Voie Verte Cycling is a Wonderful Way to Explore Rural France

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Cycling the Voie Verte in France can be as challenging or relaxing as you choose. Have no fear if you have not been riding since you were a kid. This cycle path is for everyone and its amazing views are something not to be missed!

The Voie Verte is a green way that can be found in several areas of France but it is the 117km in the southern Burgundy region that we love…

Views from the Voie Verte in the southern Burgundy Region

Cycle Paths from Railroad Beds

These cycle paths (‘les pistes’) have as their foundation former railroad beds and haulage paths. They are paved, frequently shady and have little gradation. These paths provide a pleasurable and relaxing way to pass time as there are no cars to contend with. Additionally, we love them as a traffic-less means of getting from one village to another.

Voie-verte entrance into St-Gengoux le National

Along the route you will find car parks, handicap access, toilets, seating and picnic areas, and water. You will also discover bicycle (‘le velo’), tandem bike and skate (‘patin à roulettes’) rental. In addition, there is easy access to local villages and towns where bicycles can also be found at the Tourist Information Centers.

Below, we followed signs from the cycle path to an artist’s exhibition – what fun that was! I doubt we would have discovered this had we been in a car.

On the V.V. you will meet walkers and skaters. It is an excellent place for family outings! One day we passed a man who was in-line skating as his wife rode her bike. We discovered that you are never too old to enjoy life – the couple was in their 80s!

We never hesitate to “jump off” the voie verte route to explore a little hamlet.

Be sure to pack water and snacks in case your journey is longer than you planned due to these little side adventures.

Cycling provides an easy way to get up-close and personal with sunflower fields and vineyards. Through this area of Burgundy the fields alternate between wheat, sunflowers and vines.

Sunflowers upclose

Branching out from the green way in the Burgundy region are 24 additional routes that follow small roads. These routes have fewer than 1,000 vehicles per day and offer a great opportunity to enjoy local arts and crafts, culture and local life in the southern Burgundy region. Enjoy life – enjoy France while you cycle!

Voie-Verte Video From my Bike

Any one of the towns on the route listed here or close to these towns, will provide easy access to the Voie Verte and you’ll have a great vacation: Givry, Buxy, St-Gengoux-le-National, Malay, Cormatin, Taizé, Cluny  Our gite was located in Curtil-sous-Burnand, which by google map seems too far but in fact was only about a 5-10 minute cycle ride to the cycling path. Ask the gite owners to verify how close you will be as well as if they provide bikes.

Mon histoire de la Voie Verte en français…

Aimez-vous faire du vélo ? Moi aussi et j’adore ayant l’occasion d’explorer les petits coins inconnus de France à vélo. Mais si vous voulez vous assurer que la route sera facile de rouler puis, choisissez la Voie Verte dans le sud de la Bourgogne.

Les 117 km de pistes ici sont des anciens lits de voies ferrées. Sur la voie, nous avons trouvé beaucoup d’ombre, des pentes douces et pas de circulation de voitures ! Les pistes de la Voie Verte vous donnent un moyen facile de circuler entre les petites villes.

De temps en temps nous avons trouvé une ancienne gare qui avait été transformé dans un magasin louant des vélos, les tandems et aussi des remorques pour vélos.

Nous avons eu l’occasion d’explorer plusieurs petits hameaux et une exposition d’art dans une ancienne gare. En plus on a rencontré des marcheurs et des patineurs le long du chemin.

Les Boucles

Notre carte montrait 24 routes supplémentaires, les boucles, qui suivent des petites rues parcourues par moins de 1000 voitures par jour. Elles étaient très calmes et nous avons rarement vu une voiture. Suivant ces routes nous avons profité des arts et d’artisanats locaux des villages, et de la culture et de la vie locale.

Notre gite a été dans Curtil-sous-Burnand et, pendant nos 2 semaines là, nous faisions du vélo chaque jour, quelquefois avec une pause pique-nique pour le déjeuner et quelquefois profitant de petits cafés dans un village. Vous pouvez vous imaginer les bons souvenirs que nous y avons faits!