1. La Vélodyssée Atlantic Coast Ride — Nantes to Saint-Brevin-les-Pins
Why Ride It:
If you’ve ever dreamed of pedaling from a historic city straight to the Atlantic Ocean, this is your chance. La Vélodyssée is part of the EuroVelo 1 route and runs along France’s west coast. The Nantes to Saint-Brevin-les-Pins section is about 60 km — long enough to feel like a proper journey, but doable in a day for moderately fit riders.
Route & Experience:
The ride starts much like the Loire à Vélo — you follow the river west from central Nantes. Slowly, the city thins out into quiet villages and salt marsh landscapes. Around Paimboeuf, there’s a lovely stretch where the path runs between the Loire estuary and old fishermen’s houses painted in bright blues and yellows.
The final approach to Saint-Brevin is exhilarating: you can smell the salt in the air before you see the water. When the beach finally appears, the sense of accomplishment is huge.
Best Moments:
- Watching container ships glide upriver — they’re massive compared to your little bike.
- Fresh oysters in Paimboeuf’s small market (€6 for half a dozen).
- That first glimpse of the Atlantic.
Services & Tips:
- Bike Rental: You’ll want a touring bike or e-bike; try LocaVélo in Nantes (€35/day for e-bike).
- Food Stop: La Villa in Saint-Brevin for seafood platters.
- Return Options: Train back from Saint-Nazaire to Nantes (TER line, 45 min, bikes allowed).
Pros:
- Feels like a mini-adventure.
- Mix of riverside and coastal scenery.
Cons:
- Full-day commitment.
- Wind can be strong near the coast.
2. Wine Route to Clisson
Why Ride It:
Cycling, wine, and architecture — yes, please. Clisson is a small town with a surprising Italian feel, thanks to 19th-century architects inspired by Tuscany.
Route & Experience:
It’s about 30 km from Nantes to Clisson, mostly on quiet country lanes. Vineyards appear quickly once you leave the urban edge. In summer, you’ll ride through a patchwork of green vines and sunflower fields, with the faint smell of grapes in the air.
Clisson itself is a delight: a ruined medieval castle on the river, terracotta rooftops, and plenty of wine-tasting cellars.
Best Moments:
- Sampling Muscadet at Domaine de la Pépière (€5 tasting).
- The arched stone bridge into town — one of the most photogenic spots in Loire-Atlantique.
- Gelato on the main square after the ride.
Services & Tips:
- Bike Rental: Cycles Cesbron offers day rentals and panniers (€18/day for hybrid bike).
- Food Stop: La Garenne Lemot park has picnic areas with great views.
- Return Options: Clisson is on a direct TER train to Nantes (25 min).
Pros:
- Cultural and gastronomic rewards.
- Plenty of shade on rural lanes.
Cons:
- A few short climbs — bring gears.
- Tasting wine means pacing yourself if you cycle back!
3. Marais de Goulaine Loop
Why Ride It:
For birdwatchers and nature lovers, this is a gem. The Goulaine Marshes are a protected wetland area just southeast of Nantes.
Route & Experience:
The loop is about 25 km from Nantes, with mostly flat terrain. The highlight is riding along raised dykes with water stretching out on both sides, dotted with herons, egrets, and in winter, migrating ducks.
It’s quiet here — the loudest sound is your own tires crunching over gravel.
Best Moments:
- Morning mist over the wetlands.
- Spotting a rare purple heron in spring.
- Picnic on the dyke with nothing but birdsong.
Services & Tips:
- Bike Rental: A hybrid or mountain bike is best (paths can be muddy after rain).
- Food Stop: No restaurants in the marshes — bring your own picnic.
- Access: Start from Vertou, reachable by bike from Nantes in 20 min.
Pros:
- Peaceful, off-the-beaten-path.
- Rich wildlife.
Cons:
- Limited facilities — pack water and snacks.
- Paths can be flooded in winter.
4. Château Country Ride
Why Ride It:
Because castles. This route strings together several smaller Loire châteaux near Nantes — less famous than Chambord, but charming in their intimacy.
Route & Experience:
I recommend starting in Nantes and heading east toward Château de Goulaine (about 17 km), then looping past a couple of private estates you can admire from the road.
Best Moments:
- Touring Château de Goulaine (€8 entry) — part castle, part wine estate.
- Small roadside chapels hidden among vineyards.
- Rolling through sunflower fields in July.
Services & Tips:
- Bike Rental: Any touring bike will do; e-bike for less effort.
- Food Stop: Auberge du Vieux Cellier for a rustic Loire lunch (€18–25).
- Access: You can shorten the ride by starting in Haute-Goulaine.
Pros:
- Romantic, scenic, and historic.
- Combines culture with easy cycling.
Cons:
- Some stretches on shared roads — keep right and stay alert.
Practical Cycling Tips for Nantes
Bike Rentals & Booking Platforms
Nantes is one of the most bike-friendly cities I’ve visited in France, and thankfully, renting a bike here is straightforward — but not all rentals are equal.
- BiclooPlus — The city’s official bike-share program. It’s perfect for short hops within Nantes: €5 for 24 hours gives you unlimited 30-minute rides (you can dock and re-borrow to reset the clock). There are over 125 stations, including at the train station, near Château des Ducs de Bretagne, and along Île de Nantes. Great for spontaneous sightseeing, but the bikes are heavier and not ideal for long countryside rides. Website: bicloo.nantesmetropole.fr
- Nantes à Vélo — A specialist in touring bikes and e-bikes, starting at €18/day for hybrids and €35/day for electric models. They also offer panniers, helmets, and repair kits — perfect if you’re heading out for multi-day Loire à Vélo adventures. Located close to the train station, which is handy for combining bike + rail trips.
- LocaVélo — My go-to when I needed a cargo bike to carry market purchases (and a baguette sticking out of the basket, naturellement). They rent trekking bikes, tandems, and cargo bikes for families, with rates starting at €25/day.
Insider Tip: In July and August, it’s common for all good e-bikes to be booked up weeks in advance. If you’re visiting in high season, secure your bike rental before you even book your hotel. For long tours, ask the shop if they can install a phone mount — not all provide them, but navigating without one is a pain.
Gear Checklist
When I first cycled in Nantes, I underestimated the microclimate here. The Loire River has a way of creating its own weather — you can have blazing sun in the morning and a wind-swept drizzle by afternoon.
- Helmet: Not mandatory for adults, but honestly, Nantes traffic (especially trams) can surprise you. Bring your own if you’re picky about fit.
- Reusable water bottle: Many public parks and squares have free refill fountains — look for blue “Eau Potable” signs.
- Rain jacket: Opt for a lightweight, packable one. I’ve been caught in a 15-minute downpour that disappeared as if nothing happened.
- Small lock: Most cafés have bike racks, but quick security is essential, especially in busy Bouffay district.
- Phone mount & power bank: Perfect for using apps like Komoot or Google Maps for bike routes.
- High-visibility band or light: Particularly useful for evening rides along the river.
Pro Tip: Pack a small microfiber towel — if you sit on a wet bench for lunch, you’ll thank me later.
Cycling Etiquette
Nantes locals are proud of their cycling culture, and they’re generally polite riders. That said, a few ground rules keep everyone happy:
- Ring your bell when passing pedestrians, especially on shared paths along the Loire. A friendly “Bonjour” goes a long way.
- Stay in marked lanes where possible. The city has over 580 km of cycle lanes, but a few sections mix with car traffic — stay alert.
- Tram crossings: Always check both directions; trams are silent and won’t stop for you. Never ride along the tram tracks — wheels can catch easily.
- Group riding: If you’re in a group of more than 10, ride in a single file in the city to avoid blocking traffic.
- Right-hand priority: On smaller roads, vehicles coming from the right have priority unless otherwise marked — it’s a French driving quirk that applies to cyclists too.
Discount Hacks
Cycling can be budget-friendly here if you know where to look:
- Nantes City Pass — From €25/day, it includes unlimited public transport, free BiclooPlus access for 24 hours, and discounts (10–20%) on guided bike tours, museums, and river cruises. Great if you want to mix cycling with indoor attractions.
- TER Train + Vélo deals — Regional SNCF trains often run seasonal promotions where your ticket includes discounted bike rental at your destination. Example: Nantes → Clisson with a bike for €15 total. Check ter.sncf.com/pays-de-la-loire.
- Sunday Market Trick: On Sundays, some bike shops in the city center offer half-day rental rates after noon, since most people rent early for the day.
- Group Discounts: If you’re traveling with friends or family, rental shops often give 10% off for 4+ bikes, but you usually have to ask — it’s not always advertised.
If you’d like, I can also add a “Local’s Safety & Route-Planning Tips” mini-section here so this part flows even more like an insider’s handbook. That would include how to avoid tricky intersections, the best riverside stretches for beginners, and when to cycle to avoid heavy tram congestion.
My 3-Day Cyclist’s Itinerary
Day 1: Île de Nantes art loop + evening along the Loire.
Day 2: Erdre River ride to Sucé-sur-Erdre.
Day 3: Full-day Clisson wine route, return by train.
Cycling in Nantes isn’t just transport — it’s a way to slow down and notice details that trains and cars blur past: a hidden fresco under a bridge, a fisherman waving from his hut, the way the Loire’s surface changes color with the sky.
Every ride here feels like a conversation between city and nature, between past and present. And whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or wobbling along on a rented city bike, Nantes meets you where you are — and invites you to pedal just a little further.
