From La Rochelle to Bordeaux

The Gironde estuary and the Atlantic coast by bike, between La Rochelle and Bordeaux

La Vélodyssée is a fully signposted route that is part of Eurovelo 1. Enjoy an unforgettable cycling holiday along the Atlantic Coast between La Rochelle, a port city and Bordeaux, via Royan and Mortagne sur Gironde.

Highlights of the tour :

• La Rochelle and and its old port and tours
• Rochefort and the Corderie Royale
• Blaye Citadel
• Bordeaux and the Cité du Vin and Bassin des Lumières
• The beaches of the Atlantic Coast
• The Gironde Estuary 
• Royan and its wild coast

Day 1: Arrival in La Rochelle

Explore the old port and towers of La Rochelle, a vibrant tourist city with its charming downtown arcades. If you arrive early, consider visiting the towers at the old port or the aquarium. Option : An additional day to cycle around Île de Ré.
Overnight in La Rochelle. 

Day 2: From La Rochelle to Rochefort (59 km)

The Vélodyssée route leads you to Châtelaillon-Plage and the Pointe des Boucholeurs. Enjoy the view from the 1900s summer residences and explore the casino and beach. Join the cycle path and cycle along the Atlantic coast. You can admire the carrelets, the traditional huts perched on the seafront.

Overnight in Rochefort

Day 3: From Rochefort to La Tremblade (47 km)

This stage takes you through the diverse landscapes of Charente-Maritime. Departing from Rochefort towards Tonnay-Charente, you cycle along the Charente River and its marshes, passing through charming villages. As you near La Tremblade, you'll pedal alongside oyster-farming channels and vibrant, colorful huts. 

Overnight in La Tremblade.

Day 4: From La Tremblade to Royan (39 km)

For this stage, cycle through the pine forests of the "Côte Sauvage" and reach La Palmyre. Continue towards Royan, passing through Saint-Palais, the beaches of Vaux-sur-Mer, Pontaillac, and the marina. Along the way, enjoy the fresh scent of the maritime pines. Royan is a vibrant, modern seaside town, featuring a few Belle Époque villas, a charming covered market, and a lively, festive waterfront.
Overnight in Royan. 

Day 5: From Royan to Mortagne-sur-Gironde (34 km)

Leaving Royan, you reach the cliff-lined coast, where charming small harbors are tucked away: Talmont-sur-Gironde, a flower-filled artisan village, and Meschers with its troglodyte caves.

Diner and overnight in Mortagne-sur-Gironde.

Day 6: From Mortagne-sur-Gironde to Blaye (64 km)

This is a renowned wine-growing region, known for its production of pineau, cognac, and two Bordeaux appellations:

• Côtes de Blaye
• Côtes de Bourg

The vineyard landscape, with its winding roads, offers a picture-perfect setting ! Return along the estuary to Blaye and explore its famous citadel, built by Vauban.

Overnight in Blaye.

Day 7: From Blaye to Bordeaux (59 km)

Head towards Bourg-sur-Gironde, following the Corniche Fleurie. A visit to Bourg-sur-Gironde is a must for enthusiasts of fine stonework. Cycling up to the village, perched on a rocky outcrop and surrounded by ancient walls, you'll find it to be one of the most beautiful and well-preserved villages along the estuary.
Overnight in Bordeaux. 

Day 8: Bordeaux

The tour end after breakfast. You can choose to extend your stay with an extra night in Bordeaux. Private transfers or train tickets to La Rochelle are also available upon request.

General Information:

• 8 days and 7 nights
• Accommodation comfort level:
  • Standard version: 3* hotels and guesthouses
  • Comfort version: 3 and 4* hotels and guesthouses
• Child rates: contact us

Dates 2026:

• Departures every day from April 15th to October 15th
• High season: July and August

Included:

• 7 nights with breakfast
• Tourist taxes
• 1 dinner in Mortagne-sur-Gironde
• Luggage transport between accommodations
• Access to our GPS app
• Breakdown assistance (except for flat tires)

Not included:

• Transportation to the departure point
• Personal expenses
• Visits other than those included in the program

Options:

• Electric bike or hybrid bike rental
• Half-board (4 dinners in La Rochelle, Rochefort, La Tremblade, and Blaye)
• Extra day to explore the Île de Ré (upon request)
• Admission to the Corderie Royale in Rochefort
• Admission to the Cité du Vin in Bordeaux
• Admission to the Bassin des Lumières in Bordeaux
• Return transfer to the departure point:
  • By train
  • By private shuttle with personal bikes and luggage (upon request)
• Additional night(s) at the beginning or end of the tour in La Rochelle or Bordeaux (upon request)
• Theft insurance for the rental bike
• Cancellation insurance

Level :

1 2 3 4 5 6

Ground :

Flat land, some hills between Royan and Mirambeau.

Weather :

Soft sun, little wind and pleasant temperatures.

Technicality :

Cycling: 34 to 64 km per day or 3 to 6 hours of cycling.
Partly signposted route to Royan, useful road book and map reading.

Bibliography :

Bike guide on the Vélodyssée (Atlantic coast)
 

Additional nights :

An additional night is bookable at the start and end of the tour in La Rochelle or Bordeaux.

Meals: 

• Breakfasts: buffet
• Lunch: not included
• Dinner: Dinner in Mortagne-sur-Gironde is included. Dinners at restaurants near the accommodations or on-site are not included. Optional: 4 dinners in La Rochelle, Rochefort, La Tremblade, and Blaye.

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 accommodation 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, however transport from Bourg sur Gironde accommodation to the train station is included in the price of this tour and the vehicle that takes you can transfer the bikes. If you notify us of the transport of your own bikes by booking the return train option we will choose a train that accepts bikes.

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 : If you are a group. We can bring you back to La Rochelle at the end of the tour with your own bikes and luggage. (on request, other prines 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 :

We will provide you with a travel booklet by e-mail and post before your departure, as well as access to our GPS application. We will also provide you with hotel and restaurant vouchers and luggage tags.

Transportation :

• By road: A10 motorway exit 32 or 33. Paris is 460 km from La Rochelle
• By train : 3h from Paris Montparnasse
• 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.