Ideas for a cycling holiday in Vendée

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What if you went on a bike ride for a few days to discover the Vendée otherwise? The stay “Iodized breezes and wooded paths” is a turnkey cycle loop, accessible from the Achards train station, which combines seaside, rolling countryside, marshes, lakes and forests. The route uses part of the network Vendee Cycling and crosses several emblematic landscapes, between Les Sables d'Olonne, Jaunay Lake, Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, Aizenay et La Roche-sur-Yon.

💡 If you are looking for ideas for day trips or shorter tours, you can also consult our cycle and mountain bike routes in Pays des Achards.

🚴‍♀️ Salty breezes and woodland paths: a cycle loop between sea, woodland and wide open spaces

Ce cycling trip on the road allows you to connect the coast and the hinterland independently, on a marked route. Between dunes, forests, villages and natural spaces, this loop offers a diversity of landscapes to discover over the kilometers.

The atmosphere varies every day: seaside, forest trails, country lanes, lively town centre or a peaceful stopover by a lake.

✅ Two options to choose from for a cycling holiday

• 4 days / 3 nights – Approximately 150 km
  An accessible, well-paced circuit, perfect for a first experience of cycling. A gentle immersion between ocean, forest and grove.
• 5 days / 4 nights – Approximately 181 km
  A sportier variant including a breakaway towards the Jaunay lake, an unmissable natural site in the Pays des Achards.

🗺️ The stages of the stay day by day

🟢 Day 1 – Les Achards → Les Sables d'Olonne (~38 km)

Since the Achards station, the cycle route takes you for a gentle first day, between bocage vendeen et Atlantic coastline. You are crossing Saint Mathurin then join the island of Olonne along quiet and bucolic paths. A stop at Gueffard mill allows you to observe birds in the salt marshes, near the salt workers' huts.

The route then continues on a developed cycle path along the bird sanctuary, to the heart of the Sables d'Olonne. At the end of the day, don't miss the sunset on Paracou beach, a peaceful and ideal moment to conclude this first stage.

🟢 Day 2 – Les Sables d'Olonne → Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie (~38 km)

Since the Sables d'Olonne, you follow the coast via Brétignolles-sur-Mer, along beaches and dunes. The route partly follows the Velodyssey, offering a safe route with beautiful ocean views.

You are crossing the Natura 2000 classified dune area of ​​Sauzaie and Jaunay, before reaching the port of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, a dynamic town known for its sardine fishing tradition.

🚴‍♂️ Or the sporty option: Escape to Lac du Jaunay over 2 days

For a more sporty version of the stay, opt for this two-stage breakaway inland to the Jaunay lake, a true natural jewel of the Pays des Achards.:

• Les Sables-d'Olonne → Saint-Julien-des-Landes (~42 km)
• Saint-Julien-des-Landes → Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie (~25 km)

From Les Sables d'Olonne, the route goes up the forest of Olonne by the Vélodyssée to Brétignolles-sur-Mer, then branches off towards La Chaize-Giraud, a village with authentic charm with its 12th century Romanesque church. After a few steep climbs and wooded passages, you reach the Roche-Guillaume Castle, before reaching the banks of the Jaunay lake.

Enjoy a moment of relaxation at La Baudriere, then spend the night at Saint-Julien-des-LandesThe next day, you follow the north shore of the lake before returning to the coast at Brétignolles-sur-Mer, and to conclude the stage at Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, via the Sauzaie dunes, classified Natura 2000.

🟢 Day 3 – Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie → Aizenay (~30 km)

This stage crosses theVendée hinterland smoothly. You leave Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie through the Jaunay marshes, before joining the Givrand pastures and the country paths leading to Saint Reverend. Don't miss a stop at the Moulin des Gourmands, to discover the local milling heritage.

You continue towards the Lake Gué Gorand, then take an old railway line lined with vegetation until you reach Aizenay, peaceful town surrounded by 420 hectares of state forest. A beautiful stage combining nature, heritage and tranquility.

🟢 Day 4 – Aizenay → Les Achards (~46 km)

The last stage of this cycle loop begins in the Aizenay forest, with a shaded crossing of the Nightjar Park, where you can sometimes see deer or peacocks. By the old railway line, you reach The Genétouze, then continue towards La Roche-sur-Yon crossing the natural spaces of Black Lands.

Take the time to discover the Napoleon Square and its surprising mechanical animals, then follow the riverYon to regain the Pays des Achards. You finally cross Sainte-Flaive-des-Loups by the forest paths then the Chenaie Park to peacefully conclude your bike ride.

🌿 The highlights of the circuit

• Departure and arrival at Pickles, easily accessible by train (Nantes – Les Sables-d'Olonne line)
• Passing through various natural sites: Jaunay Lake, Aizenay forest, salt marshes, coastal dunes
• Discovery of typical Vendée villagesincluding Brétignolles-sur-Mer and Apremont
• Marked route via the network Vendee Cycling
• Accommodation and practical services available throughout the route (via the Accueil Vélo brand)
• A sportier variant offered for terrain lovers

ℹ️ Practical information for a cycling holiday

🚆 Access to the route

• By train : TER station at Achards on the line Nantes – La Roche-sur-Yon – Les Sables-d'Olonne
• 📌 Bike boarding service available from June to September (reservation required for bikes).
• By car : Carpool parking – ZA Sud-Est – 2 rue Michel Breton in Les Achards.

🚲 Bike rental

📍 Forest Bike Tour (Les Sables-d'Olonne)

🔌 Recharge your electric bike (EAB) during your stay

Sockets available in the Tourist Offices with the Accueil Vélo label and some accommodations.

🛏 Cycling accommodation and services

Choose accommodations Accueil Vélo to benefit from a secure room, sockets for electric bikes, a repair kit... An ideal solution for experiencing a completely independent cycling trip !
👉 See our cyclist-friendly accommodations and practical services.

More information

Where to eat and sleep by bike in Pays des Achards

Practical services for cyclists

The Accueil Vélo© brand

Cycling and mountain biking routes

Loop

Vendée Vélo Loop – Salty breezes and wooded trails

LES ACHARDS