From spring to late autumn, there are almost unlimited leisure opportunities in the castle and the surrounding area. In addition to the extensive bike tour area, the region can be explored running, hiking or on horseback. The 9-hole golf course in Arc en Barrois is about 60km away and there is also a swimming lake where stand-up paddling, water skiing and canoeing are possible - a local boat rental company offers everything a water sports heart desires.
The Marne Valley leisure paradise
The region offers many more cycling routes and variations and we hope to get even more suggestions from guests. A trip to the Vosges Mountains is also an option for long-distance cyclists - the Col de la Schlucht is 130km away. There you notice the much stronger tourism and car traffic and you will soon be happy to be back in the insider tip of the region around the Amance.
At La Mothe Castle we offer two mountain bikes and two trekking bikes for rent. You have to bring your own racing bikes, a workshop with good tools, pumps, etc. is available.
The area around La Mothe is ideal for cycling and road racing. There is very little traffic, lots of well-paved back roads and paths, and the landscape is beautiful. There are no passes and higher mountains, but the many hills and climbs allow plenty of vertical meters and offer some peaks for ambitious climbers. There are hardly any places to stop for a break, so drinks and energy bars should be carried with you, and a replacement tube and cell phone are also recommended.
In the following we have recorded some routes between 20 and 90 km starting from La Mothe - we look forward to additional experiences and suggestions.
After work round La Mothe - Vaux La Douce: almost 27 km away from the main roads with a beautiful atmospheric ascent from Velles and a crisp 1 km gradient on the local mountain Vaux La Douce with an average of 10%. Then briefly through the forest and directly back via Soyers or a 5km detour via Chézaux and Bize.
Morning lap Fayl Billot: 23 km to the next bakery and back - 200 meters in altitude through the forest to Fayl Billot, then a few km of the national road and back at the crossing 'La Rose des Vents' with a brisk descent via Laferté and Anrosey.
La Mothe - Ouge - Saint Marcel: Very nice, varied 36km with two 7% gradients and a cozy and interesting end over Pisseloup with its castles and mansions.
Varennes - Marcilly - Hortes: The 40km home route from La Mothe with a longer 7% gradient to Varennes and a beautiful view of the village church, fountain and park bench, then spectacular descents through the forest past horse farms and a large, decaying castle and former abbey Chateau de Beaulieu, with two more ascents and finally, if you like, a 1.3 turn-off up to Charmoy with over 12%. If that is too strenuous for you, you can simply drive relaxed through the underpass back to Bize and La Mothe.
Voisey - Coiffy-le-Haut-Hortes: great 53km past fish ponds, through forests, and a crisp ascent to Coiffy-le-Haut, where two wineries invite you to taste (or at least take a break). From Chezeux you either take the straight route towards Hortes (with a short ascent near Arbigny) or extend the loop around Varennes and take Tour No. 5 next.
Port-sur-Saône: 81km to the tourist town of Port-sur-Saône with its small port, nice restaurants and old town. The outward journey is atmospheric, about 30km up and down through forests and valleys, no gradient longer than 500 m and a maximum of 9%. On the way back you can speed up, but the national road is quite busy on weekdays, so that the way there is also recommended as a way back. A great 700 meters of altitude and a worthwhile and varied excursion.
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