Breton crossing
Exit the car, let's go discover Brittany on foot or by bike! The Breton crossing is a route that connects Nantes to Mont Saint-Michel. From the Atlantic to the English Channel, you will cycle through seven emblematic cities in the West of France: Nantes, Saint-Nazaire, La Baule, Redon, Rennes, Dinan and Dinard. Let's get on the saddle!
Discover Brittany on foot and by bike
The "Modern Crossing" route invites hikers and cyclists on a journey combining art and heritage, to discover Brittany in a new light, along a route of 500 kilometers, divided into six steps :
- Step 1 : Nantes ⟶ Saint-Nazaire: 74 km
- Step 2 : Saint-Nazaire (via La Baule) ⟶ Pénestin: 88 km
- Step 3 : Pénestin ⟶ Redon: 58 km
- Step 4 : Redon ⟶ Rennes: 94 km
- Step 5 : Rennes (via Dinan) ⟶ Dinard: 108 km
- Step 6 : Dinard ⟶ Mont Saint-Michel: 69 km
From Nantes to Mont Saint-Michel: A cycling adventure between art and heritage
The Breton Crossing allows you to discover, between land and sea, a diversity of landscape and culture: the contemporary art of Nantes, the salt marshes of Guérande, the half-timbered houses of Dinan, or the Belle Époque villas in Dinard. As you will have understood, different landscapes will be offered to you on the way: industrial, artistic, wild, urban and seaside. You will also discover many Breton must-sees only little-known treasures. The route includes a majority of green ways, notably thanks to the EV42. The conducting wire ? You will always follow a watercourse: the Atlantic Ocean, the Loire, the Vilaine, the Ille-et-Rance canal, and the English Channel!
Stage 5: Rennes / Dinan / Dinard by bike (108 km)
This 108.2 km stage, to be covered in 2 to 3 days., will take you through the Ille-et-Rance canal and the Rance estuary by greenway EV42. Locks and old water mills will punctuate your bucolic stroll in Brittany. Don't miss the opportunity to stop at Léhon and Dinan, an exceptional medieval city.
The Benedictine abbey of Saint-Magloire, the cobbled streets and the ruins of the castle.
Rue du Jerzual, Dinan Castle, the Clock Tower!
Practical information before leaving
For an experienced cyclist, or a car-free family vacation, the "modern crossing of an old country" is an experience accessible to everyone. The routes are well marked and a multitude of services are available along the route, with accommodation labeled Accueil Vélo, bicycle rental companies and repairers.
3 ways to discover the route
By car, on foot or by bikeBy road: by van, camper van, car, motorbike, etc:
317 km - 8 days / 7 nights
Walking (in construction) :
700km – 4 major stages of 7 to 12 days
By bike :
500 km – 10 days / 9 nights
All information on: crossing-bretonne.com
Did you know ? A train reserved for cyclists!
The little extra for a cycling holiday!The “La Loire à Vélo” trains offer a car dedicated to bicycles from June to September, from Orléans to Croisic. Ideal for discovering the route in several times or for alternating between train and bike! Coming by train to Dinan? The station is 5 minutes by bike from the historic center. So, are you ready to take on the challenge?
Inspirations for 100% cycling holidays
