Find the best fishing spots on La Vélodyssée

Watch for carrelets, iconic Atlantic coast fishing cabins 🎣

You are sure to see at least a few of the 200+ fishing cabins extending into the ocean as you cycle along La Vélodyssée! They are one of this coast’s most recognised features, as demonstrated by 60,000 or so photos shared on Instagram with #carrelet or #fishingcabin hashtags.

Aurelie Stapf – porteurdesonge.com

Fishing huts and carrelets

While the terms in French vary between the Loire and Gironde estuaries, all of the names designate the iconic cabins found along the coast. ‘Carrelet’ is the name given to the fishing cabins in French.

It also refers to their square dip nets, which are stretched on a frame and attached to a pole with wires. Fishing with one is a relatively simple process: place bait in the centre of the net, then lower it into the water using a pulley system. Wait just a few minutes to allow the water to settle after dropping in the net. Then, hoist it back up and if you are lucky, you will find some fish in the bottom. Each haul is rather random and successful catches are rare, but you will have fun trying!

Since 12 February 2021, the French Ministry of Culture has recognised fishing with a square dip net as part of the country’s national intangible cultural heritage.

Instagram - denisem.44 - Pornic

Explore the fishing cabin route at a summer tourism event

In 2013, Territoires Imaginaires (only in French) created La Nuit des Pêcheries (Fishing Cabin Night) in Pornic. This one-of-a-kind event in France highlights the maritime landscape and has now been expanded along the entire Atlantic coast. This larger tourism event takes place over several weeks between August and September in several towns in Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Pays-de-La-Loire.

Everything is designed to help you escape into dreaming and contemplation with subtle, artistic lighting at the carrelets, as well as sound and music installations.

Explore fishing cabins on La Vélodyssée

In France, fishing cabins belong to private individuals or organisations. They are usually very basic, with no water or electricity. You can often rent them for a fishing expedition during one tide, but they do not come with accommodation.

Visit a fishing cabin:
- In Saint-Brévin-les-Pins at the La Ligérienne fishing cabin on the Le Pellerin <> Saint-Brévin-les-Pins segment: from June to September, the Association des Pêcheries Sud Estuaire organises guided tours led by members who own huts. They talk about this fishing method and its history, the fish that can be caught, regulations on protecting this resource and these fish species, as well as the surrounding landscape
- In Moutiers-en-Retz, fishing cabins at Lancastria beaches in the port of Collet can be visited during European Heritage Days
Go fishing (North to South):
- In Saint-Nazaire: fishing cabins 104 and 172 (only in French) on the banks of the Sautron quay
- In Saint-Brévin-les-Pins on the Le Pellerin <> Saint-Brévin-les-Pins segment: La Ligerienne fishing cabin
- In Plaine-sur-Mer: La Govogne’s fishing cabin 13 (only in French) has been completely restored to its original condition
- In Préfailles: the communal fishing cabin (only in French) can be rented from April to October
- In the Bay of Aiguillon, north of La Rochelle, you can fish in a mixture of salt water from the ocean and fresh water from the Poitevin marshes at the Esnandes fishing cabin (pending an update, rentals are currently suspended).
- Between La Rochelle and Châtelaillon, rent the Centre Nautique d’Angoulins fishing cabin (only in French)

Stay in a fishing cabin:

In Corsept, a town that is home to 37 fishing cabins along the Loire, Manoir de l’Espérance has built a traditional fishing cabin in the maritime pines to give you a unique place to stay! This Accueil Vélo partner is located just three kilometres from La Vélodyssée and can accommodate 4 people.