Check into your centrally located hotel and then get out and discover the youthful, energetic, art-loving city of Nantes. Must sees include the grand fortress, Château des ducs de Bretagne, which also houses the Nantes History Museum. Not far from there on the Ile de Nantes in the middle of the Loire river you should also take in the unique and amazing Machines de l’Ile, an amazing world of larger than life mechanical fantasy creatures. If nature is more your thing then head for Jardin des Plantes, one of the largest botanical gardens in France.

After breakfast you mount up and follow the cycle route out of the city. After a while you reach the banks of the Loire river, now quite wide as it approaches the Atlantic Ocean. A little further on you enjoy a delightful ride along an idyllic cycle path beside the Martinière Canal. The final stage of today's ride is alongside the Loire estuary. The aroma of salt air and conifer trees is an indication you are almost at your overnight stop in the pleasant seaside town of Saint Brévins.

The day starts with a level ride close to the extensive beach of Saint Brévin. After about 10 kms the route veers inland, cutting across the peninsula of La Plaine-sur-Mer to the more rugged coastline of Bourgneuf Bay. Pornic is an attractive little harbour town that is worth a look around. As you are now on the Vendée Atlantic Oyster Road you may be tempted to sample this polarising fruit of the sea! The route then continues down the coast, following a network of quiet lanes and cycle paths. Your overnight stop will be in the small village of Bouin, a couple of kilometres inland from the coastline.

Today's interesting and varied ride will lead you across the 4 kilometre long tidal causeway known as the Passage du Gols to Noirmoutier Island. The causeway only reveals itself for about 3 hours each day, so you will need to check the tide times the day before to see what time you can cross. . Noirmoutier Island is protected and attracts flocks of migrating birds. If the tide times for the causeway are not convenient, you can use the alternative mainland route that bisects the Marais Vendéen, a vast wetland of 45,000 hectares, passing through the market town of Beauvoir, dating from the 17th century. Both routes then follow the coastline south to the seductive coastal port of Saint Gilles Vroix de Vie where you will overnight. In the evening take a stroll around the marina, perhaps stopping off in one of the restaurants to sample the local speciality - sardines.

More easy and idyllic cycling today as you continue to follow the coastal path southwards. The ocean is never far away and you'll pass some amazing beaches - if it's hot you may consider packing beachwear in your pannier. at Brem the route leaves the coast and ventures through the extensive and serene Olonne pine forest. The forest was planted on the orders of Louis XV in the 1700's and today offers pleasant cycling in dappled sunlight on quiet paths. Your destination today is the port town of Les Sables d'Olonne with it's fantastic beach and impressive marina. It is from here that the worlds most challenging non-stop, single-handed, round the world yacht race starts and finishes each Autumn - The Vendée Globe.

The day starts with some pleasant shoreline cycling undulating with the terrain and offering some fabulous sea views. If you love oysters its worth a quick diversion from the town of La Guittiere down to it's tiny port, where you can purchase this delicacy directly from the farms on Le payré estuary. You then embark on a delightful, meandering ride through the marshlands to the town of Les Blanchards. From here an equally enjoyable forest path guides you to your overnight stop in the coastal town of La Tranche sur Mer. Thanks to it's glorious beaches the town ranks as one the Vendée region's most popular resorts. You are sure to enjoy your stay in this bustling little place.

Today's route leads you through the Belle Henriette lagoon, a wetland sanctuary for many protected birds. You then turn inland along a series of quiet lanes to circumvent the sizeable Sévre Niortaise river estuary. An idyllic canal-side cycle path leads you first to the small town of Marans, where you may wish to stop for lunch, before turning south and leading you all the way to tonight's overnight stop in La Rochelle. This historic old port town with its attractive quayside and picturesque tower makes a fitting end to your Vendée cycling adventure.

7 Night Holiday Ends This Morning after Breakfast.

Today’s ride leads you on a gentle loop around the island of Ré. After crossing the 3km bridge from the mainland on a dedicated cycle path you enter a world of quaint, ocean-side villages, sandy beaches, oyster beds and salt marshes. It’s easy to shorten the route if you like, so take your time and stop whenever the mood grabs you. At the end of the day you’ll return to La Rochelle for a second night.

After breakfast it's time to head for home or your next adventure.