6-day cycle tour in the Vendee country along the Atlantic
Enjoy the seaside in the Vendee country on this 6-day cycling holiday. You ride mostly on dedicated bike lanes on the Atlantic cycle route between Pornic and Les Sables d’Olonne. You will also appreciate to cycle on the island of Noirmoutier.
- Atlantic Coast
- 6 day(s)
- Fairly easy
- ~ 41 km/day
- Itinerant
Discovery trip by bike along the Atlantic coast.
Cycle 6 days along the Atlantic between Pornic and Les Sables d’Olonne and enjoy the charms of the Vendee coast. As you ride out of Pornic, you will be impressed by the landscape of the seaside from the corniche. The cycle route continues further along the Bourgneuf bay and then meanders through marshland. You overnight in the cute little village of Bouin and ride the next day to the island of Noirmoutier.
Enjoy a unique experience riding to the island across the bay on a submersible road, the "passage du Gois" (only at low tide) or ride a longer route to take the bridge. You cycle further down the Atlantic coast through the pine forest to Saint-Jean-de-Monts. Your cycle holiday ends up in Les Sables d’Olonne, after a magnificent ride along the rocky coastline and through Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie port and the Olonne marshland.
Program
Free time of arrival in Pornic, check-in at your accommodation during reception hours.
Pornic is a charming port with a flair from Brittany. The town center is spreading on the hills surrounding the moorage, where boats are lying protected from the winds. Take time to stroll around the old town.
- 32 km
- + 80 m
You cycle from the Loire Atlantique region to the Vendee country. The Velodyssey route is going on the corniche and provides nice views on early 20th century houses on the sea front. You meander through residential neighborhoods and after Les Moutiers-en-Retz, cycle an open landscape named "Marais breton", literally Breton marshland. On one side, you will see the pastureland and on the other side, the shore dotted with fishing nets or osyter ports. You overnight in Bouin, a village in the middle of marshland which was formerly an island!
- 37 km
- 60 km
Cycle the polders to the "passage du Gois", a submersible road which connects the island of Noirmoutier to mainland. At low tide, you can cycle across the bay on this road and get directly to Barbâtre. If you arrive there at high tide, you need to ride a longer route on mainland to take the bridge more South. The route is then going all the way through marshland to the Northern part of the island, to the village of Noirmoutier-en-l’Ile.
Please refer to the day of your visit to know the times of low tide. You can cross from 1h30 before until 1h30 after low tide time.
- 41 km
- + 36 m
Today’s route is along the West coast of Noirmoutier island, facing the ocean. You cycle through salt marshes to L’Epine and follow the route of the ancient mills along the beaches. Enjoy the view on the long beaches and pine forests before crossing the bridge. You ride afterwards into the forest of Pays de Monts. The cycle path goes up and down along the dunes and takes you peacefully to the sea resort of Saint-Jean-de-Monts
- 55 km
- + 68 m
You leave Saint-Jean-de-Monts along the ocean. The sandy beaches give way to the rocky coast of the Vendée coastline. Admire the spectacle of the foam spouting on the rocks. You will then reach Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, the Mecca of sardine fishing. You continue to drive along the coast and then wind your way through marshes and forests in the Olonne region. You enter Les Sables with a nice panorama on the old district "La Chaume" before reaching the bay.
Your journey ends in the town of Les Sables d'Olonne.
Accommodation
Information
Beginning of the trip
As the first day is a non-biking day, you’ll arrive at your leisure, depending on your route. Please note that rooms are usually available by mid-afternoon, depending on your accommodation. Please let us know if you are arriving late.
To get to the departure point
By plane: flight to Paris or Nantes or La Rochelle.
By train: TGV (fast trains) from Paris Montparnasse (direct or with a connection in Poitiers). The duration of the trip is estimated between 3h15 and 3h45. Inter-regional trains from Bordeaux and Nantes. To plan your trip,thetrainline.
Car park
If you drive to La Rochelle, you can park your car in a secured car park located in the city center: parking Vieux Port Sud (Avenue de Colmar, weekly rate: 60€) or parking Verdun (place Verdun, 15€/day).
To get back to the starting point
Regional trains take you back to your starting point if you wish. Change in Saintes. They are accessible without booking in advance and bicycles are free. You have to buy your ticket on spot (full rate ~19€/adult). There are several trains per day. The travel will take between 1.30 and 2 hours. You will find the timetable in your travel documents.
storage facility for the duration of your trip (upon availability).
- Atlantic Coast
- 6 day(s)
- Fairly easy
- ~ 41 km/day
- Itinerant
Tried and tested stays!
- Experience15 years' experience in cycling to advise and satisfy you
- Tested & ApprovedThe whole team goes out into the field to design the itineraries and select the best partners (accommodation, bikes, etc.).
- Quality of serviceA dedicated customer service team available and ready to listen, from the moment you book until you return from your holiday.
- Secure paymentIndividual or fractional payment by secure means via our website
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- Atlantic Coast
- Fairly easy
- ~ 41 km/day
- Itinerant