Greenways: Discover the Great Lakes by bicycle

150 km in the heart of untouched nature

It is in the autumn or springtime that these lakes offer the most impressive spectacle of nature: the cranes (there are over 40,000 of them most years) use this as a staging post.

 

A very gentle route

Whether leaving from Troyes or Saint Dizier, the Great Lakes of Champagne are easy to explore by bicycle. The route combines secure greenways and small country lanes with very little traffic. The itinerary runs along some towpaths, which are particularly delightful to explore. The dykes on Lac du Der and Lake Forêt d'Orient are also very easy to ride along.
 

Forest and lake

To the east of Troyes, the Orient Forest Regional Natural Park welcomes you with its majestic forests and typical half-timbered villages. As you travel, stop off at Brienne le Château where you will learn the story of Napoleon who spent several years here at the military school.

Further on, the Lac du Der and its 4,800 hectares of open water will impress you. It is nothing less than an inland sea and is the largest artificial lake in Europe. A feat of man that nature has taken to its heart, as thousands of migratory birds stop off here every year.

Detailed description of the route ...