Nantes sits at the crossroads of two indisputable stars of bike travel: “la Vélodyssée” (EuroVelo 1) and “la Loire à Vélo” (EuroVelo 6). Nantes is also the perfect starting point for exploring A Modern Journey through an Old Land by bike. From Nantes to Mont-Saint-Michel, from land to sea, this A Modern Journey through an Old Land reveals little-known treasures, as well as historical and architectural heritage, along with contemporary artworks.
La Vélodyssée
La Vélodyssée is the French leg of the Atlantic Coast Route (aka, EuroVelo 1). From Roscoff in Brittany to Hendaye in Basque Country, these 1,200 km (745 mi.) of bicycle paths rarely stray far from the Atlantic Ocean, offering riders an invigorating ride.
Vélodyssée cycling route
La Loire à vélo
La Loire à Vélo is a 900-km-long (560 mi.) bicycle route that links Cuffy near Nevers to Saint-Brevin-les-Pins in the Loire-Atlantique region of France. Travel through time, from the Châteaux de la Loire to the Atlantic Ocean.
Loire valley by bike
A modern Journey through an old land – by bike
Nantes, Saint-Nazaire, La Baule, Rennes, Saint-Malo, to the Mont-Saint-Michel
Five towns in the west of France – Nantes, Saint-Nazaire, La Baule, Rennes, and Saint-Malo – come together to present their regional heritage: from art to gastronomy, architecture to natural landscapes, and the historical to the contemporary. This unprecedented collaboration traces an itinerary that is singular and truly exceptional when discovered from behind a set of handlebars: it is an ode to roaming free, to the joys of being a nomad for a brief moment, and to discovering the unexpected with each new stop, where a surprise awaits you at every turn. From the Atlantic Ocean to the English Channel, from land to sea, this Modern Journey through an old Land reveals little-known treasures, secret beaches, natural landscapes, and excellent spots to eat and rest, where you can experience the region like never before.
Whether you’re on an electric bike or the old-fashioned kind, A modern Journey through an old Land is an itinerary that is perfectly secured and accessible to all, where you will always find rental shops, repair stands, or fellow cyclists to help repair your bike in the event of a technical mishap (within reason, of course…). Be it as a family, among friends, on your own, or in tandem, this cycling itinerary is divided into 6 sections, borrowing some of the greatest hits from other circuits like La Loire à Vélo, La Vélodyssée and La Vélomaritime, and covering a total of 500 km! Before leaving, make sure to bring along a basic repair kit (inner tubes, patches, a pump), wear a helmet, fill your water bottle to the brim, bring your trail mix, and keep in mind that the entire itinerary has been tested and secured for your cycling pleasure. So, giddy up for the new adventures awaiting you!
Brittany by bike