See below for the local train map for the Pays de la Loire region to help you plan your cycling holiday in France.
Pays de la Loire is a region in the west of France. Brittany is to the north-west, Normandy to the north, the Loire Valley wine region to the east, and Nouvelle-Aquitaine to the south (see here for that train map).
The capital of Pays de la Loire is Nantes, and the region is integral to several major cycling routes. It's where the Nantes-Brest Canal starts, and where the EuroVelo 1 Atlantic Coast route and the Velo Francette pass. To the east of the region is the fabulous and under-rated Sarthe cycle network, while the south of the region is home to the Vendee, where the 2018 Tour de France started. The EuroVelo 6 Loire Valley route starts at the coast of Pays de la Loire and snakes its way east through Angers (also in Pays de la Loire) before passing over into the 'Loire proper'.
Nantes is linked to Paris by TGV, which goes via Rennes and accepts fully assembled bikes. There is also good network of local TER trains and inter-regional Intercites trains that link stations in the region and farther afield. For example, from Nantes there is a local TER train to Angers and further east along the Loire.
To find local trains that will take bikes, it's often easiest to just use the local TER websites.
If you use the SNCF website - you can tick the 'travelling with a velo' box or just do a regular search, which will show up a symbol on trains that take bikes. Intercites trains that accept bikes will appear with a bike symbol on a normal search, but not all TERs will.
All TER trains take bikes all year, but it is necessary to book bikes ahead on some lines in summer when it is busy.
The following TER lines require bicycle reservations (€1 surcharge on your regular fare), usually via this page from early June to the end of September.
- Ligne 1 : Nantes - Le Croisic
- Ligne 2 : Nantes – Redon
- Ligne 8 : Nantes – Les Sables d’Olonne
- Ligne 9 : Nantes – La Rochelle
- Ligne 10 : Nantes – Pornic
- Ligne 11 : Nantes – Saint – Gilles – Croix – de – Vie
- Ligne 19 : Angers – Saumur
- Ligne 20 : Angers – Cholet
- Ligne 21 : Le Mans – Angers – Nantes
- Ligne 28 : Nantes – Angers – Laval – Rennes
Again, see this page to buy tickets on lines that require bicycle reservations.
Note that some lines also have dedicated bike staff in summer to help you get on and off with your bike.
You may need to use the map below to piece together shorter local hops on TERs in order to avoid fast trains that won't take bikes. This may involve a few station changes. Search each leg separately as the SNCF system can't always handle too many multiple changes.
Using Nantes Tram-Trains
Trams run in and out of Nantes. They are also called "Tram-Trains" (don't ask me why!), but they are just like regular tram or streetcars.
You just buy tickets from the machines on the platforms like for any other tram.
There are two lines. Trams connect Nantes to Châteaubriant (T1 when you click on the map below) and Nantes to Clisson (T2).
Folded bicycles and scooters can be taken on board without any restrictions (just keep them out of walkways and entrances).
Unfolded bicycles and scooters are not allowed on tram-trains during weekday peak hours from 7.15am-9am and from 4.30pm to 7pm. Other hours are fine for unfolded bikes, as are weekends and public holidays.
Tram-train carriages for unfolded bicycles are marked with a vélo/bike graphic.
Using bus services
Bikes are accepted on some regional buses. They are:
Line 11: On the direct Nantes to Saint Gilles-Croix-de-Vie route. There is a rack that takes 6 bikes. Reservations are recommended via the TER contact centre on 0800 210 800 from Monday to Friday from 7am to 8pm and Saturday from 8am to 1pm (except public holidays).
Route 12: Nantes to St Jean de Monts. Reservations via 0969391414 Monday to Friday 7am to 7pm, Saturday 8am to 12.30pm, or contact via the website. Reservations must be made no later than 5pm the day before for departures from Tuesday to Saturday, and no later than 5pm on Friday for departures on Sunday or Monday.
Route 13: Nantes to Noirmoutier, Reservations as for Route 12 above.
Line 26: Le Mans to Saumur via La Flèche. for line 26: reservations are recommended via 0969391414 Monday to Friday 7am to 7pm, Saturday 8am to 12.30pm.
Connecting by TGV
See also the TGV section here for workarounds on how to arrive in this area from out of the region.
You can click here or on the map for a higher quality downloadable PDF.
Bike hire and accommodation
You can use our bespoke bike hire service to find bike hire in this region.
You can find accommodation by searching here.
You can search self-guided and guided rides here. Let me know via here if you need help.
