The Great Flemish Loop

Day 1:

You’ll begin your trip with a visit to Lille, the capital of French Flanders. The route will guide you past the city’s key landmarks and historic sites: the Town Hall and its UNESCO-listed belfry, the Porte de Paris, Jean-Baptiste Lebas Park, the Prefecture, the famous Rue de Gand (renowned for its restaurants), the Grand’Place, and the Opera House. A wealth of architecture awaits you in this beautiful city.

You will leave Lille via the Citadel Park, one of the city’s most iconic green spaces. Locals love this oasis of nature that surrounds the 17th-century fortress.

Next, you’ll head north along the Deûle Canal. After leaving the city, you’ll follow the Lys River, passing charming little marinas such as Wambrechies and Deûlémont, before reaching your first bed and breakfast near Armentières.

Day 2:

After a short visit to Armentières, you’ll continue along the scenic banks of the Lys  (a Franco-Belgian river), mostly canalised, that originates in the Pas-de-Calais. You’ll follow part of the Lys Cycle Route and enjoy the peaceful countryside of Northern France.

After passing through Merville, you’ll enter the vast Nieppe Forest at 6,500 acres, the largest forest in French Flanders.

You’ll finish your ride at the lovely Haverskerque marina, where your bed and breakfast is located nearby.

Day 3:

Your third day starts with a winding ride along the Lys towards Aire-sur-la-Lys. When you reach the Town Hall, don’t miss the belfry, construction of which began in 1355!

Heading north, you’ll cycle through the Ballastières Nature Park with its lakes. After passing near the famous Arques Glassworks, you’ll leave the Neufossé Canal and ride towards Renescure and the Rihoult-Clairmarais Forest.

You’ll then enter Saint-Omer, where you’ll admire the ruins of Saint-Bertin Abbey, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the old Town Hall. You’ll also pass the beautiful public gardens, created from former fortifications, before reaching your bed and breakfast.

Day 4:

This fourth day of cycling is a little longer, around 30 miles (don’t worry, after three days of riding you’ll be well prepared!).

North of Saint-Omer, you’ll cross part of the peaceful Audomarois Marshes shaped by humans since the Middle Ages.

Next, you’ll head north again, where a bit of climbing awaits! Near Mont de Watten, you’ll reach the highest point of your trip. You’ll then return to the Flemish countryside, heading towards Esquelbecq a charming village known as the “book village”. In 2023, it was even voted “France’s Favourite Village” on an French TV channel.

A few more miles and you’ll arrive in Bergues, made famous in 2008 by the film “Welcome to the Sticks”.

Day 5:

You’ll leave Bergues after one last look at its fortified walls, then ride through the Bois des Forts. After a pleasant stretch through Fort Louis Park, you’ll enter Dunkirk.

The route will take you past the city’s highlights: the Bassin du Commerce, Town Hall, and Jean Bart Square, well known to carnival-goers… Finally, you’ll arrive on the Malo-les-Bains promenade, where you can enjoy the beach and give your legs a well-earned rest!

The programme is lighter for this fifth day of cycling so you can first climb the Bergues belfry for stunning views of the whole of Flanders, and later enjoy a relaxing afternoon on the beach. If the weather allows, why not take a swim before heading to your bed and breakfast?

If five days of cycling is enough for you and you’d like to stop here, you can opt for the “Across Flanders” trip and take the train back from Dunkirk to Lille in the evening (your train will be booked for you!).

Day 6:

Now it’s time to head south for your final two, slightly more challenging stages! You’ll leave Dunkirk and cycle into the heart of the Flemish countryside. You’ll pass through several small villages with the region’s characteristic architecture before beginning the climb to Mont Cassel, the highest of the Flemish Hills (176 meters, around 577 feet).

From the top, you’ll enjoy spectacular panoramic views of Flanders. The setting here is beautiful, with the historic village, cobbled streets, Flanders Museum, and the famous windmill. On the way down, you might even have time to visit the stunning Mont des Récollets Gardens.

After passing another windmill, you’ll reach Steenvoorde, where you’ll stay at your final bed and breakfast of the trip. For your last dinner, there are plenty of great options just a short walk away.

Day 7:

And here it is the final day of your Great Escape through French Flanders. Another fantastic stage lies ahead.

Early in the day, your legs will be tested once again with the climb up Mont des Cats! But the reward is well worth it: another incredible panoramic view awaits at the foot of the Abbey. You may also wish to visit Saint-Bernard Church or the Abbey shop, where you can taste the famous cheese made by the monks for decades.

You’ll then descend along winding country roads towards Bailleul, a town built on a small hill. The final part of the route follows the Lys towpath. You’ll return to Lille via the residential neighbourhoods of its suburbs and through Citadel Park the same way you started your adventure, bringing your unforgettable loop through French Flanders full circle.

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 60 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)

• Single room supplement: + €450
• High season: + €60 per person (departures from 29 March to 05 April, 25 April to 24 May, 28 June to 31 August 2026)
• Luggage transfer: + €161 per person (+ €322 for a person travelling alone)
• Rental of a fully-equipped muscle bike: + €140 per bike
• Rental of a fully-equipped electrically-assisted bike : + €220 per bike
• Bike hire for children under 1.50 m – (4 ft 11 in) 24-inch mountain bikes: €95 per bike
• Bike drop-off and collection at the departure point: + €40
  Child discount (in the same room as 2 people paying the full rate):
  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 price includes :

• Video presentation of the trip and introduction to 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)
• Assistance 7 days a week

The basic price does not include :

• Bike hire (choice of electric or muscle bikes, with different sizes available and equipment included) is optional
• Luggage transfer (optional)
• An optional Boat&Bike morning on the Lys on the third day (subject to boat availability)
• Lunch and evening meals (except second evening).

Click here for a detailed quote.