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©2 cyclistes sur le front de mer|Christian Robert

Bike rides Enjoy your own Great Escape

Make the most of your holidays by unplugging and getting on your bike. This page will give you ideas for walks, outings, cycle trails, good ideas for taking care of your bike, and anything else you might need to get back in the saddle in Saint-Nazaire and the Brière!

Bike Rides in Saint-Nazaire and the Brière

La Loire à Vélo

Did you know? Saint-Nazaire is the gateway to the famous cycling route “La Loire à Vélo” (Loire by Bike). If you start your tour in Saint-Nazaire, or if, after cycling along the Loire river, you arrive in Saint-Nazaire to return by train, take an hour for a leisurely exploration of a 6.2-mile loop in Saint-Nazaire which leads you to the harbour, the seafront and the city centre.

Saint-Nazaire is linked to the Loire à Vélo route by the bridge which spans the Loire estuary. For safety reasons you are advised against crossing it on your bike. During the summer there are free shuttles; the rest of the year the taxis on both sides, Saint-Nazaire (+33 240 66 02 62) and Saint-Brevin (+33 240 27 23 07) can take you to the other side, as does a regular bus ‘Aléop’ (booking possible from Monday to Friday, +33 240 21 50 87).

  • Point of departure: Saint-Nazaire

– boulevard des Apprentis, before the crossing of the River Brivet

  • Point of departure: Saint-Brevin

– place de Bougainville

For more info call +332 51 82 62 62

Vélocéan

To go by bicycle from Guérande Peninsula to Saint-Nazaire, follow the Vélocéan signs.

The Vélocéan route stretches from the coastal cities of Mesquer in the north to Bourgneuf-en-Retz in the south.

A Modern Journey Through an old Land – By bike

Four cities in western France – Nantes, Saint-Nazaire, Rennes and Saint-Malo – invite you to explore the region’s heritage in a unique and inspiring way. You can now enjoy this adventure by bike!
A special cycle route connects Nantes to Mont-Saint-Michel, covering 245 miles. It is divided into five sections, each leaving from a city with excellent transport links. This route combines other trails such as La Loire à Vélo, Vélodyssée®, La Voie 2 de Bretagne and Vélomaritime, and is suitable for all ages and abilities.
So whether it’s for a one-week trip, a weekend getaway, or a full-day outing, get on your bike and go on an adventure through the historic lands of Brittany!

For more information, please visit the website of A Modern Journey Through an old Land.

Take a look at the Loire à Vélo, Vélocéan and Brière cycle routes!

What do you think: by the sea, by the river, or out in the country? There’s a great range of cycle trails and routes on offer here, including Loire à Vélo, Vélocéan or the Brière Trail. Take your pick and get on your bike! For a clear picture of the trails, click on the corresponding colour:

  • blue for Vélocéan
  • red for Loire à Vélo (up to Nantes)
  • green for Saint-Nazaire to Brière
  • pink for Saint-Nazaire to Pornichet by the coast
  • purple for Briere’s charms
  • orange for Briere’s islands

On the map below, you can click on the various marker points to get more practical info such as distance or elevation:

Ask at the Tourist Office for all and any details concerning cycle trails.

Cyclists Welcome: Accueil Vélo® in Saint-Nazaire and in the Brière

Logo Marque Accueil Velo

 

To travel in complete safety by bike, the national network Accueil Vélo® – meaning ‘cyclists welcome’ – has selected accommodation providers, restaurants and other businesses who offer a high standard of service and welcome to cyclists. Below, you’ll find the list of local businesses who have set up a personalised service to ensure a warm welcome in Saint-Nazaire and in the Regional Nature Park of Brière.

 

Advice from the Tourist Office:

  • make sure your bike is well-maintained (whether it’s your own or a hire-bike)
  • wear comfortable clothing and footwear (so you get off to a good start!)
  • wear a cycle helmet (so you don’t lose your head)
  • stay hydrated (preferably with water!)
  • take a picnic with you to enjoy at one of our many picnic spots (and remember to dispose of the rubbish afterwards)

Feel free to contact the team at the Tourist Office before you head out, so you can check the accessibility of the route and pick up any particular maps or info. In the meantime, you can download the cyclist and pedestrian map from Saint-André-des-Eaux by following the below link.

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