Flow vélo, from Angoulême to Rochefort

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

The Flow Vélo has become an essential cycle route for cyclists who appreciate its landscapes, its bucolic charm and its historical and cultural heritage. This cycling trip invites you to follow the Charente from Angoulême to reach the seaside at Rochefort. Along the water you cross towns of art and history such as Cognac and Rochefort in a setting of vineyards and seaside.

Highlights of the stay:

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

Day 1 - Angoulême

Arrival in Angoulême, explore the city and check in at the hotel.
Night in Angoulême in a Hotel.

Day 2 - from Angoulême to Vibrac - 30 km

Leaving Angoulême, you take the Flow Velo to reach Fléac then the village of Trois-Palis, where you will have the opportunity to visit the Letuffe chocolate factory. This is the most famous artisanal chocolate factory in Charente!
The Charente is winding and the landscapes change often, very good remedy against the monotony, take advantage of the curiosities, admire the vineyards and the mansions while crossing the villages which border the river.
Continue on to the village of Mosnac where you can see the many 19th century farmhouses and 16th century lodges.

Very close to the center of Châteauneuf-sur-Charente, take advantage of the Bain des Dames beach facing Mattard Island and very close to the cycle route. In Châteauneuf, you can admire the neo-classical architecture, the old streets with mansions and the old storefronts.

Night in Châteauneuf or near hotel.

Day 3 - from Vibrac to Cognac - 41 km

You are in the heart of the Cognac vineyard, a few false dishes give relief to your cycling route when you arrive in Cognac, but the stage remains pleasant. The must-see of this day is discovering Jarnac, stroll on the quai de l'Orangerie and stroll through the city. Continue along the river to reach Cognac.
The city is known around the world for its exceptional spirits. Take the time to visit the old quarter around the Château des Valois: 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, follow the Charente before leaving it to reach Merpins, where the remains of an abbey and a fortified castle can still be found which controlled the passage to Cognac. The river takes you to Charente Maritime through the countryside dotted with villages and hamlets. Take a break in Chaniers before arriving in Saintes. Discover the remains of the Gallo-Roman period of the city of Saintes such as the Arch of Germanicus, the amphitheater and the archaeological museum.
Night in Saintes, hotel.

   
Day 5 - from Saintes to Rochefort - 56 km

Leaving the capital of santons, the Flow Vélo crosses rolling countryside and passes through the village of Port d'Envaux and its open-air art space. Here, sculptors from all countries, over the decades, come to continue the work started by their predecessors. An unusual and unique concept and place to discover. You then reach Crazannes and its castle nicknamed the "castle of the puss in boots".
Before Saint-Savinien-sur-Charente, the Pierre de Crazannes and its quarries invite a total change of scenery in the middle of lush green vegetation. Take a break in Saint Savinien, a small town full of character.

The cycle route takes small, uncrowded municipal roads through fields, villages and hamlets to Tonnay-Charente and its astonishing 19 th century suspension bridge.
Arrival in Rochefort where you can see the majestic Corderie Royale and the famous frigate Hermione.

Night in Rochefort hotel.

Day 6 - End of the trip on the Flow Vélo

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

General informations :

• 6 days and 5 nights
• Accommodation comfort standard version : 2* to 3 * (local standards)
• Accomodation comfort version : 3 to 4*
• Child rates: contact us

The dates :

Achievable between April and October 2024 :
High season in July and August.

Included :

• Self-guided online tour
• Luggages transfert
• Roadbook with app
• Assistance in case of breakdown (except puncture)

Not included :

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

The options :

• VTC or VAE rental
• 3 dinners, no half-board in Angoulême and Cognac
• Additional night (s) at the start or end of the tour
• Return transfer to the starting point by train or minibus
• roadbook print version
• 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 :

You'll receive travel documents with practical information before your departure by post, as well as access to our hiking application by e-mail. The documents include hotel and restaurant vouchers and 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.