Here, you don't need to be a cyclist to love cycling: the routes follow the water, so everything is flat. You pedal between barges and herons, stop at a lock, set off again. Here are our three favourite rides, from gentlest to most ambitious.
1. The Briare canal to Montbouy — the classic
~17 km one way · flat · 1h15 each way · family-friendly
The towpath picks up the canal in central Montargis and heads due south. The town quickly fades: vaulted plane trees, moored barges, flowered locks where the keeper waves hello. At Conflans-sur-Loing (km 6), the first postcard village — the ideal turnaround with young children. Others continue to Montbouy and its locks, with a picnic or guinguette stop depending on the season.
Leave around 9:30am: low light on the water, a still-quiet path, and back for lunch. Carry water — supply points are rare between villages.
2. The Scandibérique (EuroVelo 3) — the prestige stage
Touring route · waymarked · all levels
The Scandibérique, the French section of EuroVelo 3 (Trondheim to Santiago de Compostela!), follows the Loing valley and crosses Montargis. Two ideas:
- Northwards: up the Loing to Cepoy and its lakes — a gentle half-day ride.
- Southwards: follow the canal to Briare and its canal-bridge (~45 km), the metal structure built with the Eiffel workshops that carries the canal over the Loire. The round trip is a full sporting day; many prefer a night there or a train ride back.
Montargis is in fact a favourite stage for Paris–Loire cycle tourists: if that is your project, the town deserves more than a single overnight stop.
3. Montargis state forest — the green escape
Loops of 10 to 25 km · forest tracks · hybrid bike recommended
North-east of town, more than 4,000 hectares of oak forest gridded with straight allees inherited from royal hunts. You ride in within about twenty minutes from the centre. Star-shaped crossroads, green light under the canopy, roe deer at dawn — total change of scenery. In autumn it is mushroom (and photographer) paradise.
Bringing (or not bringing) your bike
- Train + bike: on line R from Paris Gare de Lyon, bikes travel free — just avoid weekday rush hours (6:30–9:30am, 4:30–7:30pm). No restrictions at weekends.
- Renting locally: possible in season; ask the Agglomération Montargoise tourist office.
- The simplest: stay somewhere that lends bikes — see below.
An apartment… with two bikes included
Our recommendation sits right in the centre, steps from the canal, and provides two bikes for its guests — perfect for the Sunday-morning ride to Montbouy. A cosy, light-filled 60 m², 2 bedrooms, free parking and a small shared garden for the post-ride apéritif.
See the apartment on Airbnb