Cycling 1,500 km from the English Channel to the North Sea is the challenge that La Vélomaritime invites us to take on! A unique experience for athletes and cycle tourists seeking breathtaking landscapes and the discovery of unusual and rare places. Discover what this legendary cycle route promises, as well as our favorite itinerary.
More than just cycling
La Vélomaritime is the French section of EuroVelo 4, the European cycle route that runs from Brittany to Kyiv in Ukraine. More precisely, La Vélomaritime starts in Roscoff and goes as far as Bray-Dunes on the Belgian border near Dunkirk. It continuously follows the Channel coast and traverses the most beautiful landscapes of Hauts-de-France. It passes through unmissable natural and historical sites. The Pink Granite Coast, the Capes of Erquy and Frehel, Mont-Saint-Michel and its bay, the D-Day Landing Beaches, the cliffs of Étretat, the Bay of Somme, the Opal Coast and the Two Capes, Dunkirk and the Flanders dunes…
This world-renowned route uses shared roads with low traffic and safe greenways for cyclists. It is ideal for getting away by bike and discovering at your own pace all the wonders of the cultural and gastronomic heritage of the regions it crosses. The cycle route also offers moments of conviviality and allows for wonderful encounters around local gourmet specialties.
The Vélomaritime: cycle as you wish
La Vélomaritime’s hilly route is divided into 53 stages of varying difficulty and distances from 10 to 50 kilometers. It takes you to discover the most beautiful villages in France, sites listed as UNESCO World Heritage, national monuments, and sites labeled Grand Site de France.
The route also passes between more than 50 coastal lighthouses! The departure is indeed opposite Batz Island, at the foot of the Roscoff lighthouse, arriving at the Risban lighthouse in Dunkirk.
To find the ideal stage, follow the dynamic module on La Vélomaritime’s website based on different criteria:
- Your level: “I’m used to it”, “I push myself”, or “I’m a beginner/with family”. Some sections are indeed more suitable for athletes or electric-assist bikes.
- Duration: 2 to 3 days, 4 to 6 days, 1 week or more.
- Themes: nature, heritage, panorama, must-see site, beach, or “I’m coming by train”.
Favorite itinerary
The Utah Beach/Carentan-les-Marais section, approximately 23 kilometers long, is sublime and accessible to all. It takes you from Utah Beach through the marshes of the Cotentin and Bessin Regional Natural Park. The route follows the oyster farms of the Baie des Veys and the Domaine de Beauguillot nature reserve, preserved places connecting land and sea. Following the canal, you will arrive at Carentan-les-Marais, a charming town with a medieval past at the gateway to Cotentin. You will cross its marina as well as the Pont pavé de la barquette and its dam, superb historical technical works.
Take a break on your Vélomaritime trip at a campsite
Need to take a break or recharge your batteries? Head to Camping Paradis Utah Beach, a 3* family campsite in Normandy with a water park and slides. The establishment offers various accommodation solutions (mobile homes, authentic chalets, lodge cabins, unusual camp’étoiles…) and shaded pitches just a stone’s throw from the beach (tents, motorhomes…).
Ready to try the adventure? Hop on your bikes and take the Vélomaritime; we will be delighted to welcome you to our Vélomaritime campsite.