Cycling from Bethuné to Brussels – Eurovelo 5

More than 1,000 years ago, pilgrims made the long journey from England to Jerusalem. The EuroVelo 5 follows their footsteps over 3,200 kilometres (1,988 mi) through seven different countries. In this Collection, we present a beautiful section of the route through northern France and Belgium. On these Tours, you cycle along canals and former railway lines and discover historical treasures and culinary delights. This is a journey you will not forget in a hurry.

The Tour starts in Bethuné and leads you to the European capital, Brussels. Both places are easily accessible by train. You travel through the French departments of Pas-de-Calais and Nord, the Belgian provinces of East and West Flanders and the Brussels-Capital Region. All these landscapes share a common history because, in the Middle Ages, they all belonged to the County of Flanders. You can recognise this divided history not only by the flags with the Flemish lion waving in the wind in many places, but also by the culture, architecture, gastronomy and, last but not least, the world-famous Flemish art of brewing.

On this ride, you experience breathtaking landscapes and wonderfully-diverse traditions and cultures. This adventure is suitable for everyone, you don't necessarily have to have cycling experience. The route is also ideal for families with children, as the paths are safe and pleasant throughout. With stages ranging from 40 to 73 kilometres (25 - 45 mi), there is also plenty of time to visit sights along the way. The route is signposted and almost entirely car-free. Most of the time you’ll be on cycle paths or along canals far away from traffic. When you do take to the roads, they are extremely quiet. An exciting adventure awaits you.

This Collection is part of the Eurocyclo project, supported by the European Regional Development Fund (Interreg V: France-Wallonie-Vlaanderen): interreg5.interreg-fwvl.eu (in French).