On the move in Saint-Brevin! This summer, enjoy the beaches and seascapes along the coast by bike. In Loire-Atlantique, four major cycling itineraries pass through our charming seaside resort: the Vélocéan, the Vélodyssée and the Loire à Vélo. All aboard!
Saint-Brevin, a must for cycle tourists
If ever there was a cycling capital in Loire-Atlantique, it’s Saint-Brevin-les-Pins. Everything has been done to facilitate cycling and the life of cycle tourists. Thanks to its flat terrain, oceanic climate and numerous facilities, the town is ideal for cyclists. You’ll find campsites, recharging stations, rest and picnic areas in Mindin, as well as bike parks at L’Océan. And don’t forget the three major cycle routes that pass through Saint-Brevin.
The Vélocéan
With 160 km of cycle routes, the Vélocéan follows the coastline from Vendée to Morbihan. In Loire-Atlantique, the route is divided into two sections on either side of the Loire estuary: from Piriac-sur-Mer to Saint-Nazaire and from Saint-Brevin-les-Pins to Bourgneuf-en-Retz (included in the Vélodyssée route). In summer, a free shuttle service allows you to cross the Saint-Nazaire bridge with your bike.
North of the estuary, the Vélocéan links Guérande to Saint-Nazaire via La Baule. The cycle route takes inland roads. To the south, you’ll cycle along the long beaches of Saint-Brevin-les-Pins, near the Serpent d’Océan, to reach the creeks of Pornic and Préfailles, then the Bay of Bourgneuf.
- Piriac-sur-Mer Saint-Nazaire: 35 km (1h50)
- Saint-Brevin-les-Pins Pornic: 39 km (2h40)
- More onLa Vélodyssée itinerary
Read also: Bike rental at Saint-Brevin-les-Pins campsite
La Vélodyssée (EuroVelo 1)
The Vélodyssée, the French section of EuroVelo 1, crosses Brittany and runs along the Atlantic coast to Hendaye on the Basque coast. It’s France’s longest cycle route, covering more than 1,200 km, 80% of which is exclusive right-of-way (car-free).
In Loire-Atlantique, La Vélodyssée meets the Loire Estuary. The route follows the Canal de la Martinière to Paimboeuf and Saint-Brevin. You’ll also discover the Estuaire art trail, a collection of contemporary artworks along the Loire.
Along the Côte de Jade, past the beaches of Saint-Brevin, La Vélodyssée leads to the Pointe Saint-Gildas semaphore, then on to Pornic, famous for its castle, old port and traditional fisheries.
- Nantes / Le Pellerin St-Brevin-les-Pins (joint stage with La Loire à vélo): 38.79 km (2h30)
- Saint-Brevin-les-Pins Pornic (joint stage with the Vélocéan): 39.88 km (2h40)
- More onLa Vélodyssée itinerary
La Loire à Vélo (Eurovélo 6)
The Loire à Vélo, part of Eurovélo 6, is one of 14 itineraries in the EuroVelo network of the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF). The route follows three major European rivers: the Loire, the Rhine and the Danube, covering 2,400 km of cycle paths from Nantes to Budapest.
From Ancenis to Saint-Brevin, via Nantes, La Loire à Vélo leads the way along France’s longest river, crossing the Loire-Atlantique département on almost 100 km of cycle paths. Saint-Brevin-les-Pins is the terminus of La Loire à Vélo. The arrival or departure point is at Place Bougainville.
- More on theLoire à Vélo itinerary
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