Atlantique: Gay Travel France Biking Tour

Day 1: Nantes

Fly or take the train to Nantes, once the capital city of Brittany. The city is located on the banks of the Loire River at the confluence of the Erde and the Sèvre Nantaise, just 35 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. It is the 8th largest city in France and was once called Europe’s most livable city by Time Magazine.

Time permitting, we will explore a bit of this picturesque city known for its lovely architecture, see its classic cathedrals and perhaps make a stop at the Jules Verne Museum. Our Welcome Dinner will either be at one of Nantes’ finest restaurants or aboard one of the quaint boats that sail the Erde River.

Days 2-3: Noirmoutier-en-l’île & Ile d’Yeu

Today we travel a short distance to Bouaye, where we will pick up our bikes and begin our ride to the coast. Our destination is Noirmoutier-en-l’île, a stunning island off the Atlantic Coast. Along the way, our route will take us through several small towns en route to Beauvoir-sur-Mer.

From here our guide will tell us which way to go next. If the tide is low we will be able to ride on a causeway across the flats directly to the island. However, if the tide has submerged the causeway, we’ll take a longer route and cross a bridge to the island. The 2011 Tour de France started in dramatic fashion with a ride across the causeway from Noirmoutier-en-l’île to Beauvoir-sur-Mer.

Our accommodations for the next two nights are at a quaint inn in the main village of Noirmoutier-en-l’île on the northeastern shore of the island.

We’ll spend the following day on the island where you have several options. You can explore Noirmoutier-en-l’île on your bike, and perhaps visit the twelfth-century castle that now houses museums and the Eglise St-Philbert.

Or you can take a ferry from the small harbor of Fromentine at the neck of the island (about 20 km from our hotel) to Port Joinville on even more remote Ile-d’Yeu. You can then ride around this remote and fresh island known for its crayfish and tuna fishing, medieval churches, granite cliffs, and neolithic carvings. The ferry ticket (about 35 euros) is on your own, but we’ll take care of the bike rental cost on the island for those joining this excursion.

Day 4: The Coastal Trail to Les Sables d’Olonne

The area we will ride through over the next couple of days goes back in history to the beginning of human habitation. Much of the coastal area was once covered in water, but as the water receded the harbor became a crossroads for travelers, and later for skirmishes between the ethnic British and the French. The area was ruled by the Normans for centuries and became a favorite spot for King Richard the Lionhearted. We may even get a chance to visit his castle.

In the morning we cross back to the mainland from Noirmoutier-en-l’île and ride along the coastal trails. Much of the way features wide sandy beaches. We’ll stop for lunch in the seaside resort town of Sion-sur-l’Ocean at a cute café on the beach. Right after lunch, we get a change of scenery as we ride near the edge of the low rugged cliffs of the Corniche Vendéenne, one of the few areas of cliffs in this part of the coast. During storms, this region is known for its large breakers, including the “Devil’s Hole” where water shoots up like a geyser.

When we cross a bridge over a river estuary just south of the cliffs at St-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie the beaches resume on our right. This long stretch of coast is called Côte de Lumière (Coast of Light), due to its exquisite colors. Enjoy a peaceful ride along lovely stretches of coast and dunes filled with sublime delights.

We will spend the next two nights in Les Sables d’Olonne, famous for its long sandy beaches and the many sports activities that take place in the area. Nearby Port Olona is the starting point for the Vendée Globe, a round-the-world yacht race which takes place every four years.

Day 5: Natural Wines & Natural Bodies

For our full day in Les Sables d’Olonne, you can leave your bike parked for the day and enjoy the beach and the ambiance of this quintessential French coastal town, or you can join our guides for a morning loop ride.

Our destination will be Domaine Saint Nicolas, the most prominent vineyard in this region. The owner Thierry Michon has developed a worldwide reputation as a practitioner of “biodynamic viticulture” (organic production of wine without any pesticides) and with the maritime climate, he produces a different mix of grapes than in more prominent wine-growing regions such as Bordeaux and Burgundy.

For lunch, everyone will gather for a picnic on the beach. Afterward, you can head to the nearby naturist beach to enjoy the attributes of the French swimmers, return to town to relax in our hotel’s new spa, or swim at the city beach across from our hotel.

Day 6: La Rochelle

Our final riding day offers a choice between a long and invigorating ride (100 kilometers) to the lovely city of La Rochelle, or a half-day ride and a shuttle into the city. Much of today’s ride is along the ever-expanding network of bike paths that parallel the coast. La Rochelle has a wonderful historic center with a variety of interesting stores, boutiques, and restaurants, perfect for last-minute shopping for a remembrance of the trip. It also has an outstanding market area and one of the finest selections of fresh seafood you’re likely to find anywhere. With its arcade streets lined with medieval houses decorated with tiles and slates, it is an ideal place to stroll and see the sights. Tonight we will enjoy our Farewell Dinner in one of La Rochelle’s fine restaurants.

Day 7: Departure Day or Ile d’Re Extension

Our Atlantique tour is complete. We hope you will remember the wind at your back and the sand in your shoes. Breakfast will be available at our hotel. The TGV train takes about three hours to get to Paris, so we suggest planning at least one night in Paris before your flight home.

And if you have an extra day to spare, you might want to join our one-night extension in La Rochelle and join our guide for a visit to Ile d’Ré, an island across a 3-km bridge from La Rochelle.