The Atlantic Seaboard

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What you can expect

This is a great first time long distance ride. The Landes area is pancake flat and is a good place to get into the rhythm of covering daily distances. By the time the hillier country in Brittany is reached you should be feeling strong and fit and well able to complete this memorable journey along the west coast of France, an area much loved the French for reasons you will soon discover. 13 days cycling; 12 nights half board with wine; 2 night bed and breakfast only; luggage transport, full back-up and assistance throughout the day.

Your Next Adventure Awaits

What you need to know...

Start Location
Biarritz

Finish Location
Roscoff

Country/Region
End to End (UK and European rides)

Grading
Difficult

Shortest Day
40 Miles

Longest Day
89 Miles

Total Days
15 days total / 13 days cyclin

Total Miles
1,344 km / 840 miles

Departure Dates & Prices

There are no available dates at this moment.
Please choose an alternative Tour or check back soon.

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive at the start, assemble your bike and meet your team.

Day 2

One of our true ‘journeys’, this ride starts near the Spanish border in Biarritz, a fashionable resort at the western end of the Pyrenees. The first day is fast and pancake flat as you ride through the pine forests of the Landes, with the beaches for which the area is well known only ever a few miles away. Staying in one of the seaside resorts, you will be bowling along in top gear. (65 miles).

Day 3

We continue north through the forests, taking our time on another flat day. The Dune du Pilat is Europe's largest sand dune and is near the lovely Bassin d'Arcachon where we stop for the night - an area famous for its oysters and other sea food. (55 miles).

Day 4

Skirting Bordeaux we enter the world famous wine region of the Medoc and spend a night north of Pauillac, home to legendary names such as Chateau Lafite-Rothschild, having passed a legion of other famous chateaux on the way. (71 miles).

Day 5

You cycle past many more vineyards on your way to the small ferry across the mouth of the Garonne river, and into the lovely Charente-Maritime and Vendee regions, pausing in the historic fortified town of Brouage. We spend the night on historic Rochefort, once home to the French navy's arsenal and rope making facilities. A nice evening meal overlooking historic ships is a great end to the day. (66 miles).

Day 6

From Rochefort a short day to La Rochelle, a stylish town of Roman origins, leaving you plenty of time to explore this fabulous town and walk the ramparts, or sit by the old quay watching the world go by in the shadow of the famous towers guarding the harbour. (50 miles)

Day 7

Next up we continue along the coast, moving north from the Charente into the Vendee, which ranks as one of the highest French regions for sunshine and we hope it stays that way for our visit! Another fashionable resort tonight, this time Les Sables d'Olonne with its glorious long beach. (67 miles).

Day 8

Crossing the salt marshes we see where sea salt is extracted using nothing more than sunshine and patience. Oyster beds also abound in this largely unspoilt area. On route we visit lovely Noirmoutier, famous for its potatoes and sea salt. Pornic is pretty fishing port with an attractive chateau. (80 miles).

Day 9

We take a detour inland to the little ferry across the Loire to enter the proud region of Brittany before heading back west towards the coast. Guerande is a particularly nice ancient walled town and you will enjoy staying here. (65 miles).

Day 10

We continue round the upper edge of the Gulf of Morbihan to Carnac, where we pass the famous ‘alignments’: thousands of menhirs arranged in straight lines. We are now definitely in Brittany with rocky coves and fishing ports amongst the tiny inlets. (70 miles).

Day 11

It is pretty village followed by pretty village today as we make our way to Concarneau with its pretty harbour and island fortress with cobbled streets; a great place for a nice meal. Although there are a few more hills now you will be fit and strong, and many riders start to feel sorry that there are only 3 days of this epic journey left. (63 miles).

Day 12

A short ride today through historic Quimper - plenty of time for a leisurely lunch or coffee watching the world go by. Continue then to Douarnenez, a very pretty fishing harbour and once capital of France's sardine trade. Again, the quayside is lined with cafes and bistros, so another stop is called for, especially as it's only a few miles to your overnight hotel in Locranon - a village so pretty it defies words! (40 miles).

Day 13

Cutting across the peninsular we continue to Menez Hom, one of the highest points in Brittany and from which there are quite spectacular views over the Brest roadstead and beyond – well worth the climb! Enjoy the descent and time to relax in Brest, our stop for the night. (55 miles).

Day 14

A short ride today takes us to Roscoff, where the Atlantic is generally described as joining the Channel. Visit then little white chapel above the harbour or simply relax and have a lie on the beach, content that you have completed one of the classic rides of France. (79 km / 49 miles).

Day 15

Departure. From Roscoff there are afternoon ferry connections back to Plymouth or the train from Roscoff connects with the TGV at nearby Morlaix to Paris.