The Vendée coastal isles

D1 Arrival in Bouin

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 hotel with a pool near the castle.

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 hotel with a pool near the castle.

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.

D7 Crossing from Ile d'Yeu to Fromentine

Taxi transfer back to Bouin.

Departure.