Follow
We believe that the best way to get to know the beautiful regions of France is by bike; faster than walking for sure but quite the opposite of being cooped up in a car, cycling is one of the most enjoyable ways of exploring the French countryside. If you’ve never experienced the magical scenery and fairytale castles of Brittany, here are 5 exhilarating cycle routes to take you on a true adventure.
1| The Atlantic Route (Roscoff to Hendaye)
The famous Atlantic Route, also known as La Vélodyssée, offers something for everyone. This coastal cycling route can be taken at a pace to suit you and there are many stopovers along the way, including small hotels and B&Bs. And the sights, we promise, will be nothing short of spectacular. From Roscoff to Nantes, you will follow the incredible Nantes-Brest canal, which is said to be one of the greatest industrial achievements of the 19th Century. Then from Nantes to the Spanish border, you will pass coastal communes such as Marans, Royan, Lacanau and Leon. You can also cycle through Bordeaux if you have a taste for French wine.
2| Rohan to Josselin
If you’re here to see the beautiful castles of Brittany, don’t miss the quaint cycling tour from Rohan to Josselin. Starting your journey in historic Rohan and passing through the sleepy town of Pleugriffet and the peaceful L’Oust River, this easy cycle route will take you all the way to Château de Josselin. This fairytale castle sits in the heart of a small commune where you can grab a coffee or glass of wine at one of the many street cafes. Just 24 kilometres, this route is suited for those who want to cycle around France at a more leisurely cycling pace.
3| Roscoff to Concarneau
Over 120 kilometres of road, this is an alternative route starting from Roscoff, but instead of leading to Hendaye via the Nantes Canal, you will follow the former railway line and cycle through the breath-taking sights of the Breton countryside. Make sure you stop as you cycle through the Parc Naturel Régional d’Armorique so you can explore on foot and take in the mind-blowing sights of the Monts d’Arrée hills. The gigantic boulders at Huelgoat Forest and the traditional Carhaix-Plouguer architecture are also worth stopping for.
4| Saint-Brieuc to Lorient
For undisturbed country roads and a good day’s worth of scenic cycling, begin your route early at the beautiful bay of Saint-Brieuc. Catch sight of the spectacular sunrise here and head on to Plaintel, L’Hermitage-Lorge and Mur de Bretagne where you will be able to get some great views of the Le Blavet River. This is a perfect spot for lunch or a coffee stop and from there you can continue to through Neulliac, Pontivy, the village of Saint-Barthélemy and Hennebont before finishing your route at the stunning harbour of Lorient.
5| Carhaix to Saint-Méen-le-Grand
If you’re looking for an inland cycling route with lush greenery and enchanting forests, the wonderful greenway leading from 16th Century Carhaix-Plouguer to Saint-Méen-le-Grand is a fantastic 128 kilometre ride. With flat landscapes, this scenic cycling route is easy enough for beginners and intermediates. Travel through the Forest of Broceliande, Ploërmel commune and stop off at Questembert to go shopping at the lively local market.
For help creating the perfect cycle route in Brittany or any other region of France, use our online cycle route builder or contact our team on +33 (0)1 80 91 98 18.