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 in Noirmoutier en l'Île in the late afternoon.
The island of Noirmoutier is nicknamed the "island of mimosas" for its mild climate which allows mimosas to grow and bloom in winter. The dominant landscapes are salt marshes, dunes and holm oak forests.
Welcome and installation in the rooms.
Dinner where you will and night in a 3* hotel or similar.
D2
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 where you will and night in a 3* hotel or similar.
D3
From Noirmoutier to Bouin
36,2 km stage if you go through Le Passage du Gois (tidal causeway) or 50 km by the bridge. From 3hrs00 to 4hrs00.
First day on the roaming! At the southern end of the island of Noirmoutier, you will take the famous Gois passage, a 4 km itinerary only accessible at low tide. On the other side of the shore, you will ride through the heart of the Vendée bocage where the land and water form mirror-like patches. A sublime journey between land and sea.
Dinner where you will and night in a 3 star hotel with its own pool.
D4
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 where you will and night in a 3 star hotel with its own pool.
D5
Bike ride on the western side of the Ile d'Yeu (say "ealed-yuh"!)
Ride in the western part of the Ile d'Yeu: 18,2 kms (3hrs).
You'll soon leave the bustle of the port behind you and come to the scenic 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 old castles.
Dinner where you will at Port-Joinville followed by night at a 3 star hotel (or guest house).
D6
Ride on the eastern side of the Ile d'Yeu
24 km stage. Around 3hrs.
The first part of the route is typified by beaches and gentle coastal scenery. At the tip of the island, called "les corbeaux" (the crows), it's the wild and austere atmosphere of the island of Yeu that dominates. The route back through the interior of the island, which passes between the neat white houses of the village of St Sauveur, is sheer escapism.
Dinner where you will at Port-Joinville followed by night at a 3 star hotel (or guest house).
D7
Crossing from Ile d'Yeu to Fromentine
After breakfast, you will take the boat back to the mainland.
This is the end of your trip and the start of a new adventure!
6 nights and breakfast 2*, 3* hotel and guest house
Parking available near the first accommodation
Taxi from Bouin to Fromentine and from Fromentine to Noirmoutier
Luggage transport
Includes ferry ticket for Fromentine - Ile d'Yeu crossing.
Roadbook and routemarked maps provided.
Update GPS tracks.
Technical and logistical assistance
Optional
Bike rental from (required as it is difficult to transport bikes to île d'Yeu) :
Electric power bike rental for adult or junior: 175 €
Child seat : 10 €
Bike cart for child : 70 €
Bike for adult or junior : 100 €
What's not included?
Dinners
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 + bus or taxi to Noirmoutier en l'Île
By train
Nantes railway station then by bus or taxi to Noirmoutier en l'Île
Comments
Global note
5.0
Une organisation sans faille qui nous a permis de profiter de notre séjour à 100% sans soucis.
Vacances très reposantes. Pas de soucis d'organisation. Juste les paysages, les plages, les piscines et pédaler. Le tout avec de supers accueils.
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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