Explore Vendée by bike

In the Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie region, nearly 350 km of flat, well-maintained paths wind through coastline, countryside, marshes, and forests. 800 directional signs and tourist markers help guide cyclists along the routes.

A Must-Do: The Vélodyssée

La Vélodyssée is a cycle route that starts in England, crosses Brittany, and runs along the Atlantic coast to the Basque Country, offering a ride full of beautiful seaside scenery. The route passes just a few meters from the hotel Le Vent du Large (see map).

Givrand (8 km from Saint-Gilles)

Jaunay Loop – 20 km round trip
Towns passed: Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie and Givrand
Environment: riverside
Starting point: Quai de Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie
Sights: Jaunay marshes, Château du Beaumarchais, Maison de la Cour (a former manor house with a 17th-century doorway)

Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez (4 km from Saint-Gilles)

Several trails including one of 46.2 km round trip
A mix of preserved nature and rich heritage
Environment: riverside
Starting point: Plage de Riez
Towns passed: Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie
Sights: 600-hectare state forest (holm oaks, maritime pines, picnic areas, bridle path), the Vendée Corniche (a protected site since 1926), Cour de Baisse (traditional Vendée marshland farm)…

From Brétignolles-sur-Mer (13 km from Saint-Gilles) to Brem-sur-Mer

22 km round trip
Environment: riverside
Starting point: Camping des Cyprès
Towns passed: Brétignolles-sur-Mer, Brem-sur-Mer
Sights: Recharge in Vendée and explore the dunes of Brem-sur-Mer and Brétignolles-sur-Mer! Discover the vast Jaunay natural area, home to more than 200 bird species.

From Brem-sur-Mer (19 km from Saint-Gilles) to Les Sables d’Olonne

Trail from Brem to Sauveterre – 24.2 km round trip
Environment: forest
Starting point: Dunes de la Gachère
Towns passed: Brem-sur-Mer, Les Sables d’Olonne
Sights: Start at the Dunes de la Gachère, head toward Sauveterre beach! The trail weaves between beaches and marshes, dunes and forests, with spectacular views of Vendée’s most beautiful natural sites.

Coëx(16 km from Saint-Gilles)

Maché to Coëx – 24.6 km round trip
Discover the most beautiful castles of Vendée, dating back to the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. The trail offers great views from rocky ridges over the village of Apremont.
Starting point: RD 50 (structure over the lake). Towns passed: Maché, Apremont, Coëx

Coëx to Aizenay – 29.2 km round trip : The countryside reveals itself! Follow the old railway that once linked La Roche-sur-Yon to Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie.
Starting point: Vélorail. Towns passed: Coëx, Aizenay

Saint-Révérend(10 km from Saint-Gilles)

Two circuits: 6 km and 10 km
Starting point: Saint-Révérend church
Sights: Moulin des Gourmands (entry fee), Roseraie de Vendée (entry fee), the bocage landscape and its sunken lanes…