The Côte de Beauté is a coastline rich in varied landscapes and unspoilt natural areas, ideal for cycle tourism. Its network of cycle paths makes it easy to discover the area by bike for pleasant walks and family outings: if you're staying in camping in Saint-Palais-sur-mer or nearby, you can take the Vélodyssée, a coastal itinerary that runs along the Atlantic from northern Brittany to the Basque country. From Marennes to Royan, the cycle route passes through the Coubre forest, the dunes along the coast and the beaches of the Basque Country. beaches the Seudre estuary and salt marshes.
Most of the Vélodyssée between Marennes and Royan is on a greenway reserved for non-motorised modes of transport. Only a few sections in the built-up areas of Royan and Saint-Palais-sur-Mer are on shared lanes. For the rest of the stretch, you can enjoy safe, traffic-free family cycling on one of the region's most beautiful greenways.
The stage from Marennes to Royan offers 45 kilometres of coastline to cover, for a ride of around 3 hours on a road bike, mountain bike or electric-assist bicycle for the less sporty. After leaving Marennes and crossing the bridge over the Seudre, the route continues through the pine trees of the Coubre forest to La Palmyre. The cycle route then returns to the seaside, passing through Saint-Palais before arriving at the elegant Belle Époque mansions of Royan.
Along the way, you can stop off at the Tremblade and La Palmyre by cycling along the cycle paths that link the town centres of the communes from the Vélodyssée. It's a great opportunity to stop for a bite to eat or do some sightseeing.
TER and Intercités trains allow you to make a one-way trip to Royan and back, so you don't have to cycle there and back. The ideal solution for a family cycling trip, the train + bike package gives you time to take full advantage of the sites to admire and places to visit on the Vélodyssée. The TER train on the Royan-Niort line has a carriage for passengers with bicycles, as does the Intercités Paris-Royan train in summer.
With young children, the section linking Royan in Saint-Palais is an easy alternative to the stage of the Vélodyssée starting from Marennes: allow 20 to 30 minutes for both the outward and return journey.
Would you like to go cycling during your camping holiday in St-Palais sur Mer? Click here to discover the different trails, routes and itineraries on offer!
