Elevation of the route
Waytypes of the cycle route
Surface of the cycle route
Signposting and state of the itinerary
"La Vélo Francette" is entirely signposted from Normandy to Charente Maritime. The logo of the itinerary is accompanied with its national ID V43 on signs .
From Ouistreham to Angers, the route is mainly developped on securised lanes, most of the time on greenways or designated lanes. Then, from Angers down to La Rochelle, there are few more roads shared with cars.
Services and accomodations "Accueil Vélo" ("Cyclists Welcome") on "La Vélo Francette"
Nearly 220 accomodations (campings, hotels, lodges, guest houses) "Accueil Vélo" ("Cyclists Welcome") are located at less than 5km away from the itinerary and they guarantee quality services for cyclists such as a closed garage for example. We strongly advise to book your accomodations in advance (including campings), especially in touristic areas.
Trains and public transports alongside La Vélo Francette
The main train stations of the itinerary :
- Caen
- Flers
- Laval (TGV)
- Angers (TGV)
- Saumur (TGV)
- Montreuil Bellay
- Thouars, Niort (TGV)
- La Rochelle (TGV)
Reach the itinerary by boat :
You can take a boat with Brittany Ferries between Portsmouth and Ouistreham. The crossing lasts approximatively 6 hours.
Long-time parkings on La Vélo Francette
Cycling route ideas on the itinerary
The best cycling holiday breaks
Ouistreham / Caen
Start at Ouistreham, the Normandy ferry port north of Caen, its strand renowned as Sword Beach, its codename during the [...]
Caen / Thury-Harcourt
Once you’ve gone round Caen’s marina, explore the city via its ‘green lungs’, notably the racecourse and a [...]
Thury-Harcourt / Pont d'Ouilly
La Vélo Francette’s stage through the heart of La Suisse Normande’s hills is very nature-friendly. Cyclists follow [...]
Pont d'Ouilly / La Roche d'Oëtre / Flers
This demanding but grandiose alternative stage is worth the effort involved in cycling up La Roche d’Oëtre. From its [...]
Flers / Domfront
You change cycle track after Flers station. Crossing the outskirts of town, near La Selle-la-Forge, at the place named [...]
Domfront / Mayenne
The route leaves the southern Norman hilltop town of Domfront, taking you on a long stage going via roads and greenways [...]
Mayenne / Laval
After visiting the historic town of Mayenne, with its castle dating back in part to Carolingian times, head south via [...]
Laval / Château-Gontier
The start of this stage affords fine views of the town of Laval and its two châteaux. The nine-arched railway viaduct [...]
Château-Gontier / Le Lion-d'Angers
Travelling along the Mayenne Valley, each meander reveals new delights to spur you on, with a château here and a mill [...]
Le Lion-d'Angers / Angers
After the picture-postcard equestrian grounds at L’Isle Briand, with its château and national stud farm, plus the [...]
Angers / Bouchemaine / St-Mathurin
La Vélo Francette shares the way with the Loire à Vélo cycle route for some way from Angers eastwards, leading you [...]
Angers / Trélazé /St-Mathurin
This alternative stage for leaving Angers goes via the dark blue slate mines southeast of the city centre on to the [...]
St-Mathurin / Saumur
This stage is shared by La Vélo Francette and the Loire à Vélo. Two options: either follow the route from Gennes [...]
Saumur / Montreuil-Bellay
La Vélo Francette leaves Saumur via a pretty greenway beside the Thouet River. Then the route adopts farm tracks and [...]
Montreuil-Bellay / Thouars
From Montreuil-Bellay, you descend back down to the Thouet River, heading for Thouars. The véloroute runs peacefully [...]
Thouars / Airvault
After visiting the historic heart of Thouars, take in the Imbert Floral Park, with its lovely terraces above the River [...]
La Vélo Francette from Airvault to Parthenay
An unforgettable stage, along quiet roads. The village of Airvault, with its abbey church, covered market and [...]
Parthenay / Champdeniers-St-Denis
From Parthenay, the Thouet à Vélo cycle route branches west via Secondigny towards the Thouet’s source, heading [...]
Champdeniers-St-Denis / Niort
Champdeniers-St-Denis makes for a surprising stop, with its amenities and its remarkably rich local heritage. The route [...]
Niort / Coulon
You stick close to the water’s edge, following the meanders of the Sèvre Niortaise River, alternating between the [...]
Coulon / Damvix / Bazoin
Coulon, located at the heart of the wet marshes of the Marais Poitevin and set so prettily beside the Sèvre Niortaise [...]
Damvix / Bazoin / Marans
The Sèvre Niortaise remains your guide on this stage, except on two stretches, one where you follow the Canal du [...]
Marans / La Rochelle
This final stage of La Vélo Francette shares the way with the longer La Vélodyssée cycle route. You follow the Canal [...]
They did it!
Vignoble et vallée du Thouet
Taking you from the Loire to the Thouet Valley, this circuit passes by amazing subterranean sights in the Sud Saumurois [...]
Travellers’ reviews