From Marais Poitevin to Atlantic coast

Cycling trip between the Vélo Francette and the Vélodyssée

This cycling route invites you to discover the Marais Poitevin on the Vélo Francette before reaching the Atlantic coast and the Vélodyssée à la Rochelle. Walk along the Sèvre and cross the wild marshes, then continue to La Rochelle via the Vélo Francette. Enjoy the seaside on marked routes accessible to all for an unforgettable cycling holiday.

Highlights of the stay:

• La Rochelle, Rochefort, Niort and Fontenay le Comte
• Ile de Ré; Ile d'Oléron and Ile d'Aix
• the Marais Poitevin
• the wild coast

Day 1 : Arrival in Niort

Niort, the gateway to the Marais Poitevin built in Roman times along the Sèvre. Discover its halls and its keep.
Night at Niort Hôtel **** with swimming pool.

Day 2 : Niort - Fontenay le Comte - 54 km

Crossing the Marais Poitevin by the most famous villages, Arçais, Damvix and the inevitable Coulon, in the heart of the wild marsh. Possibility to visit the Maison de la Meunerie in Nieul Sur l'Autize (house in the regional park), one of the last remaining water mills. Arrival at Fontenay le Comte, possible visit to the 16th century Newfoundland castle.
Night at Fontenay le Comte Hotel *** with swimming pool.

Day 3 : Fontenay le Comte - La Rochelle - 56 km

Circuit in the Vendée marshes along the Autize river. Change of scenery during your hike: the small low houses that line your route until you reach the small port of Marans, the last village before the sea.
Arrival in La Rochelle, a city remarkable for its history, lively and touristic. You will be able to appreciate the old port, the towers which guard the entrance, from the 13th to the 15th century, the town center and its arcades and the 15th century town hall.
Night in La Rochelle, Hotel ** in the city center near the port.

Day 4 : Ile de Ré loop circuit - 25 to 90 km

Loop circuit to the Île de Ré through the villages of the Flotte en Ré (dating from the 18th century) and its fishing boats. Continue towards Saint Martin with its fortifications and its fort then cross the oyster beds, the salt marshes and the Lilleau des Niges nature reserve. Return via La Couarde and Bois Plage. You can adapt your route for the day as you wish.
Night at La Rochelle Hôtel **.

Day 5 : La Rochelle - Rochefort - 45 km

This cycle route on the Vélodyssée runs along the coast through the bustling towns of Chatelaillon and Fouras, then crosses the Yves Bay nature reserve. In Fouras, possibility to cross by ferry to the island of Aix and visit this small island which was the last retreat of Napoleon 1st. You arrive in Rochefort, a town created in the 17th century around shipbuilding.
Night at Rochefort Hôtel ***.

Day 6 : Rochefort to Marennes or la Tremblade - 46 km

Original circuit along the coast that takes you to the ports of Marennes and La Tremblade, the most typical of Charente Maritime, renowned for their oyster beds, tasting possible.
Night at Marennes Hotel ***

Day 7 - Island of Oléron discovery tour / 50  to 65 km

Enjoy a unique experience discovering the island of Oléron by taking the bicycle bridge or the ferry boat (optional).

The island of Oléron and the basin of Marennes is a territory of great diversity with its many beaches, its wild beauty, its typical cabins and its gastronomy.
End of the stage and return and overnight in Marennes***.

Day 8 : End of the tour after breakfast

End of the tour after breakfast and departure.

General informations :

• 8 days and 7 nights
• Accommodation comfort level standard version : 2 or 3 * (local standards)
• Accommodation comfort level comfort version : 3 or 4 * (local standards)
• Child rates: contact us

The dates :

Can be done every day between April and October 2023.

High season in july and august

Included :

• Self-guided online tour
• Luggages transport
• access to our Respire Voyages application 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
• Additional night (s) at the start or end of the tour
• half board
• back to the starting point
• Boat trip from La Rochelle to Ile de Ré
• BicyPack
• 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 : 35 to 67 km per day or 3 to 5 hours of cycling.
Partly marked itinerary, roadbook and map reading necessary on certain stages.

Bibliography :

- La Vélo Francette - West France guide
- The Atlantic Coast by bike - Chamina guide

Additional nights :

An additional night is offered to you at the start and 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 a breakdown (except for punctures for which we do not intervene).
- In case of bad weather or if you cannot cycle for a day, possibility of a direct journey to the next stage (paid service).

Boat :

Crossing from La Rochelle to Île de Ré, can be booked with your tour, tickets available in your documentation, departure from the port of La Rochelle. Bicycles accepted on board.

Return :

By minibus: We will give you the timetables. We take care of luggage and bikes.

Luggage :

They are transported by a courier or by our team and limited to one piece of luggage by person (max. 20 kg).

Roadbook :

You will receive a welcome documentation with all the information to access the departure and the course of the trip before your departure as well as an access to our hiking application Respire voyages to connect you from your smartphone. 

Transportation :

- 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.

Your car :

A parking space is available at the first hotel.

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.