Your holiday along the Velodyssee begins at the very heart of the Breton marsh in the Vendée region, between sea and mainland. The scenery is astonishing, with water meadows and polders cut through by canals and drained by salt channels.
Arrival on the island of Noirmoutier underlines a deepening impression of being in another world as you penetrate further into the isle. There are beaches, salterns, visits to little fishing ports. And now you are ready for the third part of the programme where you set foot on the Ile d'Yeu with its wild coastline, fine sandy beaches, little white cottages and sea air to fill your lungs. It's as if you were on the open sea!
You'll love
the traffic-free itinerary through the salt flats
cycling across the Gois (tidal causeway) to get to Noirmoutier
Arrival late afternoon at Bouin.
Welcome and settling in.
Dinner and night at the attractive 3 star hotel with its own pool.
D2
Bike ride round Bouin
42km stage. Around 4hrs.
Cycling is perhaps the ideal way of exploring the marshes of the Vendée.
You weave your way through water meadows, step across the saltwater channels and suddenly there is a multitude of migratory or resident birds, mud waders being prominent among the latter. Dykes on the ocean's edge link pretty ports together, and there are oysters, shellfish and loads of fresh air on the menu!
Dinner and night at the attractive 3 star hotel with its own pool.
D3
From Bouin to Noirmoutier
37,5 km stage if you go through Le Passage du Gois (tidal causeway) or 56,5 km by the bridge. From 3hrs30 to 5hrs30.
This is the longest stage of your stay.
If the tide permits, you can get to the Island of Noimoutier by the famous Passage du Gois. Otherwise you'll go there through a pine forest and across the Noirmoutier bridge. The climb is the toughest element in the day. Afterwards you continue across the marshes to the island's tip from whence you'll see the silhouette of the imposing castle of Noirmoutier.
Dinner in the restaurant and night in a 2 star or 3 star hotel
D4
Ride centred on Noirmoutier
19 km stage. Around 2hrs.
You get the impression you're at Earth's end when you emerge from La Chaise wood and see the small coves that border the ocean. Plenty of places to bathe here, then once through the little villages in the north of the island you come to the broad beach of Luzérande. The return leg across the maze of salt marshes has undeniable charm.
Dinner in the restaurant and night in the 2 star or 3 star hotel
D5
Bike ride on the western side of the Ile d'Yeu (say "ealed-yuh"!)
Taxi to the pier at Fromentine.
Crossing by boat to Ile d'Yeu. (30 mins).
Your hotel is just 300 metres from Port-Joinville. Once you're installed you'll be ready for an exploratory visit of the island. Ride in the western part of the Ile d'Yeu: 18,2 kms (2hrs45).
You soon leave the bustle of the port and come to a wonderfully panoramic track which follows the wild coastline. A succession of beaches set in a craggy coast. And a trip back in time with dolmens, menhirs and ancient castles.
Dinner where you will at Port Joinville followed by night at the 2 star hotel.
D6
Ride on the eastern side of the Ile d'Yeu
20 km stage (24 km possible), about 3hrs.
The first part of the route is typified by beaches and gentle coastal scenery. At the very tip of the island lies a spot known as "les corbeaux" (the crows), where the wild and austere atmosphere of the island of Yeu dominates. The route back through the interior of the island, which passes between the neat white houses of the village of St Sauveur, is otherworldly...
Dinner as you like it in Port Joinville and overnight stay at the 2 star hotel.
Half board and B&B in 2 star hotels and 3 star hotel
Roadbook and maps with route marked provided.
Technical and logistical assistance.
Baggage transfer by vehicle.
Private parking for your vehicle.
Return ferry ticket for Fromentine - Ile d'Yeu crossing included.
Transfer from Fromentine to Bouin.
Optional
Bike rental from (compulsory on this circuit because there is no possibility to carry the bike from one island to the other ) :
Electric power bike rental for adult or junior: 160 €
Child seat : 10 €
Bike cart for child : 65 €
Bike for adult or junior : 90 €
What's not included ?
Dinners on days 5 and 6
Beverage and extra
Return transfer from Home to the first accomodation
Facultative cancellation and repatriation insurance
Characteristics of circuits
Cycle tour, itinerant, without guide:
Daily stages from 18 to 42 kilometres, about 2 to 4hrs cycling daily.
Fairly level ground.
Organisation
These holidays are much more about relaxed exploration than athletic performance. We transport your luggage between the stages and your roadbook will guide you from beginning to end. We also provide all necessary logistical and technical assistance.
On longer holidays you change accommodation every other day, which gives you the chance to better explore your surroundings or simply take the time to relax...
Accommodation is in 2 or 3 star hotels chosen for their atmosphere, warm welcome and environmental and architectural setting.
Certain stages are programmed without an evening meal but there are plenty of nearby eating places of various kinds.
N.B : the accommodation described above is given as an indication and may have to be modified according to availability at the moment when final reservation is confirmed.
Access
By car
Highway at Nantes - 60 km
By air
Nantes Atlantique airport or Paris airports
By train
Nantes railway station then by bus or taxi to the accommodation in Bouin.
Comments
Global note
5.0
Très contentes. Merci à toute l'équipe Safrantours qui nous fait découvrir la France dans d'excellentes conditions.
Décision de nous laisser guider, d'accueillir les propositions d'organisation de Safrantours. De belles rencontres, de belles surprises. Tout était parfait. Nous n'avions qu'une chose à penser: profiter de notre séjour !
Friendly hoteliers, excellent direction, good value-for-money.
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