Flow vélo, from La Rochelle to Cognac - 8 days

From the ocean to Cognac area

Bicycle Tour, 8 days and 7 nights

Day 1 - Arrival in La Rochelle

La Rochelle: City noted for its history. It is a vibrant tourist destination. You will enjoy the old port with its two towers that guard the entrance from the 13^th and 15^th centuries. You will also see the center with its arcades and the town hall from the 15^th century.
Night in La Rochelle downtown hotel**

Day 2 - Loop route to Ré island 25 to 90 km

Leaving your hotel, you will ride on signposted cycle paths to the island. You will choose your itinerary and the distance you want to cycle. The bridge is free for bikes.

For information, the entire loop route of the island is 90 km long. You will ride through the villages : La Flotte (from the 18^th century) and its fishing boats, Saint Martin with its fort and fortifications. Then you will pass through oyster beds, salt marshes and the nature reserve of L'Illeau des Niges. You will come back by La Couarde and Bois Plage villages.
Night in La Rochelle hotel**

Day 4 -  From Rochefort to Marennes 35 km
Original journey along the coast that leads you to Marennes and La Tremblade ports. They are the most typical ones of Charente Maritime, famous for their oyster beds, possible tasting.
Night in Marennes hotel***

Day 5 -  Loop route to Oléron island 50 km

During this journey, you may visit oysters beds depending on weather conditions. Passing through Bourcefranc, you will discover the island and its villages Dolus, Grand Village, Saint Pierre, Le Château d'Oléron back by the coast.

Night in Marennes hotel***

Day 6 - From Marennes to Saintes 60 km

Riding on cycle paths along the Seudre Canal by  oister farms, through a pine forest on the Wild Coast, you will discover Saintonge and Charente hinterland charms. You will see Rétaud, Thézac and Chermignac before arriving in Saintes.

Night in Saintes hotel***

Day 7 - Loop route to Cognac area  55 km

By La Chapelle des Pots, a village where ceramics craft has been perpetuated since the 13^th century. The roads are small, the landscape is changing and gently hilly. You will ride through vineyards that made the fame of Cognac area. You may stop to visit some caves and taste the local products.

Night in Saintes hotel***

Day 8 - End of the tour after breakfast.

Optional return back.

Levels  :

1 2 3 4 5 6

Terrain :
Flatland.

Climate
Gentle sun, little wind and comfortable temperatures

Technical nature :
25 to 60 km per day ie 2h to 5 hours riding

Itinerary partly marked out, road book and map reading helpful.

BicyPack
Created to help you, assist you, guide you. It is a box that you receive before your departure or that is delivered on the spot. It includes a GPS support, the Gps loaded with the routes of your circuit, an auxiliary battery with its connecting cord, a repair kit, emergency lighting, a knife and the corkscrew...

Bibliography :

- Maps and cycling guides in Poitou-Charentes on cartovelo.fr

- Cycling guide on la Vélodyssée (Atlantic Coast)
- Cycling and walking guide on île de Ré

Accommodation Standard + :
Hotels** and *** with toilet and bathroom in the room

Extra nights :
One additional night is 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 La rochelle, about 3h00 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. Paris is 460 km far from La Rochelle.

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

Your vehicle :
A parking space is available at the first hotel, to be paied on site.

Cancelation insurance :

In order to guarantee reimbursement of your fees, you may subscribe to a cancelation insurance. To know more about this insurance, click here