Vélo Francette From Loire to Marais Poitevin by bike

Cycle route on the Vélo Francette, between Saumur and Arçais

This cycling trip on the Vélo Francette begins on the banks of the Loire and then follows the Thouet valley.
In Parthenay you enter the Porte St Jacques in the old town.
In the Poitevin marshes, the landscape changes with the canals that surround you and if you stay strolling through the small ports, you can imagine the life that once revolved around these small streams, conches and gullies.

Highlights of the stay :

• Saumur and Thouars
• the Marais Poitevin natural park
• the Thouet
• Montreuil Bellay
• Cellar visits and wine tasting.

Day 1 - Arrival in Saumur

Installation at the hotel and first discovery of the city of Saumur.

Day 2 - Saumur loop

Getting started with bikes.
Enjoy the atmosphere of the city by visiting its 14th century castle and its half-timbered houses. It is also an opportunity to visit a cellar and taste Saumur wine while taking the cycle paths around the city.
Night in Saumur in a hotel in the city center.

Day 3 - From Saumur to Thouars - 45 km

Stage along the Thouet valley. Historical monuments follow one another as far as Montreuil Bellay and its castle. The mills or the medieval bridges animate your trip in the heart of a generous nature.
Night at Thouars hotel or charming guest room.

Day 4 - From Thouars to Parthenay - 67 km

Passage through Lake Cébron, St Loup sur Thouet and its castle, one of the most beautiful castles in France from the time of Henri IV to Louis XIII, the castle is private but it is possible to visit it. Then cross the town of St Généroux and admire its 10th century church, one of the oldest in Poitou. End of the route in Parthenay, citadel of Thouet, located on a road to St Jacques de Compostelle.
Night in Parthenay in a hotel in the city center.

Day 5 - From Parthenay to Niort - 53 km

This part of the region is called Gâtine, granite land, small plots, very wooded, which smells of the soil, apples and chestnuts. The small valleys offer us a mysterious landscape at the turn of which there are probably some elves and fairies watching you pedal.
Night in Niort in a hotel.

Day 6 - Le Marais Poitevin - 45 km

This route uses the Vélo Francette route. Change of landscape, to follow the Sèvre Niortaise which guides you in this haven of greenery by its cycle paths along the canals. You cross the village of La Garette before reaching Coulon considered as the capital of the Marais Poitevin. 
Night in Coulon.

Day 7 - End of the tour after breakfast

Possibility of additional night for a loop through the Marais poitevin towards Maillezais (43 km).

General informations :

• 7 days and 8 nights
• Accommodation standard level: 3* (local standards)
• Accommodation comfort level: 3* and 4*(local standards)
• Child rates: contact us

The dates :

Achievable between April and October 2023.

Included :

• Self-guided online tour
• 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 :

• Half board 
• VTC or VAE rental
• Additional night (s) at the start or end of the tour
• Guided boat trip of 2 hours at dusk in Coulon with tasting of local products on day 6
• Theft insurance for the rented bike
• cancellation insurance

Levels :

1 2 3 4 5 6

Ground :

Flat and hilly terrain on the part of day 3 to day 5.
Many cycle paths that can be paved or white road in good condition, as well as shared lanes.

Weather :

Soft sun, little wind and pleasant temperatures.

Technicality :

40 to 49 km of hiking per day, or about 4 to 5 hours of cycling.
Easy to follow route.

Bibliography :

- Guide Vélo Francette

Food :

- Breakfast: generous (coffee, tea, chocolate, milk, bread, butter, jam, orange juice)
- Lunches: not included
- Dinner: half-board option with dinners at the hotel or in a nearby restaurant: Starter, main course, dessert, drinks not included.

The bike :

- Rental bicycle: If you rent a bicycle, it will be given to you on the morning of your first trip at the same time as your luggage is collected. 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.

- 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).

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 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.

Transportation:

- By train: TGV, TER or Intercités about 2h15 from Paris Austerlitz.
- By road: A10 motorway, then A85 E60 via Tours
- By plane: Tours airport.

The return :

It is possible to book a return trip with our minibus to Saumur.

Your vehicle:

A parking space is 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.