Journey on the great bicycle routes of France from Nantes
Enjoy a unique and exceptional experience of a magnificent bicycle trip to discover the great bicycle routes of France.
La Bicyclette Verte offers you a cycling trip starting from Nantes on the cycle track of the Vélodyssée on the Atlantic coast.
The trip continues on the Vélo Francette in the heart of the Marais Poitevin and the Venise Verte for a discovery of the fauna and flora.
After crossing the Gâtinais region through the city of Parthenay, you will reach Saumur and the Loire River by bike. This last stage will make you discover an exceptional historical, cultural and gastronomic heritage!
Strong points of the trip :
- The exceptional variety of landscapes
- Discovery of the great bicycle routes of France
- Historical, cultural and gastronomic heritage
- The seaside
- The Poitevin
- The banks of the Loire
- The cities of Saumur, Nantes, Niort, St Gilles-croix-de-vie
DAY 1 : Nantes
Arrival in Nantes and installation in the hotel in the afternoon. By arriving early in the day, you will be able to visit the Bouffay district, the Dukes of Brittany castle or the Graslin district. Do not miss a visit to the island of Nantes and its machines.
Night and breakfast in Nantes.
DAY 2 : Nantes to Saint-Brévin-les-Pins (66 km)
The first stage of this trip begins along the Loire River on bicycle facilities and small roads.
Take a break in Rezé and stroll through the Trentemoult district, a small fishermen's village with colorful house facades.
You will then ride along the Canal de la Martinière in a bucolic atmosphere between the Loire, the marshes and the bocage.
Make a stop in Paimboeuf, an old port that has inspired many artists. You will be able to admire contemporary works of art all along the circuit.
You will reach the estuary at Saint-Brévin-les-Pins. It's time to enjoy a well-deserved swim.
Night and breakfast in Saint-Brévin-les-Pins.
DAY 3 : Saint-Brévin-les-Pins to Pornic (37 km)
This short stage on the Vélodyssée goes along the immense beaches lined with pine trees to the
charming coves of Pornic. You will have the rest of the day to enjoy the atmosphere of this seaside resort and taste an ice cream at the Fraiseraie de Pornic.
Night and breakfast in Pornic.
DAY 4 : Pornic to Bouin (37 km)
The Vélodyssée bicycle route continues in the Bourgneuf Bay in a peaceful and pleasant atmosphere before reaching the Vendée.
Take a break from fishing at La Bernerie and admire the beaches at Moutiers-en-Retz. You can also take a walk in the marsh of Lyarne. You are in the country of the oyster as the small oyster ports testify.
Night and breakfast in Bouin.
DAY 5 : Bouin to La Barre de Monts (35 km)
You continue your cycling tour in the Bay of Bourgneuf to the Port-du-Bec à l'Epoids with its piers and wooden pontoons.
The tour ends in La Barre de Monts where you will find the Breton-Vendéen marshes ecomuseum.
Night and breakfast in La Barre de Monts.
DAY 6 : La Barre de Monts to Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie (37 km)
You drive along the seaside and through the state forest of the Pays de Monts, before reaching the large beach of Saint-Jean-de-Monts.
You can visit the old fishing village of Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez before admiring the jagged cliffs of the Vendée coastline and Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie.
Night and breakfast in Saint-Gille-Croix-de-Vie.
DAY 7 : Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie to Sables-d'Olonne (38 km)
After a visit of the city and its harbor, you will take your bike in the direction of Bretignolles-sur-Mer.
You will ride along the vineyards of Brem-sur-Mer to the Olonne forest and the old salt marshes. This is an opportunity to visit the vineyard of Saint-Nicolas-de-Brem and to do a wine tasting.
You will reach Les Sables-d'Olonne by the marina.
Visit the Penotte Island district and its magnificent frescoes by the artist Dan Aubrin.
Night and breakfast in Les Sables-d'Olonne.
DAY 8 : Les Sables-d'Olonne to La Tranche-sur-Mer (46 km)
Expect a magnificent stage of your cycling trip on the Vélodyssée, close to the beaches and rocky coves.
Admire a superb panorama on the wild and steep coast between Les Sables and Bourgenay.
Make a gourmet stop at the Payré estuary for an oyster tasting.
Night and breakfast in La Tranche-sur-Mer.
DAY 9 : La Tranche-sur-Mer to Marans (49 km)
The stage begins on the bicycle path towards the Belle-Henriette lagoon, then towards La Faute-sur-Mer. You arrive in the heart of the Regional Natural Park of the Marais Poitevin. Drive through the dry marshland between the Vendée and the Charente-Maritime before reaching the beautiful port of Marans.
Night and breakfast in Marans.
DAY 10 : Marans to Coulon (47 km)
Along the Sèvre Niortaise, you will see the landscape change as the kilometers go by. You ride on cycle tracks inaccessible to cars to fully appreciate the calm of the marsh. You will cross the charming village of Damvix by paths and some footbridges, before joining the one that is nicknamed the capital of the Marais Poitevin: Coulon.
Night and breakfast in Coulon.
DAY 11 : Coulon to Niort (18 km)
Early in the morning, you will enjoy a 2-hour guided boat ride through the marsh canals while tasting local products. You will be able to see the marsh from another angle (optional activity). Discover the fauna and flora in an exceptional green kingdom. Then take the bike back to the village-street of La Garette. Ride along the canals on the Vélo Francette to Niort and its famous Donjon.
Night and breakfast in Niort.
DAY 12 : Niort to Parthenay (53 km)
This more hilly stage invites you to cross a mysterious landscape probably sheltering some elves and fairies watching you pedaling. You arrive in Gâtine, a land of granite, small plots of land full of trees smelling of apples and chestnuts.
The bike tour ends in Parthenay, citadel of the Thouet, located on one of the roads to Santiago de Compostela.
Night and breakfast in Parthenay.
DAY 13 : Parthenay to Thouars (49 km)
Today, you will reach Saint-Généroux and its 10th century church, one of the oldest in Poitou. Continue your journey on the Vélo Francette passing by Saint-Loup-sur-Thouet and one of the most beautiful castles of France from the Henri IV - Louis XIII period.
After riding along the Cébron lake, the city of Thouars welcomes you for the evening.
Night and breakfast in Thouars.
DAY 14 : Thouars to Saumur (45 km)
You leave Thouars crossing medieval bridges with typical architecture of the Thouet valley.
You reach Montreuil-Bellay, labeled the Most Beautiful Tour of France.
From here, the historical monuments follow one another until Saumur.
Night and breakfast in Saumur.
DAY 15 : Loop of Saumur by the banks of the Loire (30 km)
Discover Saumur, its half-timbered houses, its castle, a medieval fortress
fortress with a municipal museum, and the Ackerman cellars which offer a
tasting of local wines. This loop guides you along the bike paths around the city along the Loire River and in the surrounding villages.
Night and breakfast in Saumur.
DAY 16 : Saumur to Angers (61 km)
In the heart of the Loire Valley, you will drive through typical villages until you reach Angers, capital of the Dukes of Anjou and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover the castle of Angers, its gardens (including the botanical garden of the university) and its old town.
Night and breakfast in Angers.
DAY 17 : Angers to Montjean-sur-Loire (52 km)
You are still riding on the itinerary of the Loire by bike on a wilder part known for its vineyards. You will see that Saint-Florent is well known as a "Petite Cité de Caractère", located on the banks of the Loire.
You can admire the old abbey which overhangs the river from the top of its promontory.
Night and breakfast in Montjean-sur-Loire.
DAY 18 : Montjean-sur-Loire to Nantes (56 km)
The cycling trip comes to an end with this last stage to reach Nantes. On this part, the new cycling facilities make the route pleasant to cycle.
Take advantage of your evening to ride around Nantes.
Night and breakfast in Nantes.
DAY 19 : Nantes
End of the tour after your breakfast in Nantes. You can book an optional extra night if you wish to extend your trip.
