La Vélo Francette, from Niort to La Rochelle

Vélo Francette 

Have a unique stay on part of the Vélo Francette from the city of Niort to explore the Marais Poitevin to the Atlantic Coast in La Rochelle. You will discover the Île de Ré, nicknamed Ré la blanche, one of the most beautiful islands on the Atlantic Coast, famous among other things for its cycle paths.

Main areas of interest during the stay:

• The Regional Natural Park of the Poitevin Marsh, its fauna, flora and local specialties
• The Vélo Francette cycle paths
• Niort, Coulon and La Rochelle
• Ré island

Day 1 - Arrival in Niort

Check into your hotel and discover the town of Niort at the gateway to the Marais Poitevin, with its donjon, its market halls and the banks of the Sèvre river, which you will have the opportunity to cycle along.

Overnight in Niort.

Day 2 - Niort - Coulon - 16 km (variant + 29 km)

If your second day is on a Thursday, Saturday or Sunday, take a stroll through the Halles market places in Niort to discover the most beautiful market in France before heading off in the direction of Coulon. Within the first few kilometres, you will enter the Marais Poitevin along the Sèvre river, which will guide you through this haven of greenery on the cycle paths of the Vélo Francette along the canals. You will pass through the village of Magné before reaching Coulon. If you want to extend the stage, you can follow a 29 km loop from Coulon that takes you on a tour of the local villages.

Overnight in Coulon

Day 3 - Coulon - Fontenay le Comte (or Marans) - 32 km (or 47 km)

This morning you will get on your bike and head for Le Mazeau, where the programme includes a guided boat tour (included). Make the most of this hour to discover the Marais Poitevin as seen from its canals. If you are lucky, you may spot herons, coypu and other birds. You will then take the road to Fontenay le Comte, a town of art and history, via small bucolic roads. (Depending on availability, you may stay overnight in Marans. In this case, the itinerary follows the canals and the Vélo Francette route from Coulon and a boat tour will be organised in Coulon before departure).
Overnight in Fontenay le Comte or Marans.

Day 4 - Fontenay le Comte (or Marans) - La Rochelle - 57 km (or 27 km)

Today, discover the Marais Vendéen along the river Vendée. Explore new landscapes as you pass the low-lying houses that line your route to the little port of Marans, the last village before the sea. Follow the Vélo Francette cycle route here.

Today's stage ends in La Rochelle, an attractive and famous city. Admire its old port, the towers that protected its entrance from the 13th to 15th centuries, the historic town centre and the 15th-century town hall.

Overnight in La Rochelle.

Day 5 - Loop Tour on the Ré Island - 30 to 79 km

Today's tour takes you to the island of Ré, nicknamed ‘Ré the White’. You can get there by boat from the port of La Rochelle (not included) or by following the cycle route over the famous Bridge of Ile de Ré. Once on the island, you will pass through the villages of La Flotte en Ré and its fishing boats, Saint Martin and its fortifications and fort, as well as the oyster farms, salt marshes and nature reserve of Lilleau des Niges. At the end of the day, you will be back on the mainland.

Overnight in La Rochelle.

Day 6 - La Rochelle

The tour ends after breakfast. Take advantage of the day to stroll through the streets of La Rochelle one last time.

General informations :

• 6 days and 5 nights
• Standard version : 3* and 4* (or guest house)
• Child rates: contact us

The dates 2025 :

Departures everyday between April and October.

• High season : July and August

Included :

• 5 overnights in 3 or 4* hotels (or guest house) with breakfasts
• Toursit taxes
• Luggages transport
• 1-hour guided boat tour on day 3
• 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 :

• Standard bike or ebike rental
• Half board (5 dinners)
• Transfer back to the starting point by private van or train
• Additional night(s) at the start or end of the tour in Niort or La Rochelle
• Theft insurance for the rented bike
• Cancellation insurance

Level :

1 2 3 4 5 6

Ground :

Flat circuit. Only the stage around Fontenay le Comte is hilly.

Weather :

Soft sun, a little wind, pleasant temperatures.

Technicality:

- Cycling: 16 to 79 km per day or 2 to 7 hours of cycling.
- Partly marked itinerary, useful roadbook and map reading.

Bibliography:

- Guide on the Francette Bike
- The Marais Poitevin

Additional nights:

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

Meals :

- Breakfasts: generous (coffee, tea, chocolate, milk, butter, bread, jam, orange juice)
- Lunch: not included
- Dinner: half-board option, dinners in hotel's restaurants or 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)
- In case of bad weather or if you cannot ride a bike for a day, possibility of a direct journey to the next stage (extra cost and on availability).

Boat  : 

Crossing from La Rochelle to Île de Ré, can be booked by your own. The departure will be from the port of La Rochelle and bicycles are accepted on board.

Return :

By minibus or train: We will give you the timetables. Support for luggage and bicycles. (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 by 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.

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.
- By plane: Airport in Poitiers and La Rochelle, and international, Nantes or Bordeaux.

Parking :

Parking possible at the first hotel, to be booked by ourselves.

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.