south

Vendée cycle routes from north to south: an adventure!

Seaside

1 week

I cycle often

Explore the diverse landscapes of the Vendée region: dunes, forests, wetlands, and rocky coastline

This is the perfect trip to see all of Vendée’s natural wonders: from the polders of the Breton wetlands to the canals of the Poitevin wetlands, with visits to Les Sables-d’Olonne, Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, and Ile d’Yeu along the way. It’s a journey that brings together the ocean, great food, great people, and some lively locales.

Highlights of the itinerary: Of the 210 km of cycling trails that extend along the coast, over 60% are reserved for cyclists. You can discover these varied landscapes in total safety. Throughout the itinerary, you’ll alternate between sport activities, visits to notable sites, and sampling delicious dishes.

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Day 1: from Bouin to La Barre-de-Monts (46.5 km)

As you head out along your Vendee cycle routes through the Breton wetlands, the path will take you near polders and under the windmills of the picturesque Port du Bec, also called “the Chinese Port.” You’ll find many oyster farmers here unloading their oysters. It’s your first of many opportunities to take a break and sample the local delicacies.
A bit farther along is Le Gois. It’s a causeway that’s 4.2 km long and accessible only at low tide, giving access to Noirmoutier Island. The causeway first came into use in the 1760s. Stop at Le Gois and search for shellfish, including the famous local clams.
Before you reach La Barre-de-Monts, you need to stop at Le Daviaud Eco-Museum.
After, head into La Barre-de-Monts for your first night on your Vendee cycling adventure. Use your time here to sample oysters at the huts of the oyster farmers and prepare for an island escapade tomorrow.

The cycling path linking Bouin to La Barre-de-Monts

Day 2: Ile d’Yeu (4.5 km on La Vélodyssée and 40 km around the island)

Head off to Ile d’Yeu. After a 30-minute ferry ride, you can discover Port Joinville, its harbour, its narrow streets, its fort—a former military fortress transformed into a prison for high-profile inmates, now a registered historical monument—and its makers of prune tarts and minmins: caramels with prunes only made on Ile d’Yeu.

As you please, you can buy some bread, some rillettes de thon (tuna pâté, a local speciality), and a bottle of white wine and have a picnic in front of the Chapelle de la Meule, which overlooks a cute little harbour in a cove.

Next, the ruins of the Vieux Château (Old Castle) of the medieval Breton nobleman Olivier de Clisson, and the sheer cliffs carved by the wind, contrasting with the calm of the island’s beaches, dunes, and pine forests. Return to the Fromentine neighbourhood of La Barre-de-Monts, where you can have dinner and get a good night’s rest.

Day 3: From La Barre-de-Monts to St-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie (35.8 km)

In the heart of Les Pays de Monts national forest, the path travels over gentle hills and alternates between maritime pines and evergreen oak. When you arrive at the big beach in Saint-Jean-de-Monts, you can explore vast expanses of fine sandy beach. To learn all about sand dunes and the coast, visit the museum Biotopia.

While you walk along the beach, you’ll undoubtedly be able to watch horse riders and sand yachts.
Farther south, you’ll breathe in the sweet scents of the maritime pines and the salty sea air of the “Corniche Vendéenne” cliff road. This route offers a great way to discover the wonders of the “Coast of Light.” You can visit legendary spots like the "Trou du Diable” (Devil’s Hole), “Les Cinq Pineaux” (The Five Heads), and the “Rocher de Pilours” rock, until you reach the sardine boat harbour in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie... Stop off at the Perle des Dieux to try some sardines, then visit the Maison du Pêcheur fisherman’s museum and meet the monkey...

Spend the night in St-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie.

The path linking La Barre-de-Monts and St-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie

Day 4: Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie to Les Sables-d’Olonne (37 km)

As you continue exploring Vendee cycle routes along the coast, with fine sandy beaches alternating with rugged coastline, you have an opportunity to do a little wine tasting: in Brem, the makers of “Fiefs Vendéens” and Brem (AOC designation since 2011) wines will be happy to share with you their creations imbued with the sandy, salty earth in which their grapevines grow.

Between Brem-sur-Mer and Les Sables-d’Olonne, your Vendee cycling journey will get a bit hillier! Along the way, you’ll see salt marshes (stop at Les Salines, the adventure park dedicated to salt harvesting) in yellow and ochre colours and natural landscapes that are home to numerous frogs and birds.

In Les Sables-d’Olonne, make sure to visit the Saint Nicolas de la Chaume church in the fishermen’s neighbourhood and Penotte Island, with its houses decorated with mosaics.

Spend the night in Les Sables-d’Olonne.

The cycling path linking Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie with Les Sables d’Olonne

Day 5: From Les Sables-d’Olonne to La Tranche-sur-Mer (44 km)

This Vendée cycle route offers beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean from the rocky coast to the docks of Bourgenay harbour. Along the way, stops at the Aquarium de Vendée. Passing by dunes, forest, resort towns, and wild coves, this Vendée cycling path is one of the most pleasant rides along the Vendée coast. Highlights include Veillon beach and the nearby renowned oyster bar Le Park La Guittière; and let’s not forget the area’s salt marshes.
A small, winding road will take you into the heart of the Longeville-sur-Mer national forest. Out on the ocean, you’ll see kite surfers and surfboarders doing tricks. This part of the French coast is a hotspot for boardsports. Take a little break in the town of Saint-Vincent-sur-Jard, where you can visit the home and gardens of former French prime minister Georges Clemenceau.

A good night’s rest in La Tranche-sur-Mer will be well appreciated after a day of braving the Atlantic winds.

The cycling path linking Les Sables-d’Olonne and La Tranche-sur-Mer

Day 6: La Tranche-sur-Mer to Marans (46 km)

From La Tranche-sur-Mer to the traditional little port town of L’Aiguillon-sur-Mer, there’s plenty to discover: the Pointe d’Arçay and Pointe de l’Aiguillon, landscapes of dunes and forest, large fine sandy beaches, mussel beds, La Belle Henriette lagoon, the mouth of the Lay river, the edges of the Poitevin wetlands, and more. Or you can have some adrenaline-pumping fun at Atlantic Wakepark. In Saint-Michel-en-l’Herm, the medieval abbey is a testament to the important role played by monks in settling the Poitevin wetlands. Not far away is a bird sanctuary where you can go to marvel at nature and the winged inhabitants.

When you reach Marans, you’ll have reached the end of the Vendée cycle routes and entered Charente-Maritime. You’ll have gotten some great views at the Pointe d’Arçay with its stunning colours, and you’ll be entering the Poitevin wetlands, home to incredible biodiversity.

You can now either return to the Breton wetlands or continue along the coast of Charente-Maritime, or you can even explore the Poitevin wetlands, nicknamed “Green Venice.”

The cycling path linking La Tranche-sur-Mer to Marans

Also check out loop cycling routes in Vendée: