Around Nantes (France)

[SolemnWeasel]

Might I ask for suggestions for cycling shortish distances around Nantes (France) as we are going in July and will have a week there.
I would like to cycle with my wife who is not too confident, but then I am not too strong either. I think the place is quite flat.
I think we could manage a round trip of 50km if it is flat, with lots of breaks to enjoy the area.
If we are cycling with my daughter, maybe up to 30 km on flat area would be good to boost her confidence, she is 9 but can cycle so far quite well in Edinburgh, up to 10 km, so pretty hilly, she should be fine, with a lot of grumbling.

If I have a day to myself, I might be able to manage up to 100km but am not too confident either.
In any case we are not bringing any bikes so would need to rent some in Nantes.

In general also - any suggestions what to do there, on and off the bike?
Thanks for suggestions.

 

[T4tomo]

The obvious is the Loire a Velo cycle path which is on both banks around Nantes

https://www.loireavelo.fr/carte/

 

[DCLane]

Riding the bridge and Passage du Gois causeway to Noirmoutier is nice - I've done that from the south a few times, but never from the north-east although there does appear to be a cycle path along quiet coastal routes. Just note that Noirmoutier is a bit fiddly for cycling on the island itself.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

We cycled through Nantes last year, From Redon and to Cholet.

It's a big city, so depending on where you are, expect a long way through urban areas before the countryside. There's reasonably good cycling infrastructure from what I remember, but it's a busy place.

The Loire a velo suggestion above sounds good.

You get into the Muscadet vineyards on the way to Cholet, which are very pleasant, and in general the small roads are typical French, well surfaced and quiet.

There's a very pleasant spot by the mill at Vertou for lunch with a couple of restaurants, and cycle.travel shows route V93 along the river there, though we did it on road, so I've no idea what the route is like.

Vineyards:

 

[Cathryn]

Riding the bridge and Passage du Gois causeway to Noirmoutier is nice - I've done that from the south a few times, but never from the north-east although there does appear to be a cycle path along quiet coastal routes. Just note that Noirmoutier is a bit fiddly for cycling on the island itself.

We cycled Nantes to Noirmoutier last summer. It’s 50 miles ish. Would be a lovely overnighter! We absolutely loved it!

 

[SolemnWeasel]

That's good recommendations, thanks!!!

 

[bluenotebob]

You could Google "Nantes balades à vélo" for more local bike rides (apart from the suggestions upthread).

I've just done it out of interest - and there are loads of possible rides.

The website France Vélo Tourisme (that's its name, not its URL) is worth investigating.

The other thing you might want to consider ... it could be very hot in July .. 35C isn't unusual in mid-summer.

It might be worth planning some evening-only rides, particularly if your child is with you.

Have a good time!

 

[briantrumpet]

You could Google "Nantes balades à vélo" for more local bike rides (apart from the suggestions upthread).

I've just done it out of interest - and there are loads of possible rides.

The website France Vélo Tourisme (that's its name, not its URL) is worth investigating.

The other thing you might want to consider ... it could be very hot in July .. 35C isn't unusual in mid-summer.

It might be worth planning some evening-only rides, particularly if your child is with you.

Have a good time!

Or morning-only, a nice salad lunch with a beer followed by a siesta!

 

[blackrat]

You could Google "Nantes balades à vélo" for more local bike rides (apart from the suggestions upthread).

I've just done it out of interest - and there are loads of possible rides.

The website France Vélo Tourisme (that's its name, not its URL) is worth investigating.

The other thing you might want to consider ... it could be very hot in July .. 35C isn't unusual in mid-summer.

It might be worth planning some evening-only rides, particularly if your child is with you.

Have a good time!

35C in proper measurement is 88F, so pretty common around here most of the year (85F now as I type at 14:24) . We don't choose our temperatures or our roads, we ride because we exist.

 

[DRM]

The obvious is the Loire a Velo cycle path which is on both banks around Nantes

https://www.loireavelo.fr/carte/

This, it's an excellent facility, but as pointed out it can be very hot in the Loire, iirc there are cafe's on the banks dotted about, the other thing I noticed was some of the roads had short,but steep hills on them, but the riverside path is pretty flat,

 

[Gwylan]

Spent the summer of 64 there. Girls were more interesting than cycling.

But cycling around the vineyards with the group was a revelation.
Learned about wine and life.

Go and see Le Corbusier and wonder. Take a big lock might be a good idea too.