The Vélodyssée

The Vélodyssée stretches for nearly 1,300 km from north to south of France, from Brittany to the Basque Country, from Roscoff to Hendaye. It passes through the regions of Brittany, Pays de la Loire, and Nouvelle-Aquitaine. It is a fully signposted cycling route, largely on dedicated cycle paths. Cycling the Vélodyssée offers the opportunity to explore the Atlantic Coast. From Saint-Brévin-les-Pins onwards, the route follows the coastline almost exclusively.

Did you know? The Vélodyssée is the French section of EuroVelo 1. This European route crosses Europe from north to south, from Norway to Portugal. For more information on EuroVelo 1, see the Cartovelo (bookseller specializing in cycling and hiking) page on this topic: EuroVelo 1.

Our tips and answers to frequently asked questions about cycling the Vélodyssée:

• What is the most beautiful part of the Vélodyssée?
  • The Vélodyssée from Roscoff to Nantes
  • The Vélodyssée from Nantes to La Rochelle
  • The Vélodyssée from La Rochelle to Arcachon
  • The Vélodyssée from Arcachon to Biarritz or from Bordeaux to Biarritz
  • The must-sees of the Vélodyssée
• How to cycle the Vélodyssée?
  • How long does it take to cycle the Vélodyssée?
  • Which bike is best for the Vélodyssée?
  • When is the best time to cycle the Vélodyssée?
  • Which direction should I cycle the Vélodyssée?
  • The Vélodyssée: Where to stay?
  • The Vélodyssée GPX track
• The Vélodyssée with family

Which is the most beautiful part of the Vélodyssée?

It's difficult to answer this question, as the Vélodyssée offers such varied landscapes: peaceful canals, Breton countryside, bucolic rivers, the Loire estuary, salt marshes, the Vendée coastline, fine sandy beaches, lakes, pine forests, the Basque coastline, the wild coast of Pornic or Royan... Everyone usually has a different opinion on the subject. Here is a short description of what awaits you on each section of the Vélodyssée (we hope this will help you choose your Vélodyssée route!):

The Vélodyssée from Roscoff to Nantes

While this section of the Vélodyssée begins on the Breton coast, it quickly heads inland and doesn't return to the Atlantic coast until after Nantes. Before reaching Nantes, the capital of the Dukes of Brittany, the route rejoins the Nantes-Brest Canal near Carhaix-Plouguer, and follows it closely all the way to the finish line. A peaceful and idyllic bike ride awaits you on this section.

The Vélodyssée from Nantes to La Rochelle

The cycling adventure between Nantes and La Rochelle begins along the Loire River and its estuary. At Saint-Brévin, say goodbye to the river and cycle along the Atlantic coast. A series of beautiful and varied landscapes then unfolds before you. Pornic, with its rugged coastline and charming port, is one of the highlights of the Vélodyssée between Nantes and La Rochelle. The Vendée region offers beautiful sandy beaches, marshes, oysters (from Bouin or Noirmoutier, your choice), and picturesque, lively seaside resorts like Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, La Tranche-sur-Mer, and Les Sables-d'Olonne. Beyond the Vendée, Charente-Maritime welcomes the Vélodyssée cycle route in Marans, from where a canal guides cyclists directly to La Rochelle.

The Vélodyssée from La Rochelle to Arcachon

From La Rochelle, head to Rochefort, a former naval arsenal of the Kingdom of France under Louis XIV. The Vélodyssée then takes you along a varied and magnificent coastline with beautiful, unspoiled stretches of wilderness. At Royan, you must cross the Gironde estuary to reach the Médoc region. Pine forests, shimmering lakes, and vast beaches then follow one another, offering breathtaking views all the way to the Arcachon Basin.

The Vélodyssée from Arcachon to Biarritz or from Bordeaux to Biarritz

This final section of the Vélodyssée begins at the Dune du Pilat. Climb to the top to enjoy the panoramic views of the surrounding area. You'll then rejoin the cycle path to explore the Landes region by bike. Charming seaside resorts and pine forests dot the route all the way to the Basque Country. Bayonne, Biarritz, and Hendaye are now within easy reach.

If you prefer to start from Bordeaux, that's an excellent idea! The Gironde capital has plenty to offer, and the Vélodyssée is easily accessible from there.

The must-sees of the Vélodyssée

If we had to list the must-sees and highlights of the Vélodyssée, they would be these:

• The Nantes-Brest Canal, peaceful and bucolic
• Nantes, capital of the Dukes of Brittany and a vibrant cultural city
• Pornic, with its rugged coastline and historic center
• Bouin and its oysters
• The Vendée salt marshes
• Saint Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, Les Sables d’Olonne, and La Tranche-sur-Mer, picturesque seaside resorts
• La Rochelle, the jewel of Charente-Maritime
• Royan and its wild coastline
• The Médoc and its lakes
• The Arcachon Basin
• The Dune du Pilat
• Cycling in the Landes region
• The Basque Country and its coastal road
• Biarritz and Bayonne, authentic and lively cities

How to cycle the Vélodyssée?

If you'd like to do the Vélodyssée with an organized tour, La Bicyclette Verte offers ready-made itineraries. Choose the route that appeals to you most. If you prefer to plan your own cycling holiday, BicyBAGS, Cartovelo, or France Vélo Tourisme can help you:

• BicyBAGS provides one-way bike rentals, luggage transfers, and passenger transport with bicycles on the Vélodyssée. The company operates between Nantes and Hendaye. You can book the service(s) that suit you best; BicyBAGS adapts to your itinerary! 👉 Visit the BicyBAGS website.
• Cartovelo is an online bookstore specializing in cycling and hiking. All the guides and maps for the Vélodyssée are available on cartovelo.fr!
• The official Vélodyssée website is well-organized and provides a wealth of practical information. You can also download the Vélodyssée GPX track there.

How long does it take to cycle the Vélodyssée?

You should allow 26 days of cycling, averaging 50 km per day, to complete the entire Vélodyssée. If you average around 80 km per day, it will take about two weeks. Cycling the Vélodyssée in stages is also a good option. If you have about a week to spare, here are some suitable routes:

• Nantes – La Rochelle
• La Rochelle – Arcachon
• Arcachon/Bordeaux – Biarritz

If you're looking for a shorter getaway, we recommend the Vélodyssée from La Rochelle to Royan.

What type of bike is best for the Vélodyssée?

The ideal bike for the Vélodyssée is a hybrid bike. The route is generally on smooth, rolling surfaces (62%), but some sections have a rougher surface (35% - white gravel paths, gravel roads, etc.) or are even in poor condition, although it's a very small section (3%). Gravel bikes or mountain bikes are also suitable for the Vélodyssée.

It's also perfectly feasible to cycle the Vélodyssée on an electric bike. Every Vélodyssée route with La Bicyclette Verte offers electric bike rentals!

When to cycle the Vélodyssée?

For weather reasons, we recommend cycling the Vélodyssée between April and October. If you can travel outside of July and August, June and September are ideal months. The weather is usually favorable, and there are fewer people on the Atlantic coast.

Which direction to cycle the Vélodyssée?

The Vélodyssée is generally cycled from north to south. The main reason is that the wind most often blows from the southeast. If you cycle from south to north, you're more likely to encounter a headwind. At La Bicyclette Verte, all our all-inclusive Vélodyssée trips are designed for north-south travel. We can provide a quote for the opposite direction upon request.

Where to stay on the Vélodyssée?

The Vélodyssée boasts numerous accommodations with the Accueil Vélo (Cyclists Welcome) label. This label guarantees that the accommodation provider offers services specifically designed for cyclists. At La Bicyclette Verte, we work with hotels that cater to cyclists. We also select charming and well-located accommodations to ensure you fully enjoy your cycling holiday.

The Vélodyssée GPX track

The complete Vélodyssée GPX track and individual stage routes are available for free download on the official Vélodyssée website or the France Vélo Tourisme website.

The Vélodyssée for Families

The Vélodyssée is generally well-suited to families thanks to the quality of its cycling infrastructure. However, some stages can be a bit long. If you'd like to cycle less than 45 km per day, we recommend the Tour du Bassin d’Arcachon by bike, which is ideal.

The Vélodyssée in video: