Want to stay active on holiday? Cycling the Vélodyssée from Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez is a great way to discover the Vendée coast by bike!
This section of the long-distance cycle route runs along the ocean, through forests and across marshes on rides that suit everyone.
When you stay at Flower Camping Au Bois des Biches, you’re just a few steps from the cycle path. All that’s left to do is hop on your bike and explore the landscapes of the Vendée coast!
At a glance
- The Vélodyssée from Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez follows the Vendée coast between the dunes, forests and ocean.
- Routes that are accessible to all, waymarked and safe.
- Highlights: Cinq Pineaux, Trou du Diable, Jaunay dunes, La Gachère.
- Bike hire at Flower Camping Au Bois des Biches, from €11 per half day.
- More than 25 routes to discover straight from the campsite.
Discover the Vélodyssée in Vendée
The Vélodyssée is a cycle route of more than 1,200 km linking Brittany to the Basque Country. In Vendée, it runs for around 200 km along the coast, between Bouin and L’Aiguillon-sur-Mer.
This waymarked route passes through beaches, forests and marshes, while staying close to the ocean. It is a safe greenway, perfect for families, anyone who enjoys a gentle ride, or more sporty cyclists.
Along the way, you can discover landmarks such as the Vendée corniche, the Jaunay dunes and the state forests that line the coast.
Open all year round, the Vélodyssée in Vendée wins people over with its varied landscapes and good-quality cycle paths. For a day, a weekend or a longer stay, it’s a lovely way to enjoy the fresh air while exploring the region by bike!
A great starting point from Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez
Cycling the Vélodyssée from Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez is a great way to discover the Vendée coast by bike. From Sion-sur-l’Océan beach or the Tour Joséphine, you have several routes to choose from.
You can follow the Vendée corniche coast road and enjoy superb views of the ocean before reaching Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie.
The keenest cyclists can carry on to Les Sables-d’Olonne, a stage of around 37 km that is very popular for its varied scenery: dunes, forests and coastal villages.
The route is well signposted and suitable for everyone, running mainly along greenways, away from traffic.
From Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, it’s easy to plan a half-day ride or a full-day excursion.
When you stay at Flower Camping Au Bois des Biches, you’re right next to the route, which is a real advantage if you like to set off early in the morning and make the most of La Vélodyssée from Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez at your own pace.
The best cycling routes around Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez
From La Vélodyssée starting in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, several rides let you discover the Vendée. Whether you’re cycling as a family or you’re a fan of long distances, the routes are varied, well signposted and suitable for everyone.
A few route ideas:
- Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez → Brem-sur-Mer (25 km – approx. 1h30)
A lovely ride along the Vendée corniche, passing the Cinq Pineaux rocks, the Trou du Diable, the Jaunay dunes and the beaches of Brétignolles-sur-Mer. - Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez → Les Sables-d’Olonne (37 km – approx. 2h30)
A full ride along the wild coastline, through the Olonne state forests and the marshes before you arrive at the port of Les Sables. - Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez → Noirmoutier (30 km – approx. 1h40)
A coastal route that passes through Saint-Jean-de-Monts, Notre-Dame-de-Monts, and the Passage du Gois, famous for being accessible at low tide.
These Vélodyssée routes from Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez offer a real breath of sea air, between ocean, dunes and Vendée forests.
Our tip: take a break at Brétignolles-sur-Mer, at La Normandelière beach. There are picnic tables facing the sea and direct access to the cycle path, perfect for a proper rest before getting back on the road!
What to see on the Vélodyssée: nature, ocean and Vendée villages
The Vélodyssée from Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez passes through some of the most beautiful scenery on the Vendée coast. Along the Vendée corniche, you cycle between cliffs and coves, with views of the Cinq Pineaux rocks and the Trou du Diable, where the waves surge in at high tide.
Further on, the Jaunay dunes are home to a wide variety of birds, making them a perfect spot for a nature break. As you approach Brétignolles-sur-Mer, the path runs alongside La Sauzaie beach, a well-known spot for surfers.
The route also passes through villages such as Brem-sur-Mer with its little lanes around the Romanesque church, or La Gachère, a former port on the Auzance river.
Between ocean, marshes and forests, the Vélodyssée reveals a real and lively side of the Vendée, where every bend brings a new view to enjoy without ever leaving the saddle.
Planning your bike ride from Au Bois des Biches campsite
During your stay at Flower Camping Au Bois des Biches in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, everything is in place for you to enjoy the Vélodyssée from Saint-Hilaire. You can hire bikes directly at reception: adult and children’s models, trailers and bikes with baby seats for the little ones.
Prices are affordable, starting from €11 for a half-day or €54 for a week. From the campsite, the cycle paths are close by and fully safe and traffic-free. In just a few minutes, you can reach the beaches 5 km away or set off to explore the surrounding area.
More than 25 cycling routes can be reached from the campsite, perfect for family rides or more sporty outings along the coast. Convenient, well located and surrounded by nature, Flower Camping Au Bois des Biches is the ideal starting point for discovering the Vendée by bike, at your own pace.
Staying at Flower Camping Au Bois des Biches in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez means you can make the most of the Vélodyssée cycle route, starting from Saint-Hilaire. With bike rides, nature and new places to discover, it’s the perfect spot to combine relaxation and adventure along the Vendée coast.
