Plage du Veillon à Talmont-Saint-Hilaire

Aurelie Stapf – porteurdesonge.com

Swimming spots on La Vélodyssée

There are lots of beaches along the route, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to take a refreshing dip!

Here is a non-exhaustive selection of beaches where you’ll be able to kick back and relax along the way. The list includes both saltwater and freshwater beaches.

See beaches on a map

💡 Remember: lock up your bike in busy places and don’t leave valuables in your saddlebags!

Roscoff Tourisme

Roc’h Kroum beach

Roc’h Kroum is a lovely, west-facing family beach in Roscoff itself. It is guarded in summer and offers a range of amenities for the enjoyment of young and old alike: diving board, shower, paddling pool and toilets.

Bonus: Roc’h Kroum beach is a wheelchair-accessible beach (Handiplage). Amphibious wheelchairs are provided for persons with reduced mobility.

On the Roscoff <>Morlaix segment of La Vélodyssée

Sainte-Anne’s beach on the Channel coast

Situated to the south of Roscoff near the centre of Saint-Pol-de-Léon, Saint-Anne’s beach is a large sandy beach with turquoise water, which is guarded in July and August.

Practical amenities: there is a diving board and two basins to capture the seawater even when the tide is out.

On the Roscoff <>Morlaix segment, less than 2 km from La Vélodyssée

Guerlédan lake beach

Inland Brittany also has its swimming spots! Beau Rivage is one of the largest bathing areas on Guerlédan lake, and while it looks just like a seaside resort, the water lapping on the shore is fresh!

On the Rostrenen <> Mûr-de-Bretagne segment, less than 2 km from La Vélodyssée

OT Redon - N. Guillemain

Aumée reservoir, near Redon

Aumée reservoir is located in Fégréac, just before Redon on the road from Blain. It’s a 110-hectare artificial reservoir, built to supply water to a section of the Nantes-Brest canal. A bathing area has been created on its banks.

On the Blain <> Redon segment, 2.5 kilometres from La Vélodyssée

Office de Tourisme Pornic

Les Sablons beach

You can’t miss this small, unspoilt cove surrounded by rocks, 4 kilometres to the north of Pornic on the Jade coast. It’s definitely the place to go if you’re looking for a change of scene. As it gets quite busy during the summer season, try going for a dip in the evening!

See the other beaches around Pornic

On the Saint-Brévin-les-Pins <> Pornic segment, less than 100 metres from La Vélodyssée

Mairie La Bernerie-en-Retz

Saltwater pool in Bernerie-en-Retz

Open for swimming all day! The port area has been developed into a saltwater leisure pool to the delight of young and old alike, who can bathe safely there at any hour of the day, without having to worry about tides.

On the Pornic <> Bouin segment, 800 metres from La Vélodyssée

Office de Tourisme Pays de Saint-Jean-de-Monts

La Braie beach

La Braie beach in Notre Dame de Monts is a natural beach on the edge of the Pays de Monts forest. It’s a quiet beach, just perfect for families! You’ll love being able to walk from one sandy bay to another, without ever losing sight of the stunning horizon view.

On the La Barre-de-Monts-Fromentine <> Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie segment, 550 metres from La Vélodyssée

Le Veillon beach

Le Veillon beach in Talmont-Saint-Hilaire is a magnificent fine sand beach adjacent to the Payré estuary, which is classed as the most outstanding natural beauty spot in Vendée.

On the Les Sables d’Olonne <> La Tranche-sur-Mer segment, 1 kilometre from La Vélodyssée

Infiniment Charentes

Châtelaillon beach

Three kilometres of fine sand await you at Châtelaillon-Plage, on the biggest beach in the La Rochelle area. For a more enjoyable bathing experience, you can even have an ice cream or a drink on the beach!

On the La Rochelle <> Rochefort segment of La Vélodyssée.

Infiniment Charentes

Le Chay beach

Surrounded by rocks, Le Chay beach is the most secluded and family-friendly beach in Royan. After your swim, you can continue your adventure with a visit to the Le Chay lighthouse, painted in local colours, and the houses dating back to the Belle Epoque.

On the Marennes <> Royan segment of La Vélodyssée.

Médoc Atlantique

La Chambrette beach

Located at the tip of the Médoc peninsula, La Chambrette beach in Verdon-sur-Mer offers a breath-taking view of the Gironde estuary and the beaches of Charente. It’s the perfect beach for families, as children can swim safely, far from the rip tides of the Côte d’Argent.

On the Royan <> Montalivet-les-Bains segment, 3 kilometres from La Vélodyssée

Wiki - Anthony Baratier

Piqueyrot beach

Piqueyrot beach offers a breath-taking view of the largest natural freshwater lake in France: Lake Hourtin. In a quiet and relaxing setting, the beach gives you the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of summer, and a chance to enjoy the gentle ebb and flow of the lake.

On the Hourtin-Plage <> Lacanau-Océan segment, 2.5 kilometres from La Vélodyssée

Bisca Grands Lacs

Le Vivier beach

To the north of Biscarrosse, Le Vivier beach is the ideal place for relaxing and having fun with family and friends. Nestled between the forest and the ocean, it’s a nature-lover’s paradise.

On the Biscarrosse-Plage <> Arcachon segment, less than a kilometre from La Vélodyssée

Landes Atlantique Sud

Port d’Albret beach

The artificial marine lake in Port d’Albret, Soustons, just a short distance from Vieux-Boucau, is fed directly and exclusively with saltwater from the ocean. The beach is very popular with families, who can swim there safely and enjoy the many activities on offer (pedalos, sailing, windsurfing, etc.). The water is warmer than the ocean!

On the Léon <> Capbreton segment, 2.5 kilometres from La Vélodyssée

Bidart Tourisme

Ilbarritz beach

This picturesque sandy beach is located at the foot of Ilbarritz castle in Bidart, near Biarritz. You’ll really enjoy this 300-metre beach on the Basque coast, which is guarded throughout the summer season.

On the Biarritz <> Saint-Jean-de-Luz segment, 700 metres from La Vélodyssée

Tailor-made itineraries

1 Roscoff > Morlaix

30 km

2 h 01 min

I cycle often

After leaving the old port enjoy a stage filled with scents from the fields of early fruits and vegetables in the Pays Léonard. A great variety of views can be enjoyed as you pass along the little lanes and managed trails, which take La Vélodyssée as far as Morlaix.

1 Roscoff > Morlaix

30 km

2 h 01 min

I cycle often

4 Rostrenen / Mûr-de-Bretagne

30 km

2 h 01 min

I cycle often

At the heart of the Guerlédan-Argoat Country is a steep sided valley where the Blavet winds through the woods until it reaches Gouarec. The Coat Natous double lock in the middle of this stage of La Vélodyssée provides an ideal resting point.Two of the highlights of this stage are the beautiful Cistercian Abbey of Bon-Repos and Brittany’s largest lake, the magnificent Lac de Guerlédan: the perfect place to stop for a swim and sunbathe! This varied leg of the trail follows a towpath, a short stretch of coastal route and the greenway.

9 Redon / Blain

45 km

3 h 00 min

I begin / Family

Staying close to the Brière and the confluence of the Isac and the Vilaine, this stage of La Vélodyssée follows the river at water level. Keep your ears and eyes open for the host of different animal species which populate the surrounding marshes.A magnificent section which alternately twists and turns, with hedgerows, hillsides and copses to each side - sometimes even little pine forests - before reaching Barel Lock. Following cycle paths right to the heart of Blain.

14 St-Brevin-les-Pins / Pornic

40 km

2 h 38 min

I cycle often

This stage of La Vélodyssée starts by crossing St-Brevin between the sea, dunes, pine trees and villas. It continues into the countryside of the Pays de Retz towards St-Michel-Chef-Chef and the charming tourist seaside resort of Pornic.

15 Pornic / Bouin

34 km

2 h 15 min

I cycle often

La Vélodyssée route continues its tour of the Bay of Bourgneuf, brushing past the Breton Marshes in the search for out-of-the-ordinary landscapes in an area rich in birds local to the region. Human activity makes itself felt in the form of the fisheries and the small working ports which dot the coastline. One last gourmet stage on the Loire-Atlantique, La Vélodyssée route continues its tour of the Bay of Bourgneuf. We find ourselves in oyster country, encountering numerous little oyster ports and pits used to cultivate the oysters.

17 La Barre de Monts - Fromentine / St-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie

36 km

2 h 23 min

I begin / Family

This stage of La Vélodyssée focuses entirely on the sea, the beach, the forest and the dunes. There are 18 kms of cycle paths winding through the national forest of Pays de Monts, after which you come to the very lively seaside resort of St-Jean-de-Monts. Before reaching the Vendéenne Cove and its famous boulders at Sion-sur-l’Océan, La Vélodyssée heads towards an old fishing village in the commune of St-Hilaire-de-Riez, adjoining Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie. A superb stage.

22 La Rochelle / Rochefort

50 km

3 h 20 min

I cycle often

Start your journey opposite the famous towers defending the port of La Rochelle, then follow the cycle path along or in the immediate vicinity of the ocean to the Belle Époque villas of the seaside resort of Châtelaillon-Plage. Early in the morning or at sunset, the bay of Châtelaillon-Plage and the Pointe des Bouchôleurs offer a breathtaking panorama.

Your cycle route continues inland to reach the banks of the Charente River and the remarkable town of Rochefort, a City of Art and History, the historic birthplace of the Hermione, the Corderie Royale, and the Maison Pierre Loti, in the heart of the "Charente Estuary - Rochefort Arsenal" Grand Site de France.

24 Marennes / Royan

45 km

3 h 01 min

I begin / Family

Cross the Marennes region by bike, between salt marshes and the Seudre estuary. Then, from Ronce-les-Bains, savor the scent of sea spray and pine trees along the cycle route, a cycle path in the middle of the Coubre forest, all the way to La Palmyre. Park your bikes and enjoy a swim on one of the beaches of the Côte Sauvage. After all, isn't the coastline from La Palmyre to Royan known as the Côte de Beauté?

The Vélodyssée offers you a royal stopover with a sea view, a cycle path that winds through the coastal forest and past pretty beaches, all the way to Royan and its Belle Époque villas. Unforgettable!

19 Les Sables d'Olonne / La Tranche-sur-Mer

44 km

2 h 56 min

I begin / Family

5 / 5

In this fairytale setting are both Les Sables (world capital of yacht racing) and La Rochelle, (the ‘broken rebel’ capital of Aunis) centre stage. The Vendéenne coast brings the cycle routes back to the Poitevin Marshes. Once past the Sèvre Niortaise River, we find ourselves at Charente-Maritime and the Marans canal which leads straight to the Old Port. After Saint-Vincent-sur-Jard, La Vélodyssée winds its way into the large national forest of Longeville, drawing close to the sea on two occasions from where beautiful beaches can easily be accessed, such as Les Conches. A quick dip is a must on this stage!

25 Royan / Montalivet-les-Bains

30 km

2 h 00 min

I begin / Family

Upon entering the Gironde, a new world reveals itself to travellers on La Vélodyssée. La pointe de Grave also marks the end of the Médoc, a landscape of great variety, depending on whether you cross the west coast or the estuary and the vineyards. Pleasant cycle lanes wind their way from Verdon to the charming Soulac-sur-Mer with its lively streets and pretty seaside villas, we take the trail towards Montalivet. To the north of this stage, the sea entices you in for a cooling dip; to the south there is a more forested area which is most pleasant in fine weather.

27 Hourtin-Plage / Lacanau-Océan

34 km

2 h 07 min

I cycle a lot

Still in the forest and still on cycle paths. The natural reserves encountered throughout the route demonstrate that these large spaces are populated, rich in wildlife and a lot more diverse that we may first think…

30 Arcachon / Biscarrosse-plage

26 km

1 h 43 min

I begin / Family

After an essential trip to the top of the Dune of Pilat to appreciate the beauty of the area and the views, we once again set off on a long crossing through the Landes Forest. Just before the Biscarrosse-Plage, La Vélodyssée takes you seamlessly from La Gironde into the Landes.

37 Biarritz / Saint-Jean-de-Luz

14 km

56 min

I begin / Family

From Biarritz, you ride along some of the most beautiful beaches on the Atlantic coast and cross Basque villages nestled around their pelota court. During this sporty stage, the arrival at the bay of St-Jean-de-Luz with the Rhune as sentinel is a great moment of your Vélodyssée!

34 Léon / Capbreton

33 km

2 h 13 min

I begin / Family

La Vélodyssée now heading north, advances to a few hundred yards from the Côte d’Argent, gradually getting closer to Moliets-et-Mâa and Messanges. The route finally meets the powerful ocean at Vieux-Boucau, the former port (until the river Adour was re-routed to Bayonne in 1578) and today a very pleasant stopping point. Here La Vélodyssée sails past the iconic seaside, surfing and health resorts of Hossegor and Capbreton. These two towns are separated by the Boudigau - the redirected former Adour River – but their names are linked by their proximity and their huge popularity with tourists in the central areas of the Landes.

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Swimming spots on La Vélodyssée