The Vélodyssée, from La Rochelle to Rochefort

The Atlantic Coast, between La Rochelle and Rochefort by bike

Welcome to the Vélodyssée! Exceptional route fully marked between La Rochelle and Rochefort. This circuit allows you to enjoy the islands and local curiosities and especially the benefits of the seaside!

Highlights of the stay :

• La Rochelle
• Ile de Ré and Ile d'Aix
• Rochefort
• The beach

Day 1 - arrival in La Rochelle

Installation at your hotel and handling of your bike.
Tonight the sea is not far away, the sound of the masts of the boats, the lights of the port and the 2 towers that guard it invite you to enjoy this unique moment.
Night in La Rochelle.

Day 2 - Ile de Ré loop - between 45 and 90 km

This morning, take the direction of the Ile de Ré, also called Ré la blanche. Cycle paths crisscross the island up and down.
You take the velodyssey to the island access bridge. On the Ile de Ré, enjoy the beaches, the summer atmosphere, the unmissable villages of the Fleet or Saint Martin. Until Saint Martin, the distance remains reasonable, around 45 km.
The more athletic can continue to La Couarde or the whale lighthouse. The stage is flat, the only difficulty will be climbing the one kilometer access bridge to the island.
Return to the continent and overnight in La Rochelle.

Day 3 - La Rochelle to Rochefort - 28 to 53 km

On the way south, the Vélodyssée runs along the coast to Châtelaillon-Plage and Pointe des Boucholeurs, with its 1900 summer houses, its casino and its beach. Then return to the coast where you can see the squares and their large legs planted in the sand.
Continue to Fouras and its point of smoke, the place of embarkation for the island of Aix. Plan your day according to the tide times.
The arrival in Rochefort is on a shared road, drive quietly, the cycle path is just behind the roundabout.
End of the stage and night in Rochefort.

Day 4 - Rochefort - Ile Madame - 34 km

The Charente, one of the most beautiful rivers in France, passes through Rochefort. Take the Martrou transporter bridge, a recently renovated 1900 metal monument.
You can choose to stay in Rochefort, a town of art and history, to take advantage of the cycle paths that surround it and visit the Corderie Royale, the town center and Place Colbert.
Return and night in Rochefort.

Day 5 - End of the Vélodyssée circuit

General informations :

• 5 days and 4 nights
• Level of comfort of standard accommodation: 2* or 3* (local standards)
• Level of comfort of the accommodations : 4* (local standards)
• Child rates: contact us

The dates :

Achievable between April and October 2024.

High season in july and august. 

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 :

• Half board
• VTC or VAE rental
• Additional night (s) at the start or end of the tour
• Crossing La Rochelle the Ile de Ré by boat
• roadbook paper version
• Theft insurance for the rented bike
• cancellation insurance

Levels :

1 2 3 4 5 6

Ground :

Flat terrain.

Weather :

Soft sun, little wind and pleasant temperatures.

Technicality :

- Cycling: 25 to 55 km per day or 2 to 4 hours of cycling (90 km if you want to visit the Ile de Ré entirely).
- Partly marked itinerary, useful roadbook and map reading.

Bibliography :

- The Atlantic Coast by bike
- IGN map: Île de Ré, Oléron and Marais Poitevin

Additional nights :

An additional night is offered to you at the start and end of the tour.

Meals :

- Breakfasts: generous (coffee, tea, chocolate, milk, butter, bread, jam, orange juice)
- Lunch: not included
- Dinner: 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 hotel. A security deposit will be requested.
At the end of the tour, you will need to leave this bike at the 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).

Roadbook :

You'll receive travel documents with practical information before your departure by post, as well as access to our hiking application by e-mail. The documents include hotel and restaurant vouchers and luggage tags.

Transport :

- By train: SNCF TGV to La Rochelle in around 3 hours from Montparnasse station. For more information on timetables, contact SNCF.
- By road: A10 motorway exit 32 or 33. Paris is 460 km from La Rochelle
- By plane: Airports in Poitiers and La Rochelle and international, Nantes or Bordeaux.

Your car :

A parking space is available at the 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.