New bike path to open by 2026

A new 700-meter bidirectional bike path connecting Rezé to the island of Nantes is scheduled to be accessible before the end-of-year holidays in 2026, according to Nantes Métropole. The project, started in October, aims to create a more direct route between Sarrail, Pirmil, and Mangin.

Route details and purpose

The path will begin at Sarrail Place in Rezé, cross the Sèvre nantaise, use Dos-d'Âne Street, and then cross the Pirmil Bridge over the Loire before reaching Mangin Place on the island of Nantes. This route is intended to connect two important transportation areas in the southern part of Nantes, where cars, trams, buses, and cyclists currently intersect.

Cyclist benefits and project goals

The objective of the project is to allow cyclists to bypass the Pirmil traffic intersections rather than crossing them successively. The new connection will complement the existing north-south bike route. The announced benefit primarily focuses on the continuity of the route and the clarity of crossings, rather than solely the length of the path.

Project timeline and infrastructure

The project was detailed by Nantes Métropole on October 29, following the start of initial modifications during the autumn holidays. The announced opening remains provisional, with finishing touches scheduled for 2027. According to Infos Média Nantes, the new passage will not immediately have all its definitive infrastructure, and cyclists will need to continue to take into account temporary measures and construction site signage in this area undergoing transformation.

Two-phase implementation

An opening is expected by December, with finishing touches planned for spring. The first phase initiated in October consists of marking the path and creating the necessary islands for its operation. The Metropolitan area aims for a service start before the end-of-year holidays in 2026, without announcing a specific date. The new route should therefore not be considered open at the beginning of November.

Future infrastructure and road changes

A second intervention is planned in spring 2027. It is intended to provide the definitive infrastructure, including a light-colored surface. This two-phase implementation will allow the passage to be opened before the end of the year while continuing the transformation of the surrounding roads.

Broader transport reorganization

The works are linked to the reorganization of transport in the southern Loire area. In Rezé, Sarrail Place is already affected by the extension of the Chronobus C9 towards the future Basse-Île exchange hub. The City of Rezé specifies that this operation includes a bus-only lane and a new distribution of general traffic. The construction is part of a broader set of infrastructure improvements for public transport and cycling.

Future bus line and regional changes

On the Mangin side, the transformations are preparing for the arrival of the busway line 8, expected in September 2027. The extension of the C9, future services, and cycling connections should gradually change the connections between Rezé, Pirmil, and the island of Nantes. The deadlines for these various projects remain distinct from that of the 700-meter path.

Bridge modifications and traffic distribution

Another phase is announced at the beginning of 2027 on the Bataillons-FFI bridges, which cross the Sèvre nantaise. Nantes Métropole plans to redistribute usage between the two structures: the west bridge will accommodate the new path and two-way car traffic; the east bridge will retain the tramway tracks, the old bike path, and a bus lane.

Immediate guidance for cyclists

In the immediate term, cyclists crossing Pirmil must follow the actually marked routes during construction. The Metropolitan area announces the opening of the connection before the December holidays, with finishing touches planned for the following spring, at the pace of other interventions on the bridges and places in the southern part of the metropolitan area.