Every year, cyclists race the Tour de Vendée in a single day in early October, covering around 200 km of Vendée roads. Founded in 1972, this classic brings the season to a close for French professionals and counts towards the Coupe de France. Only the route changes from one year to the next: bocage countryside, coastline, then decisive final laps. It’s best to check the details for each edition. Would you like to know more? Our 4-star campsite in Vendée tells you more below.
At a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1972, on the initiative of Maurice Martineau |
| Organiser | Comité d’Organisation du Tour de Vendée, based in La Chaize-le-Vicomte |
| When | Early October, over a single day |
| Distance | Around 200 km, with more than 2,000 m of elevation gain |
| Calendar | UCI Europe Tour and Coupe de France road cycling series |
| Participants | Around twenty professional teams, approximately 150 riders |
| Spectators | 50,000 spectators along the roadsides, according to the Vendée Department |
A classic race born in 1972 in the Vendée bocage
Maurice Martineau launched the Tour de Vendée in 1972, at first for amateur riders only. The race later opened up to professionals and joined the UCI Europe Tour. Today it is one of the events in the French Cycling Cup road series, which is why French World Tour teams line up at the start.
Behind this line-up, the Tour de Vendée Organising Committee runs the race from La Chaize-le-Vicomte, supported by around 800 volunteers. Its place at the end of the calendar has a direct effect on the race. Riders arrive with a full season in their legs, and some are riding their last race before the winter break.
By contrast, the Vendée riders competing as professionals approach the race differently: they are racing in front of their home crowd.
Good to know
The race is a category 1.1 event on the UCI Europe Tour calendar and is open to World Tour, Pro Continental and Continental teams. It is for Elite men and under-23s, so every year the peloton is a mix of experienced riders and young talents hoping for their first standout result.
200 km of racing between farmland and seaside
The Tour de Vendée route is close to 200 km long, with more than 2,000 m of total elevation gain. There are no mountains here, but a string of short climbs and narrow roads wears the peloton down. Add to that the wind, a constant presence along the coastal stretch: it splits the peloton into echelons and reshuffles the positions within a few kilometres.
The route changes from one year to the next. Saint-Mesmin, Dompierre-sur-Yon and Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie have all hosted a start or a finish, which sometimes brings the race closer to our stretch of coast. The finale takes place over several laps in a row around the finishing town, with the riders crossing the line again and again. Nine intermediate sprints also punctuate the route and keep the race lively before the final showdown.
Watching the Tour de Vendée as a spectator
Watching the Tour de Vendée costs nothing and needs very little planning: the roads are open to the public and there are no tickets. According to the Département de la Vendée, 50,000 spectators line the roadsides and 3.3 million viewers follow the race on France 3.
A tip from the campsite team
In early October, the light fades quickly and the westerly wind cools the air along the coast, so bring a windproof jacket, even if the sun is shining. On race days, a bike is also much easier to park than a car. From the campsite, the cycle paths in the area, including the Vélodyssée, let you reach the seafront even when the roads are closed for the peloton to pass.
To choose the best spot to watch from, here are a few things to consider:
- Position yourself on the final circuit: the riders pass there several times, compared with just once on the straight approach to the finish.
- Look for a hill or a narrow road, where the peloton stretches out and the gaps start to open up.
- Arrive at least an hour before the race passes, as roads close gradually.
- Check the route published by the organiser before you set off, as it changes every year.
So, where will you choose to watch the peloton of the Tour de Vendée go by: a hill in the bocage or the final circuit? Whichever you pick, a weekend in Vendée in early October is well worth extending: our heated indoor swimming pool will help you unwind after a day by the roadside.
Your questions about the Tour de Vendée
When does the Tour de Vendée take place?
The Tour de Vendée takes place in early October, over a single day. The exact date varies from one year to the next, falling on either a Saturday or a Sunday. The organiser publishes it several months in advance, along with the route and the list of participating teams.
How long is the Tour de Vendée?
The Tour de Vendée covers around 200 km, with a total elevation gain of more than 2,000 m. The race lasts about 5 hours. It finishes with several laps around the finish town, so spectators can see the riders pass more than once.
Do you have to pay to watch the Tour de Vendée?
No, watching the Tour de Vendée is free. The race uses open roads, with no enclosed area or ticket office. Simply find a spot by the roadside before the peloton passes, following the instructions of the marshals and volunteers.
Is the Tour de Vendée shown on television?
Yes, the Tour de Vendée is broadcast on France 3, the race’s partner. The Vendée Department reports 3.3 million viewers. This exposure explains the regular presence of French World Tour teams, who come looking for one last result to end their season.
Who organises the Tour de Vendée?
The Tour de Vendée is organised by the Comité d’Organisation du Tour de Vendée, an association based in La Chaize-le-Vicomte. Around 800 volunteers help out each year, from marking the route to securing the junctions.
Who wrote this article?
Article written by the team at Flower Camping Au Bois des Biches, a 4-star campsite set in a 10-hectare pine forest in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, in Vendée. Every year we welcome families and cyclists who explore the Vendée coast from the campsite. Sources consulted:
- Tour de Vendée Cycliste, official race website – www.tourdevendee.fr
- Tour de Vendée Cycliste, results and winners – www.tourdevendee.fr/resultats
- Vendée Department, presentation of the Tour de Vendée – www.vendee.fr
