Flow vélo, from Angoulême to La Rochelle

From Cognac country to the sea by bike on the Flow Vélo

This new cycle route has become essential for cyclists for its landscapes, its bucolic charm and its historical and cultural heritage. This trip invites you to follow the Charente from Angoulême to reach the seaside at La Rochelle. Along the water you cross towns of art and history such as Cognac and Rochefort in a setting of vines.

Highlights of the stay :

• La Rochelle, Rochefort and Angoulême
• The beach
• the transporter bridge
• Saintes and its Gallo-Roman remains
• the Cognac vineyard
• the island of Aix

Day 1 - Arrival in Angoulême

Arrival in Angoulême and check in at the hotel.
Night in Angoulême in a Hotel **.

Day 2 - From Angoulême to Vibrac - 30 km

From Angoulême, you go to Fléac then to the village of Trois-Palis, where you can visit the Letuffe chocolate factory. This artisanal chocolate factory is the most famous in Charente!
The Charente is winding and the changing landscapes, very good remedy against the monotony, take advantage of the curiosities, admire the vines the mansions crossed the villages which border the river.
Continue your route towards the village of Mosnac, its ten 19th century farms and its 16th century lodgings.

2 km from the center of Châteauneuf-sur-Charente, you can enjoy le bain des Dames beach, located opposite Mattard Island and very close to the cycle route. In Châteauneuf, discover the neoclassical architecture, the old streets with mansions and old storefronts.

Night in Vibrac hotel **.

Day 3 - Vibr to Cognac (or nearby) - 31 km

You are in the heart of the Cognac vineyard, a few false dishes give relief to your day when you arrive in Cognac, but the stage is pleasant. The must-see of this stage is the town of Jarnac, take the time to stroll along the quai de l'Orangerie. Continue along the river to Cognac.
The city is famous around the world for its exceptional spirits. Also discover the old quarter around the Valois castle: the 15th century Lieutenancy house, the Rabayne hotel and the 16th century Javrezac hotel.

Night in Cognac in a hotel ***.

Day 4 - from Cognac to Saintes - 38 km

From Cognac, first follow the Charente before moving away from it a bit and joining Merpins, where the remains of an abbey and a fortified castle remain which controlled the passage to Cognac. The river guides you to Charente Maritime through the countryside dotted with villages and hamlets. Stop off at Chaniers before arriving in Saintes. Discover the remains of the Gallo-Roman period such as the Arch of Germanicus, the amphitheater and the archaeological museum.

Night in Saintes, hotel ***.

   
Day 5 - From Saintes to Rochefort - 60 km

Leaving the capital of santons, the Flow bike crosses a hilly countryside passing through the village of Port d'Envaux and its open-air art space where sculptors from all countries, over the decades, come to continue the work begun. by their predecessors. An unusual and unique concept and place. Then join Crazannes and its castle nicknamed the “castle of the puss in boots”!
Before Saint-Savinien-sur-Charente, the Pierre de Crazannes and its quarries offer a total change of scenery in the heart of lush vegetation to discover. Stop at Saint Savinien, a small town full of character.
The cycle route follows small, uncrowded municipal roads through fields, villages and hamlets to Tonnay-Charente and its astonishing 19 th century suspension bridge.
Arrival in Rochefort which invites you to dive into the great maritime adventure witnessed by the majestic Corderie Royale and the famous frigate Hermione.

Night in Rochefort hotel ***.

Day 6 - from Rochefort to La Rochelle - 55 km

The route continues along the Charente to the transporter bridge built in 1900. Then you walk along the coast and pass through the lively towns of Châtelaillon and Fouras before crossing the Baie d'Yves nature reserve. In Fouras, possibility to cross by ferry to the island of Aix and to visit this small island which was the last retreat of Napoleon 1st.
Your route ends in the port city of La Rochelle, which has many defense monuments, including the towers of the Old Port, guardians of the entrance to the city by sea. Take advantage of the evening to stroll through the old port.

Night at La Rochelle hotel **.

Day 7 - End of the tour

End of the tour after breakfast and return depending on the option chosen or additional night.

General informations :

• 7 days and 6 nights
• Accommodation comfort level: 2 * or 3 * (local standards)
• Child rates: contact us

The dates :

Achievable between April and October 2023:
High season in July and August.

Included :

• Free online tour
• 6 nights in hotels
• 6 breakfasts
• Transfer of luggage between accommodations
• Access to our hiking application Respire Voyages with day by day itineraries
• Assistance in case of breakdown (except flat tire)

Not included :

• Transport to the place of departure
• Personal expenses
• Visits other than those included in the program

The options :

• VTC or VAE rental
• Additional night (s) at the start or end of the tour
• Return transfer to the starting point by train or minibus
• half board (except in Angoulême and Cognac)
• Theft insurance for the rented bike
• cancellation insurance

Levels :

1 2 3 4 5 6

Ground :

Flat terrain.

Weather :

Soft sun, little wind and pleasant temperatures.

Technicality :

Cycling: 25 to 60 km per day or 2 to 5 hours of cycling.
Partly marked itinerary, useful roadbook and map reading.

Bibliography :

- Bike guide on the flow bike

Additional nights :

An additional night is offered to you at the start and end of the tour.

Food :

- Breakfasts: generous (coffee, tea, chocolate, milk, butter, bread, jam, orange juice)
- Lunch: not included
- Dinner: half-board option, dinners in restaurants near the accommodation except in Cognac.

The bike :

- Rental bicycle: If you rent a bicycle, it will be given to you on the day of your arrival at the 1st hotel. A security deposit will be requested.
At the end of the tour, you will have to leave this bike at the last hotel and notify reception. We will take care of his return.
We offer specific equipment for children, seats, small hitched bikes and trailers.

- Personal bike: We do not recommend bikes with small tires. Hybrid bikes and mountain bikes are excellent. Remember to check your bicycle before setting off.
At the end of the tour, you will need to take care of your own bicycle.

Assistance :

- Assistance in the event of breakdown (except punctures for which we do not intervene)
- In case of bad weather or if you cannot ride a bike for a day, possibility of a direct journey to the next stage.

Returns :

By train: We can book your return by train. In this case, your ticket is in the file given to you upon arrival. You come back with your luggage. If you are traveling with your own bicycle, this train accepts bicycles.

By minibus: We will give you the timetables. We bring you, your luggage and your bikes.

Luggage :

They are transported by a courier or by our team and limited to one piece of luggage by person (max. 20 kg).

Roadbook :

We will provide you with detailed maps and a description of the routes when you arrive at the first hotel. We will also give you vouchers for hotels and restaurants as well as luggage tags.

Transport :

- By train: SNCF TGV to La Rochelle in around 3 hours from Montparnasse station. For more information on timetables, contact SNCF.
- By road: A10 motorway exit 32 or 33. Paris is 460 km from La Rochelle
- By plane: Airports in Poitiers and La Rochelle and international, Nantes or Bordeaux.

Your car :

A parking space is available at the first hotel, payable locally.

Cancellation insurance :

In order to guarantee the reimbursement of costs in the event of cancellation of your stay, you can take out cancellation insurance. To learn more about insurance, click here.