La Vélo Francette, from Niort to Ile de Ré

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 in the Atlantic, 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
• Fontenay le Comte and La Rochelle
• re island
• The beach.

Day 1 - Arrival in Niort

Check in at your hotel and discover the city of Niort at the gates of the Marais Poitevin with its keep, its covered markets and the edges of Sèvre which you will have the opportunity to cycle along.
Night in Niort or Coulon. 

Day 2 - Niort - Fontenay le Comte - 54 km

Departure from the hotel and return to the Marais Poitevin along the Sèvre Niortaise.
You will cross the villages of Magné and Coulon on the Vélo Francette before reaching the Vendée region. 
Arrival in Fontenay le Comte, city of art and history to discover. Possibility to visit the 16th century Terre Neuve castle.
Night in Fontenay le Comte.

Day 3 - Fontenay le Comte - La Rochelle - 67 km

Cycling circuit in the Vendée marshes along the Autize. You will discover new landscapes along the small low houses that line your route to the small port of Marans, the last village before the sea. Find the Vélo Francette tracks here.
Your day's stage ends in La Rochelle, an attractive and famous city. Admire its old port, the towers that guard the entrance from the 13th to the 15th century, the historic city center and the 15th century town hall.
Night in La Rochelle.

Day 4 - La Rochelle - Ile de Ré - 30 to 90 km

You will be charmed by the Île de Ré, the villages of Flotte en Ré, Saint Martin, the oyster beds, the salt marshes and the Lilleau des Niges nature reserve. We recommend that you return via Couarde and Bois Plage for a good overview of the island. The more athletic can continue to the Whale Lighthouse.
Return and overnight in La Rochelle.

Day 5 - End of the tour

After breakfast, return to Niort by minibus.

General informations :

• 5 days and 4 nights
• Standard version accommodation comfort level: 2 and 3 * (local standards)
• Comfort level of the comfort version accommodation: 3 and 4 * (local standards)
• Child rates: contact us

The dates :

Achievable between April and October 2023.

Included :

• Self-guided online tour
• Luggages transport
• 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
• Tourist tax to be paid on site

The options :

• VTC or VAE rental
• Half board
• Boat trip from La Rochelle to Ile de Ré
• Transfer back to the starting point
• Additional night (s) at the start or end of the tour
• BicyPack
• Theft insurance for the rented bike
• cancellation insurance

Levels:

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: 25 to 67 km per day or 2 to 5 hours of cycling.
- Partly marked itinerary, useful roadbook and map reading.

Bibliography:

- Guide on the Francette Bike
- The Marais Poitevin

Additional nights:

Two additional nights are offered at the beginning and at the end of the tour.

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. A security deposit will be requested. 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.

Boat  : 

Crossing from La Rochelle to Île de Ré, can be booked with your tour, we will put the tickets in your documentation, The departure will be from the port of La Rochelle and bicycles are accepted on board.

Return :

By minibus: We will give you the timetables. Support for luggage and bicycles.

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 detailed maps and a description of the routes when you arrive at the first hotel. We will also give you vouchers for hotels and restaurants as well as 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, payable locally.

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.