Vélocéan cycle route

Official route

J. Damase

LAD - J. Damase

Vue sur l'Océan depuis le port du Croisic

LAD - JM. Mouchet

LAD - J. Damase

Pause sur la plage de Pornichet - La Vélocéan

One way

148 km

Short trip

I cycle often

Pénestin

St-Nazaire

Seaside

Linking the Vilaine Estuary and Côte d’Amour, the Vélocéan Nord cycle route forms part of Véloroute 45, also known as Voie n°5 in Brittany, a coastal route that, in time, will link Nantes to Roscoff. West of Nantes, within the département (French county) of Loire-Atlantique, Vélocéan Nord takes you via remarkable sights. Even if the route requires further work, you can already use it to discover numerous delights.

Signposting of the itinerary Vélocéan cycle route

"Vélocéan" itinerary, litteraly "Biking the Ocean", is partly signposted. Several parts of the route is on shared roads with few traffic or on temporary lanes while awaiting for designated cycling lanes. If you go on this adventure with childrens, please check your route regarding their ages and levels.

Gradients and elevation

Ascents: 269m

Descents: 280m

Lowest point: 0m

Highest point: 62m

Road types

122km (69%) By road

52km (30%) Cycle path

23km (13%) Provisional itinerary

Surface

134km (76%) Smooth

4km (3%) Unknown

35km (20%) Rough

Trains et transport sur Vélocéan cycle route

The itinerary is more served with trains on its southern part than on its northern one, especially from La Baule.

TER line Nantes - St-Nazaire - Le Croisic (see schedule)

To cross Saint-Nazaire bridge by bike safely, shuttle buses "Lila" (line 17) than can welcome 7 cyclists has been settled to link St-Brévin-les-Pins with Saint-Nazaire. The schedule is available at this adress.

Another free shuttle bus is available during summer, from the 5th to 13th of May and then from the 18th of June to the 9th of September. More details at +33 (0)2 51 82 62 62 or on the website loire-atlantique.fr.

Not to be missed on this route

Oyster-rearing in Kercabellec Bay

Sites and historical monuments

Mesquer

Vers 1880, pour pallier le tarissement des bancs naturels, la culture de l’huître s’est développée en baie de Kercabellec. Avec du beurre au sel de Guérande et du pain, l’huître revigore le cycliste de passage !

Marais du Mès salt marshes

Natural heritage

Guérande

Pédalez en zigzag le long des innombrables marais salants de la presqu'île de Guérande, lieu incontournable façonné depuis près de 1500 ans par des paludiers avec des méthodes artisanales.

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"Accueil Vélo" accommodation on Vélocéan cycle route

53 Accueil Vélo accommodations await you on Vélocéan cycle route!

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Campsites

Bed and breakfast

Hotels

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The 5 stages of Vélocéan cycle route

1 Vélocéan from Pénestin to St-Molf

23 km

1 h 36 min

I cycle often

This stage, heading south from the Vilaine Estuary, is classed as being for expert cyclists, with a lot of stretches going along the water’s edge. The Pointe du Bile Headland is a great spot at which to stop and appreciate the maritime atmosphere. As to the Bay of Pont-Mahé, with its gently sloping beach, you’ll see how it’s a favourite for learner windsurfers.

2 Vélocéan from St-Molf to Guérande

33 km

2 h 12 min

I cycle often

Between St-Molf and Quimiac, this stage goes via a series of little canals serving extensive salt marshes, sometimes giving you the impression that you’re riding on water! Not to be missed: the Pointe de Mesquer Headland and two detours, one to the Petite Cité de Caractère of Piriac-sur-Mer, the other to the port of La Turballe. Then you arrive at the splendid fortified medieval town of Guérande.

3 Vélocéan from Guérande to Pornichet

17 km

1 h 07 min

I begin

After enjoying the historic town of Guérande behind its ramparts, follow directions towards La Baule to join the greenway to reach that resort, which lies on one of Europe’s loveliest sandy bays. On the way, stop in Escoublac Forest, a great place to have a picnic and relax. Then it’s not too far before you reach La Baule’s beach, where you might well be tempted to go swimming in the sea.

4 Vélocéan from La Baule to Le Croisic

14 km

54 min

I cycle often

At the level of the greenway to Beslon, it’s possible to head off west to the end of the Le Croisic Peninsula. This route passes through historic Batz-sur-Mer, designated a Petite Cité de Caractère, and then offers you a panoramic tour of the sensational peninsula. The superb Grande Côte cycle track leads you back via an unforgettable route passing through the port of Le Pouliguen before returning to La Baule.

5 Vélocéan from La Baule to St-Nazaire

17 km

1 h 56 min

I cycle often

This stage offers a touch of old-fashioned charm. It also passes by Dissignac’s Neolithic mound before Le Bois Joalland Lake, appreciated by locals for its sports facilities. Before the lake, the way passes through woods and countryside; after it, it becomes more urban. Arriving at the port of St-Nazaire, wide boulevards follow the seafront, and the American First World War monument greets you with open arms.

Vélocéan cycle route

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