“Nothing compares with the simple pleasure of a bicycle ride.”
John Fitzgerald Kennedy, President of The USA
The circuits of Sunday July 30
In the saddle, at last! First pedal strokes in Le Perche. Leaving the capital of black pudding, you will start this first day by taking a stretch of the mythical road of the Paris-Brest-Paris . You will discover that between Paris and Brittany nestles a beautiful hilly region with a rich cultural heritage.
The road routes
THE PARIS-BREST-PARIS ROUTE
To the east, direction Neuilly-sur-Eure, you will discover the steeple of Malétable, the small Neuilly-sur-Eure steam train or the weather-vane craftsman in Le Mage. You will cross the forest of Réno-Valdieu, with numerous hiking trails and will be able to lunch under the market-place of the central square in Longny-au-Perche. To the west, you will pass through charming villages: St-Denis-sur-Huisne, Montgaudry, Pervenchères etc.
In Mamers, you should take a pause in the shade under the Halle aux grains, near the church of Saint-Nicolas.
4 circuits with a choice of 43, 56, 99 or 146 km
• Departure: Km 0, Place de la République
• Lunch and reception points
In Longny-au-Perche and Mamers
• BCN-BPF of the day: Longny-au-Perche
The mountain bike route
THE HILL OF MORTAGNE-AU-PERCHE
Perched on its hill, this magnificent medieval city is first discovered from within, then you will go down its slopes and and on the way up, take time to admire the beauty of the spot. After a few trips in the surrounding countryside to warm up, you will be ready for a beautiful and fantastic week of mountain biking!
35 km permanent tour of Mortagne-au-Perche
Discovery cycle tours
MORTAGNE-AU-PERCHE AND THE SURROUNDING COUNTRYSIDE: WANDERING ON A BIKE
Follow the guide and take time to discover Mortagne-au-Perche with the locals. On the programme of this first day, the architectural riches and the curiosities of the town, without forgetting to greet in passing the philosopher Alain. During the afternoon, some of the treasures of villages in the Mortagne countryside will be revealed to you. Do not miss the discovery, in Mauves-sur-Huisne, of the magnificent Catinat stone bridge.
Morning walk: 6 km to discover Mortagne-au-Perche
• Departure at 8 am from Mortagne
• Stops: Town Hall, Place d'Armes, Maison Henri IV, Birthplace of the philosopher Alain etc.
• Visits: the hospital Cloister, the crypt of the former Palais de Justice, the Notre-Dame Church
Afternoon trail: 34 km through the Mortagne countryside
• Departure at 2 pm from Mortagne
• Stops: Saint-Germain church, Catinat bridge, Saint-Martin church etc.
• Visits: Saint-Médard church, Saint-Hilaire church
Pedestrian excursions
In a green setting, you will discover a rich natural and architectural heritage. Mortagne-au-Perche, the preferred place of the 3 Countesses of the Perche, will reveal its secrets, including the church of Loisé, which belongs to one of the largest and oldest parishes of the city.
A choice of 3 circuits:
Le gros Chêne (“the big Oak”) > 8 km
Loisé >< Mortagne
La Cave > 8 km
La Vigne >< Mortagne
Le Pissot > 7.8 km
Saussaie >< Mortagne
• Appointment at 9 am at the Carré du Perche
Coach excursions
HARAS DU PIN & MANUFACTURE BOHIN
Spend your morning in the temple of the horse. Le Haras-du-Pin, one of the most famous national stud farms, opens the doors of its stables and manèges to present the history of more than two centuries of horse breeding in France.
In the afternoon, at the water's edge, come and take a fascinating break with the company Bohin France, the only needle and pin factory in France, listed as a historical monument!
• Departure at 9 am from the car park rue Montcanune
• 10h: Guided tour of the Haras National du Pin
• 12h: Free time for lunch
• 14h: Guided tour of the Bohin factory in Saint Sulpice sur Risle
• End of the day around 5 pm and return to Mortagne
CAMEMBERT & MONTORMEL
In the morning, you will visit the last artisanal production of A.O.P. camembert made with raw milk and molded with a ladle. It is here, on this family farm, that the camemberts are made as in the time of Marie HAREL. During the afternoon, you will discover the Memorial of Coudehard-Montormel, located between Chambois and Vimoutiers. It was on this very spot that the German war machine deployed in Normandy collapsed between 18 and 22 August 1944.
• Departure at 9 am from the car park rue Montcanune
• 10h15: Guided tour of the Durand cheese dairy in Camembert
• 12h: Free time for lunch
• 2 pm: Guided tour of the Montormel Battle of Normandy Memorial
• The day will end around 5 pm when you will return to Mortagne
The opening ceremony
Come and celebrate with us the first day of this federal week with conviviality as it’s theme.
• From 5:30 pm at the racecourse next to the Carré du Perche
• Opening ceremony: speeches, musical entertainment and a toast to friendship.