La Velodyssée - From La Rochelle to Royan

A beautiful bike tour of 7 days through the Charente Maritime and the beautiful Ile de Ré and Ile d'Oleron.

Highlights

La Rochelle, a true open-air museum
Rochefort and the Royal Ropery
The charm of the Ile de Ré and the Ile d'Oléron traveled by bike
The oysters of Marennes
The bike paths of the Vélodyssée, a fully marked route
The beaches of the Atlantic Ocean

La Vélodyssée, coasting on the Charentes!

A beautiful bike tour of 7 days through the Charente Maritime and the beautiful Ile de Ré and Ile d'Oleron.

As a family, a couple, between friends or solo, we invite you through this stay to discover all facets of the Charentes. From the Ile de Ré to the Ile d’Oleron. From the history of La Rochelle to that of Rochefort, Belle Epoque villas of Chatelaillon-Plage to the 50’s architecture of Royan, Marennes oyster beds in the Seudre marshes … you will see it all!

Your cycling routes along the Atlantic coast will take you through a mosaic of unspoilt natural areas and charming cities. Since they use a lot of Vélodyssée greenways, you will travel in peace!

Get a sneak peak of La Vélodyssée:

Séjour à vélo - De La Rochelle à Royan
Niveau LeisureLeisure
Day 1

LA ROCHELLE

Arrive on your own to La Rochelle and check-in at your hotel. Enjoy your evening to discover this city anchored on the Atlantic coast. La Rochelle is experienced and discovered through its various ports and its rich and preserved heritage.

Meeting with our local guide

Before your first ride, we invite you to meet one of our guides, at your place of departure. A time of exchange, a privileged moment to give you our last practical tips, must-see places and experiences, to answer all your questions, take care of your bike fitting to begin your trip.

Day 2

La Rochelle, Ile de Ré Loop 54km 102m Niveau Loisir

A day on the island of Ré. More than 120km of bikepaths make this island a paradise for cycling. Beautiful beaches await you, but also some of the most beautiful villages in France.

  • For a few more km 66km 156m Niveau Forme

    Cross the Loix salt marshes and see the oyster beds at low tide

Day 3

From LA ROCHELLE to ROCHEFORT 50km 123m Niveau Loisir

After a first part on the coast, the route continues inland up until Rochefort. You arrive on a city of the seventeenth century entirely turned towards the sea. Rochefort benefits from a remarkable architectural heritage with the famous royal ropery, entirely restored. It is from this city in April 2015 that the Hermione sailed, a reconstitution of the frigate of La Fayette to join the American Revolution in 1780.

Day 4

From ROCHEFORT to SAINT-PIERRE-D’OLERON 58km 91m Niveau Loisir

You follow on the channel of the Charente. In Marennes, follow the direction to Oléron to take the bridge that passes over the sea. You reach a tourist rich island in the summer but it reveals more of its secrets if you venture on the small roads and paths that we recommend !

You reach the transporter bridge. An original experience to cross the river is to sit on this “suspension bridge”. Built in 1900, it works like a ferry, but literally suspended over the water, pulled by cables to cross from one bank to the other. There are only 7 left in the world!

Tickets not included, to be purchased on site. The bridge is closed between 12.30pm and 2pm.

  • For a few more km 66km 141m Niveau Forme

    You leave Rochefort along the Charente.

Day 5

SAINT-PIERRE-D’OLERON, BOUCLE DE L’ILE D’OLERON 40km 63m Niveau Loisir

After a first part of the itinerary along the west coast of the island you reach Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron and the Forêt des Saumonards, a fantastic pine forest on the east coast of the island of Oléron, overlooking the island of Aix and Fort Boyard. You then cross the oyster beds and walk along the beaches to the Château d’Oléron and its citadel, which Richelieu ordered to be built in 1630 on the remains of the old medieval castle.

  • For a few more km 50km 86m Niveau Forme

    This variant takes you a little further north on the Ile d’Oléron, to the Port du Douhet and then the Forêt des Saumonards, a fantastic coastal pine forest overlooking the Ile d’Aix and Fort Boyard.

Day 6

From SAINT-PIERRE-D’OLERON to ROYAN 75km 169m Niveau Forme

You leave the island early in the morning to continue your descent to the south. You cross the river of La Seudre. The landscape then changes. The forest takes more space and allows you to ride in the shelter of pines and holm oaks. You go to Palmyra known in France for its big zoo. Then, still along the coast, you glimpse the Gironde estuary and Royan where you will enjoy a night on the port.

Day 7

ROYAN

End of stay in Royan after your breakfast.

Essential Range

You want to enjoy your itinerary without anything fancy. Our ”essential” range offers a simple accommodation for a good night’s rest in a simple hotel, guesthouse, rest house or hostel.

Accommodation example
Hôtel Roca Fortis

Starting from 850€/participant in Self Guided option | See detailed prices

Comfort Range

Our quality standard at Abicyclette. This type of accommodation includes 2 and 3 stars hotels. Depending on the itinerary, you might spend some nights in approved guesthouses. You enjoy a double bedroom with private bathroom and toilet and adapted welcome for you and your bikes.

Accommodation example
Hôtel François 1er Hôtel Roca Fortis Family Golf Hôtel

Starting from 870€/participant in Self Guided option | See detailed prices

Privilege Range

Opt for total comfort in charming 3 and 4 star hotels which offer all the services you need and a special welcome for you and your bikes.


Quote on request | Contact us

Price includes

  • Accommodation: 6 nights in a Double room
  • 6 breakfasts
  • Luggage transfer
  • Phone assistance 24/7
  • Access to our exclusive travel application to follow your route, inform you about places of interest, restaurants, facilitate your assistance in case of emergency, find all your travel documents and our practical advice.
  • Application fee
  • Taxes
  • The itinerary trackable on the following supports:
    • Loan of a Bicycle GPS uploaded with full itinerary of the trip
    • Topo maps
    • Cycling practical guide including restaurant recommendations for lunch & dinner
  • Additional services included:
    • Day 1 : A personalized greeting with our team at the beginning of the trip to receive your travel documents
  • Price does not include

    • bike rental (see option)
    • Breakfast on day 1
    • Lunches
    • Dinners not included in "Price includes"
    • Taxes
    • The itinerary trackable on the following supports:
      • Loan of a Bicycle GPS uploaded with full itinerary of the trip
      • Topo maps
      • Cycling practical guide including restaurant recommendations for lunch & dinner

    Homemade and fully tested itineraries
    • Routes selected for their cycling and touristic interest entirely tested and away from traffic
    • Accomodations selected for their hospitality, atmosphere, services and quality meals
    • A flexible organisation to suit you needs and wishes: You choose the date you want to you leave on! We check the availability of each accomodation to make sure it is possible.

    Close assistance
    • One of our guides greets you by phone on your first day. He present you all the needed documents for the trip (hotel vouchers, maps of the area,GPS, practical guide)
    • Phone assistance, you can reach the Abicyclette team whenever you need
    • A Luggage transfer service from 09:00 am and with a delivery before 06:00 pm. (one lugage and one bagback per person maximum)

    Follow your itinerary anyway you like – modern, practical, traditional

    GPS for cycling trips

    • We loan you a GPS so that you can easily follow your itinerary without having to look for your way around (bike support included)
    • A practical cycling guide with all the useful information (addresses, highlights for the day, topo maps, and touristic information)

     


    You can also

     

    On our guided tours (for groups on demand), we accompany you every step of the way
    • One of our state qualified instructor and professional cycling guide accompanies you every step of the way
    • Full board (all meals covered unless asked otherwise)
    • A picnic buffet set up for lunch with a wide choice of fresh and local produce

    We offer a high-end bike rental service. Our bikes are suited for road and gravel road long-distance cycling. Fully equipped and highly reliable, they are faithful travel companions.


    Ebike

    Supplied equipment per bike

    – 2 VAUDE waterproof rear bags of 28L each,
    – 1 6L VAUDE handlebar bag with card holder,
    – 1 helmet
    – 1 lock
    – 1 pump
    – 1 repair kit with puncture-proof bomb

    La gamme Électrique de Voyage France Vélo

    Touring bike

    durable, comfortable, light, with a suspension fork, they are suitable for roaming.

    Supplied equipment per bike

    – 2 VAUDE waterproof rear bags of 28L each,
    – 1 6L VAUDE handlebar bag with card holder,
    – 1 helmet
    – 1 lock
    – 1 pump
    – 1 repair kit with puncture-proof bomb

    La gamme supérieur de Voyage France Vélo

    Children's trailer

    Children bike

    La gamme vélo junior de chez France Voyage vélo

    Getting here

    Departure city : LA ROCHELLE

    Coming by car

    • at 4h45 from PARIS
    • at 2h from BORDEAUX
    • at 6h from LYON

    Parking*

    • Parking gare de La Rochelle – EFFIA – LA ROCHELLE
    • Esplanade des Parcs – LA ROCHELLE

    Coming by train

    • La Rochelle train station - 3h15 from Paris

    Coming by plane

    • La Rochelle airport

    Arrival city : ROYAN

    Coming by car

    • at 5h from PARIS
    • at 1h45 from BORDEAUX
    • at 6h from LYON

    Coming by train

    • Royan train station - 4h30 from Paris
    • Bordeaux train station - 2h30 from Paris

    Coming by plane

    • Bordeaux airport
    • La Rochelle airport

    *Parking: Since many of our clients travel by train or plane, we do not include parking in our packages. In addition, many accommodations don’t have the capacity to park a vehicle for the duration of your cycling vacation. So if you’re planning to arrive by car, we suggest you check parking options when you make your reservation. If you reserve a parking space at the first or last accommodation of your stay, you must pay the accommodation provider on site.

    * Abicyclette Voyages accompanies you on demand, including transportation solutions.

    How to get back to the starting point

    • By train from Royan to La Rochelle in 1h30
    • Return by car in 1h15 to your starting point
    • Private shuttle: see detailed fares or contact us

    Recommended equipment

    Bike

    • Hybrid Bike or Touring Bike or Gravel Bike
    • 18 to 30-speed transmission
    • 26- to 29-inch wheels
    • Tires: 35 to 42 section, reinforced against punctures
    • Disc brakes recommended
    • 2 bottle cages
    • Bell
    • Front and rear lighting

    Clothing and equipment

    • Helmet (supplied with bike rental unless otherwise specified locally)
    • 1 bike mount for smartphone to use the mobile route planner application
    • Suitable cycling clothing:
      • bib, shorts or tights: elastic and breathable, to facilitate movement and wick away perspiration
      • Breathable T-shirts, synthetic or merino wool
      • Breathable windbreaker
    • Thermal or fleece jacket
    • Waterproof jacket
    • 1 pair of sunglasses
    • 1 pair of cycling shoes
    • 1 backpack or 1 or 2 carrier bags
    • 1 or 2 water bottles (supplied with bike rental in France)
    • 1 lock (supplied with bike rental)
    • Technical details, recommended by the team for optimum comfort:
      • 1 pair of gloves or mittens, depending on season and destination
      • Padded bib (chamois)
      • High-visibility vest or fluorescent belt
      • Neck warmer and cap

    Bike maintenance

    • Emergency repair kit: 2 or 3 inner tubes, patches, pump, tire levers, multi-tools
    • Maintenance kit: rag, oil, brake pads

    Other

    • A suitcase for your belongings carried in the vehicle (limited to one per person)
    • Street clothes
    • 1 pair of evening shoes
    • Fleece jacket for the evening
    • Toiletry bag
    • Telephone and charger

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