The Vélodyssée®
Between Léon and Poher
The Vélodyssée® – Atlantic Coast Route (EuroVelo 1) arrives in Roscoff straight from the southwest of England and continues for 1,300 km along the Atlantic coast. The Finistère section offers a 78-km cycle-touring experience, including 48 km on the Green Way from Morlaix to Carhaix, using the former railway line.
Ideal for your first cycling holiday
The Vélodyssée® in Finistère begins in Roscoff, the first French itinerary to have been awarded EuroVelo certification for its entire route. Here, you’re right in the heart of the region known as ‘Léon’, a coastal area famous for its rich soil and market-garden produce. A blend of nature and historic heritage, the landscapes of Morlaix Bay are enchanting, with ever-changing colours. The route passes through Saint-Pol-de-Léon, then takes you to the Penzé Aber before heading towards Morlaix, where you join the forests and moors of the Arrée Mountains. Carhaix, in the Poher region, is a lively inland town that’s synonymous with its music festival, the Vieilles Charrues, drawing celebrity bands and performers from all over the world. Then on to the Nantes-Brest Canal and Hendaye!
Take the time…
Take the time to stroll around Roscoff, known as a corsair town because of its pirating past; in Saint-Pol-de-Léon, visit its 13th-century cathedral and the old port of Pempoul; in Morlaix, go up to the unmissable viaduct and go into the old tobacco factory (La Manu), now renovated into a cultural venue. Next, take the Green Way to Carhaix, and look out for the old railway stations reminding you that this section used to be a railway line. Make a diversion to Plougonven and take the few hilly roads to discover Plougonven, with its flamboyant 16th-century church and Huelgoat, famous for its giant mossy boulders hidden in a gorgeous national forest. In Carhaix, visit Vorgium to learn all about the town’s prestigious Roman past.
To make your trip easier on the Vélodyssée® in Finistère:
In Finistère, we do everything we can to lighten the load on your journey. We offer an increasing range of specialised services including luggage transfer, bike or passenger transport along the route, so that everyone can travel more freely. Accueil Vélo accommodation providers, cab drivers and specialised agencies can even organise everything for you, on a self-guided or accompanied basis.
Need more information?
If you’re looking for a good place to stay along the route, our Tourist Offices have plenty of ideas and helpful advice!
