La Vélodyssée is the French part of the Atlantic Coast Route (EuroVelo 1). It is also 1,300 km of fully signposted cycle route - almost 80% of which is car-free - to discover all the wonders of the French Atlantic coastline and experience an extraordinary cycling adventure. Launched in 2012 and awarded several prizes, the French section of the Atlantic Coast Route links Roscoff to Hendaye and crosses no less than 3 regions and 9 departments, offering breathtaking views between land and sea and an instant feeling of peace. The route also connects with EuroVelo 4 - Central Europe Route, EuroVelo 6 - Atlantic – Black Sea and EuroVelo 3 - Pilgrims Route and you can embark on a ferry in Roscoff to cross the sea and continue your journey on EuroVelo 1.
Download here the full GPS tracks of EuroVelo 1 - Atlantic Coast Route in France and start planning your next cycling holidays!
Different intermodal solutions allow cyclists to reach the French part of the Atlantic Coast Route.
By train : Depending on the type of train you take, the conditions of access with bicycles may be different. For TER: conditions are different according to the region. In Brittany (between Roscoff to Redon): new boarding rules are implemented as of 2021. In the others regions from Redon to Hendaye: bicycles’ access is free, without reservation, within the limit of available places, suspended or placed in a space provided for this purpose.
For Intercités and TGV trains, reservations are required: check the different conditions on line at en.oui.sncf or www.thetrainline.com.
Some local bus networks accept bikes all year round and they especially allow cyclists to reach the nearest stations. Remain still vigilant: places are limited; it is therefore recommended to arrive in advance. From the Nord to the South: Breizhgo, TER bus lines 12 and 13, Transports Nouvelle-Aquitaine, interurban network – transport 64.
It can be interesting to consult the boarding conditions for your bike on long-distance bus companies serving La Vélodyssée like: Flixbus, BlablaBus.
Check out all the news and useful information to prepare your next stay on La Vélodyssée website.
Natural Heritage
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Cultural Heritage
Culinary Delights
Maritime Heritage / The Rhine / The Meuse
Other Point of Interest
Bus station
Train station
Mobility info center
France Vélo Tourisme platform offers many major cycling routes and destinations in France, including mountain bike routes, practical advices for traveling by bike, a route calculator with a map, as well as contact details for Accueil Vélo service providers throughout the country.
"Accueil Velo" is a national accreditation scheme guaranteeing a high quality of services for cyclists using French cycle routes. You will find accommodations, bike rental and repair companies, restaurants, tourist offices and places to visit.
La Vélodyssée is EuroVelo 1 in France. Whether you’re looking for a challenge or a leisurely cycle ride, La Velodyssée has something for everyone. Get on your bike and experience the wild beauty of a cycle route covering more than 1,200 kilometres from Roscoff, Brittany, down the Atlantic coast in Hendaye to the border with Spain. The sea is never very far away as you discover the best each region has to offer along France’s longest waymarked cycle trail.
EuroVelo 1 – Atlantic Coast Route is littered with UNESCO World Heritage sites and interesting museums. From the stunning natural beauty to be found in Norway and Ireland to the cultural significance of our Spanish and French picks, it is no wonder that UNESCO recognised the “outstanding universal …
‘Mr Cycling Europe’ Andrew P. Sykes is a reference for English-speaking cycling tourism fans – and a great connoisseur of EuroVelo routes, too. In the summer of 2022, he went on a Grand Tour from Hook of Holland and back, following no less than four EuroVelo Routes. Join Andrew on his adventure.
As the wheels of your bicycle spin along the meandering path of EuroVelo 1, tracing the breathtaking Atlantic Coast Route, you embark on a journey not only through Europe's diverse landscapes but also through its rich and ancient history. While the appeal of cycling along the rugged coastlines of N…
If you are planning a cycling trip along EuroVelo 1 – Atlantic Coast Route, then this article is for you. How to plan your route, what clothes to bring, where to sleep... we give you 5 essential tips to keep in mind.
Breathtaking landscapes, wilderness, remote areas, and stunning nature: this is EuroVelo 1 – Atlantic Coast Route. Let us take you on a virtual tour of its 11,000 km in 10 shots, from above the Polar Circle in Norway to the sandy beaches of Andalucía – you will not be disappointed!
Whatever type of bike tourist you are, EuroVelo 1 has you covered. Explore activities and accommodation possibilities for all budgets and get inspired for your next adventure on the Atlantic Coast Route.
Silvia J. Gonzales is a 52-year-old from Alicante, Spain, who embarked on a 90-day journey across Europe on EuroVelo routes. Silvia decided to tick off a few European cities from her ‘Want to go’ list biking there over the summer. She tells us more about her trip below.
This summer, cycle tourists from across Europe have told us about their stories of riding EuroVelo 1 in Norway, Ireland, France and Spain. Enjoy this second article focused on the southern experiences!
One route to discover and experience the unique heritage and natural sites located in Europe's magnificent western regions.
If you need proof that you can cycle the EuroVelo routes any time of the year: Read the winter travel report of the Abicyclette Voyages travel agency team in this advertorial.
A travel book describing the EuroVelo 1 in its entirety, very useful for preparing your trip with maps at a scale of 1:500,000, general information on the quality of the cycle route (facilities, relief, traffic) and on the regions crossed (climate, tourist attractions, customs, towns and villages of interest). The guide is available in English and German.
This cycling guide describes the section of the EuroVelo cycle route in France between Roscoff and Hendaye (1,287 km). The perfect tool before and during your journey: precise and informative maps, 1:75,000 scale, elevation and distance profiles, GPS tracks, accommodation and service directory. Can be used even without any knowledge of German. English translation of the map legend and the user manual of the guide available at esterbauer.com/international.
Guidebook written in French. From Roscoff to Nantes: 390 km of easy cycling routes along the Nantes-Brest Canal with its 238 locks, and an alternative 110-km route from Brest to Carhaix. The guide includes 96 pages packed with all the information you need to prepare and carry out your trip: 24 stages entirely signed for bikes, maps on a scale of 1:100 000, places to visit, accommodation, restaurants, bike repair shops, Accueil Vélo services and ‘Bike+Train’ information.
Written in French, this cycle guide to the Nantes-Brest Canal offers you more than 500 km of safe and signed cycle routes, 36 detailed maps and all the practical advice and useful addresses you need to organise your trip. From Nantes to Landévennec via the Nantes-Brest Canal, the route follows in the footsteps of the Dukes of Brittany. From Rosporden to Carhaix and from Saint-Méen-le-Grand to Questembert it goes on former railway tracks.
Guidebook written in French. 600 km of coastal tracks, all signed and traffic-free for safe cycling in the departments of Loire-Atlantique, Vendée, Deux-Sèvres and Charente-Maritime. The guide includes 25 detailed maps, 11 stages of between 30 and 50 km, 5 all-inclusive self-guided tours, practical advice, addresses of bike rental companies, 120 hotels, camp sites, self-catering gîtes and bed and breakfasts and the major sites to visit.
Guide book written in French. La Vélodyssée from the Gironde to the Basque Country: 400 km of safe and signed coastline cycle routes. The guide includes 30 detailed maps, 10 stages of 30 to 50 km, practical advice, addresses of bike rental companies, tour operators, hotels, campsites, self-catering gîtes and bed and breakfasts, and the major sites and picturesque fishing harbours to visit.
For this first guide in Dutch, Bert Sitters, a journalist and bicycle expert in the Netherlands, traveled all over La Vélodyssée from Roscoff to Hendaye. It includes 140 pages including 92 detailed maps at a scale of 1: 100,000 and a lot of practical information on the route.
This travel guide written in Spanish describes all the La Vélodyssée stages from the Spanish border (Hendaye) to Nantes. It includes 40 detailed maps on a scale of 1/100 000, descriptions of the 21 sections, train+bike information, and information on the accommodation and services available throughout the cycle route. This richly illustrated guide offers 856 km of freedom along the Atlantic Coast, accessible to all.
Organize your cycle tour simply and easily with this156-page travel guide written in French, including: maps, practical and tourist information, tips and practical bike advice, Le Routard’s suggestions and good ideas, addresses for accommodation, restaurants, bike rentals, bike transportation. This edition is in augmented reality. Simply scan a page via the Hachette Scan application to get additional information on events, places, visits and much more!
Guidebook written in French. A cycle tour for everyone with ocean and forest. Easy custom stages: daily trips, weekends, etc. 860 km of signposted and mostly secured routes. The guide includes 144 pages of detailed maps scaled 1/100 000, cities' maps, tours on the islands, useful adresses such as tourist offices, bike rentals, accomodations, etc., suggested tours and illustred texts.
With maps on a scale of 1:500,000, city maps, background information and touristic information. Language: German. Available at local- and online book stores. At the end of 2021 it will be also available in English.
Interactive map of the touristic offer of the Atlantic Coast in France, including information on accommodation, bathing places, cultural heritage and sights, gastronomy and natural areas.
Cycling holiday from Bordeaux to Biarritz along the Atlantic coast via La Vélodyssée. Ride out to meet man, nature, heritage and culture of the “Gironde, Landes and Basque Country”! Explore landscapes through the longest cycling tracks in France and Europe, and enjoy the wonderful tranquility all along the coast!
Between Nantes and Bordeaux, it is almost 600 kilometers of marked bike path. This tour follows 3 of the main cyclepaths in France: La Loire à Vélo, La Vélodysée, Le Canal des Deux Mers à Vélo, between heritage and landscapes, between estuaries and ocean, between countryside and beaches... Photo copyright ©Randovélo
Need a breath of sea air? This cycle trip has all you are looking for: adventure, the open sea, and a sense of exhilaration. Along this section of the La Vélodyssée cycle route, be soothed by the backwash of the ocean waves as you ride from Pornic to the old port of La Rochelle. Photo copyright ©Velorizons
Follow the Atlantic Ocean coast, between the towns Nantes and La Rochelle: an entertaining/amazing part of La Vélodyssée. During this relaxed coastal road you can enjoy the woods, dunes, salt sea air and the sparkling light. Take a break now and then for a refreshing dive into the sea or a nice lunch in this Eldorado for ‘seafood’ lovers. Photo copyright ©La Vélodyssée A.Stapf
Take La Vélodyssée from Bordeaux and explore the wealth of Atlantic Coast landscapes: ocean beaches, sand dunes and pine forests, freshwater lakes and renowned seaside resorts. End the day in a warm, friendly setting where you can sample the delights of the local cuisine. Photo copyright ©La Vélodyssée A.Stapf
Discover the many treasures of the Atlantic coast from La Rochelle to Biarritz. Rochefort, the fortified city of Brouage, the oyster parcs, the far-reaching beaches of the Landes, a surfer's paradise, the pine forests, the Arcachon basin ans the Dune of Pilat. Photo copyright ©La Vélo Voyageur
La Vélodyssée is one of the most famous cycling routes in France and runs along the Atlantic coast on the EuroVelo 1. In one week, you will discover one of its most beautiful parts from La Rochelle to the charming port city to Royan, which marks the beginning of the Gironde estuary. We add a few variants to discover 3 superb unmissable islands: Île de Ré, Île d'Oléron and Île Madame. Nature, swimming, history and oyster farming will be on your program!
For more information, see the website : www.lavelodyssee.com/pratique/organisation/transport
For more information, see the website : www.lavelodyssee.com/pratique/organisation/transport
For more information, see the website : www.lavelodyssee.com/pratique/organisation/transport
For more information, see the website : www.lavelodyssee.com/pratique/organisation/transport
For more information, see the website : www.lavelodyssee.com/pratique/organisation/transport
For more information, see the website : www.lavelodyssee.com/pratique/organisation/transport
For more information, see the website : www.lavelodyssee.com/pratique/organisation/transport
For more information, see the website : www.lavelodyssee.com/pratique/organisation/transport
For more information, see the website : www.lavelodyssee.com/pratique/organisation/transport
