Clisson / Nantes La Vélidéale

The route

In Clisson, the Vélidéale leads you past the square in front of the train station, then on via a network of streets with traffic-calming measures, on to a greenway along a railway line. Reaching the village of Gorges, the route descends along the RD113 road, so moderate your speed on this stretch shared with motorized traffic. Having crossed the Sèvre Nantaise River, take the first left, towards Angreviers. The route then alternates between quiet roads and tracks through vineyards, with some steep slopes to tackle in the parish of Le Pallet. Take care on the short stretch of a few metres that you have to take along the RD149 road to reach the Musée du Vignoble Nantais, a topical museum, then a bit later along the RD7 road, before turning left towards Port Domino, followed by La Haye Fouassière.

Reaching Vertou via the Rue des Ouches, again be vigilant along the few metres you need to ride along on the M50, then join the La Ville Bachelier road, offering beautiful viewpoints up to the old village of Le Portillon, boasting a remarkable architectural heritage. You need to ride along Rue de la Pierre Percée to reach the banks of the Sèvre Nantaise. Do consider leaving the route to the right to take the little chain ferry over to the Château de la Frémoire, a wonderful place to enjoy a tasting along the local Voyage dans le Vignoble trail. The cycle route itself continues alongside the Sèvre Nantaise, leading you across public gardens up to the unique, historic Chaussée des Moines in Vertou. After that, continue to follow the signage for La Vélidéale and the course of the Sèvre Nantaise. Cross at the Pont de la Morinière to switch riverbank and enter the waterside meadows in Rezé, startling to find on the edge of the big city of Nantes.

Links to the EuroVelo 1 and EuroVelo 6 cycle routes at Rezé

The bridge called the Pont des Trois Continents is where our cycle route connects up with both the La Vélodyssée - EuroVelo 1 and La Loire à Vélo - Eurovelo 6 cycle routes. If you want to follow the EuroVelo 1 northwards, or the EuroVelo 6 eastwards, or simply to reach the centre of Nantes, cross the bridge. Otherwise, continue along the next stretch that the three cycle routes share in common. 

Practical information

• Office de tourisme du vignoble de Nantes place du Minage 44190 Clisson - 02 40 54 02 95
  https://www.levignobledenantes-tourisme.com/ 
• Le Voyage à Nantes 9 Rue des États – 44000 Nantes - 0892 464 044
  https://www.levoyageanantes.fr/

SNCF

Train stations at Nantes, Vertou and Clisson: note that on the regional TER Clisson-Nantes line, you can take your bike onboard for free.

Don't miss

• Clisson : the ruined medieval castle dominating one river bank, with the historic town below including fine timberframe covered market and shops; on the other river bank, the Domaine de la Garenne Lemot, an Italianate neo-classical manor turned art and history museum, with follies dotted around the grounds descending to the river; the riverbanks themselves, with an historic stone bridge connecting both sides.
• Vertou: the Château de la Frémoire, a folly of a Nantes country house, turned centre on Muscadet wines, with fine dining possible; La Chaussée des Moines, an enchanting stretch of the Sèvre Nantaise River, with a ford built by medieval monks, while in recent times, the area has been undergoing renovation to make it a beautiful calm area, banning cars and encouraging biodiversity, but remaining a popular spot to visit, with restaurants. 
• Rezé: the meadows beside the Sèvre Nantaise River; the Parc de la Morinière, waterside public gardens
• Nantes: approaching the metropolis from the south, spot the special breed of local cows, vaches nantaises, grazing at Les Roches Vertes, on the banks of the Sèvre Nantaise.