In 2021, Paulette sets a course for new destination! And today, we are talking about the Vélodyssée: 1240 km of itinerary, 70% of track without cars, 3 regions, 9 departments. From Roscoff to Hendaye, the longest fitted cycling route of France, crosses Britany and follows the Atlantic Ocean to the Basque coast.

Did you know?

The Vélodyssée is just the French part of a (way much) longer cycling route, the Atlantic Coast Route – Eurovelo 1, crossing 6 European countries: Norway, United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Spain and Portugal.

If you want to get an idea of what awaits you, here is a map of the route:

Slow tourism

Crossing France on a bike is choosing a soft mean of transport (meaning clean) and above all, choosing to take the time to admire the beauty of the Atlantic coast and the landscapes diversity that awaits you: canals, moors, marshes, dunes, beaches, pine forests, bocages, ponds.

It is also going through inescapable cities – Nantes, La Rochelle, Rochefort, Royan, Bayonne, Biarritz – and emblematic touristic sites – Canal de Nantes in Brest, Marais Poitevin, Ford Boyard, Bassin d’Arcachon, Dune du Pilat, Forêt des Landes.

Encounters and sharing

Because slow tourism is not only discovering enchanting landscapes and soaking in nature, the Vélodyssée is placed under the sign of encounters and sharing. With 3,6 million of cycling outings in 2018, 18% of them being foreigners, you are going to meet people and why not strike new friendships; and this, without counting on the Accueil Vélo accommodation less dans 5 kilometers from the itinerary.

Sharing, is also making new memories together, during a surf session in Hendaye, a visit to a chocolatier from Bayonne, to a lock keeper from Britany, a winemaker from Bordeaux or an oyster farmer from Charentes. And what would be a successful trip without having savored the pleasures of the table and local products: a Basque cake from Pariès, oysters from the Bassin d’Arcachon, a glass of pineau des Charentes, a kouign amann from Douarnenez.

A la carte!

Families, friends, lovers, lone wolves, young or less young, the Vélodyssée is accessible to everyone. Whether it is for one or two steps just for the weekend (Did you also took new year resolutions?), for a few days to breathe or for a bike trip with friends, this cycling route welcomes you according to your desires. And for the bravest of us, you can even extend your journey to the South and the sun or to the North and the great cold.

Whatever your desires are, the route is safe and marked and you will find topoguides and GPS tracks on the website www.lavelodyssee.com (tab “Informations pratiques”) to help you in the organization of your trip.

So? Ready to explore new faraway lands?

Stay tuned for new adventures with Paulette! 

Check us out and share your memories on Facebook and Instagram with the #paulettebike. Don’t forget to tag us: @paulettebike!