The Velo Francette - from Saumur to La Rochelle
From the Loire Valley to the ocean
©Pascal BELTRAMI - LA VELO FRANCETTE®
Highlights
A secure route mostly on reserved landes
Saumur and its magnificent castle
Thouars and the castle of the Dukes of Trémolile
Marans, the green Venice, and the Marais Poitevin
The city of La Rochelle and its old port
La Vélo Francette from Saumur to la Rochelle
8 days between the Loire and the Atlantic, to discover the path of the Vélo Francette...
Awarded the best cycling route in 2018, the Vélo Francette is an adventure off the beaten path to discover unknown, wild and bucolic lands. With an exceptionally dense network of greenways, this stretch of the Vélo Francette allows you to discover the regions of Poitou and Charente.
In six stages, you link Saumur, on the banks of the Loire to the city of La Rochelle facing the Atlantic Ocean. Saumur stands out with its admirable medieval castle, overhanging the Loire and the charming city center of Saumur, until you reach La Rochelle, where you discover relatively unknown towns and villages that are not without charm. Thouars, Parthenay or Niort are worth a visit for their well-preserved heritage. Finally, at the end of your trip, the arrival on La Rochelle is a real treat. Take the time to stroll along the old port, gaze at the towers of Saint Nicolas and the Chain that have guarded the entrance of the latter for over 600 years and stroll through the winding streets of the old town.
During your escape on the Vélo Francette, you also discover natural landscapes that make up the route’s charm. From the banks of the Loire to the waves of the Atlantic Ocean, the Vélo Francette is intimately linked to water as both rivers and wetlands are ubiquitous throughout the journey. From meander to meander, the Thouet then Sèvre Niortaise pace your pedaling. But above all, the discovery of the Marais Poitevin Regional Park offers a range of green and refreshing landscapes, among the most beautiful of the journey. Nicknamed the Green Venice because of its large number of rivers and canals, this region allows you to cross many wetlands and picturesque villages like Coulon, Arçais and Marans.
Away from the tourist motorways, on the tracks and the cross roads, lies another France of unsuspected charm. From one village to another, along the rivers or through the meadows, the Vélo Francette allows you to discover it …
Leisure From SAUMUR to THOUARS 48km 188m 
You leave Saumur via a beautiful green path along the Thouet. Then, the Vélo Francette follows rural paths and small roads. Very bucolic! Through villages, fields and vineyards of Saumur, the stage ends at the foot of the last fortified city of Anjou, Montreuil-Bellay, labeled Most Beautiful Detours of France and Small City of Character. From Montreuil-Bellay, after a descent to reach the Thouet, head to Thouars. The bike route stretches peacefully along the river. The Ballastière pond is a nice stop before continuing towards Taizon where the crossing of the old bridge was formerly subjected to the tithe. But already Thouars is emerging on the horizon…
From THOUARS to AIRVAULT 30km 266m
Between Thouars and Airvault, the stage is short but a bit hilly. Untamed, it alternates between small shared roads and portions in reserved lanes including a beautiful greenway in the Soulièvres Park.
From AIRVAULT to PARTHENAY 37km 348m
Very pleasant stage on small roads, Airvault sets the tone with its abbey, halls and underground fountain. The castle and the island town of St-Loup-sur-Thouet will surprise you. The lake of Cébron provides a beautiful space for relaxation, before approaching by the banks of the Thouet and its railway viaduct, the proud medieval city of Parthenay.
From PARTHENAY to NIORT 55km 536m
The Vélo Francette continues its path towards Niort. The country of Gâtine is characterized by a more marked relief, revealing at each turn magnificent points of view on its unspoilt nature and grove. A stage to savor on small country roads. Champdeniers-Saint-Denis is an amazing stop offering services and a small remarkable heritage. The route arrives on the banks of the Sèvre Niortaise near Ternanteuil. It alternates between small roads and farm tracks, and weaves into a meander before settling on the left bank for the arrival at Niort, at the foot of the dungeons.
From NIORT to ARCAIS 39km 109m
You ride your bike towards the village of Vanneau-Irleau. You then go up the Vélo Francette route towards Coulon, the capital of Green Venice and the strong point of the Marais Poitevin. Stroll on the quays along the Sèvre Niortaise and on the port. Stop at the Maison du Marais to discover the history of the Marais and take advantage of the many piers in the village to offer yourself a peaceful boat trip.
From ARCAIS to LA ROCHELLE 58km 77m
The Sèvre niortaise remains the common thread on this stage, only left twice for the Nouveau Béjou canal and the Pomère canal. The course is punctuated by the ballet of spinning skiffs to the discovery of the wet marsh. The arrival in Marans, by the docks, allows to quickly take in this city living to the rhythm of the water. The route runs along the canal from Marans to the sea before arriving in La Rochelle via the Rompsay canal.
LA ROCHELLE
End of your stay after 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.
Starting from 915€/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.
Starting from 1110€/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: 7 nights in a Double room
- 7 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
- 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"
- Drinks, visits & other personal expenses
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 on your first day. He will hand out all the needed documents for the trip (hotel vouchers, maps of the area,GPS, practical guide), get you settled on your bikes (for rental bikes).
- Phone assistance, you can reach the Abicyclette team 7 days a week
- A Luggage transfer service from 09:00 and with a delivery before 18:00 (one luggage and one bagback per person maximum)
Follow your itinerary anyway you like – modern, practical, traditional
- We loan you a GPS so that you can easily follow your itinerary without having to look for your way around (bike support included)/ Twonav Anima hiking GPS /
- A practical cycling guide with all the useful information (addresses, highlights for the day and touristic information)
- French topo maps of the area (IGN 1/100 000e) to have a global view of your itinerary
You can also
- Rent a high end quality bike for real comfort, cycling pleasure and reliability a long trip requires.
- Suscribe to a Cancelation or Multi Risk insurance policy which cover you in case something unexpected comes up.
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.
EbikeWith an autonomy of almost 120km, cycling has never been so easy! Supplied equipment per bike
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Touring bikeAn upright and easy going position Mixed aluminum frame, telescopic fork. Straight handlebars. Disc brakes. Transmission Shimano 24 to 30 speeds. Supplied equipment per bike
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Trekking bikeA layed out and dynamic position Mixed aluminum frame, telescopic fork. Straight handlebars. Disc brakes. Transmission Shimano 24 to 30 speeds. Supplied equipment per bike
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Children BikeRecommended bike size (to be confirmed when booking) :
Supplied equipment per bike
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Getting here
Departure city : SAUMUR
Coming by car
- at 3h15 from PARIS
- at 3h30 from BORDEAUX
- at 5h from LYON
Parking*
- Parking Notre Dame des Ardilliers – SAUMUR
- Parking du Chardonnet – SAUMUR
- Parking Gare de Saumur – SAUMUR
Coming by train
- Saumur train station - 2h30 from Paris
Coming by plane
- Nantes airport
Arrival city : LA ROCHELLE
Coming by car
- at 4h45 from PARIS
- at 2h from BORDEAUX
- at 6h from LYON
Coming by train
- La Rochelle train station - 3h15 from Paris
Coming by plane
- 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 La Rochelle to Saumur in 3h05
- Return by car in 2h30 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
Duration 8 days and 7 nights
Level Leisure
Departure date From April 1st to October 31st
Destination La Vélo Francette
Loire Valley
See detailed prices
Personalized service 
Easy , 
SAUMUR
Arrival on Saumur, check-in at your hotel and an orientation meeting with our guide at the end of the day. Enjoy the evening to discover the city.
Meeting with our local guide
Before your first ride, meet our local guide at your departure point. This is the perfect time to catch up on the latest practical advice, find out about the addresses and experiences you shouldn’t miss, answer any questions you may have, make the final adjustments to your bike and get your trip off to the best possible start.