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.
© Aurélie Stapf - CRTPC
© CRTPC / VP
©Jebulon/Wikimedia Commons
© Aurélie Stapf - CRTPC
© S. Cousin - CRTPC
@Pline/Wikimedia Commons
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:
Leisure La Rochelle, Ile de Ré Loop 54km 102m 
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
Cross the Loix salt marshes and see the oyster beds at low tide
From LA ROCHELLE to ROCHEFORT 50km 123m
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.
From ROCHEFORT to ILE D’OLERON 45km 61m
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!
- For a few more km 52km 114m
You leave Rochefort along the Charente.
OLERON, OLERON ISLAND LOOP 40km 63m
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
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.
From ILE D’OLERON to ROYAN 65km 146m
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.
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.
Starting from 735€/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 810€/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
- Jour 1 : Welcome meeting
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
- 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
- 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.
EbikeSupplied equipment per bike – 2 VAUDE waterproof rear bags of 28L each, |  |
Touring bikedurable, comfortable, light, with a suspension fork, they are suitable for roaming. Supplied equipment per bike – 2 VAUDE waterproof rear bags of 28L each, |  |
Children's trailer |  |
Children bike |  |
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
* 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
- Trekking or hybrid bike
- 21 to 30 speeds
- 26 or 28 inch (700) wheels
Clothing and equipment
- Helmet (included with the rental)
- Clothing suitable for cycling
- Warm jacket (eg fleece)
- Rain proof jacket
- 1 pair of sunglasses
- 1 pair of cycling shoes
- 1 small backpack or panniers
- 1 or 2 water flasks (included with the rental)
- 1 lock (included with the rental)
- Our reccomendation for optimal comfort:
- 1 pair of gloves
- 1 special pair of pants (shammy leather)
- 1 night see fluorescent vest
Bike maintenance
- Emergency repair kit: 2 or 3 tubes, patches, pump, tire levers, multi-tools
- Daily use kit: cloth, brake pads, oil
Other
- Suitcase for transporting personal effects in luggage transfers (limited to one per person)
- Change of clothes for the evening
- Warm jacket for the evenings
- Set of toiletries
- Mobile phone and charger
Duration 7 days and 6 nights
Level Leisure
Departure date From April 1st to September 30th
Destination Atlantic Coast
La Vélodyssée - Eurovelo1
See detailed prices
Personalized service 
Easy , 
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.
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.