5 must-ride gravel cycling routes in France!

Legendary crossings… to (un)explored territories with GravelUp

Gravel biking has become the best way to travel by bike in France. More versatile than a road bike and more accessible than a mountain bike, it allows you to explore long-distance routes while regularly escaping the asphalt.

France remains one of Europe’s most sought-after playgrounds for gravel cycling, thanks to its marked long-distance routes, historic paths, and still-wild territories.

Here are 5 must-ride gravel bike routes, from the most famous to the most sought-after, before taking you to less-traveled destinations explored with local GravelUp guides.

Good news: none of these routes are reserved for extreme adventures. All can be ridden in sections, with easy train access, making them accessible to a wide audience.

1. La grande traversée du Massif Central (GTMC) – Gravel Edition

The benchmark gravel route in France

The GTMC is arguably the most iconic gravel bike route in France. Originally designed for mountain biking, it is now largely adapted to gravel, with many smoother variants. This legendary crossing offers significant elevation gains, which can be managed by riding only a loop or a section of the route. Every key point is marked, and GPX tracks allow precise tracking of altitude and route.

Main Features:

• Distance: 1,430 km (from Morvan to the Mediterranean)

• 5 natural parks crossed

• Numerous entry and exit points

• 100% gravel-compatible route

Possible Sections:

• Parc du Morvan

• Volcanic Auvergne

• Aubrac & Grands Causses

• Cévennes → Mediterranean

Train Access:

• Avallon: starting point

• Clermont-Ferrand: very well connected

• Le Puy-en-Velay, Millau, Alès: intermediate stations

• Sète: TGV station

Why it’s so sought-after:
Because it crosses the country from north to south, linking volcanoes, plateaus, mountains, and the sea, offering a true long-distance gravel bike travel experience.

2. La Loire à vélo (Gravel version)

An ideal route for your first gravel stages

A well-known itinerary, but in gravel it becomes wilder while remaining very accessible. Loire à Vélo offers an unforgettable ride along canals and villages in the heart of France. This greenway passes through marshlands and can end in Nantes. Simple logistics, many possible exit points, and suitable for your first gravel adventure.

Main Features:

• Start: Nevers

• Finish: Saint-Nazaire

• Distance: ~900 km

• Level: beginner to intermediate

• Terrain: towpaths, dikes, agricultural tracks

Recommended Sections:

• Nevers → Orléans (Wild Loire)

• Tours → Saumur (levees and vineyards)

• Angers → Nantes (preserved Loire banks)

Train Access:
Excellent connections: Nevers, Orléans, Blois, Tours, Angers, Nantes, Saint-Nazaire

3. Canal des Deux Mers by bike (Gravel version)

A legendary east–west axis

The Canal des Deux Mers connects the Atlantic to the Mediterranean along a historic and highly popular route. In gravel version, you can enjoy peaceful landscapes along canals and farm tracks while avoiding damaged or overly busy sections. Perfect for a flexible, accessible journey full of discoveries.

Main Features:

• Possible start: Royan or Bordeaux

• Finish: Sète

• Distance: ~750 km

• Level: accessible

• Terrain: towpaths, farm tracks, white roads

Modular Route Options:

• Bordeaux → Toulouse

• Toulouse → Carcassonne

• Canal du Midi → Mediterranean

Train Access:

• Bordeaux: TGV

• Toulouse: TGV

• Carcassonne, Béziers, Sète: regional stations

4. La Vélodyssée (Gravel version)

Explore the Atlantic Coast on gravel

Very popular as a road route, La Vélodyssée becomes a true gravel adventure when you slightly deviate from the official track. It crosses Brittany, from bays to natural forests, with greenway sections, coastal tours, and protected parks—perfect for full immersion in nature.

Main Features:

• Start: Roscoff

• Finish: Hendaye

• Distance: ~1,200 km

• Level: intermediate

• Terrain: forest tracks, compact sand, small roads

Most Interesting Gravel Sections:

• Vendée → Charente-Maritime

• Landes Forest

• Landes → Basque Country (more hilly)

Train Access:

• Roscoff: car + train

• La Rochelle, Bordeaux, Bayonne, Hendaye: very well connected

5. La Grande Traversée du Jura (GTJ) – Gravel

Wide open spaces and freedom in the Jura

The Grande Traversée du Jura offers a calm and preserved gravel route, ideal for those seeking wide open spaces and freedom. Still lightly traveled, this crossing lets you enjoy varied landscapes between plateaus, forests, and villages, while adapting the route according to your desires and skill level.

Main Features:

• Start: Mandeure (Doubs)

• Finish: Culoz (Ain)

• Distance: 400–500 km

• Level: intermediate to advanced

• Terrain: white roads, plateaus, farm tracks

Breakable Sections:

• Haut-Doubs

• Haut-Jura

• Plateau du Retord

Train Access:
Montbéliard, Morez, Saint-Claude, Culoz

Gravel Off the beaten track

(Un)explored territories with a local GravelUp guide

In addition to these well-known gravel bike routes, GravelUp offers the chance to explore less touristy but exceptionally beautiful areas, where flexibility and local knowledge are essential.

The Grands Causses

• Possible departures: Millau

• Modular itineraries: 3–5 days

Limestone plateaus, vertiginous canyons, and spectacular cliffs create a breathtaking mineral landscape, offering an ideal playground for gravel biking.

The Morvan

• Departures from: Saint-Brisson

• Perfect for: beginners and short trips (2 days)

Guaranteed total disconnection from the everyday!

The Alpilles

• Loop departures from: Mouriès

• Transfers: Provided by GravelUp from Avignon TGV station

A hidden gem in the heart of Provence to discover by gravel bike. Spend 3 days exploring postcard-perfect landscapes, cycling to the songs of cicadas, and soaking up the sun.

Champagne

• Departures from: Épernay

• Train access: Yes

Famous for its white paths winding through vineyards, villages, and gentle hills, this destination is perfect for beginner gravel cyclists or casual riders.

Want more? Discover all GravelUp destinations by downloading our catalog here 👉 Download 2026 Catalog

FAQ – Gravel bike routes in France

What is a gravel bike route?
A gravel bike route combines secondary roads, dirt tracks, forest trails, and greenways, allowing you to ride off the asphalt while enjoying the French landscapes and villages.

Can these routes be done in stages?
Yes, all the routes presented can be ridden in sections.

Are these routes accessible by train?
Yes, most of them have intermediate stations where you can start or finish your ride.

What level is required for these routes?

• Beginner to intermediate: Loire à Vélo, La Vélodyssée, Canal des Deux Mers

• Intermediate to advanced: GTJ (Grande Traversée du Jura)

• Advanced: GTMC (Grande Traversée du Massif Central)

What equipment is recommended?

• Tires: 40–45 mm depending on the chosen route

• Panniers / bike bags

• GPS / reliable GPX tracks

• Clothing suitable for changing weather conditions