Bicycle tour, 6 days and 5 nights

 

 

Dates - Departure from Arçais, everyday - Feasible from April 7rd  to October 21rd 2012     Options - Diners (half-board) - Bike rental (Hybrid or electrical bike) - Extra night at the beginning and the end of the tour - Transfer : Niort train station /  Accommodation

General information - On-line tour - B&B tour - Road Book provided - 1h boat guided excursion included - Visits not included - Assistance     Details below

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Levels  :

1 2 3 4 5 6

Terrain :
Flatland. 80% of cycle paths and low rolling resistance roads. The tours are off main roads, in the heart of the marsh.

Climate
Gentle sun, little wind and comfortable temperatures

Technical nature :
15 to 35 km per day ie 1h30 to 4 hours riding

The stage between Maillezais and La Rochelle (58km) can be divided with a transfer to Marans.

Itinerary slightly marked out, road book and map reading necessary for some stages.

 

Bibliography :

- Cycling maps and guidebooks in Marais Poitevin on cartovelo.com

- Balades natures dans le Marais Poitevin, Editions Dakota

- Retour aux sources, Editions Vent du Large

- Le Marais Poitevin de Niort à l'Océan... sous un cerf-volant.

Accommodation Standard :
Hotel**  or Bed and Breakfast with toilet and bathroom in the room

Extra nights :
Two additional nights are available at the beginning and at the end of the tour.

Food :
- Rich breakfast (coffee, tea, chocolate, milk, bread, butter, jam, orange juice)
- Lunch : not included
- Dinner :  optional half board, diners in restaurants nearby the accommodation.

 

The bike :

- Bike rental : If you rent a bike (see our bikes) you will get it when arriving. We will ask you to leave a deposit. At the end of the tour, you will have to leave the bike at the last hotel and inform the reception. We will take care of it. 

We can provide you specific equipments for kids such as seats, little bikes hitched and trailers

 

- Own bike : If you travel with your own bike,  we advice against bikes with small tires. Hybrids and Mountain bikes are excellent. Remember to check your bicycle before the tour. At the end of the tour, you will be in charge of your bike.

Assistance :

- For the bike in case of breakdown (except for punctures)
- In case of inclement weather or if you cannot cycle one day, possible transfer to the next stage.

 

Return, 2 possibilities :

By train : We can book your train ticket. In that case,  the tickets will be in your road book. You will come back  with your luggage. If you travel with your own bike, this train accepts bikes.

By minibus : You will give you the time schedule. We will take care of the luggage and the bikes.

 

Luggage :

We assume its transportation. Limited to one luggage per person (20 kg max).

Road Book :
You will get detailed maps and description of the routes when arriving at the first hotel. You will also get vouchers for the hotels and restaurants as well as tags for your luggage. 

Transportation : Location

- By train : SNCF TGV to Niort, 2h30 from Paris (Montparnasse train station) To get more information on the time schedules, please contact SNCF on www.sncf.fr

- By car : A10 Exit 32 or 33 following Marais Poitevin signs. Paris is 400km far from Niort.

- By plane : Poitiers and La Rochelle airports. Nantes and Bordeaux international airports.

Your vehicle :
A outdoor unsupervised parking lot is available (free)

For more information, please contact us  : contact