La Vélodyssée connects Roscoff in Brittany with Hendaye on the Basque coast. It is the French section of the Atlantic Coast Route, EuroVelo 1, linking canal landscapes, Atlantic marshes and pine forests with the scenery of the western Pyrenees.
From Brittany to the Basque Country
The Nantes–Brest canal provides an inland contrast to the coast. Farther south, the route crosses the Breton-Vendée and Poitevin marsh landscapes before reaching the Atlantic shores of Aquitaine and the Landes forests.
Cities along the journey include Nantes, La Rochelle, Rochefort, Royan, Bayonne and Biarritz. Arcachon Bay, the Dune du Pilat and the Basque coastline are among its distinctive landscapes.
Riding the route
The itinerary is signposted in both directions and combines greenways and cycle paths with other sections. It opened in 2012 and received EuroVelo certification across the full route in 2024.
Planning a section or a longer trip
The official planner shows accommodation, stations, cycle hire and repair, water points and service areas. The website also provides GPX resources, waymarking guidance and route alerts. Connected loops offer additional ways to explore individual areas.