Across Flanders
Experience an unforgettable cycling adventure through French Flanders
| ⏱️ Duration | 5 days and 4 nights |
| 💪 Level | Easy |
| 📍 Region | Flanders |
| ⛰️ Distance | 130 miles |
From €420 / person
🚴♂️ VTC bike hire
📱 Digital travel diary
🏠 Accommodation booking
🧳 Luggage transfer
😁 7/7 telephone assistance
Customise your trip
Enjoy a unique experience by customising your cycling trip in the heart of French Flanders. Tell us what you want for an unforgettable holiday.
Available Dates
Recommended departures Monday to Thursday
Contact Fabien on 06 30 50 04 94 or chtisvoyages@gmail.com to plan your stay.
Departing from Lille, this is a bucolic as well as cultural journey that awaits you over 5 days and 4 nights. Departing from the capital of Flanders, the route takes you to the seaside on the fifth day. The route alternates between towpaths, country roads and forest tracks. You’ll return by train at the end of the journey.
A great way to (re)discover French Flanders and enjoy its rich heritage and countryside.
Day 1:
Your journey begins with a tour of the capital of Flanders : Lille. Lille hosts the start of the 2025 Tour de France!
The route will take you to the city’s main symbolic and historic landmarks: the Town Hall and its UNESCO-listed belfry, the Porte de Paris, the Parc Jean Baptiste Lebas, the Prefecture, the rue de Gand famous for its restaurants, the Grand’Place and the Opera House. So many places that make up the city’s rich architectural heritage.
As you leave the capital of Flanders, you’ll pass through the Citadelle Park, one of Lille’s most emblematic parks. The people of Lille love this green setting surrounding the 17th-century fortress.
You then head north along the Deûle canal. You leave the city and join the Lys. You will pass small marinas such as Wambrechies and Deulémont before reaching your first bed and breakfast near Armentières.
Day 2:
After a brief visit to the town of Armentières, you resume your bucolic route along the banks of the Lys, this Franco-Belgian river, mostly canalised, which rises in the Pas de Calais. Follow part of the Véloroute de la Lys and enjoy the northern countryside in complete safety. After passing through Merville, you enter the Nieppe state forest. At 2,600 hectares, it is the largest forest in French Flanders.
You finish your journey by arriving at the very pleasant Haverskerque marina. Your guest room is located not far from the port.
Day 3:
You start this third day by following the winding road along the banks of the Lys to Aire sur la Lys. At the Town Hall, you can admire the Aire sur la Lys belfry, which was first built in 1355! You then head north through the ponds of the Ballastières Nature Park. After passing close to the famous Cristallerie d’Arques, you leave the Canal de Neufossé for Renescure and then the Rihoult Clairmarais state forest.
You then enter Saint-Omer, where you can admire the ruins of Saint Bertin Abbey, Notre Dame Cathedral and the old Town Hall. You’ll also pass the magnificent public garden, built on former fortifications, before returning to your guest room.
Day 4:
This fourth day of cycling is a little longer than the others. Just over 50 km following the planned route (don’t panic, you’re already well trained after the first 3 days!). North of Saint Omer, you will cross part of the peaceful Audomarois marshes, shaped by man since the Middle Ages!
You then head back north, where a bit of climbing awaits you! Near Mont de Watten, you reach the highest point of your journey. Then it’s back to the Flemish countryside before arriving in Esquelbecq, a charming little village well worth a visit, and now proclaimed a ‘book village’. In 2023, the village was even voted ‘Favourite Village of the French’ in the France 2 programme presented by Stéphane Bern.
A few kilometres further on, you enter the unheralded village of Bergues, which became famous in 2008 thanks to the filming of Dany Boon’s ‘Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis’.
Day 5:
For this final day of cycling, the programme is lighter. You leave Bergues with a last look at the ramparts of the fortified town, then enter the Bois des Forts. After passing through the Fort Louis park, you enter Dunkirk, the last stopover on your cycling tour. You’ll pass the Bassin du Commerce and the Place Jean Bart, famous for its carnival atmosphere… You’ll finally reach the Malo dyke, where you can enjoy the beach and rest your calves! But don’t forget to get back to Dunkirk station in time to catch your train!
Important note: Would you prefer to extend your stay (2 days) and cycle back from Dunkirk to Lille? Then choose The Great Flemish Loop (7 days / 6 nights)!
On this trip, you’ll enjoy comfortable bed and breakfast accommodation, including breakfast, for a relaxing break. The first night is spent in a family-run ** hotel.
Each accommodation has a solution for keeping your bike safe and sheltered.
Electrically assisted bicycles (E-bikes)
These are bikes from the French brand O2feel e-bikes, created in 2009 and based in the Hauts-De-France region, in the suburbs of Lille.
Ivog Explorer 4.1 bikes
A mountain bike ideal for country roads. Notched tyres, flexible, sturdy mudguards and batteries integrated into the seat tube for a very well-balanced frame and ride.
Frame: Low
Battery: Ipowerfit 400 up to 55 miles of assistance
Saddle: Royal Lookin saddle, gel pads
Disc brakes
Weight: 23 kg (51 lbs)
Tyres: Schwalbe Marathon Plus puncture-resistant
9 speeds
Available in sizes S, M and L
ISwan Adventure Boost bikes
Typical O2feel style. A slightly sportier design than the Ivog Explorer bikes and a battery integrated into the frame for a comfortable, balanced and powerful ride.
Frame: Mixed
Battery: Ipack 432 up to 85 miles of assistance
Shimano meter with 3 assistance levels
Saddle: Royal Lookin saddle, gel pads
Disc brakes
Weight: 23 kg (51 lbs)
Tyres: Schwalbe Marathon Plus puncture-proof
9 speeds
Available in S and M sizes
Classic bikes (muscular)
Roam DIsc Giant bikes
The Roam Disc is at home on all surfaces. Tarmac or dirt roads, dusty paths or forest tracks, this bike is designed to take you anywhere. Also available as a mixed frame (Liv Rove model)
Frame: Aluminium
Wheels: Giant Double wall aluminium
Speeds: 18
Weight: 13 kg (29 lbs)
Available in sizes M, X and XL
Accessories
Child trailer
Double seat for up to 2 children.
Additional space for a few items of luggage.
Suspension
Fidlock safety belt
LED rear lights
Safety flag
Load capacity: 41 kg (90 lbs)
| From : |
€420 per person |
Base: low season, 2 people in a double room |
- Single room supplement: +€240
- High season: +€40 per person (departures from 1st to 5 April, 27 April to 24 May, 30 June to 31 August 2026)
- Luggage transfer: +€115 per person (+€230 for a person travelling alone)
- Muscle bike hire: +€102 per bike
- Electric-assist bike hire: + €160 per bike
- Bike hire for children under 1.50 m – (4 ft 11 in) 24-inch mountain bikes: €67 per bike
- Bike drop-off and collection at the departure point: + €40
- Child discount (in the same room as 2 people paying full price):
0-3 years: – 70%
4-12 years: – 50%
13-17 years: – 30% - Accompaniment by a professional guide (subject to availability): quote on request.
The basic rate includes :
- Video presentation of the trip and how to use the application.
- The Roadbook will be available on the Roadbook for discovery app a few days before your departure, with a description of the trip, the route to follow, points of interest and various tips. (The app is available on all smartphones from Android 7 and IOS 12).
- Accommodation (bed and breakfast type), tourist tax and breakfast
- Dinner on the second evening (drinks not included)
- Return journey by regional train from Dunkirk to Lille
- Assistance 7/7
The basic fare does not include :
- Bike hire (choice of electric or muscle bikes, with different sizes available and equipment included) is optional
- Luggage transport (optional)
- An optional Boat&Bike morning on the Lys on the third day (subject to boat availability)
- Lunch and evening meals (except on the second evening).
Click here for a detailed quote.