From Marais poitevin to la Rochelle Familly tour

Travel by bike on the many cycle paths that wind through the largest swamp in western France.
Easy route with short stages, ideal for cycling holidays with friends or family.
 
This cycling trip takes you through the canals of the Marais, the Sèvre Niortaise, Marans and the port city of La Rochelle. You end your bike ride with the discovery of the Ile de Ré, a paradise for bike rides.
 

Day 1 - Arrival in Coulon

Arrival at your accommodation in Coulon from 3 p.m.

Don't hesitate to take a walk along the banks of the Sèvre to admire the beauty of the market garden landscape.
Night in a guesthouse or in hotel.

    
Day 2 - Marais Poitevin villages circuit - 25 km

Get up early this morning to enjoy the calm of the marsh on the canals during a 2-hour private boat ride included in this stay. A breakfast accompanies this original experience.  Arçais, Ste Sabine, Le Mazeau, Le Vanneau, St Georges de Rex, the wild Marais will have no more secrets for you. 
Night in a guesthouse or in hotel.

 
Day 3 - Coulon - Marans - 47 km

Departure from the Maraichine capital for a circuit through the Marais Poitevin by the Vélofrancette. You cross the charming village of Damvix by paths, cycle paths and a few footbridges. Take advantage of these tracks inaccessible to cars to appreciate the calm of the Marais.
Along the Sèvre Niortaise, the landscape changes near Marans.
Night in Marans bed and breakfast.

 
Day 4 - Marans (or nearby) in La Rochelle - 27 km

From Marans, you're on the dike and cycle paths of the Canal de Marans à La Rochelle. Starting from the pretty port of Marans, a former lookout on the Sèvre Niortaise estuary, the cycle route continues along the canals. The Marans canal was built in the 18th century to link the 2 port towns. You'll smell the sea spray as you approach La Rochelle.

 
Day 5 - From La Rochelle to Île de Ré by bike from 25 km to 90 km

Immaculate villages, salt marshes and the sweetness of life, discover the little queen of bike rides, the Île de Ré. We offer different routes to make the most of the beauty of the island.
This loop circuit to the Ile de Ré will take you to the villages of La Flotte en Ré (dating from the 18th century) and its fishing boats, Saint Martin with its fortifications and its fort. You will pass through the oyster beds, the salt marshes and the Lilleau des Niges nature reserve. Return suggested by La Couarde and Bois Plage.
Night in La Rochelle hotel.

Day 6 - End of stay

End of the tour after breakfast.
Optional return to Coulon or possibility of an additional night.

General informations :

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

The dates :

Achievable between April and October 2024.

Included :

• Self-guided online tour
• Luggages transport
• access to our hiking application Respire Voyages with day by day itinerary 
• 1 hour of guided boat
• 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
• Tourist tax to be paid on site

The options :

• VTC or VAE rental
• twin room (2 beds)
• half board
• Transfer by minibus from Niort station to accommodation in Coulon
• Minibus transfer La Rochelle / Coulon
• Boat trip from La Rochelle to Ile de Ré
• Additional night (s) at the start or end of the tour
• Theft insurance for the rented bike
• cancellation insurance

Level:

1 2 3 4 5 6

Ground :

80% of cycle paths and very rolling paths. The circuits pass away from the cars, in the heart of the marsh.

Weather :

Very shaded, mild sun, a little wind, pleasant temperatures.

Technicality:

15 to 35 km per day, or 1h30 to 4 hours of cycling.
Little signposted itinerary, roadbook and map reading necessary on certain stages.

Bibliography:

- 23 beautiful walks in the Marais Poitevin
- Map of cycle paths in the Marais Poitevin
- Guide on the Velo Francette

Meals:

Breakfasts: generous (coffee, tea, chocolate, milk, butter, bread, jams, orange juice)
Lunch: not included
Dinner: included in a restaurant near the accommodation.

The bike :

Rental bicycle: if you rent a bicycle, it will be given to you on the day of your arrival. A security deposit will be requested. At the end of the tour, we will tell you where to leave the bike. 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 circuit, you will have to take care of your bike.

Transport :

- By Train: SNCF TGV to Niort in around 2h30 from Montparnasse station.
For more information on timetables, contact SNCF.
- By Road: A10 exit 32 or 33. Paris is 400 km from Niort and 460 km from La Rochelle
(take the direction of Marais Poitevin).
- By plane: Airport in Poitiers and La Rochelle, and international, Nantes or Bordeaux.

Parking :

Free and possible on-site parking, unguarded parking.

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.