The tour of the island of Yeu by bike

Do you enjoy long bike rides? Whether you're with your family, a couple, or solo, and whatever your level, cycling around the Isle of Yeu is accessible to everyone. It's pure bliss to enjoy the sea air of the coastal paths, the woody scents of the pine forests, and the floral notes of the hollyhocks that line the island's white houses. Hop on your bike and we'll take you on a captivating and exotic ride along the Isle of Yeu's cycle paths...

Photos from the article Vendée Guide

Cycle touring

The Isle of Yeu is a true paradise for slow tourism enthusiasts. You don't need to be an experienced cyclist to adopt this mode of transport, which is gentle on the environment and offers so many advantages. Vacation is THE time to slow down and why not, to pedal! Exercise while taking a leisurely trip to the market to do your shopping. Take the time to observe the landscape, which passes by at your own pace. It is, without a doubt, the best way to appreciate the island's exceptional environment. But it is also an opportunity to share a real moment with family to give meaning to the journey you have taken... These are the advantages of cycling!

On the Isle of Yeu, soft mobility is favored, and everything is designed to make your life easier by bike. Here are some tips:

• The Ile d'Yeu tourist office will give you advice on renting a bike on site if necessary.

The tour of the island of Yeu by bike

Now that you're in the mood and well prepared, here are the stages of this long-awaited tour of the island of Yeu. It's a small island of 23 km². There are only 28 km to cover on the old customs path which goes completely around the island of Yeu and offers you a few detours to see points of interest: monuments and small heritage, viewpoints, natural spaces.

You'll be cycling along beautiful trails. Some sections follow the GR80. It's an easy, family-friendly ride, lasting about 6 hours, with little elevation gain. Starting from Port-Joinville, directly on the quay, you head north, on a long street that crosses the town, becomes a road, and takes on various names, but it's difficult to get lost. Our partner Cirkwi shows you the route: The Tour of the Island of Yeu by Bike.

An exotic journey awaits you in a wild environment, between pine forests, fine sandy beaches and steep cliffs. Here are the main stages of your journey:

• You walk along the island's beaches, particularly Plage des Roses.
• At the northern end, take a break at the Dolmen des Petits Fadets.
• After leaving the main road, you will pass not far from the Dolmen de la Planche à Puare.
• You will also have to deviate a little from the main route to admire the view at Pointe du But.
• You will follow the magnificent coves of the island and you can make a small detour to the Pointe du Châtelet and its small Plage des Sabias.
• You can admire the Vieux Château military fortress. Visits are possible from April to September.
• The typical village of La Meule is worth a visit and offers a great place to take a break or have something to eat.
• The port of La Meule is the ideal place to soak up the atmosphere of this wild coast of the Isle of Yeu.
• The beautiful cove of Fontaines is nestled between Belions and Pointe de la Tranche.
• Anse des Soux Beach is one of the most beautiful on the island.
• The tiny port of Vieilles is nestled in a rocky escarpment, near Vieilles Beach.
• Then, you are at the other end of the island at Pointe des Corbeaux, where the beautiful Phare des Corbeaux stands.
• You will follow the marshy area of the island: the marsh of the islet, the Mottou, the Croix, the Gorelle, the Salt Marsh.
• Finally, you branch off to visit Saint-Sauveur, before reaching Port-Joinville.

The paths of the island of Yeu

If you don't want to do a complete tour, all of the island's trails are suitable for cycling. Some are more suitable for mountain biking than road cycling; check with the tourist office beforehand.

Here are the five trails that allow you to discover the Isle of Yeu in all its facets. Each trail is focused on a specific theme:

• The marsh trail takes you to discover the island's salt marshes.
• The Noiroit trail is a forest path through the pines.
• The Kreuzland trail leads towards Pointe des Corbeaux and the wild coast of the island.
• The Sente des Oyes highlights its small heritage, around Vieux Château.
• The Meule path takes you to visit the traditional village of Meule and its small port.

Our bike tour of the Isle of Yeu has come to an end. We hope this tour has inspired you to explore the Vendée region.

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