La Vélodyssée is an ocean line connecting Roscoff to Hendaye over a distance of more than 1,300 km. A continuous ribbon, fully signposted, designed to make touring accessible without taking away its sense of adventure. Along the route, you encounter Brittany with its lighthouses and locks, the peaceful marshes and canals, the vast Landes pine forest, and finally the light of the Basque Country. From the first kilometers, the story unfolds: here, you ride to cross different worlds.
From the European map to the French reality
Originally, there was a continental vision: EuroVelo 1, the Atlantic Coast Route, from Northern Europe to Portugal. La Vélodyssée forms the French portion, and in the early 2010s, the ambition was clear: to transform a coastal axis into a complete, continuous, readable, and safe destination. The foundational work — connections, signage harmonization, quality upgrades — reached a milestone in 2024: La Vélodyssée became the first French route certified EuroVelo along 100% of its path. La Vélodyssée is a full-fledged experience, relying on rigorous validation and perfect continuity in terms of signage, safety, and services. And this perfection is no accident…
A smoothly running collective mechanism
The route keeps pace because it relies on clear governance. Coordination is provided by Charentes Tourisme, within a contractual framework involving regions, departments, and intercommunalities. Recent agreements detail stable annual contributions (for example: participation of regions and departments through flat-rate amounts, and EPCI contributions adjusted according to the length of the route on their territory), as well as principles of transparency and shared ownership of outputs (brand, tools, media). This multi-year, low-profile but decisive system allows continuous improvement: safer junctions, better pavement quality, clearer traveler information.
Quality leap, backed by numbers
EuroVelo certification is based on tangible realities: about 76% of the route on dedicated paths (greenways, dedicated lanes) and 69% smooth pavement, two factors that, combined with full signage, explain the calm for beginners and the efficiency for experienced cyclists. These are national reference figures, consolidated at the time of certification.
In terms of usage, La Vélodyssée remains a major cycling tourism route. In 2023, it counted around 330,000 touring cyclists for 3.9 million trips, with revenue per kilometer among the highest in France: €98,000/km (order of magnitude confirmed by the study summary published the same year). These figures only make sense when tied to real-world conditions: when infrastructure is smooth, continuous, and well-served, the experience follows — and so does the desire to return.
The journey, in terms of sensations
You enter through Brittany, at the gentle pace of the Nantes-Brest canal. The terrain is mild, stops follow naturally: lock, market, town square terrace. Further south, the Breton-Vendée marshes and the Marais Poitevin open up the horizon: here, water and light play hide-and-seek, perfect for alternating kilometers with leisurely exploration. Then come the long stretches of the Landes pine forest. You move quickly under the shade of the pines; the sea is not always in sight, but almost always within wheel reach via marked links. Finally, the Basque Country narrows perspectives, strengthens the legs a bit, and broadens the smile, between cliffs and seaside villages.
The surface is generally rideable, but some rustic sections exist (notably on certain routes in Brittany, Loire-Atlantique, and Charente-Maritime): nothing prohibitive, just an invitation to use slightly wider tires and embrace the variety of a living route. La Vélodyssée is an adventure, yet largely accessible and suitable for family cycling trips and first-time bike tourists. It’s no surprise that these routes feature prominently in our TOP 5 easy bike routes for a first bike trip.
Well-chosen detours: islands, estuaries, waterways
A successful odyssey is often found in the details: a detour to Île de Ré from La Rochelle via an exemplary cycle network; a careful side trip to Noirmoutier via the Fromentine bridge. The legendary Passage du Gois, a submersible causeway, is dreamlike, yet it is not recommended for cyclists (very short window around low tide, slippery surface, traffic). The official route provides all practical and safety information, a useful reminder to keep the magic of the tides trouble-free.
Train + bike: the art of shaping your story
On La Vélodyssée, traveling in segments is popular. Train stations punctuate the route and allow all combinations: Nantes–Royan this week, Bordeaux–Bayonne next week.
On TER trains, fully assembled bikes are allowed depending on available space; in summer, reservations may be required — especially in Brittany and Nouvelle-Aquitaine in 2025. On Intercités and TGV, a reserved bike space is needed in addition to your ticket if you’re not traveling with a bike cover. Rules vary seasonally, so a quick check a few weeks before departure avoids surprises.
Equipment and pace: the lasting recipe
On La Vélodyssée, simplicity makes the difference. Tires in the 32–40 mm range smooth out surface changes without slowing you down; for rougher paths, slightly lowering pressure keeps everything fluid. A real waterproof jacket — breathable, well-fitting hood — turns rain into a pause, and good fenders prevent ending the day soaked. Two well-balanced rear panniers are more than enough for luggage: heavy items at the bottom, frequently used items on top, balanced left/right. A minimal kit (see our article on bike travel gear) solves 95% of issues and keeps you moving.
Pace is thought of in waves. A “scenery” day rich in stops, markets, and viewpoints, followed by a slightly longer “distance” day. Start early if weather or wind intervenes, take a swim or nap when the sun rises, resume late afternoon to enjoy golden hour. This gentle, deliberate alternation creates comfort without slowing momentum — and leaves a vivid narrative on return, full of pine scents, salt, and effortless kilometers.
Traveler voices
Cyclists’ accounts tell stories perfect for both seasoned riders and beginners.
Think of Gwenaëlle and Camille, covering the Vélodyssée Bordeaux–Biarritz over a sunny week in May: nearly 300 km in 8 days, a deliberately chosen route for safety and readability, easy resupplies, clear joy of a successful “big” first ride.
Consider step-by-step travelers who use the rail network to compose a “custom” week, switching from TER to bike paths to avoid bad weather or enjoy half a day of sightseeing. Perfect bike-and-train vacations.
Finally, consider this family bike trip from La Rochelle to Arcachon — from Charente-Maritime to Gironde: bike check before departure from Île de Ré, beginner-friendly stages, routes with quality accommodations, hotels and campsites (opening dates vary in spring and autumn), seaside resorts, local produce, and peace of mind thanks to supervised bike parking at major resorts. A joyful realism that feels right and makes you want to go again, bringing children along on the adventurous paths of bike travel.
Why we come back
Because La Vélodyssée is full of stories, more than a line on a map: it’s a coordinated public policy that kept its promises, a European-recognized quality standard, and a travel experience that stays simple: continuous signage, Accueil Vélo accommodations, clear information, welcoming culture. We return for this rare blend of safety, ease, and emotion — and for the feeling, after a few days, of having found the right rhythm.
And if the story started now
At Evazio, we like to guide without over-organizing. We help you choose the right season, pace, and accommodations, book what’s necessary (not too much, not too little), plan luggage solutions and backup plans that free your mind. You keep the feeling of leaving “free,” with, in the background, a route that has already done much of the work for you. The Atlantic provides the scenery. If you’re looking for a great story for your bike holidays, we offer the perfect cycling route on the magnificent Vélodyssée!
