By bike

Several routes to discover the richness of the department by bike

Cycling, or 'la petite reine' as it's known, is an essential accessory for discovering Seine-et-Marne, the largest département in the Ile-de-France region! Whether you're cycling along the towpaths, the banks of the Canal du Loing, the quays of the Seine or the magnificent banks of the Marne, it's a bucolic, verdant, inspiring setting where you can admire a varied natural environment, a rich, listed heritage and, who knows, maybe even some friendly yachtsmen waving to you from their boats!

There are plenty of cycle routes in the area, from the sporty loop in the forest of Fontainebleau to the gentler route on the famous Scandibérique, Eurovéloroute no. 3 (1700 km crossing France) from Trodheim in Norway to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

From town to town, discovering our built heritage

If you're a keen cyclist, you'll also find loops and routes that combine heritage, culture, history and much more. Take a ride to the château at Vaux-le-Vicomte, discover the battles of the Marne and the Great War Museum in Meaux by bike, cycle through the Brie region from Crécy-la-Chapelle to Coulommiers or La Ferté-sous-Jouarre, visit the beautiful medieval château of Blandy and the collegiate church of Saint-Martin de Champeaux, and if you're looking for something even more medieval, why not try the loop around the medieval town of Château-Landon?

For castle enthusiasts, there's a two-day tour linking the châteaux of Fontainebleau, Vaux-le-Vicomte and Blandy-les-Tours. It's an itinerary that will take you on a journey through the centuries!

Forest trails for nature lovers

The Fontainebleau forest massif covers 25,000 hectares of woodland, offering opportunities for cycling and mountain biking, such as the Lyricantoise (one of the most beautiful in the Ile-de-France region) through rocky chaos. There are also a number of itineraries in the Espaces Naturels Sensibles (sensitive natural areas), which are real refuges for preserved flora and fauna.

Seine et Marne, on the Scandibérique route

And yes, Seine-et-Marne also has its own European cycle route, the Scandibérique, Eurovéloroute no. 3 (1700 km crossing France) from Trondheim in Norway to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, with 60 km of signposted paths and roads from Bois-le-Roi to Souppes-sur-Loing. The route passes through picturesque villages such as Samois-sur-Seine and Saint-Mammès. The route runs along the banks of the Seine and Loing rivers, taking in the magnificent scenery of the water's edge, with its sumptuous 19th-century mansions and plant-filled windows opening onto peaceful waterways, where a variety of wildlife has made its home. Stop off at Moret-sur-Loing to admire this small fortified town, which so inspired the painter Sisley, or branch off to Fontainebleau to admire its castle on your pedal-powered bike!

Cycling in Seine-et-Marne... but not only!

Built heritage, history and nature are often associated with cycle tourism, but cycling can also be a route or a gourmet loop. In Seine-et-Marne, a label called "Vélo & Fromage" has been created. The aim of this label is to promote cycling while discovering the cheese heritage. Dairy farmers and cheesemakers (producers and ripeners of the famous king of cheeses: Brie), located less than 6 km from cycle routes and itineraries, are showcasing their dairy trades, their know-how and the diversity of Seine-et-Marne's culinary heritage. You'll be able to fill your bags with cheeses and more, and stop off under a tree for a gourmet break!

The department of Seine-et-Marne is keen to promote and develop cycling as a gentle way of getting around, and the northern section of the Scandibérique is currently being developed. In recent years, a number of cycling events have been organised in the region, including "La Ronde à Vélo" in October, a loop through the forest of Fontainebleau reserved for cyclists of all kinds who want to enjoy the forest paths and roads without being hindered by traffic, as the circuit is closed to cars on this occasion.

Finally, to avoid taking your car, the Ile-de-France transport network offers trains to Seine-et-Marne on which you can take your bike! (Find out more beforehand). And if you don't have a bike, you can hire one or repair one thanks to the cycling professionals in Seine-et-Marne.

And if, during your stay in Seine-et-Marne, you want to try something different, have you thought about horse-riding? Leave your bike behind for a few hours and discover incredible landscapes on horseback. Walks and hikes are also a great way to see the region at your own pace. Coming from Paris, or from another département, from one of our Seine-et-Marne train stations you can enjoy the many hiking routes that Seine-et-Marne has to offer.