Between Vélodyssée and Flow vélo, from La Rochelle to Cognac

Cycling route between La Rochelle and Cognac

Explore the Cognac vineyards during this exceptional cycling trip
Departing from the seaside in La Rochelle, you join the banks of the Charente to the land of Cognac. This route takes place between the Vélodyssée and Flow Vélo cycle routes, on the Atlantic coast before reaching Cognac country.

Highlights of the stay :

• La Rochelle and the bustling seaside towns
• Ile de Ré 
• Saintes and its Gallo-Roman remains
• The Cognac vineyards

Day 1 - Arrival in La Rochelle

La Rochelle is a city to discover for its history and its cultural and historical heritage. Stroll through the old port admiring the 13th to 15th century towers that guard the entrance, the town center and its arcades, as well as the 15th century town hall.
Night in La Rochelle.

Day 2 - Ile de Ré loop - 25 to 90 km

Circuit in a loop towards the island of Ré nicknamed “Ré la blanche”, crossing the villages of La Flotte en Ré and its fishing boats, Saint Martin, its fortifications and its fort as well as the oyster beds, the salt marshes and the Lilleau des Niges nature reserve. Return recommended by La Couarde and Bois Plage.
Night in La Rochelle.

Day 3 - Circuit from La Rochelle to Rochefort - 55 km

This day's cycling route runs along the coast through the bustling towns of Chatelaillon and Fouras, then you cross the Yves Bay nature reserve. In Fouras, you can take the ferry to the island of Aix and visit this small island which was the last retreat of Napoleon I. End of the route in Rochefort, a town created in the 17th century around shipbuilding.
Night in Rochefort.

Day 4 - Rochefort - Saintes - 60 km

After a dive into the great maritime adventure in Rochefort with a visit to the Corderie Royale and a detour to admire the Hermione, drive to the transporter bridge and continue on the Flow velo. Walk along the Charente, pass through Saint Savinien, a small town full of character, and reach Saintes via Crazannes. Make a few stops in the port of Envaux and admire the castles of Panloy and Crazannes. Discover Saintes and its 2000 years of history.

Night in Saintes.

Day 5 - Saintes - Cognac - 38 km

This stage offers you a bucolic cycle route along the Charente, passing through Rouffiac and Chaniers. You will have the opportunity to cool off at the water's edge before taking the Flow Velo back to Cognac. Take the opportunity to stroll along the quays of the orangery and discover the historical heritage of the city. You will be able to visit a trading house and taste the subtle beverage which makes the city famous.
Night in Cognac.

Day 6 - end of the bike tour in Cognac

End of your cycling trip after breakfast and return depending on the option chosen.

General informations :

• 6 days and 5 nights
• Standard version accommodation comfort level: 2 * or 3 * (local standards)
• Comfort level of accommodation comfort version: 3 * or 4 * (local standards)
• Child rates: contact us

The dates :

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

Included :

• Self-guided online tour
• Luggages transport
• access to our hiking application Respire Voyages with day by day itineraries.
• 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
• Additional night (s) at the start or end of the tour
• Boat crossing La Rochelle - Ile de Ré
• half boad (except Cognac)
• Return transfer to the starting point by minibus
• 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

- Bike guide on Vélodyssée (Atlantic coast)

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).
 

Return:

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 per person (max. 20 kg).

Roadbook :

Vous recevrez une documentation d'accueil avec toutes les informations nécessaire pour accéder au départ de votre séjour ainsi qu'un accès à l'application de randonnée Respire Voyages. 

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.