La Vélodyssée: From Nantes to Pornic
Day 1
62 km
Nantes → Saint-Brévin-les-Pins
Leave Nantes under your own pedal power, following the Loire toward the Atlantic. Along the way, contemporary art transforms the landscape—a house emerges from the river, unexpected sculptures dot the banks. From Le Pellerin, ride along the peaceful, shaded Canal de la Martinière. Built in the 19th century to aid navigation, today it’s a cyclist’s haven.
A tranquil ride brings you to Paimbœuf, once a 17th-century war port. The air turns salty, the terrain softens, and the vegetation changes. Soon you arrive in Saint-Brévin-les-Pins, with its pine-shaded villas, endless beaches, and the striking Serpent d’Océan sculpture rising at low tide. A well-earned, sea-scented end to your day.
Day 2
40 km
Saint-Brévin-les-Pins → Pornic
Head out along the Côte de Jade, lulled by the sound of waves. Your first stop: Saint-Michel-Chef-Chef, where the scent of galettes fills the air and the Saint-Michel biscuit factory invites you in for a visit.
Along the route, admire sweeping views from Pointe Saint-Gildas before riding through Préfailles and La Plaine-sur-Mer, where cliffs, hidden coves, and stilted fishing huts line the coast. The path is gentle, with ocean views and charming, quiet villages.
In Pornic, hop off your bike and explore: stroll the old port, visit the pottery workshop, enjoy a strawberry sorbet from La Fraiseraie or a local craft beer. Return to Nantes by train (bikes welcome)—or, for the more adventurous, pedal all the way back!