Day 1
Arrival by train or by car at Challans. Welcome in the early evening and your first French dinner.
Day 2 Noirmoutier 52 km
We begin our trip from the château hotel to the island of Noirmoutier. The bridge takes you through the inter-tidal mudflats to Noirmoutier. A visit to an oyster park including a tasting are scheduled. During the visit of the island, you will enjoy the 12th century Saint Philibert abbey church and the 11th century tower “le Donjon”.
Day 3 Vélodyssée – Talmont St Hilaire 60 km
From the hotel, we’ll head directly to the splendid Vélodyssée which is a new cycling path that covers the Atlantic coast in its entirety. During today’s trip, small fishermen’s houses will alternate with magnificent villas and beautiful beaches. The picnic on the beach can be combined with an enjoyable swim. The day ends with the historical castle of Talmont St Hilaire and then we reach the hotel.
Day 4 Nantes – Pointe St Brévin 64 km
Organised transfer to Nantes. The city was already under Welsh occupation before the Romans invaded it. Nantes was later designated the hometown of the Dukes of Brittany. Thanks to its favourable geographical position, next to the Loire estuary, the city underwent an economic boom in the 18th century and became one of the most important harbours in France. On the Quai de la Fosse, where slaves were embarked on boats there is now a memorial to the abolition of slavery. Our tour leads us along a pretty side of the Loire.
Day 5 Ile d’Yeu 48 km
Today, we head towards the sea and once we are at the coast, we will take a boat to the Yeu Island. The sight of dolmens and menhirs will remind you of prehistory. You will also enjoy the old castle with its remains and the Saint-Sauveur romantic church of the Middle Ages. To conclude this little cycling paradise, explore beautiful villages with colourful shutters, dream creeks and wild coasts.
Day 6 The river Loire estuary Vélodyssée – Bouin 59 km
After a quick transfer, we reach the Loire estuary area in the Atlantic. Our bike odyssey starts here along the Vélodyssée: a very nice tour overlooking the sea. Beautiful landscapes and dunes escort us to the little city of Pornic, an idyllic place to fish or swim. Then we cycle to Bourgneuf bay. The main salt trade centre took place here until the end of the 16th century. The salt production in the bay has existed since the Carolingians. Countless salt works, salt lakes and salt marshes were invested in over the past centuries and explain the importance of Bourgneuf today. A visit to a salt works is planned before we head to Bouin. You will learn a lot in this city about the « Guerre de Vendée », which took place during the French Revolution.
Day 7
Departure after breakfast, but you can always extend your stay in this beautiful region.
Comments