In the footsteps of the First World War — EuroVelo 19

With a theme of wars and rivers, this Collection takes you on a journey which traces the French section of EuroVelo 19.

Also known as "La Meuse à vélo", the full route follows the river from its source at Pouilly-en Bassigny, near Langres in Haute-Marne, to its mouth at the North Sea in the Netherlands.

The French section of this European cycle route is 475 kilometres (300 mi) long. It accounts for just under half of the total 1,050-kilometre (650 mi) journey.

This eight-day adventure is accessible to all. The terrain is relatively flat, with daily distances ranging from 50 to 75 kilometres (30 to 45 mi). Cycling along French rivers and canals is a great way to introduce yourself to multi-day cycling.

EuroVelo 19 is a good alternative to La Loire à Vélo, a popular 900-kilometre (550 mi) river route along the Loire Valley. While you’ll discover renaissance architecture along the Loire, here you'll pass historic sites from the First World War. As you travel through the bucolic countryside, it's easy to forget that it was the scene of one of the greatest human tragedies.

Sadly, comparisons can be made with pollution of the Dnieper river in Ukraine to that of the Meuse river in France - both a consequence of war. It shows that humans make the same mistakes over and over again, and as Homer said back in his day: "War is our mother", so familiar is it to us.

Some parts of the route retell the story of "la der des ders" with memorial sites located between the towns of Verdun and Charleville-Mézières. There are many other historically significant sites along the route, and the incredible towns of Langres, Sedan, Charleville-Mézières and Givet will be highlights of your journey.

The second stage of the route is a day devoted to Joan of Arc, with a visit to the village where she was born. You’ll see how much the local population still regard her as a saint and important historical figure.

Nature is not forgotten, either. The second part of the route takes you through the magnificent Ardennes Regional Nature Park. You’ll discover some beautiful geological sites, such as the rocks of Saint Mihiel. You’ll also find numerous castles, abbeys and beautiful villages, giving this route a distinctive French charm.

The food is rich and served in generous portions, inspired by both Belgian and French cuisine. Accommodation is plentiful and of a high standard.

Summer is the best season to undertake this journey, but consider autumn and spring if you’d prefer a quieter season.

To ensure the route is accessible by train, I’ve tailored the Tour to start at Langres SNCF station and end at Givet SNCF station.

Happy discovering and riding!