En solo

Aurélie en solo sur La Vélo Francette

680 km en 8 jours pour son premier voyage à vélo !

Détails du parcours

  • Durée : 8 jours
  • Départ / Arrivée : Ouistreham > La Rochelle
  • Distance : 680 km
Vélo Francette en bord de Loire
Aurélie Dimesic

C'était ton premier voyage à vélo ?

Oui, mon tout premier voyage à vélo !

Une petite préparation avant de partir a donc été quand même nécessaire, notamment pour s’habituer au poids du vélo et de ses sacoches (environ 18 kgs pour ma part).

Physiquement, je suis plutôt sportive et je vélotaffe régulièrement, je suis donc déjà habitué au vélo, ce qui aide !

Vue du guidon
Aurélie Dimesic

Voyager en solo, ça donne quoi ?

En plus du premier voyage à vélo, c'était aussi mon premier voyage en solo, effectivement !

Une expérience extra : un programme libre et une (re-)découverte de soi-même.

Vraiment, je ne vois aucun mauvais côté ! Peut-être le regret de ne pas pouvoir partager tous les soirs les belles découvertes de la journée avec les proches ?

Panneau La Vélo Francette
Aurélie Dimesic

Quelle organisation au quotidien ?

Je suis partie avec ma tente et n’avais rien réservé en partant. Je savais seulement que je voulais visiter Saumur car je ne connaissais pas du tout. Je faisais un point à mi-journée pour savoir où je pouvais m’arrêter et regarder les campings.

Les « Accueil Vélo » sont tops, il y a toujours de la place, du matériel, et une bonne ambiance entre les voyageurs le soir!

Pour la nourriture, je faisais également au jour le jour, dans les petites épiceries de village. Concernant l'orientation, le parcours est plutôt bien balisé, donc pas de souci !

Épicerie La Tiendita
Aurélie Dimesic

Les coups de ❤ du voyage ?

J'ai beaucoup apprécié Saumur, Montreuil Bellay, la Mayenne et ses écluses ...

En hébergements, le Camping du Bac à Ménil, avec sa guinguette qui m’a permis d’étendre ma tente repliée trempée le matin (propriétaire hyper arrangeant avec les cyclistes !) et aussi le Camping à la Ferme de la Touche, à Domfront, authentique et charmant !

Coup de cœur pour l'épicerie « La Tiendita », dans le petit village de Saint-Martin de Sanzay. Que de bons produits locaux, une dame très accueillante, belle surprise !

Une rencontre : celle d’un jeune voyageur étudiant à Paris rejoignant son village au Liban en vélo avec une seule paire de chaussettes pour son voyage !

Aurélie Dimesic

Certaines étapes se méritent plus que d'autres !

Une première étape éprouvante pour traverser la Suisse Normande, après Pont d’Ouilly…  mais avec des paysages magnifiques. Je voulais absolument passer cette portion le premier jour car je connaissais le coin. Je suis arrivée à Domfront après 110 kms pour trouver un super camping à la ferme.

2 jours de pluie / grêle ont aussi ajouté de la difficulté, mais ne m’ont pas démotivée !

Entre Thouars et Parthenay, c'était aussi difficile, après quelques jours de pédalage et chargée de 18 kgs environ, mais en prenant le temps ça passe bien. Après tout, c’est le but du voyage en vélo ?

Le mot de la fin ?

C’est vraiment un joli tracé à travers notre beau pays, je suis heureuse d’avoir pu le réaliser ! L’arrivée à la Rochelle sous le soleil a été émouvante pour moi, au bout de ces 8 jours. C’est une belle arrivée sur le Port, avec le panneau signifiant la fin du parcours.

Je pense déjà au prochain voyage, et espère embarquer ma famille pour le prochain !

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J'ai l'habitude
Je me dépasse
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Ouistreham / Caen

1 Ouistreham / Caen

16 km
1 h 02 min
I begin / Family
Start at Ouistreham, the Normandy ferry port north of Caen, its strand renowned as Sword Beach, its codename during the Allied liberation of France that began on D-Day, 6 June 1944. Take the towpath-turned-greenway beside the Canal de l’Orne; pay homage to the British airborne troops who took the vital crossing nicknamed Pegasus Bridge the night before D-Day. A cycle track leads on to the marina in central Caen. This city boasts splendid buildings dating back to William the Conqueror’s reign, while the Mémorial de Caen is a major war museum.
Caen / Thury-Harcourt

2 Caen / Thury-Harcourt

28 km
1 h 52 min
I begin / Family
Once you’ve gone round Caen’s marina, explore the city via its ‘green lungs’, notably the racecourse and a special Espace Naturel Sensible, an environmentally protected area. Continue south beside the Orne River, taking the greenway into La Suisse Normande’s hills. This portion runs along a former railway line, offering an exceptionally peaceful route, a delight for nature lovers.
Thury-Harcourt / Pont d'Ouilly

3 Thury-Harcourt / Pont d'Ouilly

23 km
1 h 37 min
I begin / Family
La Vélo Francette’s stage through the heart of La Suisse Normande’s hills is very nature-friendly. Cyclists follow the meanders and dramatic granite forms of the gorges of the Orne Valley, in part on a greenway, while canoeists appreciate the river itself. The waterside villages, such as Thury-Harcourt, Clécy and Pont-d’Ouilly, provide delightful stops and riverside terraces along the way.
Pont d'Ouilly / La Roche d'Oëtre / Flers

5 Pont d'Ouilly / La Roche d'Oëtre / Flers

31 km
2 h 05 min
I cycle a lot
This demanding but grandiose alternative stage is worth the effort involved in cycling up La Roche d’Oëtre. From its 118m-high summit, enjoy grand views of the Rouvre’s wooded gorges, listed as an Espace Naturel Sensible (an environmentally protected area), set in the heart of Europe’s oldest mountain range. To reach the château and station at Flers, continue along pleasant, quiet, but steep roads through traditional Norman farmlands.
Flers / Domfront

6 Flers / Domfront

23 km
1 h 30 min
I begin / Family
You change cycle track after Flers station. Crossing the outskirts of town, near La Selle-la-Forge, at the place named Fumeçon, a greenway’s compact track takes you down a gentle slope to the Varenne River, which you’ll get close to many times along this stage. The local heritage recalls the area’s mining past as well as its agricultural past. Take it all in on what is a peaceful stretch for cyclists.
Domfront / Mayenne

7 Domfront / Mayenne

50 km
2 h 58 min
I begin / Family
The route leaves the southern Norman hilltop town of Domfront, taking you on a long stage going via roads and greenways beside the Varenne River up to the Mayenne River and on to Mayenne-town. Three remarkable sights on the Varenne are the mills of Moulin de Varenne, Moulin d’Ambloux and Pont des Planches. The village of Ambrières-les-Vallées offers a last view of the Varenne before you join the banks of the Mayenne. Works are in progress, but the signposts will guide you throughout the deviation.
Mayenne / Laval

8 Mayenne / Laval

36 km
2 h 24 min
I begin / Family
After visiting the historic town of Mayenne, with its castle dating back in part to Carolingian times, head south via the Mayenne Valley. This La Vélo Francette stage is well suited to families, following the riverside towpath in a lovely natural setting punctuated by lock-keepers’ houses and beautiful old homes. The town of Laval is a delight to walk around.
Laval / Château-Gontier

9 Laval / Château-Gontier

35 km
2 h 19 min
I begin / Family
The start of this stage affords fine views of the town of Laval and its two châteaux. The nine-arched railway viaduct here also has a footbridge open to cyclists, and links the Mayenne River’s east bank to Laval’s town centre and its river port. South of Laval, admire the well-known Abbaye du Port Salut (historically connected with popular Port-Salut cheese) before discovering more of the natural beauty of the Mayenne River.
Château-Gontier / Le Lion-d'Angers

10 Château-Gontier / Le Lion-d'Angers

34 km
2 h 17 min
I cycle often
Travelling along the Mayenne Valley, each meander reveals new delights to spur you on, with a château here and a mill there, or then a waterside village with a river port. Before the town of Le Lion-d’Angers, you’ll get a notion of the importance of the equestrian professions around here as you pass the Domaine de l’Isle-Briand, home to a world-class national stud farm that hosts equestrian events.
Le Lion-d'Angers / Angers

11 Le Lion-d'Angers / Angers

29 km
2 h 01 min
I begin / Family
After the picture-postcard equestrian grounds at L’Isle Briand, with its château and national stud farm, plus the Mayenne and Oudon confluence, you cross the low-lying ends of several river valleys that form one of the most exceptional areas of wetland in Europe, going right up to Angers, a famed historic Plantagenet city. Up to that town’s Pont Jean Moulin bridge, the rural atmosphere remains almost untouched.
Angers / Bouchemaine / St-Mathurin

12 Angers / Bouchemaine / St-Mathurin

37 km
2 h 27 min
I begin / Family
La Vélo Francette shares the way with the Loire à Vélo cycle route for some way from Angers eastwards, leading you out of the city via the Maine River and the Lac de Maine, with its green surrounds. At the village of Bouchemaine, at the confluence of Maine and Loire, you might try one of the restaurants on the quays. Most of this stage is along traffic-free tracks up to La Daguenière, then you join quiet roads up to St-Mathurin-sur-Loire.
St-Mathurin / Saumur

14 St-Mathurin / Saumur

29 km
2 h 01 min
I begin / Family
This stage is shared by La Vélo Francette and the Loire à Vélo. Two options: either follow the route from Gennes along the Loire’s south bank up to Saint-Hilaire-St-Florent (on the western side of Saumur town); or cross the bridge at Gennes and follow the alternative route along the north bank of the Loire to Saumur. Whichever way you opt for, the waterside stretches passing Loire flora, fauna and traditional boats are glorious.
Saumur / Montreuil-Bellay

15 Saumur / Montreuil-Bellay

21 km
1 h 22 min
I cycle often
La Vélo Francette leaves Saumur via a pretty greenway beside the Thouet River. Then the route adopts farm tracks and quiet country roads. Crossing villages, fields and the sloping vineyards of the Saumurois area, this stage finishes at the foot of Montreuil-Bellay, an historic fortified town on Anjou’s southern border and listed as a member of Les Plus Beaux Détours de France and a Petite Cité de caractère, given its many charms.
Montreuil-Bellay / Thouars

16 Montreuil-Bellay / Thouars

26 km
1 h 45 min
I cycle often
From Montreuil-Bellay, you descend back down to the Thouet River, heading for Thouars. The véloroute runs peacefully beside the river. La Ballastière Lake makes for a pleasant stop before you continue towards Taizon. Here, in centuries past, travellers had to pay a toll to cross the bridge. You can make out the town of Thouars on the horizon…
Thouars / Airvault

17 Thouars / Airvault

29 km
1 h 57 min
I cycle often
After visiting the historic heart of Thouars, take in the Imbert Floral Park, with its lovely terraces above the River Thouet. Leaving this Ville d’Art & d’Histoire, you can continue to appreciate to the full the charms of the Thouet’s riverbanks. As you cycle along, enjoy glimpses of waterfalls, wooded slopes and lovely historic buildings.
Airvault / Parthenay

18 Airvault / Parthenay

37 km
2 h 28 min
I cycle often
An unforgettable stage, along quiet roads. The village of Airvault, with its abbey church, covered market and underground fountain, sets the tone. Next, the moated château and village of St-Loup-sur-Thouet will surprise you. Then the Lac du Cébron provides room to relax before continuing along the Thouet, crossing via a railway viaduct to reach the haughty medieval fortified town of Parthenay.
Parthenay / Champdeniers-St-Denis

19 Parthenay / Champdeniers-St-Denis

29 km
1 h 54 min
I cycle often
From Parthenay, the Thouet à Vélo cycle route branches west via Secondigny towards the Thouet’s source, heading into the county of Vendée. La Vélo Francette continues southwestwards towards the town of Niort. You cross the Pays de Gâtine, a hillier area; turning many a corner, magnificent views open up of the unspoilt countryside and hedgerows. Savour this stage along quiet country roads.
Champdeniers-St-Denis / Niort

20 Champdeniers-St-Denis / Niort

26 km
1 h 41 min
I cycle often
Champdeniers-St-Denis makes for a surprising stop, with its amenities and its remarkably rich local heritage. The route then alternates between quiet roads and farm tracks as it heads on to join the banks of the Sèvre Niortaise River at the level of Ternanteuil. After a big meander, the route arrives in the city of Niort, taking you to the base of its towering twin keeps.
Niort / Coulon

21 Niort / Coulon

17 km
1 h 13 min
I begin / Family
You stick close to the water’s edge, following the meanders of the Sèvre Niortaise River, alternating between the towpath and quiet riverside roads. The sites of Roussille or La Garette offer ideal spots for a pause in these winding parts. Or consider a longer halt at the little capital of the Marais Poitevin, the gorgeous, watery village of Coulon.
Coulon / Damvix / Bazoin

22 Coulon / Damvix / Bazoin

20 km
1 h 12 min
I begin / Family
Coulon, located at the heart of the wet marshes of the Marais Poitevin and set so prettily beside the Sèvre Niortaise River, can offer cyclists on La Vélo Francette all the amenities they need. After crossing through the marshes, you rejoin the Sèvre Niortaise after Irleau. Approaching Damvix, the canalised river takes a straighter line, as though in a rush to join the ocean.
Damvix / Bazoin / Marans

23 Damvix / Bazoin / Marans

28 km
1 h 51 min
I begin / Family
The Sèvre Niortaise remains your guide on this stage, except on two stretches, one where you follow the Canal du Nouveau Béjou, the other the Canal du Pomère. Enjoy the ballet of little boats exploring the wetlands around these parts. You arrive at Marans via its quaysides, allowing you to appreciate how this little town lives via its waterways. Marans traditionally stood guard over the canal, marshes and river estuary; today it stands out because of its futuristic bell tower.
Marans / La Rochelle

24 Marans / La Rochelle

25 km
1 h 42 min
I begin / Family
This final stage of La Vélo Francette shares the way with the longer La Vélodyssée cycle route. You follow the Canal de Marans towards the sea before branching off for the great city of La Rochelle via the Canal de Rompsay. Although this stage is easy, it allows you to end La Vélo Francette with a flourish – plus there’s the possibility of a dip in the Atlantic! Islands beckon just off the coast, if you wish to prolong your experience of douce France!

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