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With its sheltered, south-facing beaches, the Gulf of Morbihan offers a striking contrast to Brittany’s wild northern coast. Thanks to its gentle terrain and mild climate, this region is perfect for a relaxed cycling escape. Our five-day circular route begins in Vannes, a delightful historic town brimming with art and culture. From there, we follow the coastline, hopping between peninsulas on small local ferries known as Passeurs, each crossing revealing a fresh perspective on this stunning seascape. Along the way, we meet local fishermen and gain unique insights into their daily lives—an experience that truly captures the essence of a Breton holiday. And, of course, no visit would be complete without stopping at the legendary Carnac standing stones—one of Europe’s greatest prehistoric mysteries. Ready to explore the extraordinary landscapes and cultural treasures of Southern Brittany by bike?
Itinerary start: France Bike Trips services begin on day 1 at 1pm at the Vannes SNCF railway station.
Our journey begins in the centre of Vannes. We discover all the charm of this Breton town, founded by the Romans 2000 years ago. The heart of the fortified city bewitches passing travellers... From the narrow cobbled streets to the interior gardens, it's a real pleasure to wander between the different buildings and famous fortifications. The Jardin des Remparts, a must-see in this medieval town, deserves our attention for its beauty, its washhouses and its countless flowers, which have earned it the status of nature reserve for almost 90 years! We start our adventure by taking a few back roads, before reaching the Séné peninsula and its Cale du Passage. Here, a ferryman is waiting for us. We board this small flat-bottomed boat which, in just a few minutes, will take us to Saint Armel, where we will spend our first night.
After breakfast, we set off on our second day of cycling. From Saint Armel, we follow a succession of small roads and cycle routes, before seeing the impressive residence of the Dukes of Brittany, also known as the Château de Suscino, built in the late Middle Ages. After a short stop to admire this medieval jewel, whose impressive towers seem to spring from the water, our route continues towards Arzon, in the heart of the Presqu'île de Rhuys. We drive through a bucolic atmosphere, passing charming little Breton villages. Shortly before reaching Arzon, we take a diversion that gives us a breathtaking view of the Etang de Pen Castel and the waters of the Golf du Morbihan. We finally arrive in Arzon and head back to our accommodation... Unless you prefer to spend the end of the day on one of the fine sandy beaches known as Kerver, Kerjouanno or Fogeo...
This morning we set sail for Ile aux Moines! After a few pedal strokes to reach the Kerners pier, we took our bikes and boarded a "retro" boat for a 30-minute crossing... plenty of time to enjoy the sea air and spray! We soon caught sight of the quayside of Ile aux Moines, which we were to discover on this new day in the Gulf of Morbihan. Here, we'll feel like fish in water, and with good reason: cycling is the island's 'far' mode of transport! Izenah (the Breton name for the island of monks) is full of wonders of all kinds. During our visit, we'll be enchanted by the narrow streets lined with small fishermen's cottages with splendid hydrangea beds growing in front of them. Gradually, this architectural heritage gives way to a wilder side, which we also enjoy discovering. We won't be surprised to come across a few rabbits, pheasants and birds of all kinds! After visiting the four corners of the island, we headed back to our boat to take one last look at this piece of island paradise. Finally, we return to the mainland for our second and last night in Arzon.
This new day begins with another crossing by sea, this time to Locmariaquer! From there, we hop on our bikes and start riding along some pleasant greenways and secondary roads that will take us past some delightful little villages and typical Breton houses. After a few kilometres, we reach La Trinité sur Mer and its famous port, home to hundreds of sailing yachts and catamarans, which we will enjoy admiring and imagining sailing on the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. We continue our journey towards Ty Guard beach, named after the small stone house on the Kerbihan headland that was once used to watch over the bay of La Trinité. Now privately owned, this building lends a certain charm to the beach, where fine sand and rocks combine to create an idyllic setting. A few more pedal strokes and we'll reach Carnac, where we can take advantage of the large beach for a splash! We can also try our hand at one of the riches of Morbihan: the famous Carnac alignments! Nothing less than the largest megalithic site in the world, this emblematic site in the Gulf boasts no fewer than 3,000 menhirs! Self-guided or guided tours are available (approx. 1? hours) from 9.30am to 7.30pm in July and August, and until 6pm (booking required at https://www.menhirs-carnac.fr/).
Today, we're leaving the pretty town of Carnac and its bustling streets to head for the Quiberon peninsula. A few kilometres separate us from a pleasant path that joins up with the voie verte and allows us to take full advantage of the surrounding countryside! We pass through wide open spaces and are delighted to discover two old wash-houses and stone fountains dating from the 16th century, those of Saint Jean Baptiste and Sainte Barbe. We then join a beautiful cycle path that follows the only access road to the peninsula and gradually leads us to the immense beaches of Penthièvre and its military fort. We then pass through the villages of Kherostin and Portivy before arriving on the wild coast of Quiberon, the real natural jewel of the peninsula. We can dismount our bikes to approach the coastal path and its coves, known to the locals as Port Blanc, Port Bara and Port Pigeon, from where we can admire the immensity of the Atlantic Ocean stretching as far as the eye can see. When the wind picks up, the calm movement of the waves gives way to a captivating spectacle, punctuated by the waters raging against the steep cliffs, allowing us to take full advantage of the sea spray! Back on our bikes, we follow the green route along this sublime wild coast to Quiberon, where we spend the night.
After enjoying Quiberon and sampling some of its specialities, such as Niniches de la Trinitaine and sardines from La Belle-Iloise, where we can visit the Conserverie, it's time to head back to the mainland! As we make our way through the narrow streets, we pass through charming little villages such as Port Haliguen, Petit and Grand Rohu, Kerbourgnec and Saint-Pierre-Quiberon, which are bordered by the calm waters of Quiberon Bay... The contrast with the wilderness we admired the day before is striking! Gradually, we find ourselves back in familiar surroundings, as we cross Penthièvre again before setting course for Etel. We cross some Armorican plains before returning gently along the coast to the large, beautiful beach of Kerminihy. A little more effort and we'll be able to enjoy Etel, its narrow streets, its charming fishing port, not forgetting its Ria, a veritable marriage of land and sea offering a setting conducive to calm and relaxation.
We leave Etel to enjoy the sea air one last time before arriving in Auray. Today's stage will take us through the countryside of the Golf du Morbihan, in a pastoral setting! We'll soon reach the picturesque village of Erdeven, nestling between the coast and the Breton countryside. We can take a few moments to stop and explore the narrow streets, the church of Saint-Pierre and why not sample a delicious galette... We then pass through lush green countryside and take a pleasant route along woods and fields before reaching another charming village, Ploemel, whose stone houses will once again immerse us in a resolutely Breton atmosphere. We finish our day in Auray, famous for its half-timbered houses and historic centre, but also for the delightful port of Saint-Goustan, which we can enjoy exploring before returning to our accommodation for the night.
This morning, it's time to get on our bikes one last time! One last look at the charming town of Auray and we're on our way to the end of this wonderful Breton adventure! It's a good time to take a moment to remember the pretty villages with their stone houses, the hydrangea beds, the smell of the sea spray and the sumptuous landscapes we've seen along the way. We continue on towards Vannes, along a country route that takes us here and there closer to the blue waters of the Gulf of Morbihan, passing through the pretty villages of Baden and Arradon. We enjoy a little more of this beautiful inland sea before reaching the ramparts of Vannes. As the stage is fairly short, we can make the most of the end of our stay to do some souvenir shopping... The old town is full of stalls selling local Breton products that are sure to catch our eye!
Itinerary end: France Bike Trips services end after breakfast in Vannes on day 7.
Distances and altitude gain are an indication only and may vary.
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