Saint-Brieuc bay by bike

To avoid crossing the dam over the Rance River, the Vélomaritime route takes you along minor roads around the Rance Valley. Midway along the stage, stop at Saint-Suliac, this historic fishermen's village a member of the association Les Plus Beaux Villages de France. Before long, the ramparts around the city of St-Malo come into view. Reaching this place's resort side, the wooden groynes projecting from the beach into the sea help calm the Channel's wilder waves.

Should you have time on your hands, head up first to the seaside resort of Saint-Cast-le-Guildo to make the most of its beaches. The Vélomaritime route then takes you on smoothly via minor roads to Pleslin-Trivagoua, which you reach riding along a stretch of the Dinan-Dinard greenway. On the way, stop at the Château du Guildo, enjoying exceptional views of the Arguenon Estuary.

With its mix of rocky headlands, stretches of moorland and sandy bays set beside turquoise waters, here you cycle through the Grand Site de France Cap d’Erquy - Cap Fréhel. Thanks to the links in place, you can easily ride up to some of Brittany's most exceptional sites, the Cap d’Erquy, the Cap Fréhel and Fort La Latte. The breathtaking views along the way are a reward for the quite significant slopes you have to tackle on this Vélomaritime stage!

From Saint-Brieuc, you join the bay named after the city to then enjoy a lovely trip through its nature reserve. Cycling beside the strand, the Bay of Saint-Brieuc reveals a multitude of varied atmospheres, depending on time and tide. On the way to Erquy, enjoy the delights of the resort of Pléneuf-Val-André and the little port of Dahouët tucked away beside it. This stage proves quite challengingly hilly, with all its ups and downs. We're sure local man Bernard Hinault, a true cycling champion and icon, five times winner of the Tour de France, would concur!

Enjoy a coastal stretch typical of northern Brittany on this Vélomaritime stage, the little resort of Binic-Étables-sur-Mer standing out with its lovely sea views. It offers an ideal place to pause for a rest before carrying on to the city of Saint-Brieuc. The stretches of greenway, one looking down on Binic's port, another taking you via Harel de la Noë Viaduct, are a particular pleasure on a stage that is really demanding, with all its ups and downs. The Port du Légué marks the finishing line of this stage, a perfect place at which to enjoy a well-earned drink at a café terrace.

The Vélomaritime route leaves the port of Paimpol. Some may wish to head up to the Pointe de l'Arcouest, from which boats make the short crossing to the island of Bréhat. The main route, though, continues east, along Brittany's highest cliffs, via a mix of wild coastal stretches, rocky capes and sheltered coves. There are significant slopes along the way. The Pointe de Plouha, with its daunting cliffs, is the highest point on this stage, 104m in height. Don't miss the magical atmosphere at Le Palus Beach before reaching the fishing port of Saint-Quay-Portrieux.

Between Tréguier and Paimpol, the Vélomaritime route straddles two estuaries, that of the Jaudy to the west, that of the Trieux to the east, these two rivers framing the presqu’île, or peninsula, of Lézardrieux. Enjoy the views over these estuaries where fresh water and sea water mingle. Midway along this stage, a link can take you north to a major geological curiosity, the Sillon de Talbert, a coastal bank made of sand and pebbles that protrudes 3.2km into the sea.