Cycling around Arras: where to pedal along the Scarpe and on the cycle routes?
Around Arras, the bicycle offers a fine way to discover the town and its region. Between the towpaths along the Scarpe, the cycle routes that criss-cross the Artois and the flat countrysides favourable to rides, the possibilities are numerous for lovers of two wheels. By bicycle, one explores nature, heritage and landscapes, at one's own pace and in the open air. A look back at cycling around Arras, its itineraries along the Scarpe and its cycle routes, for an active and nature discovery of the town and its territory.
Arras by bicycle, a favourable region
The region of Arras lends itself particularly well to cycling. Situated in the Artois, a region of plains and countrysides, it offers a little rugged relief, ideal for two-wheel rides accessible to all. The open landscapes, the country paths and the riverbanks compose a terrain favourable to discovery by bicycle. This favourable geography makes Arras and its region an interesting destination for cyclists, whether sporty or simple walkers. The bicycle allows one to explore the territory at one's own pace, enjoying the open air and the landscapes. It offers an active and ecological way to discover the town and its surroundings, far from the constraints of the car. The practice of cycling, in full growth, is accompanied by the development of dedicated facilities, such as cycle routes and greenways. Arras and its region belong to this dynamic, offering cyclists itineraries and facilities to practise in safety. The bicycle thus constitutes a fine way to discover Arras and its territory, combining physical activity, the pleasure of the ride and the discovery of landscapes. To understand why the region lends itself to cycling allows one to grasp its interest for this practice. Situated in the Artois, a region of plains, it offers a little rugged relief, ideal for rides accessible to all. Its open landscapes and its riverbanks compose a terrain favourable to discovery by bicycle. This favourable geography, combined with the development of dedicated facilities, makes Arras and its region an interesting destination for cyclists, offering an active and nature way to explore the town and its territory.
Along the Scarpe
One of the most pleasant itineraries to discover Arras by bicycle follows the course of the Scarpe, the river that crosses the town and its region. Along the Scarpe stretch towpaths, old ways used formerly for the hauling of barges, today favourable to walking or cycling. These paths, flat and bordered by water, offer a peaceful and green setting, ideal for a two-wheel ride. To follow the Scarpe by bicycle allows one to discover the landscapes of the valley, between nature and heritage, in a restful atmosphere. These itineraries along the river, as the discovery of the towpaths, locks and barges of Arras recalls, offer a pleasant way to explore the territory. Along the Scarpe, the cyclist enjoys the calm of the river, the landscapes of the valley and the heritage linked to the waterway. These paths, accessible and safe, suit all levels, from families to sportier cyclists. They offer a nature escape from the town, in discovery of the valley of the Scarpe. To understand the interest of the itineraries along the Scarpe allows one to grasp this possibility of ride. Following the course of the river, the towpaths offer a flat, peaceful and green setting, ideal for cycling. They allow one to discover the landscapes of the valley, between nature and heritage, in a restful atmosphere. Accessible to all, these itineraries along the Scarpe offer a nature escape from Arras, for a pleasant discovery of the territory by two wheels.
The cycle routes and greenways
Beyond the towpaths, the region of Arras is crossed by cycle routes and greenways, cycle itineraries arranged for the practice of cycling. These ways, often separated from car traffic, offer safe and pleasant courses to discover the territory. The cycle routes link the towns and the sites, allowing rides or longer cycle tours over varied distances. The greenways, often arranged on old ways or along watercourses, offer a nature and safe setting, appreciated by families and cyclists of all levels. These facilities testify to the development of the practice of cycling and to the will to favour soft mobilities. They allow one to discover Arras and its region by bicycle, in complete safety, on marked itineraries. The development of these cycle routes and greenways belongs to a regional and national dynamic of promotion of cycling, as a mode of travel and discovery. For cyclists, these facilities offer varied possibilities, from the simple ride to the longer tour. They make Arras and its region a destination adapted to the practice of cycling, with safe and pleasant itineraries. To understand the offer of cycle routes and greenways allows one to grasp the possibilities of rides. Cycle itineraries arranged, often separated from traffic, they offer safe courses to discover the territory. Linking towns and sites, arranged along watercourses or old ways, they suit all levels. These facilities, in full development, make Arras and its region a destination adapted to cycling, offering varied and safe itineraries for an active discovery of the territory.
Cycling along the water
Cycling around Arras is willingly combined with the discovery of the waterways. The Scarpe and the canals that cross the region offer a privileged setting for two-wheel rides, between water and nature. The paths that run along the watercourses allow one to discover a heritage linked to navigation, with its locks, its barges and its river landscapes. This discovery along the water adds to the pleasure of the bicycle ride a heritage and landscape dimension. The waterways, formerly axes of transport and trade, are today places of leisure and discovery, appreciated by cyclists as well as walkers. To pedal along the water offers a restful and refreshing setting, in contact with nature. This aquatic dimension enriches the practice of cycling in the region, by offering varied and pleasant itineraries. Cycling along the water also allows one to combine different activities, such as the discovery of the river heritage or nautical activities, in the image of canoeing in Arras. This complementarity between cycling and activities linked to water enriches the leisure offer of the region. To understand the link between cycling and the waterways allows one to grasp this dimension of the practice. The Scarpe and the canals offer a privileged setting for rides, between water and nature, with a river heritage to discover. This discovery along the water adds a heritage and landscape dimension to the pleasure of cycling. Combining ride, heritage and sometimes nautical activities, cycling along the water offers a pleasant and complete way to discover Arras and its region by two wheels.
| Itinerary | Feature |
|---|---|
| Along the Scarpe | Flat and green towpaths |
| The cycle routes | Cycle courses linking towns and sites |
| The greenways | Safe itineraries, away from traffic |
| Along the water | River heritage and landscapes |
Family rides
Cycling around Arras lends itself particularly to family rides. The flat relief of the region, the safe paths along the Scarpe and the greenways offer ideal conditions to pedal with children, in complete safety and without difficulty. These accessible itineraries allow families to enjoy an open-air activity, at once playful and nature. Family cycling offers a pleasant way to spend time together, while discovering the landscapes and heritage of the region. The rides can be adapted to the age and level of each, from small courses accessible to the youngest to longer itineraries for sporty families. This accessibility makes cycling a family activity of choice around Arras. To pedal as a family also allows one to sensitise children to nature, heritage and soft mobilities, in an experience at once educational and recreational. The safe facilities, like the greenways and towpaths, offer a reassuring setting for family rides. Family cycling thus constitutes one of the fine ways to discover Arras and its region, combining pleasure, activity and discovery. To understand the interest of family rides allows one to grasp this possibility. The flat relief, the safe paths and the greenways offer ideal conditions to pedal with children, in complete safety. These accessible itineraries allow families to enjoy an open-air activity, playful and nature, adaptable to all levels. Family cycling, at once educational and recreational, constitutes a fine way to discover Arras and its region, in a safe setting and in the open air.
Cycling and heritage
Cycling around Arras also allows one to combine physical activity and the discovery of heritage. By pedalling, one can link different sites, discover monuments, villages and landscapes, in an exploration at once sporty and cultural. The bicycle offers an original way to discover the heritage of the territory, at a pace that allows one to take the time to observe and to stop. The cycle itineraries can thus become discovery courses, linking the points of interest of the town and its region. This combination of cycling and heritage enriches the experience of the ride, by adding to it a cultural dimension. To discover Arras and its region by bicycle is also to set off to meet their history and heritage, along the itineraries. The bicycle allows one to access sites sometimes distant from the centre, to explore the surroundings and to vary the discoveries. This heritage dimension adds to the interest of the practice of cycling, which becomes a means of discovery in its own right. Cycling and heritage thus combine to offer a complete and enriching exploration of the territory. To understand the link between cycling and heritage allows one to grasp this dimension of the practice. By pedalling, one links sites, monuments and landscapes, in an exploration at once sporty and cultural. The bicycle offers an original way to discover the heritage, at a pace that allows one to take the time. This combination enriches the experience of the ride with a cultural dimension, making the bicycle a means of discovery in its own right of the heritage of Arras and its region.
Cycling and green spaces
Cycling around Arras also invites one to enjoy the green spaces of the town and its region. Along the rides, cyclists can make a stop in the parks and gardens, places favourable to the pause and to rest. These green spaces, arranged for relaxation and walking, pleasantly complete the cycle itineraries. They offer appreciated stopping points, where one can catch one's breath, picnic or enjoy nature in the town. Cycling and green spaces thus combine to offer a nature discovery of the town, between two-wheel rides and pauses in the greenery. The parks and gardens constitute stops of choice on the cycle courses, notably for family rides. One can thus combine the exploration by bicycle and the discovery of the parks and gardens of Arras, for a green escape in the heart or on the outskirts of the town. This complementarity between cycling and green spaces enriches the nature leisure offer of the region. To understand the link between cycling and green spaces allows one to grasp this dimension of the ride. Along the itineraries, the parks and gardens offer appreciated stopping points, favourable to the pause and to rest. These green spaces pleasantly complete the cycle courses, notably as a family. Combining bicycle rides and pauses in the greenery, cycling and green spaces offer a nature discovery of the town, for a green escape in the heart and on the outskirts of Arras.
An active and nature discovery
The bicycle finally offers an active and nature way to discover Arras and its region. Far from the constraints of the car, it allows one to explore the territory in the open air, enjoying the landscapes and physical exercise. This practice, at once sporty and ecological, answers the contemporary aspirations for nature leisure and soft mobilities. To discover Arras by bicycle is to combine the pleasure of the ride, the discovery of the landscapes and heritage, and the benefits of physical activity. This way of visiting the town and its region offers a complete experience, combining sport, nature and culture. The bicycle allows one to take the time, to stop, to observe, in a discovery at the chosen pace. It offers a pleasant and environmentally respectful alternative to explore the territory. This active and nature dimension makes the bicycle a privileged way to discover Arras and its region, appreciated by a growing number of visitors and inhabitants. Whether along the Scarpe, on the cycle routes or through the countryside, the bicycle opens numerous possibilities of discovery. To understand this dimension allows one to appreciate the bicycle as a way to discover Arras. Active and nature, this practice allows one to explore the territory in the open air, enjoying the landscapes and exercise. Combining the pleasure of the ride, the discovery of heritage and the benefits of physical activity, the bicycle offers a complete experience, combining sport, nature and culture. This active and ecological way to discover Arras and its region, appreciated by all, opens numerous possibilities, along the Scarpe, on the cycle routes or through the Artesian countryside.