Cycling holidays along the French Atlantic Coast
Cycling along the French Atlantic coast is a wonderful way to experience the area in a relaxed way, going at your own pace. Enjoy a variety of countryside: cycling beneath towering pines, past fields of sunflowers and vineyards, through oak forests and along rivers, through pretty villages where you can stop to enjoy a cold drink or a coffee.
France as a country is very much geared towards cycling and drivers are accustomed to sharing the road with those on two wheels. Except around large towns and cities, it is possible to avoid busy main roads as there are many thousands of kilometres of small roads and country lanes where the traffic is generally light.
There are three types of cycling roads: EuroVelo, Veloroute and Voie Verte.
EuroVelo
Extends beyond France, into other countries in Europe are a long-distance network of routes that are thousands of kilometres in length. The most well-known one is Vélodyssée, which extends down the French Atlantic coast. Another, planned but yet to be completed in the Pilgrims Route that travels through the region down to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
Veloroutes
These are medium to long distance cycle ways that are made up of a variety of paths and roads. Usually fairly flat, the number of cars along the route should be fewer than 1000 cars a day, but often this figure is lower.
Voies Vertes
Then there are the dedicated cycling routes—over 1000 km of paths allowing all the family to cycle safely. Called Voies Vertes (green routes), this network of paths, often along former rail lines, canal towpaths or old logging roads, can be found right along the coast and are only for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders: motorised vehicles are not allowed. They are usually flat and between 10-50 km in distance. If you’re cycling with children, these are the paths to aim for.
For an interactive map of all cycling route click here.
Cycling tips
Road rules
- Cycle on the right, and use a cycle lane if there is one.
- Give way to traffic on your left at a roundabout.
- You must stop at a STOP sign.
- ‘Cédez le Passage’ means you must give way.
- Never cycle more than two abreast; at night cycle in single file.
- Bicycles must be equipped with a bell, fully functioning brakes, and for after dark with reflectors and front and rear lights.
- Drinking over the legal limit and cycling is illegal.
On the road
- Check the weather forecast before you set off and plan accordingly.
- Always wear a helmet; it is not compulsory but strongly advised.
- Wear brightly-coloured clothing or a fluorescent jacket so other vehicles can see you clearly, especially on dull days.
- Remember sunscreen, as well as lightweight waterproofs in case of wet weather.
- Carry a small bottle of water and keep hydrated.
Bicycles on trains
All trains will take bikes if they are dismantled and carried in a bike bag (maximum size 120cm x 90cm) which can be stored in the luggage area.
Some TGV trains will take unbagged bicycles, but as not all trains do so and spaces are few, it is best to reserve space for your bicycle when you book your ticket. Online at voyages-sncf.com ((aff link)) or at a SNCF ticket office found at stations.
On TERs, the regional train network, there are limited places for bikes, and they can refuse to carry them during peak times.
Cycling with children
- Have a route and stick to it – that way you know you will end the ride at a hotel or back at your gîte.
- Voie Vertes, the vehicle-free routes (see above) are the best for children as there is no danger of them wobbling into the path of a car.
- Get the bicycle right – either take your child’s bike with you or make sure you hire a bike that is right for their size and ability. There are now a lot of options for taking young children – a child-bike trailer carries one or two children with a shield to protect them from the sun and rain, and is easily attached to the frame of an adult bike. A tag-along bike allows a child to pedal independently of the adult bike. Then there’s a tailgater, a tube that connects a child’s bike to an adult one, for when they’re tired and finding it difficult to pedal on their own.
- Try not to do too much – cycle in the morning with an afternoon spent splashing in a pool works well.
- Carry water and lots of energy-giving snacks.