La Vélodyssée, from Nantes to la Rochelle

The Atlantic Coast by bike, between Nantes and La Rochelle 

This cycling trip on the Vélodyssée itinerary starts on a common stage with the Loire à vélo from Nantes before reaching the Atlantic Coast. 
The atmosphere changes when you arrive on the estuary. You will ride along the large beaches lined with pine trees before reaching Pornic. The cycle route continues in the Vendée to St Gilles Croix de Vie and then to Les Sables d'Olonne. You will get away from the coast for a while to pedal in the forest and through protected areas to La Tranche sur Mer. Last stage close to the sea to La Rochelle. 

Points of interest :

• Nantes, la Rochelle and Pornic
• The estuary art trail 
• St Gilles Croix de vie and the Vendée coastline 
• Beaches and creeks 
• The Vendée AOC fiefs and seafood

Day 1 : Your arrival in Nantes

Arrival at your hotel in Nantes from 3 pm. Take time to discover the Bouffay district, the castle of the Dukes of Brittany or the Graslin district. The atypical architecture of the Ile de Nantes and the machines of the Island are to be discovered. 
Night at the hotel ***.

Day 2 : Nantes - St Brévin les Pins / 66 km

First stage along the Loire River on bicycle facilities and small roads. Make a stop in Rezé and ride 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. Break in Paimboeuf, an old port which inspired many artists. You will be able to admire contemporary works throughout this stage. 
You arrive on the estuary at St Brévin les Pins. You can enjoy a well-deserved swim. 
Night in St Brévin les Pins. 

Day 3 : St Brévin les Pins - Pornic / 37 km

Enjoy a shorter stage on the Vélodyssée along the immense pine-lined beaches to the charming coves of Pornic. You can enjoy the atmosphere of this seaside resort and taste an ice cream at the Fraiseraie de Pornic. 
Night in Pornic. 

Day 4 : Pornic - Bouin / 37 km 

The bicycle route continues in the Bay of Bourgneuf in a peaceful and pleasant atmosphere until the Vendée. Take a break from fishing at La Bernerie and admire the beaches when you arrive at Moutiers-en-Retz. You can also take a walk in the marsh of Lyarne. Here you are in the land of oysters as the small oyster ports testify. 
Night in Bouin.  

Day 5 : Bouin - La Barre de Monts / 35 km

You continue your trip by bike in the Bourgneuf Bay to the Port-du-Bec à l'Epoids. Admire its wooden pontoons and jetties. 
Your journey ends at La Barre de Monts where you can visit the Breton-Vendéen Marshes Ecomuseum. 
Night at La Barre de Monts. 

Day 6 : La Barre de Monts - St Gilles Croix de Vie / 37 km 

The Vélodyssée continues along the seaside and through the state forest of the Pays de Monts before reaching the large beach of St-Jean-de-Monts. Visit the old fishing village of St Hilaire de Riez before reaching the jagged cliffs of the Corniche Vendéenne and St Gilles Croix de vie. 
Overnight in St Gilles Croix de Vie. 

Day 7 : St Gilles Croix de Vie - Les Sables d'Olonne / 38 km

Take the time to discover the city and its port before taking your bike to Brétignolles-sur-Mer. You will ride along the vineyard of Brem-sur-Mer to the Olonne forest and the old salt marshes. Take the time to visit the vineyard of Saint Nicolas de Brem and enjoy a wine tasting. 
You arrive in Les Sables d'Olonne by the marina. Don't miss the visit of the Penotte Island district and the magnificent frescoes of the artist Dan Aubrin. 
Night in Les Sables d'Olonne. 

Day 8 : Les Sables d'Olonne - La Tranche-sur-Mer / 46 km 

This is a very beautiful stage of your cycling trip on the Vélodyssée along the beaches and rocky coves. Enjoy 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 at La Tranche-sur-Mer. 

Day 9 : La Tranche-sur-Mer - La Rochelle / 76 km

This is the last and longest stage of this cycling trip towards the Belle-Henriette lagoon and then towards La Faute-sur-Mer. Discover the dry marshland between the Vendée and Charente-Maritime regions, then stop at the port of Marans. The Canal de Marans guides you to La Rochelle, a port city not to be missed on the Vélodyssée. 
You can enjoy the atmosphere of the city and have a drink on the terrace of the old port. 
Night in La Rochelle. 

Day 10 : End of your cycling trip in La Rochelle

The stay with the Bicyclette Verte ends after breakfast. 

General information:

• 10 days and 9 nights
• Level of comfort of the accommodations : 2* or 3* (local standards)
• Children's rates : contact us

Dates:

Realizable between April and October 2023.
High season in July and August. 

Included :

• Free online tour
• Luggage transportation
• Travel book: we provide you with the information about the course of your stay as well as the itinerary at the validation of your reservation, subject to change. 
• Assistance in case of breakdown (except flat tire)

Not included :

• Transportation to the place of departure
• half board
• Personal expenses
• Visits other than those included in the program
• Tourist tax to be paid on site

Options :

• Renting of VTC or VAE
• Additional night(s) at the beginning or end of the tour
• Return by minibus La Rochelle - Nantes
• Return by train La Rochelle - Nantes
• Theft insurance for the rented bike
• Cancellation insurance

Levels :

1 2 3 4 5 6

Terrain :

Flat terrain on developed bike paths and small roads. The itinerary is marked with the orange logo of the Vélodyssée easily recognizable. 

Climate:

Mild sun, little wind and pleasant temperatures.

Technicality:

- Cycling: 36 to 76 km per day or 3 to 5 hours of cycling.
- Itinerary partly marked, roadbook and map reading useful.

Bibliography :

- The Atlantic Coast by bike
- IGN map : Île de Ré, Oléron and Marais Poitevin

Meals :

- Breakfast : copious (coffee, tea, chocolate, milk, butter, bread, jam, orange juice)
- Lunch : not included
- Dinner: in restaurants near the accommodations.

Bicycle :

- Bike rental: If you rent a bike, it will be given to you on the day of your arrival at the hotel. A deposit will be required.
At the end of the tour, you will have to leave the bike at the hotel and inform the reception. We will take care of its return.
We offer special equipment for children, seats, small bikes and trailers.

- Personal bike: We do not recommend bikes with small tires. Mountain bikes are excellent. Remember to check your bike before you leave.
At the end of the tour, you will need to take charge of your own bike.

Assistance :

- Assistance in case of breakdown (except for punctures for which we do not intervene).

Travel book :

A welcome documentation with all the necessary information for the good progress of your stay is sent to you before your departure. 

We provide you an access to our hiking application Respire Voyages to download your routes from your smartphone. 

The paper version of the logbook is optional. 

Transportation:

- By train: SNCF TGV to Nantes in approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes from Montparnasse station. For more information about schedules, contact the SNCF.
- By road: A11 freeway. Paris is 385 km from Nantes
- By plane: Airports in Poitiers and La Rochelle and international, Nantes or Bordeaux.

Parking :

A parking space is available at the hotel, payable on site.

Cancellation insurance :

In order to guarantee the reimbursement of expenses in case of cancellation of your stay, you can take out cancellation insurance. To learn more about the insurance, click here.