Leaving behind the tranquil harbor in Le Pouliguen, we enter the famous Wild Coast (Côte Sauvage), where sandy beach landscapes dramatically give way to rugged granite cliffs. This several-kilometer stretch is renowned for its spectacular rock formations, hidden sea caves, and powerful ocean waves that crash forcefully against the high cliffs. A safe, designated bike path runs directly along the edge of the coast, offering unforgettable views of the might of the open Atlantic.

Beach time at Plage Valentin: Yellow cottages and a seaside paradise

The highlight of the cycling trip is reaching the famousPlage Valentin, the most beautiful beach in Batz-sur-Mer. It's a truly postcard-perfect scene and a paradise for the whole family.

The beach is famous for its row of characteristic yellow and white beach huts (cabines de plage) styled from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, which served as changing rooms for the first spa guests.

However, the most intriguing and photogenic monument in the very center of Batz-sur-Mer is the ruins of the Notre-Dame-du-Murier chapel. Its history is directly linked to dramatic events from the 15th century; the structure was erected in 1496 as a votive offering after the local population was saved from a terrible plague ravaging the peninsula. According to legend, the patroness of gratitude became the Virgin Mary, who appeared by a mulberry bush (fr. mûrier), indicating the spot for the construction of the temple. The Gothic chapel served the residents for the following centuries, but its tragic fate was sealed by the turbulent events of the French Revolution at the end of the 18th century. In 1793, due to anti-clerical riots and the vandalism of church property, the chapel was abandoned, looted, and repurposed for military and storage use. In 1819, a powerful, violent Atlantic storm of hurricane strength tore away the already structurally weakened wooden roof truss, and the demolition ordered by local authorities led to the roof collapsing into the nave.

"Along the way, you pass photogenic viewpoints, such as the famous rock crevice Grotte des Korrigans, associated with local Breton legends about gnomes. The fresh sea breeze, the smell of iodine, and the constant roar of foamy water make cycling on this stretch an exhilarating experience. It is undeniably the most photographic and wild part of the entire route, combining the comfort of riding with the proximity to untamed nature."

The charming port in Le Pouliguen serves as a natural boundary and passage between the elegant bay of La Baule and the rugged Wild Coast. A picturesque canal, Étier du Pouliguen, flows through the heart of the town, connecting the ocean with the historic salt marshes inland. Today’s port was once a key transshipment point for boats transporting the famous sea salt and freshly caught fish. Crossing the distinctive little bridge allows you to feel the traditional Breton atmosphere, so different from the large resorts. Along the lively Promenade Sténio Vincent, both modern yachts and wooden traditional fishing boats sway. It’s the perfect place for a short stop on your trip; it’s worth slowing down and popping into one of the local ice cream parlors or creperies right by the waterfront. Right next to the port stretches the charming forest park Bois de la Nau, providing wonderful shade on a hot afternoon.

Here is the complete practical information about renting bicycles from RENT La Baule, located at 23 Avenue Georges Clemenceau:

The rental shop offers half-day rentals for four hours, full-day rentals and multi-day rentals.

Beach Cruiser bicycle — classic, non-electric

Half day, four hours: approximately €12–€15
Full day: approximately €18–€22
Weekend or two days: approximately €32–€35

Child trailer — Remorque enfant / Chariot

Half day, four hours: approximately €10–€12
Full day: approximately €15–€18. The trailers can accommodate two children and are equipped with safety harnesses and protection from rain and wind.

Security deposit — Dépôt de garantie

Before handing over the equipment, the rental shop requires a refundable security deposit. The easiest option is a pre-authorisation on a payment card. The amount is temporarily blocked and released after the equipment has been returned undamaged.

Security deposit for a traditional bicycle or Beach Cruiser: approximately €200–€300 per bicycle.
Security deposit for a child trailer: approximately €150–€200.
Required document: a valid ID card or passport belonging to the person renting the equipment.

RENT La Baule opening hours

During the peak summer season, in July and August, the rental shop at 23 Avenue Georges Clemenceau usually operates according to the following schedule:

Monday to Sunday, seven days a week: 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.

The shop may be closed for lunch between 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m., so it is best to collect your equipment in the morning or shortly after 2:00 p.m.

What is included in the rental price?

Children’s helmets. In France, wearing a helmet is compulsory for children under the age of 12. Children’s helmets are included in the rental price.
Bicycle lock — Anti-vol, A sturdy bicycle lock is included. This is particularly useful when leaving the bicycles near the entrance to the church in Batz-sur-Mer or beside Plage Valentin.
Reflective vests and bicycle pump: These can usually be provided free of charge upon request.

Practical Information

Time for the entire trip: When booking bikes for half a day (approx. 4–5 hours), you can leisurely ride the entire route back and forth, explore Batz-sur-Mer, and spend at least two hours relaxing on the beach by the yellow houses.
Safety: Almost the entire route runs on separate bike paths or pedestrian-bicycle paths away from vehicle traffic.

Returning to La Baule along the same scenic route by the ocean is a great opportunity to see the cliffs of Côte Sauvage in a different, afternoon light. Once we arrive at the rental shop, we can quickly return the bikes.

Fine, soft sand, a safe, sheltered waterway from the strongest waves, and a gentle descent into the sea create the perfect conditions for:

Building monumental sandcastles and searching for small seashells.
Resting on a blanket, family picnics, and sunbathing.
A mandatory break for crunchy Breton galette with cheese and ham, along with artisanal ice cream from nearby café stalls.

The residents decided not to rebuild the destroyed roofing, which is why the structure has survived to this day in an incredible, romantic form of roofless, sky-open walls with soaring, intricately carved Gothic arches.

The historical heart of the village is the monumental 15th-centurySaint-Guénolé Church(Église Saint-Guénolé), built on the ruins of an earlier Romanesque structure from the 9th century. The temple is adorned with a powerful 56-meter bell tower, constructed in the flamboyant Gothic style, which for centuries served not only a religious function but also as a crucial navigational point (amer) for sailors and fishermen returning from the turbulent ocean. Climbing over 180 winding stone steps to the bell tower's viewpoint rewards visitors with a stunning panorama of the entire checkerboard of salt marshes, the reddish roofs of the village, the Croisic peninsula, and the endless blue expanse of the Atlantic.

Entering Batz-sur-Mer, you immediately feel a change in climate; the modern resort gives way to a traditional Breton settlement with an incredibly rich history. The town is located on a narrow strip of land suspended between the open ocean and the gigantic salt marshes (marais salants) of the Guérande peninsula. For centuries, the local inhabitants, known as paludiers, lived in rhythm with the sun, wind, and sea tides, harvesting valuable “white gold” from the shallow evaporation pools—the world-famous salt from Guérande. This salt was so valuable that it drove the local economy and was a source of wealth for local feudal and ecclesiastical claims.

The first steps to the local tourist information point (Office de Tourisme) in Batz-sur-Mer are a hit! The point is located in the heart of the town (right next to the ruins of the Notre-Dame-du-Murier chapel and the Saint-Guénolé church).

There, you can buy tickets for the 56-meter bell tower of the Saint-Guénolé church and receive free, detailed maps of cycling routes through the salt marshes. The staff will also provide the current schedule of ocean tides for the day, allowing you to plan the perfect time for sunbathing at the famous yellow houses on Plage Valentin. This way, you will gain a complete set of practical information in one place before heading out to further explore the village.

The sunny shores of the Atlantic, the gentle sound of ocean waves, the refreshing breeze, and the scent of sea salt make southern Brittany the perfect destination for a leisurely family bike ride combined with carefree beach time. The route from the elegant resortLa Bauleto the charming BretonBatz-sur-Meris a stress-free, flat, and breathtakingly scenic option for an ideal day.

04 August 2026

From La Baule to Batz-sur-Mer: A family classic on two wheels, wild cliffs, and yellow beach houses

Start in the heart of La Baule: RENT bike rental

Our cycling day begins in the very center of the city, at the rental RENT La Baule located at 23 Avenue Georges Clemenceau. The place is perfectly set up for family challenges, with a rich fleet offering classic trekking bikes, comfortable city cruisers, but above all, electric bikes and beach cruisers.

The selection of beach cruisers with a child trailer in La Baule is a fantastic, classic choice for this route! These types of bikes have wide, soft tires, comfortable sofa-like seats, and an upright riding position, which fits perfectly with the leisurely, beach atmosphere. And the trailer attached to the cruiser gives the kids plenty of fun, shields them from the wind, and allows for a comfortable nap while riding.

After fitting our helmets and packing the picnic gear, we set off on a route that is about 10–12 kilometers one way. The seaside promenade in La Baule stretches along a 9-kilometer bay considered one of the most beautiful in the world, offering a perfectly flat and separated bike path. This place was established in the 19th century after stabilizing the sandy dunes by planting a pine forest, which had previously buried the former village of Escoublac. The arrival of the railway line in 1879 transformed the coastal wasteland into a prestigious garden city for the Parisian elite and aristocracy. Today, elegant neo-Gothic and Art Nouveau villas and luxury establishments, such as Hôtel Hermitage and the classic casino, remind us of the golden era of Belle Époque. During the ride, the rhythm of the trip is dictated by the powerful ocean tides, which reveal vast sandy expanses during low tide, used among other things for horseback riding. This is an exceptionally scenic and open introduction to the further journey, allowing one to fully feel the marine space before entering the rocks of the Wild Coast.

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