La Régalante connects Mont-Saint-Michel with Nantes through the historic Marches de Bretagne, once a frontier between Brittany and France. France Vélo Tourisme presents the journey as a series of stages passing castles, market towns, lakes and former railway infrastructure. The route project is coordinated by the departments of Manche, Ille-et-Vilaine and Loire-Atlantique.
From the bay to Fougères
At the northern end, Mont-Saint-Michel rises above a bay whose appearance changes with the tides. The itinerary heads inland through polders and towards Antrain, with rivers and hedged countryside accompanying the journey to Maen Roch.
From Maen Roch, a greenway carries riders towards Fougères through a landscape marked by the former railway. Look for the old station at Saint-Germain-en-Coglès, crossing keepers’ houses, tunnels and bridges. Fougères offers a chance to leave the bike for a visit to its medieval quarter and imposing fortress.
Vitré and the Breton Marches
The route between Fougères and Vitré joins two medieval towns along a greenway through the countryside. Lakes at Châtillon and La Cantache offer places for a pause, while former stations recall the railway that once served the area. Vitré’s château gives the town a distinctive landmark for an overnight stop or a longer visit.
South of Vitré, the greenway continues towards La Guerche-de-Bretagne. Its timber-framed houses and collegiate church reward time on foot; the town’s Tuesday market is another reason to plan a stop. France Vélo Tourisme then describes a journey towards Martigné-Ferchaud through the forest of La Guerche and the country of the Roche aux Fées.
Châteaubriant to Nantes
Châteaubriant adds another château and opportunities to explore the area’s Resistance history. Farther south, the route passes towards La Meilleraye-de-Bretagne, where the Abbaye de Melleray and Parc des Lavandières provide reasons to pause.
The approach to Nort-sur-Erdre brings riders near the Erdre, the forest of Vioreau and Lake Vioreau. The final journey towards Nantes shares a section with La Vélodyssée along the Nantes–Brest canal. In Nantes, the Château des Ducs de Bretagne is a focal point for exploring the city, and other long-distance cycle routes offer possibilities for continuing.
Planning the ride
France Vélo Tourisme divides La Régalante into nine suggested stages and describes a mix of cycleways and lightly trafficked roads. The southern part is hillier than the north. Particular care is needed on the RD95 between Drouges and Chelun and at several major road crossings, so riders should be comfortable sharing roads with traffic.
The route is signed in both directions with the La Régalante logo; many signs in Manche also show V409. From La Chapelle-sur-Erdre, follow La Vélodyssée signs into central Nantes. The Fougères tourism office advises booking ahead in rural areas, where accommodation and restaurants are less numerous. Check the detailed stage pages and local updates before departure: works affecting the greenway around Fougères have been announced for 2026.