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 in 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, Royan, Rochefort and Fontenay le Comte
• Niort and the Natural Parc of the Marais Poitevin
• The wild coast

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.

Overnight in Niort.

Day 2 : Niort - Coulon - 16 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 - 32 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.

Overnight in Fontenay le Comte.

Day 4 : Fontenay le Comte - La Rochelle - 57 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 : La Rochelle - Rochefort - 50 km

Today's stage follows the coast on the Vélodyssée, passing through Chatelaillon and Fouras before crossing the Baie d'Yves nature reserve. The route ends in Rochefort, a town founded in the 17th century around shipbuilding.

Overnight in Rochefort.

Day 6 : Rochefort to La Tremblade - 50 km

You are still on the Vélodyssée towards Tonnay-Charente. You can take a ferry boat, but it too is subject to tide and seasonal schedules. Cycle along the canals to the Brouage marshes on the way to Marennes. Take advantage of the evening to relax on the beach by the water.

Overnight in La Tremblade.

Day 7 : La Tremblade - Royan - 43 km

Return to the Vélodyssée for your final stage.

Discover the rugged coastline of Saint Palais sur mer, the cycle paths that run alongside the ocean and the boats that offer a picture-postcard view. You're on one of the most beautiful coastlines in France, all the way to Royan.

Overnight in Royan.

Day 8 : Royan

Tour ends after breakfast. Possibility of an extra night in Royan. You can book a return tranfert by bus or private van.

General informations :

• 8 days and 7 nights
• Standard version accommodation : 3 or 4 * 
• Child rates: contact us

The dates 2025 :

Departure every day between April and October.

Included :

• 7 nights with breakfast
• Tourist taxes
• 2-hour guided boat tour in the morning on day 3
• Luggages transport from hotel to hotel, max 20kg / piece
• Access to our GPS application with points of interest
• 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
• Additional night(s) at the start or end of the tour in Niort or Royan
• Half board (6 dinners)
• Return transfer to Niort by train or by private van (with luggage and own bikes)
• Theft insurance for the rented bike
• Cancellation insurance

Level :

1 2 3 4 5 6

Ground :

Flat terrain.

Weather :

Soft sun, little wind and pleasant temperatures.

Technicality:

Cycling : 16 to 57 km per day or 2 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 bookable at the start and end of the tour in Niort or Royan.

Meal :

- 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. 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).

Return :

By train : We can book a train ticket back to Niort.

By private van : We will give you the timetables. We take care of luggage and bikes. (on request, and with extra cost on Sundays and bank holiday)

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 roadbook 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.

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.