quarry Trail’, which forms a large loop between Malansac and Rochefort-en-Terre, passing through the Prehistory Park and the Moulin Neuf pond, where you can enjoy a range of water sports and a treetop adventure course.
Not to be missed:
- A tour of the village: The tourist trail through this charming little town will allow you to admire this gem of medieval and Renaissance architecture (the 12th-century Notre-Dame-de-la-Tronchaye collegiate church, the schist and granite houses, the grounds of the old castle, the 16th- and 17th-century mansions, and more…).
- The Naïa Museum: A remarkable venue dedicated to the arts of the fantastical, digital and kinetic imagination.
- The streets in bloom… or aglow: There’s something for every season! In spring, come and admire the balconies and façades adorned with an abundance of flowers – a tradition instigated in 1911 by the American painter Alfred Klots, the castle’s former owner. At Christmas, the village is decked out in a thousand lights, creating a magical atmosphere (please note: this is a popular time to visit, so it’s best to plan your visit during the week!).
From Nantes, visit Montsoreau (Maine-et-Loire) and Candes-Saint-Martin (Indre-et-Loire) by train and bike
Saumur railway station
45 mins
To get from Anjou to Touraine, it’s practically just a stone’s throw away… or a street to cross between Montsoreau and Candes-Saint-Martin, two of the ‘Plus Beaux Villages de France’! To explore them, Saumur station will be your destination.
> Easily accessible by bike via a route running alongside the Loire and its UNESCO-listed natural heritage, it will take you 35 minutes to reach the bridge at Montsoreau (which you’ll need to cross), and a further 10 minutes to reach the foot of the collegiate church at Candes-Saint-Martin.
Not to be missed in Montsoreau:
- A tour of the village: nestled between the Loire and the hillsides, admire the white tuffeau stone houses with their slate roofs, stop off at the Church of Saint-Pierre-de-Rest (13th–18th centuries) and at the Loire-Anjou-Touraine Regional Nature Park Centre (featuring an interactive exhibition on local flora and fauna…), stroll along the banks of the Loire, which come alive every second Sunday of the month with the ‘Puces de Montsoreau’ flea market.
- The castle: Built in 1455 to control the road from Saumur to Tours and the confluence of the Loire and Vienne rivers, the building powerfully and elegantly blends defensive and Renaissance architecture. Made famous by Alexandre Dumas’s novel *La Dame de Montsoreau*, it now houses a museum of contemporary art.
- The cave dwellings and their gastronomic treasures: In the upper part of the village, on the hillsides, a cluster of cave dwellings typical of the region can be seen. Some of these are dedicated to exploring the local area, such as the Champignonnière du Saut aux Loups (an educational exhibition on the cultivation of button mushrooms from 1900 to the present day) or the Marché des Vins de Loire (a wine-tasting tour through the various appellations of the Loire Valley… To be enjoyed in moderation!).
Not to be missed in Candes-Saint-Martin:
- A tour of the village: Tuffeau stone and slate also feature prominently in the architecture of this former boatmen’s village at the confluence of the Loire and the Vienne rivers, and are particularly evident in the imposing Saint-Martin Collegiate Church. Founded in the 12th century and fortified in the 15th century, it is a magnificent example of the Plantagenet Gothic style.
- The Street Art Parc Urban Art Museum: A fascinating exhibition dedicated to street art in the courtyard of the Château de Môh (a private residence).
- The boat trip: aboard the ‘toues’ (traditional Loire boats) operated by the Centre Permanent d’Initiative à l’Environnement du Patrimoine Fluvial, to admire the village from the river and learn more about the local flora and fauna.
Our top tips for your stay in Candes-Saint-Martin and Montsoreau
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Champignonnière Le Saut-aux-Loups
Agriculture -
Château de Candes - Art&Spa****
Résidence de tourisme -
Le P'tit bar de Mestré
Restaurant -
L'Isle Verte
Terrain de camping classé -
Street Art Parc
Art moderne / contemporain
From Clermont-Ferrand to Blesle (Haute-Loire) by train and bike
Massiac railway station
30 mins
Head to the south of Auvergne, to the narrow Alagnon valley, for a visit to Blesle ! It’ll take just over an hour by train to get from Clermont-Ferrand station to Massiac–Blesle station, less than 10 km from the village.
> Hop on your bike for a quick half-hour ride along the N9, following the River Alagnon, then cross it when you reach the hamlet of Babory. Just a few more minutes’ ride, and you’re there!
Not to be missed:
- A tour of the village: towers and ramparts, half-timbered houses and carved doorways still bear witness to the village’s medieval past, which you can explore on guided tours organised in summer or via a digital tour on your smartphone (with a route for adults and one for children). Stop off at the Headwear Museum (over 700 items!), housed in a 16th-century building in the historic centre.
- The Abbey Church of Saint-Pierre: built in the 12th–13th centuries, it bears witness to the development of the abbey that led to the village’s foundation in the 9th century. The interior houses some beautiful murals (in the choir and chapels) as well as a treasury comprising liturgical vestments, silverware and statuary.
- Summer in Blesle: with its local market every Friday in the late afternoon and the ‘Apéros Musique’ festival in August, it’s not to be missed!
Take the train from Bordeaux to visit Limeuil (Dordogne)
Buisson Station
20 mins
Destination Limeuil, in the Périgord, at the confluence of the Dordogne and the Vézère! From Bordeaux, take the train towards Sarlat. In less than 2 hours, you’ll arrive at Buisson-de-Cadouin station.
> From there, you can easily cycle to Limeuil: cross the Vicq bridge over the Dordogne, follow the road running alongside the Dordogne, cross the bridge over the Vézère, and you’ll find yourself at Limeuil harbour in no time! Here, cafés and restaurants welcome you for a well-deserved break. Afterwards, all you’ll need to do is make your way up (on foot or by bike) to the top of the village to visit the gardens of Limeuil, or stay at the harbour to hire a canoe.
Not to be missed:
- A tour of the village: From the harbour, which harks back to the days of river transport, make your way up the steep alleyways and through the centuries of the village’s medieval history – as evidenced in particular by three fortified gates – and admire the ochre-coloured stone houses with their brown-tiled roofs, typical of the Périgord.
- The Panoramic Gardens: in the grounds of the former medieval castle, themed gardens (the Colour Garden, the Witches’ Garden, the Water Garden…) sit alongside family-friendly activities (giant games, escape games…). The site offers breathtaking views over the village rooftops and the confluence of the Dordogne and Vézère rivers.
- Water-based fun on sunny days: Take a break from cycling for a swim, a spot of fishing or a canoe trip!
Our top tips for your stay in Limeuil
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Ushuaïa Villages Camping Les Poutiroux
Terrain de camping classé
From Agen to Auvillar by train and bike
Valence d'Agen railway station
25 mins
Between Agen and Moissac, follow the pilgrims’ route to Santiago de Compostela for a stop on the banks of the Garonne at Auvillar ! In just 15 minutes, the train from Agen reaches the town of Valence-d’Agen, situated just 6 km from the village’s market square.
> The cycle journey takes 25 minutes. You’ll cross the Golfech Canal and then the bridge over the Garonne, before climbing the 60-metre incline to the village centre. And if you feel like it, you can cycle along the Canal des 2 Mers greenway from Valence-d’Agen.
Not
to be missed:
- A tour of the village: a place of pilgrimage, a trading town, a medieval stronghold… As you wander along the cobbled streets, all the different facets of Auvillar are revealed: from the 12th–14th-century Saint-Pierre Church to the astonishing circular market hall (unique in the South-West), situated in the centre of the triangular square lined with brick and stone houses, and the clock tower…
- The Musée du Vieil Auvillar: here you can discover other aspects of the village, such as its history as a centre for earthenware production (a collection of 550 pieces from the 17th to 19th centuries) and as a port on the Garonne (the history of river transport).
- The harbour: for a nature walk along the banks of the Garonne and a visit to the chapel dedicated to Saint Catherine, patron saint of sailors (featuring murals).
