Relaxing by bike on the Vélocéan

Less well known than La Vélodysée, the Vélocéan itinerary covers 148 km of the Loire-Atlantique coastline. This cycle route is made up of five routes, ranging from 16 to 30 km, with the option of doing several on the same day. While the route alternates between dedicated lanes and lanes shared with cars, the Vélocéan offers an easy route to discover solo, as a couple or with the family.

Meet the liners of Saint-Nazaire

Your cycling tour begins at the foot of the vertiginous Saint Nazaire Bridge. Here you are in the heart of the Saint-Nazaire shipyards! It's easy to imagine yourself as a passenger on the Esccal'Atlantic in the days of the great transatlantic crossings, or as a submariner aboard the Espadon. What a great way to discover all the facets of life by the sea!

First seaside pleasures at La Baule

Along the way, you'll reach La Baule via country roads, through fields and woods. The shipbuilding industry soon gave way to bucolic lanes. Then La Baule heralds the start of a seaside getaway. With almost 9 km of fine sand stretching from the port of Pornichet to the entrance to Le Pouliguen, La Baule is always popular with swimmers and fans of fishing, sailing, kayaking and thalassotherapy. Enough to get your mind off things!

Tip: extend your visit to the Côte sauvage on the Guérande peninsula, and finish off at the Océarium in Le Croisic. In Batz-sur-Mer, visit the salt marsh museum to learn more about the eco-system of your next cycling stop.

The Guérande salt marshes

After invigorating yourself in Batz-sur-Mer and Le Croisic, a new atmosphere awaits you in Guérande. A city of art and history, with its medieval ramparts, Guérande could well be one of the highlights of your cycling trip. Here you are in the heart of a wetland area with a unique landscape. All around you, the marshes reveal themselves. Enjoy a guided tour of a saltworks with a salt worker.

Relaxation by the sea

Continue your cycling tour along the coast to Pénestin, your final destination. Piriac-sur-Mer, a pretty Petite Cité de Caractère, will charm you with its granite houses and narrow streets lined with hydrangeas and hollyhocks. After passing through the typical village of Kercabellec, follow the paths through marshland and bocage before reaching the ocean at Pointe de Merquel.

After an often tricky passage along the D33, you'll be rewarded by the enchanting setting of Pont Mahé Bay. Amateur windsurfers are particularly fond of this spot! Finally, Pointe du Bile will probably be one of your last stops before arriving in Pénestin, Morbihan.

And it's with a rested mind that you'll end your seaside escapade.

Preparing your cycling holiday in Pays de la Loire

If you're planning to cycle the Vélocéan, make sure your bike is in good condition, and that you have a first-aid kit in case of a puncture. With an electric-assist bike, don't forget to recharge your battery regularly.

Travelling light is often a lifesaving tip when you're out and about. Likewise, adapt your clothing to the use of your bike... and to the weather. Whatever the season, remember to hydrate regularly and take breaks to relax.

Finally, on your route along the Vélocéan, you can count on a dozen "Accueil Vélo" accommodations. All the ingredients for an unforgettable cycling holiday in Loire-Atlantique!

Discover the Vélocéan stage by stage !