Take the train to The Vélomaritime®
La Vélomaritime® lies between the Penthièvre coast and the Emerald Coast, interspersed by headlands and coves, beaches where you can relax, well-known seaside resorts and fortifications.
Practical information:
- Length 3 days and 2 nights
- Departure an arrival: St Brieuc and St Malo railway stations
- Distance: ~ 120 km (~ 75 miles)
Day 1: St Brieuc to Erquy (38 km ~ 24 miles)
Things to see on the way: the Langueux Briqueterie (former brickworks, now museum), the Maison de la Baie d’Hillion (discovery centre), Dahouët Harbour in Pléneuf-Val-André, the Château de Bienassis in Erquy, its pink sandstone and its formal gardens.
Day 2: from Erquy to Matignon (30 km ~ 19 miles)
Things to see on the way: the Erquy and Fréhel headlands, Fort-la-Latte.
Day 3: from Matignon to St Malo (52 km ~ 32 miles)
Things to see on the way: the Château du Guildo, the Aquarium in St Malo, the Fort National in St Malo, as well as the Town of Art and History of Dinard.
Parcours et points d'intérêt
Parcours et points d'intérêt
10 Saint-Brieuc / Erquy
From Saint-Brieuc, you join the bay named after the city to then enjoy a lovely trip through its nature reserve. Cycling beside the strand, the Bay of Saint-Brieuc reveals a multitude of varied atmospheres, depending on time and tide. On the way to Erquy, enjoy the delights of the resort of Pléneuf-Val-André and the little port of Dahouët tucked away beside it. This stage proves quite challengingly hilly, with all its ups and downs. We're sure local man Bernard Hinault, a true cycling champion and icon, five times winner of the Tour de France, would concur!
11 Erquy / Matignon
With its mix of rocky headlands, stretches of moorland and sandy bays set beside turquoise waters, here you cycle through the Grand Site de France Cap d’Erquy - Cap Fréhel. Thanks to the links in place, you can easily ride up to some of Brittany's most exceptional sites, the Cap d’Erquy, the Cap Fréhel and Fort La Latte. The breathtaking views along the way are a reward for the quite significant slopes you have to tackle on this Vélomaritime stage!
12 Matignon / Pleslin-Trigavou
Should you have time on your hands, head up first to the seaside resort of Saint-Cast-le-Guildo to make the most of its beaches. The Vélomaritime route then takes you on smoothly via minor roads to Pleslin-Trivagou, which you reach riding along a stretch of the Dinan-Dinard greenway. On the way, stop at the Château du Guildo, enjoying exceptional views of the Arguenon Estuary.
13 Pleslin-Trigavou / Saint-Malo
To avoid crossing the dam over the Rance River, the Vélomaritime route takes you along minor roads around the Rance Valley. Midway along the stage, stop at Saint-Suliac, this historic fishermen's village a member of the association Les Plus Beaux Villages de France. Before long, the ramparts around the city of St-Malo come into view. Reaching this place's resort side, the wooden groynes projecting from the beach into the sea help calm the Channel's wilder waves.
