La Velodyssee - anyone done this trip down the Atlantic coast of France?

[GlamorganGuy]

I'm planning on doing part of La Velodyssee this autumn, anyone done it? If so, is it easy to find places to camp along the way?

 

[Moodyman]

Here’s good link for downloading the route and also, for planning accommodation.
Under ‘Plan a trip’ select camping and it will display campsites along the way.

In short, you will find many campsites along the route.

https://cycle.travel/route/summary/162515

In this example near Morlaix, there is a green tent sign (circled). Zoom in and click on the green tent and it will give you the name of the site.

 

[wakemalcolm]

I presume that you've already been here:
https://www.cycling-lavelodyssee.com/during-your-trip/gps-tracklog
There's quite a lot of touring discussion on the Cycling UK site. I don't really visit it for anything else.

 

[GlamorganGuy]

Here’s good link for downloading the route and also, for planning accommodation.
Under ‘Plan a trip’ select camping and it will display campsites along the way.

In short, you will find many campsites along the route.

https://cycle.travel/route/summary/162515

In this example near Morlaix, there is a green tent sign (circled). Zoom in and click on the green tent and it will give you the name of the site.

That's brilliant, thanks!!

 

[The Crofted Crest]

I don't know about camp sites but I cycled the full length of the Velodyssee this summer (Roscoff to San Sebastian). The route is very good. Signage is sometimes a bit hit and miss and the area from Cap Fèret to Bordeaux got turned to ashes just after we were there.

Bon voyage!

 

[GlamorganGuy]

I don't know about camp sites but I cycled the full length of the Velodyssee this summer (Roscoff to San Sebastian). The route is very good. Signage is sometimes a bit hit and miss and the area from Cap Fèret to Bordeaux got turned to ashes just after we were there.

Bon voyage!

That's amazing, hope I can do the same some day but I will probably start by doing a few of the Northern France stages. Glad to hear the route is as good as it looks on the maps. Very sad about the wildfires, let's hope the area recovers swiftly.

 

[bluenotebob]

I will probably start by doing a few of the Northern France stages

Best not to leave it too late - the weather will (eventually) turn wet and windy. We've had very little rain over the last four months but I expect that will change fairly soon.

Remember that some of the camp sites will be seasonal - rather than open all year. It's also possible that some may have had to close because of the drought.

If you need any info specific to Brittany, feel free to PM me.

 

[The Crofted Crest]

Have you thought about the Velo Matitime (Euro vélo 4)? From Belgium to Roscoff. I preferred it to the Velodyssee. Lots of Chanel crossings to make a round trip. In France the route goes along the coast in Normandy and Brittany. Excellent scenery. D Day landing beaches, oysters, cidre and a great route if somewhat hilly.

 

[GlamorganGuy]

Have you thought about the Velo Matitime (Euro vélo 4)? From Belgium to Roscoff. I preferred it to the Velodyssee. Lots of Chanel crossings to make a round trip. In France the route goes along the coast in Normandy and Brittany. Excellent scenery. D Day landing beaches, oysters, cidre and a great route if somewhat hilly.

Sounds great, I will look into it.

 

[GlamorganGuy]

Best not to leave it too late - the weather will (eventually) turn wet and windy. We've had very little rain over the last four months but I expect that will change fairly soon.

Remember that some of the camp sites will be seasonal - rather than open all year. It's also possible that some may have had to close because of the drought.

If you need any info specific to Brittany, feel free to PM me.

Thanks, I am particularly interested in Brittany as I've spent a fair bit of time there (by car not cycling) and love it. I wonder if there are other low-budget accommodation options if camping is not available? Thinking of youth hostels or bunkhouses (but welcoming to someone in late 50s!)

 

[bluenotebob]

I wonder if there are other low-budget accommodation options if camping is not available? Thinking of youth hostels or bunkhouses (but welcoming to someone in late 50s!)

There was a flurry of people opening up Air B'n'Bs here a few years ago. I don't know if they still exist - I'll ask around.

Most hotels/guesthouses/B'n'Bs are only really busy from June to August - outside of the summer months, you could probably get a very good price. Booking in advance would probably be best - but then you'd lose the flexibility that camping offers.

Something else I meant to mention earlier but forgot - I've done a long stretch of Vélodysee in the centre of Brittany but only once have I seen it called that. It's universally known as EV1 (Eurovélo 1). I was on it yesterday and it was still quite busy with tourers.

You could search on the internet for Eurovélo 1/Brittany/accommodation and see what's on offer ...?

 

[GlamorganGuy]

There was a flurry of people opening up Air B'n'Bs here a few years ago. I don't know if they still exist - I'll ask around.

Most hotels/guesthouses/B'n'Bs are only really busy from June to August - outside of the summer months, you could probably get a very good price. Booking in advance would probably be best - but then you'd lose the flexibility that camping offers.

Something else I meant to mention earlier but forgot - I've done a long stretch of Vélodysee in the centre of Brittany but only once have I seen it called that. It's universally known as EV1 (Eurovélo 1). I was on it yesterday and it was still quite busy with tourers.

You could search on the internet for Eurovélo 1/Brittany/accommodation and see what's on offer ...?

Ah great! I'll check out EV1. Also exploring Couchsurfing for low-to-no budget accommodation.