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Iodine, fresh air, lighthouses, beaches, cliffs… When you cycle along La Vélomaritime, the promise of a maritime experience is certainly delivered. But that’s not all! The 1,500 km cycling route also allows you to discover the riches of a diverse territory stretching from Roscoff, in Brittany, to Dunkirk, on the Belgian border. Now over 90% developed, the French section of EuroVelo 4 promises moments of wonder at the foot of lighthouses, in front of landscapes, cultural and heritage discoveries, and convivial moments around local gastronomy.
Source: Press Release – Photo Credits: Simon Bourcier (opening) and EV4©Emmanuel-Berthier
Objective 2021
To date, 93% of the overall route, including the entire section between Roscoff and Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, is developed. The objective is to inaugurate La Vélomaritime in its entirety in 2021. In the meantime, alternative routes are being studied to make the journey as easy as possible on undeveloped sections. Specialized cycling tour agencies are already marketing La Vélomaritime and developing ideas around the itinerary.
Spotlight on La Vélomaritime
From Roscoff to the Risban lighthouse in Dunkirk, the route boasts over 50 lighthouses. They are found at sea, on islands and capes, but also in cities… or on boats like the Sandettie in Dunkirk, transformed into a museum. Today, you can visit 8 lighthouses, stay in a former lighthouse keeper’s house, or take breaks at the foot of these maritime towers that mark the 1,500 km of La Vélomaritime.
Breathtaking landscapes
Capes, cliffs, dunes, beaches… and the sea as far as the eye can see. This is the promise of France’s most iodine-rich cycling route. The salt and sea spray have shaped unique and magnificent landscapes whose recognition is now international. From Roscoff to Dunkirk, you can admire 5 “Grands Sites de France” (labeled or in the process of being labeled) that are very different: the jagged capes of Erquy and Fréhel, the Étretat Cliffs, the Alabaster Coast (in project), the expanse of the Bay of Somme, the Two Capes Blanc-Nez and Gris-Nez, and the Flanders Dunes (in project).
Discovering heritage treasures
Three UNESCO World Heritage sites, four National Monuments, three of France’s Most Beautiful Villages… The list of heritage discoveries is impressive. Throughout the itinerary, the wonders of nature are complemented by architectural prowess. Saint-Malo, Mont-Saint-Michel, the seaside resort of Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, or the pretty little fishing ports… Here again, a two-wheeled trip on La Vélomaritime promises visits rich in history and charming addresses for a break and restorative nights.
Moments of exchange and conviviality around gastronomy
Cycling on La Vélomaritime means admiring landscapes and heritage freely… but that’s not all! With friends, as a couple, or with family, sharing and conviviality are part of the journey. The 1,500 km of the route promise encounters with locals and experiences around local products. The menu is rich and diverse: Flemish cuisine, Cancale oysters, Norman cheese… Small local addresses, Michelin-starred restaurants (29 in total!), on the water or with your feet in the water, and visits to producers allow you to taste French culinary heritage.
| La Vélomaritime: a route on the French section of EuroVelo 4EuroVelo 4 is a European cycle route that stretches from Roscoff, in Brittany, to Kyiv, in Ukraine. The French communities involved in its development have initiated a process to structure the French sections and affirm its position in the national and European cycling offer. They are now developing La Vélomaritime: a route from the English Channel to the North Sea, in continuity with the Tour de Manche. With a significant portion of hilly small roads, it is an ideal route for cyclists looking for a sporting challenge or for those using electric-assist bikes. |
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