How about acar-free weekend of iodine, laughter, discovery and a gentle art of living?
That’s the challenge my fellow members of the Blogs à l’Ouest collective and I set ourselves: to (re)discover the Côte d’Amour, from La Baule to Le Croisic, via Le Pouliguen and Guérande, with a focus on soft mobility and local encounters.
And believe me, I loved those two days! You don’t realize just how much you can slow down, observe, feel and enjoy things better by using low-carbon modes of transport such as trains and bicycles. That’s why I’d like to share my experience with you , along with some tips and good addresses for making the most of the Côte d’Amour.
Taste, heritage and laughter: the perfect combo for this first day!
Right from the start, the tone is set: slow travel.
With Sylvain, a friend and local blogger known as Ma Vie en Loire-Atlantique, we decided to take the train from Nantes to Le Pouliguen. No traffic jams, no stress at the wheel, just an hour-long train ride to the coast. When we arrive at the station, it’s time toget on our electric bikes!
At the station, Ty Vélo is waiting for us withelectric-assist bikes, a real pleasure for effortless pedaling along the coast. Ty Vélo offers a wide range of bikes, from the classic to the electric model, as well as all the equipment you need to enjoy the coast to the full: helmets, baskets, child seats, trailers… Even though it’s located in Le Croisic, the team is really accommodating: they can deliver the bikes directly to Le Pouliguen station or to the location of your choice, which makes the experience even simpler and more enjoyable. Just hop on and go! Their service is available all year round, perfect for an off-season getaway like this.
What I love about cycling is the immediate feeling of freedom. It’s a gentle way to explore, as good for your health as it is for your mind. With electric assistance, the short climbs go by themselves, so you can enjoy the scenery without getting tired. A real invitation to take your time and enjoy the coast in a different way.
Tea workshop at Noisettes & Bergamote: introduction to Matcha tea
We put our bikes down near the church in Le Pouliguen for our first stop, at the charming Noisettes & Bergamote tea room, for a tea workshop as part of theSaveurs d’Octobre event, organized each year by the La Baule – Presqu’île de Guérande Tourist Office.
I knew about the place, as it’s one of the few addresses offering a delicious brunch on the coast. The place has been around since 2018. Previously known as Partages d’Instants thés, it was taken over in early 2022 by Mickaël, the founders’ cousin and nephew. Here, you can enjoy tasty home-made treats and discover a wide selection of teas and other delicatessen products.
It’s with him that we learn the secrets of tea, the correct infusion temperature, the difference between the great families of teas, and discover the ceremony of Matcha, this exceptional Japanese green tea, prepared according to tradition.
A cocooning moment, perfect for an autumn weekend, where everything invites you to slow down and enjoy.
Gourmet break in Guérande and discover the secrets of the medieval city
After this stop, it’s time to get back on the handlebars. We headed for the heart of Guérande’s ramparts for the rest of our day. Before embarking on a more cultural activity, we take our second break at Goût’thé, a beautiful address with afriendly atmosphere, ideal for regaining strength with friends.
Like the first address, it’s a cosy little cocoon where you can let yourself be enveloped by the scent of brewing tea and the creak of old wooden floors. In winter, you can slip in next to the fireplace with a book or a conversation in hand. In summer, settle into the shade of the lime tree, in this secret garden atmosphere where time seems suspended.
The à la carte menu offers a simple, yet delicious, seasonal lunch menu, as well as a fine selection of carefully chosen hot and cold drinks and homemade pastries. Before you leave, you’ll want to take a look at the boutique: pretty teapots, mugs that make you want to take care of your mornings, colorful puzzles and alpaca plaids too soft to resist.
Then it was time for a visit to the Breton city, a 1h30 guided tour of the ramparts, punctuated by historical anecdotes about this medieval town of unspoiled charm. I really enjoyed it, because even though we live in the region, we know very little about the history of the local heritage. I was amazed to discover, for example, that the Bretons used to protect themselves… from the French!
After this enriching moment, we continue on our way for another walk and discovery of living heritage.
Immersion in the heart of Guerande’s white gold
It’s impossible to come to Guérande without immersing yourself in the fascinating world of salt marshes.
We were lucky enough to meet Émilie Desmars, a passionate salt worker, who shared with us her know-how and passion for this ancestral profession. Born into a family of salt workers since 1780, Émilie has chosen to breathe new life into the art of salt-making. This former saleswoman has traded in her files for the marshes.
She welcomes you with simplicity and enthusiasm, and opens the family saltworks to you. For nearly an hour, she’ll tell you her story, showing you the precise gestures that make all the difference when harvesting fine fleur de sel and generous coarse grey Guérande salt. During the visit, you’ll learn how the ” white gold” is harvested , using traditional tools: the lousse for the fleur de sel, the las for the coarse salt, and where the importance of rain, sun or wind is measured.
Today, its high-quality salt is used by the region’s top chefs and gourmets. At the end of your visit, you’ll have the opportunity to stop by the boutique and take home one of the packets of this precious taste of the sea.
So, if you’re just passing through or looking for an authentic experience on the Côte d’Amour, I highly recommend that you make this part of your getaway. Under the golden sun, between the reflections of the carnations and the cry of the seagulls, it’s easy to understand the deep connection between nature, patience and craftsmanship.
A night in La Baule with Home exchange
At the end of the day, we headed for La Baule to put our bags down in a pretty house in the Baule region, found thanks to HomeExchange, of which Sylvain and I are ambassadors.
It’s always a unique experience: sleeping “as if at home” elsewhere, exchanging more than just a meal. housing, a way of life, a more responsible way of traveling.
An evening of laughter at the La Baule Comedy Club
In the evening, it’s time to relax and laugh at the La Baule Comedy Club. This stand-up venue opened in July 2025 in the heart of downtown La Baule.in the heart of downtown La Baule10 avenue Georges Clemenceau.
This comedy club is ahe comedy club is a hybrid space, part stand-up venue, part bar, designed to bring together all generations to share entertainment. We come here to laugh, drink, dance, eat and have fun!
Over the course of the evening, four comedians, some more professional than others, took to the stage for around an hour. Each with his or her own style, jokes and energy, for a unique, 100% laugh-out-loud experience!
Personally, it’s the kind of place I love to go to after a good meal. In Nantes, I often go to the Micro Comedy Club, or the Smile Comedy Club to have a hilarious time.
Sunday in Le Croisic
The next morning, after a lie-in, we enjoy brunch with friends. Tip: don’t hesitate to drop by the La Baule market to find good products for your home-made brunches.
Back on the bikes, we follow the soft mobility paths along the coast towards Le Croisic. The landscape unfolds: pines, villas, beaches and sea spray, the wild coastline we love. Along the way, Sylvain invites me to put the bike down and discover an unusual place: the grotte des Korrigans. It’s funny, because there are many legends behind this natural landscape. The most famous of these claims is that an underground passage links the cave to the medieval town of Guérande, 7.5 km away. A korrigan even lured the unwary into his secret kingdom. In reality, the cave is only a few dozen meters long… But you’ve got to admit, it’s more fun toimagine a korrigan guarding a secret passage!
A weekend that ends in style with… an escape game outdoor !
On arrival in Le Croisic, we return the bikes to Ty Vélo. We meet up with the rest of the team for lunch and our last activity. We chose to try out the new outdoor adventure offered by Les Secrets. Passionate about indoor and outdoor escapades, we’ve already had the opportunity to take up this company’s challenge in other cities, and we loved the scenarios and accessories on offer.
Map and clues in hand, we criss-crossed the city in search of answers, plunging into a time-travelling intrigue. Between observation, reflection and cohesion, each step brought us closer to the solution… and to victory. And the verdict? We matched tied for the best time with another group! A nice dose of pride and complicity to conclude this stay on a playful and memorable note.
If you like puzzle games, discovery and team spirit, Les Secrets promises a unique, screen-free adventure in the heart of the local heritage.in the heart of local heritage. An expan experience not to be missed!
Well folks, I hope I’ve inspired you to plan a weekend with friends on the Côte d’Amour and take advantage of this slow travel format. Don’t hesitate to share in comments the places you like too, it will be a pleasure to read you.
See you soon!
