Vélodyssée
The Vélodyssée with BicyBAGS, from Nantes to Hendaye
The Vélodyssée corresponds to the French part of EuroVelo 1 (from Norway to Portugal). It begins in Brittany at Roscoff and ends in Hendaye, on the Spanish border. BicyBAGS currently offers its services between Nantes and Hendaye.
From Nantes to Saint-Brévin-les Pins, the Loire estuary by bike
The Vélodyssée route is shared with the end (or the beginning) of La Loire à vélo. Walk along the estuary until it meets the river and the Atlantic Ocean.
La Vélodyssée, from the Loire Atlantique to the Vendée.
Near Saint-Brévin, fine sandy beaches alternate with pine forests, the rocky coast of Pornic, fisheries and marshy areas. Bouin marks your entry into Vendée.
Continue your way to the Barre de Monts and Fromentine. If you have time, do not hesitate to extend the pleasure to Noirmoutier. This island is worth the detour and taking the Passage du Gois (submersible at high tide) is a great experience! The journey continues through state forests, large fine sand beaches, cornices, fishing villages and other salt marshes. Saint-Jean-de-Monts, Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, or Saint-Gilles-Croix de-Vie are not to be missed crossing points before arriving at Les Sables d’Olonne, large marina and resort dynamic seaside resort. This is where the famous Vendée Globe starts!
The Vélodyssée continues its course taking you through varied landscapes and pretty lively villages before arriving at the Baie de l’Aiguillon and passing through the Charente.
La Rochelle, Royan and the Gironde estuary
After Marans, La Rochelle and the Ile de Ré await you. Take the time to visit the places and enjoy the many activities available. If you want to avoid the bridge, the maritime shuttle takes you from the port of La Rochelle with your bikes to the Ile de Ré. Rochefort is the next step. Its maritime arsenal, desired by Louis XIV, has long been at the forefront. The island of Oléron, the wild coast, the fisheries and Royan are your last crossing points before crossing the estuary. You can also continue your cycle route along the estuary to finish in Bordeaux (this is for example on the program of the Tour de Gironde by bike).
Gironde rhymes with vineyards, pines and beaches
You enter Gironde via the Pointe de Grave (and the Médoc). From Verdon-sur-Mer to the Bassin d’Arcachon, a route with beautiful cycle paths, dense pine forests, beautiful beaches, villages with lively alleys, lakes and powerful waves as you approach Arcachon. Oysters are also making a comeback. Arcachon and its Ville d’Hiver are worth a walk… or a bike ride. But be careful, it climbs. The Dune du Pilat punctuates this trip to Gironde before saying hello to the Landes.
The Vélodyssée and the Landes
The route deviates somewhat from the coast to offer you beautiful walks in the state forests on a course where the lakes replace the sea. You find the coast at Mimizan Plage, a charming seaside resort. The forest quickly returns towards Léon, Moliets-et-Maâ or even Vieux-Boucan. Take the time to stroll through the local markets and discover very wild portions of the Landes. You then reach the seaside resorts of Hossegor and Capbreton, and their surf spots known to amateurs.
The Basque Country as the end point of the Vélodyssée
Bayonne, city of Art and History marks your entry into the Basque Country, a department of character. Discover a remarkable heritage before taking the steep paths towards Biarritz. These efforts are rewarded. Biarritz is a magnificent city and the Basque coast has incredible landscapes and charming villages all the way to the bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz. Hendaye, the last stage, is reached by a route on the Basque cornice with a breathtaking view and by pretty typical monuments. “Agur eta laster arte!” ” (Goodbye and see you soon !).
Our ideas for itineraries on the Vélodyssée:
1. From Nantes to Les Sables d’Olonne by bike, La Vélodyssée between Loire and Vendée
Duration: 6 to 7 days of cycling
Difficulty level 1/5
Short stages with an elevation close to 0.
Interests on the route:
- City of Nantes
- Loire estuary
- Pornic and its wild coast
- Fine sandy beaches
- Bocage vendeen
- oyster farming
- Island of Noirmoutier
- Les Sables d’Olonne, lively seaside resort
Possible steps:
- Stage 1: Nantes – Saint Brévin les Pins, 61 km (possibility of cutting the stage at Le Pellerin, 24 km)
- Stage 2: Saint Brévin les Pins – Pornic, 41 km
- Stage 3: Pornic – Bouin, 34 km
- Stage 4: Bouin – La Barre de Monts, 35 km
- Stage 5: La Barre de Monts – Saint Gilles Croix de Vie, 36 km
- Stage 6: Saint Gilles Croix de Vie – Les Sables d’Olonne, 38 km
- Possibility to continue to La Rochelle via La Tranche sur Mer (2 additional stages)
Our services on the course:
- Nantes bike rental
- Bike rental Sables d’Olonne
- Baggage transport
- Transfer of people with or without bicycles
- GPS bike guidance
- Tailor-made quote
2. The Vélodyssée La Rochelle Royan and its islands: a cycling route to travel at your own pace
Duration: 3 to 5 days of cycling
Difficulty level 1/5 or 2/5
No particular difficulty except crossing the bridges which can be tricky for acrophobes. Depending on the breakdown chosen, some stages can reach 60 km and more.
Interests on the route:
- Old town of La Rochelle and its port
- Rochefort, city of these young ladies and its former maritime arsenal
- Royan seaside resort and its incredible villas
- Natural reserves
- Island of Re
- Island of Oleron
- Wild side
Possible stages in “short version” (ideal for families and/or beginners):
- Stage 1: La Rochelle – Rochefort, 40 km
- Stage 2: Rochefort – Marennes Hier Brouage, 43 km
- Stage 3: Marennes Hier Brouage – Royan, 46 km
Possible stages in the “long version”:
- Stage 1: Ile de Ré loop, 40 to 60 km
- Stage 2: La Rochelle – Rochefort, 40 km
- Stage 3: Rochefort – Saint Trojan les Bains, 56 km
- Stage 4: Ile d’Oléron loop, 20 to 60 km
- Stage 5: Saint Trojan les Bains – Royan, 61 km
Our services on the course:
- Bike rental La Rochelle
- Royan bike rental
- Baggage transfer
- Transfer of people with or without bicycles
- Tailor-made quote
3. La Vélodyssée, from the basin to the Basque Country by bike: from Arcachon to Biarritz
Duration: 5 to 6 days of cycling
Difficulty level 1/5
Short stages with a very low drop. Only the portion between Bayonne and Biarritz has a significant drop. Some efforts rewarded in the end 😉.
Interests on the route:
- Arcachon bay
- Arcachon Winter Town
- Dune of Pilat
- Biscarrosse Lake and Beach
- Parentis Lake
- Mimizan Beach
- Market of Vieux Boucau and Léon
- Cities of Biarritz, Bayonne and Hossegor
Possible stages:
- Stage 1: Arcachon – Biscarosse Lake, 49 km
- Stage 2: Biscarosse Lac – Mimizan, 38km
- Stage 3: Mimizan – Moliets and Maâ, 58 km
- Stage 5: Moliets and Maa – Hossegor, 26 km
- Stage 6: Hossegor – Biarritz, 40km
Our services on the course:
- Arcachon bike rental
- Bike rental Biarritz
- Electric bike rental
- Baggage transfer
- Transport of people with or without bicycles
- Tailor-made quote
Prepare your bike trip on the Vélodyssée with a bike guide:
Should you call on a cycling travel professional to organize your cycling trip on the Vélodyssée?
► La Vélodyssée with La Bicyclette Verte, bike travel agency based in La Rochelle