French Coastal Path - Nantes to La Rochelle

Following La Vélodyssée Cycle Path in France

Following La Vélodyssée routes, you'll experience the wild beauty of seaside landscapes: huge beaches, giant dunes, large salt marshlands, and pine forests. And always with the Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop.

Charming fishing ports and sweet seaside resorts will punctuate your journey from Nantes to La Rochelle.

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Highlights

• Nantes, the art and historic city on the Loire River banks
• Beautiful beaches
• The oyster capital of the Vendée area
• Cycling paths through dunes and forests
• Picturesque rocks of "Cinq-Pinteaux" and "Trou du Diable"
• La Rochelle

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Learn more about self-guided tours.

Daily program

Day 1: Arrival in Nantes
Discover the charms and secrets of this art and history city settled on the Loire river banks: its magnificent houses in the old districts, its cathedral, and its Ducs de Bretagne chateau.
Overnight in Nantes

Day 2: Nantes – Saint-Brévin les Pins (36 miles/58 km)
This first bike stage will allow you to reach the Loire River estuary with its calm and wild landscapes--between marshlands and countryside--before breathing salty and fresh sea air in Saint Brévin les Pins. Enjoy the beautiful beaches.
Overnight in Saint-Brévin les Pins

Day 3: Saint-Brévin les Pins – Bouin (33 miles/53 km)
Discover the "oyster capital" of the Vendée area, a former island now protected by dikes and polders, and unique in France. Observe the salt marshland workers and don't forget to taste some oysters at Port du Bec, enjoying the view over Noirmoutier island.
Overnight in Bouin

Day 4: Bouin – Saint Jean de Monts (34 miles/55 km)
Follow the cycling paths through dunes and forests, and admire the 20th-century villas all along the way. After the small loop on the Noirmoutier island, a beautiful fine white sand beach is waiting for you at Saint Jean de Monts.
Overnight in Saint Jean de Monts

Day 5: Saint Jean de Monts – Les Sables d’Olonne (34 miles/54 km)
Between Sion and St-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, ride along the picturesque rocks of 'Cinq-Pinteaux' and 'Trou du Diable.' Discover the old fishing port of St-Hilaire-de-Riez before reaching the famous 'Vendée Globe' race departure town: Les Sables d’Olonne. There you can taste seafood products such as the well-known 'sablaise' sardine.
Overnight in Les Sables d’Olonne

Day 6: Les Sables d’Olonne – La Tranche sur Mer (29 miles/47 km)
On the first part of this stage, you will ride close to the sea, from beaches to rocky creeks... before riding along the Payré estuary with its astonishing and contrasting colors. Leave your bike for a while to have a swim on one of the nice beaches such as Conche beach, before reaching La Tranche sur Mer, a famous seaside resort dedicated to board sports.
Overnight in La Tranche sur Mer

Day 7: La Tranche sur Mer – La Rochelle (45 miles/73 km)
Cycle through the dry part of the 'marais Poitevin' and follow the ‘voies vertes’ cycling paths to enter the village of Marans. Have a look at the church and its surprising bell tower made of glass and metal. Continue to La Rochelle with its old towers, remains from the old defensive walls. You will enjoy the charms of the old city bathed with warm and sweet lights.
Overnight in La Rochelle

Day 8: Departure during the day

Surface and terrain

You'll cycle on paved routes and cycle paths on this tour. You'll enjoy rolling terrain each day, and average distances of 35 miles per day.

Hotels

These are sample hotels and may vary based on availability.

You will enjoy superior accommodations in 3- and 4-star hotels.

Hotel de France Oceania, Nantes
www.oceaniahotels.com

Hotel du Béryl, St Brévin les Pins
www.hotel-stbrevinlocean.com

Domaine Le Martinet, Bouin
www.domaine-lemartinet.com

Hôtel BW Atlantic thalasso, Saint Jean de Monts
www.hotels-valdys.fr

Hôtel Les Roches Noires, Les Sables d’Olonne
www.hotel-lesrochesnoires.com

Hôtel Les Dunes, La Tranche
www.hotel-les-dunes.com

Hotel La Monnaie or Hotel Centra Park, La Rochelle
www.hotelcentralpark.fr

Interested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options.

How to get there

Tour start
Nearest airport: Paris, France
Nearest train station: Nantes, France

Tour end
Nearest airport: Paris, France
Nearest train station: La Rochelle, France

• From Paris: Montparnasse train station >> Nantes train station (about 2h10 by TGV train). .
• Return transfer to Nantes : La Rochelle Ville train station >> Nantes train station (about 2h30 by train).
• Return transfer to Paris: La Rochelle Ville train station >> Paris Montparnasse train station (about 2h40 by TGV train).

Tips on getting to and from your tour

Dates

Prices

Included services

• 7 nights accommodation
• Breakfasts
• Luggage transfer (1 luggage 20kg per person) Additional €20 per extra luggage and transfer
• Travel folder with maps, detailed route descriptions, and tourist brochures
• Hotline for emergency support
• City taxes
• GPX tracks upon request

If the optional dinner package is booked, you'll receive 7 dinners.

Bike rentals

The bikes available for rent on this tour (must be reserved at time of booking):

• Hybrid touring bikes, 21-speed men's or unisex frame
• Electrically assisted bike, 9-speed*
• Child's bike, trailer, or baby seat

*More about electrically-assisted bikes >

Equipment included with bike rental:

• One rear saddlebag for hybrid bikes; two rear saddlebags for e-bikes
• High visibility jacket
• Anti-theft device
• Map holder and handlebar bag
• Repair kit, pump, lock

Bike Protection:
Bike protection can be purchased at the time of booking. You can read more about that HERE. 

Pedals:
The bikes will have flat pedals. If you want to bring your own pedals, please bring your own shoes and also the necessary equipment to change the pedals.

Helmets:
Helmets are included with bike rental on this tour. However, we recommend that you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene purposes.

Tour Company