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Cycling in Charente, Cognac region

Price per person

From 820€

Type of stay

Bicycle trip

Location

Cognac, Angoulême - France

Duration

6 to 8 days

Difficulty

Departures

Daily from April to October

Capacity

2 people minimum

Reference

Cyclo 10

Your stay

Cycling in Charente.

4 to 6 days cycling in the Charente. Welcome to the land of the “Liqueur of the Gods”: Cognac.

Cycling, gastronomy and eaux-de-vie in the Charente maritime region! A week’s cycling, starting from Cognac and its “Grandes Maisons” such as Rémy Martin, Martell and co, Courvoisier, Otard or Hennessy, to sample the wonders of the Charente between Cognac and Angoulême. vineyards, the Charente River, white limestone villages, deep forests, hollyhocks… freewheeling! In Cognac country, the slopes are gentle, the valleys woven with rows of vines. The winegrowing farms where Cognac is distilled and raised are a welcome sight for cyclists. The words distillation, alembic, vinification, harvest, grape varieties, cuvées and ageing will no longer hold any secrets for you. Meet the winegrowers and winemakers who will be delighted to share their passion with you: Vieux Cognac, Cognac xo and vsop or even Pineau des Charentes will be your tasting partners. So you can experience the finesse and aromas of one of France’s greatest terroirs.

On this bike tour of the Charente department, you’ll follow the river, which evokes a feeling of softness and tranquility. You’ll then stop off in the heart of Angoulême’s historic center, perched on a promontory surrounded by ramparts. Just a few steps away is the cathedral, a jewel of Romanesque art. You’ll then reach the Renaissance Château de La Rochefoucauld, a visit to which is highly recommended. You’ll stay at the gates of the imposing Bassac Abbey, halfway between Cognac and Angoulême, on the Charente river. Finally, your cycling trip ends in Segonzac. The town is also the capital of the “Grande Champagne” appellation, the premier cru of cognac. What a program!

Naturally, each stage is an opportunity to sample the gourmet cuisine of the Charente region.

You'll enjoy :

The gentle way of life in the Charente region
Les Grandes Maisons de Cognac in Cognac and the surrounding vineyards
Angoulême’s historic town center perched on its promontory
Small, bucolic roads

Back to travel

Daily program

Day 1 - Arrival in Cognac

Overnight in a hotel in the heart of Cognac – Charming Hôtel***.

Day 2 - Cognac - Richemont - Cognac

Stage not included in the 6-day tour

Known the world over for its “liqueur of the gods”, Cognac will introduce you to the mysteries of this magical world through its trading houses, museums and old town. The tour then takes you to Cherves-Richemont, in the heart of the Borderies region, the Prézier mill and the church of Saint-Georges de Richemont. The route is punctuated by bucolic breaks along the Antenne river.

Spend the day at leisure in Cognac and visit a Cognac house such as Bache Gabrielsen (except at weekends and by prior arrangement) and the Musée de l’Art du Cognac.

Overnight at your hotel.

Day 3 - Cognac - Jarnac - Angoulême

Follow the Charente valley, between vineyards and water, from Cognac, the town where François 1er was born, to Angoulême, the international city of comics.

The walk then takes you to Saint Brice and the Châtre abbey, the Garde Epée dolmen, Bourg Charente, where you can refresh yourself and enjoy a meal at a Michelin-starred chef’s “Bistrot”, before heading on to Jarnac, birthplace of François Mitterrand, where several museums and the house where he was born bear witness to the former President’s Charente roots.

Along the way, you’ll follow vineyard roads through picturesque villages with a rich heritage, such as St Simon, where you’ll be told the story of the gabariers. All along the way, the river, dotted with bridges and locks, is never far away, as in Vibrac, where you’ll cross small humpbacked bridges to spice up your journey. After Champmillon, head for Trois Palis and its chocolate factory, then on to Angoulême, a city of art and history, whose city center is built on a promontory overlooking the river and the valley.

Overnight in a hotel in Old Angoulême on a charming square facing the Palais de Justice. Charming*** hotel

Day 4 - Angoulême - La Rochefoucauld - Angoulême

Stage not included in the 6-day and 7-day tours

Leaving Angoulême, head for the sources of the Touvre and then the Braconne forest to reach La Rochefoucauld and its château. Nicknamed “the pearl of the Angoumois”, this castle was built from a fortress (1026): it’s an anthology of seven centuries of architecture and has been the home of the La Rochefoucauld family for over a thousand years. On the way back, stop off at the Quéroy caves to discover the works of nature.

Overnight at your hotel.

Day 5 - Angoulême - Roullet Saint Estèphe

Through forests, plains and along waterways, explore the area south of Angoulême, discovering villages, wash houses… at the bend in the road, churches and mythical places. In Mouthiers sur Boëme, take the time to visit the Calvin pulpit and the garden of the Logis de Forge, which has been awarded the “Jardin remarquable” label, and indulge in the peace and quiet of the place. Along the river Boëme, enjoy the pleasure of driving along the water’s edge…

Overnight in a 3-star hotel with swimming pool and park.

Day 6 - Roullet Saint Estèphe - Bassac

And you’re back in cognac country. Between vineyards and fields, from valley to valley, discover the ruins of the Château de Bouteville at the bend in the road on a hill, and go to the orientation table located on a promontory where, on a clear day, you can see as far as the sea! Take a look at the terraces, where vines once stood… on your way out, stop off at Domaine Breuil to taste their organic wines, cognac and pineau des Charentes, a delight…

Night in hotel***.

Cognac tasting available at the hotel at extra cost.

Day 7 - Bassac - Cognac

Once again, cross the Charente to enter the must of the “Grande Champagne” cognac appellation: at the foot of the hills, Segonzac awaits you, the capital of this 1er cru cognac, which you can taste at the Maison de la Grande Champagne and with the Etapes du cognac winegrowers. Return to Cognac via the vineyard roads.

Overnight at hotel.

rates

Price per person

6 days – 5 nights: €820
7 days – 6 nights: €915
8 days – 7 nights: €1010

Price includes

5 to 7 nights in 3* hotels with breakfast (in double/twin rooms)
Route book (with map and directions)
1 GPS application
Luggage transfer at each stage
24/7 telephone assistance

Supplement

	6 days – 5 nights	7 days – 6 nights	8 days – 7 nights
Touring bike (VTC)	105 €	120 €	135 €
Electric bike (VAE)	190 €	220 €	250 €

Further information

We take care of transporting your luggage every time you change accommodation, so you can travel light and enjoy your day’s hiking.

Leave your luggage at the reception desk of your accommodation before departure.

At the end of the afternoon, you’ll meet them at the reception desk of your new accommodation or directly in your room.

Luggage accepted per person: 1 suitcase or travel bag (maximum 23 kg) + 1 carry-on.

Your travel file corresponds to the documents or files you receive prior to your trip (generally one month before) and/or on arrival at your first accommodation.

It includes :

A welcome letter with key practical information:

Baggage transport times
Details of delivery and collection of rental bikes if required
Your local contact and emergency telephone number(s)
Any additional information

Travel logbook including map with route (at the appropriate scale) and directional, tourist and practical information

Any necessary vouchers to be given to the service provider(s)

On request and depending on the tour:

Download the “Evazio” application onto your smartphone for GPS navigation with visual (reading the route on your smartphone screen) and/or spoken guidance. The application also contains practical and tourist information. Once the trip has been downloaded, no Internet connection is required.
Loan of a GPS device with pre-recorded tracks
Send GPX tracks of each stage for use with your own navigation device

On this tour, we can provide you with a choice of the following, upon reservation:

A VTC bike adapted to the ride and the route

An electric bike adapted to the route

With equipment :

1 rear bag
1 handlebar bag
1 repair kit
1 helmet (on request)
1 anti-theft device

For younger children, depending on age and size, we can offer

A child’s bike
A baby seat
A trailer
A follower bike

The bike is delivered to the first accommodation and is adjusted to your size.

At the end of the tour, the bike must be left at the last accommodation with its equipment. We’ll take care of collecting them.

This tour is offered in the “superior” category.

Hotel categories :

Comfort: The tour features mainly 2 and 3-star hotels (or equivalent comfort level) and bed & breakfasts.
Superior: The tour features mainly 3- and 4-star hotels (or equivalent level of comfort) and charming bed & breakfasts.
Luxury: The tour features mainly 4- and 5-star hotels (or equivalent level of comfort).

For the duration of your stay, our telephone assistance service is available: