It is possible to cycle the entire length of the French Atlantic coast. Called Vélodyssée, this 1,200 km route takes you right down the Atlantic coast and into Spain. Eighty percent of it is along cycle paths, the rest on shared routes with other traffic.

The route is broken up into 14 sections, starting in France at Roscoff. You can cycle it all, or you can choose just the sections that suit you. The route takes in some of area’s loveliest scenery including the oyster-producing Marennes Oléron, the Côte Sauvage, the Bordeaux vineyards of the Médoc, the beaches of Lacanau, the Bassin d’Arcachon, and laid-back cool Cap Ferret, the amazing Dune du Pilat and the Landes forest. Along the way stop off at the main towns of Guérande, Nantes, La Rochelle, Rochefort, Royan, Bayonne and Biarritz.

Photo by popelix.com

After Brittany, the route goes from Nantes, following the Loire river west to Saint Brevin, which is just south of Saint Nazaire. From there it heads south, with views of sandy coves and the jagged coastline and through the lovely resort of Pornic. Take the famous tidal Gois Causeway to the island of Noirmoutier. Back on the mainland, the route hugs the coast, past oyster farms, to Les Sables d’Olonne, and then onto the historic port town of La Rochelle with the route skirting inland around the Baie de l’Aigullon.

Then it’s onto the lovely beach resort of Châtelaillon-Plage and down to the river-side town of Rochefort. From here you ride steadily towards the coast, picking up the sea at La Tremblade and then cycling through the pine-tree forests around La Coubre lighthouse and the Côte Sauvage, following the coast to Royan.

Take the ferry across the mouth of the Gironde river and then follow the cycle path down the Atlantic coast side of the Médoc, the view changing from pine forests to salt marshes and oyster farms. At Cap Ferret, cycle the 70 kilometres around the Bassin d’Arcachon, through the ornithological park of Le Teich, beneath the shade of towering pine trees and past more oyster farms, and into the lovely town of Arcachon itself.

Next head to the great Dune du Pilat and then on through a mix of lakes and forest. Then you’re into the Landes with its resorts such as Biscarrosse, Hourtin and Mimizan – here, be aware that there are often quite a few kilometres between the town and the beach resort). The route continues on, hugging the coastline and on approach to Biarritz and the Anglet beaches. From there, a stunning cliff side route brushes past Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Hendaye-Plage and across the border into Spain.

Legend:
On the map below, you will find bicycle rental & repair (marked in blue) and campgrounds (marked in yellow) along the velodyssèe route.