The Vélodyssée and the Flow Vélo, from La Rochelle to Cognac by bike

Bicycle tour between the Flow Vélo and the Vélodyssée

Cycle along the Atlantic coast and discover the Cognac vineyards on this exceptional and unforgettable cycle holiday. Start by the sea at La Rochelle and cycle along the banks of the Charente to the Cognac region. This route lies between the Vélodyssée and Flow Vélo routes. 

Highlights of the stay :

• La Rochelle and seaside towns
• Rochefort and its Corderie Royale
• Saintes and its Gallo-Roman site
• The Cognac vineyards and estates

Day 1 - La Rochelle

La Rochelle is a charming port city with an old harbour, medieval towers and a unique maritime atmosphere. Discover the 13th to 15th century towers guarding the entrance, the city centre with its arcades and the 15th century town hall. La Rochelle is the ideal place to combine history, culture and relaxation.

Overnight in La Rochelle.

Day 2 - La Rochelle - Rochefort - 59 km

Today's stage follows the coast along the Vélodyssée, through Chatelaillon and Fouras, before crossing the Baie d'Yves nature reserve. The route ends in Rochefort, a town built around shipbuilding in the 17th century.

Overnight in Rochefort.

Day 3 - Rochefort - Saintes - 67 km

From Rochefort you can visit the Corderie Royale. Follow quiet roads through fields and villages to Tonnay-Charente and its 19th century suspension bridge. Then on to Saint-Savinien-sur-Charente and the Pierre de Crazannes, with its quarries and lush vegetation. Pass through Crazannes and its castle before discovering Port-d'Envaux, an open-air art village. The route ends in Saintes, the capital of the Santons, where you will spend the night.

Overnight in Saintes.

Day 4 - Saintes - Cognac - 40 km

From Saintes, discover Gallo-Roman remains such as the Arch of Germanicus, the amphitheatre and the archaeological museum. Then follow the river through the countryside, passing through villages and hamlets, stopping at Chaniers. At Merpins you can admire the remains of the abbey and the fortified castle. The route ends in Cognac.

Overnight in Cognac.

Day 5 - Cognac

The tour ends after breakfast.

It is possible to book an extra night in Cognac or La Rochelle, as well as a private transfer or train ticket to La Rochelle.

General informations :

• 5 days and 4 nights
• Standard version accommodation : 3* 
• Comfort version accommodation: 3* or 4* 
• Child rates: contact us

2026 Dates:

• Departures daily from April 15th to October 15th
• High season in July and August.

Included :

• 4 nights with breakfasts
• Tourist taxes
• Luggages transfert from hotel to hotel, max 20k / piece
• GPS App including points of interest
• Assistance in case of breakdown (except puncture)

Not included :

• Transfert to the place of departure
• Personal expenses
• Visits other than those included in the program
• All other extra not included in "included"

The options :

• Standard bike or ebike rental
• Additional night in La Rochelle or Cognac (on request)
• Half-baord (4 dinners)
• Entrance to the Corderie Royale in Rochefort
• Visit and tasting in a Cognac Estate
• Return transfer to the starting point by train (with personal bikes and luggage)
• Return transfer to the starting point by private shuttle (with personal bikes and luggage - on request)
• Theft guarantee for the rented bike
• Cancellation insurance

Level :
1 2 3 4 5 6

Ground :
Flat terrain

Weather :
Soft sun, little wind and pleasant temperatures.

Technicality:
Cycling: 39 to 60 km per day or 3 to 6 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:

Additional nights are possible at the beginning and at the end of the tour in La Rochelle or Cognac.

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.

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. 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 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 private van: We will give you the timetables. We bring you, your luggage and your own bikes (on request, extra cost on Sundays and bank holidays).

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

Roadbook :

You will receive documentation by post with all practical information, hotel and restaurant vouchers and luggage tags by post before your departure. Access to the application will be sent by e-mail. 

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.

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.