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From Angoulême to Royan via Ile d’Oléron by bike. Flow vélo and vélodyssée

Price per person

From 970€

Type of stay

Voyage à vélo

Location

Angoulême, La Rochelle - France

Duration

7 or 8 days

Difficulty

Departures

Daily from April to October

Capacity

2 people minimum

Reference

Cyclo 34-3

Your stay

Here’s a lovely route on a pleasant white cycle path along the banks of the Charente river, on back roads through the Cognac vineyards and Charente countryside. From Rochefort, the Flow vélo gives way to the Vélodyssée to take you south to Marennes and the Ile d’Oléron, both famous for their oyster-farming activities. Finally, you’ll reach Royan via a forest road and along cliffs adorned with fishermen’s huts, the famous carrelets. A cycling holiday for lovers of nature and gourmet pleasures.

Departing fromAngoulême, capital of the comic strip world, you’ll take a gentle ride along the Flow Vélo to discover the Charente vineyards and bucolic countryside. A journey punctuated by villages, little churches, farms and bridges, making up the charm of the region. Along the way, you’ll reach the land of the “liqueur of the gods”: Cognac.

Further on, your cycling route will take you through the Saintonge region, with its castles and Romanesque churches. Don’t miss a visit to the truly spectacularGallo-Roman Amphitheatre in Saintes. After Saintes, a city of Art and History, head for Rochefort, an arsenal town nestled in one of the last loops of the Charente, well known for its ” Corderie Royale “.

A change of scenery after Rochefort, and an oyster and ocean atmosphere from now on. Welcome to Charente-Maritime. You’ll cross the Charente one last time in the gondola of the astonishing Pont Transbordeur in Rochefort, before winding your way through the marshes of Marennes, home to the citadel of Brouage. You can then opt for a stopover on the island of Oléron, the most southerly of the Atlantic coast islands, also known as l’île aux mimosas, before continuing along the beaches and cliffs for a final night in Royan, at the gateway to the Gironde estuary.

You’ll receive a warm welcome every evening in 3-star hotels.

You'll enjoy :

A quiet greenway close to the Charente and Cognac vineyards
The Art and History towns of Angoulême, Saintes and Rochefort
Crossing the Charente on the famous Transporter Bridge
The singular citadel of Brouage, lost in the marshes
A getaway on the wild and authentic Ile d’Oléron. Oyster tasting guaranteed!
The carrelets clinging to the cliffs on the approach to Royan

Back to travel

Daily program

Day 1 - Arrival in Angoulême

Arrive at your accommodation in Angoulême, in the heart of the historic city. You will be welcomed in a hotel***.

We’ll provide you with documentation on the region and a road book indicating your route.

Angoulême, the capital of comic strips and a city of Art and History, will seduce you with its southern atmosphere of cobbled streets and white stone houses. Perched on a promontory and surrounded by ramparts, it overlooks the Charente river. Here, comics are everywhere, on every street corner.

Night with breakfast in hotel

Day 2 - Angoulême to Cognac

You’ll start your stay as close as possible to the Charente river, making a loop at Fléac, before reaching Trois-Palis and its famous chocolate factory.

At Saint-Simeux, cross the bridge to admire the view of the church overlooking the valley, as well as the old eel fisheries and water mill. Continue along the Charente to the picturesque villages of Vibrac and Jarnac , and finish in Cognac, a town steeped in history and world-famous for its exceptional spirits.

Cognac has been awarded the “Ville d’art et d’histoire” (City of Art and History) label, and is a town on a human scale, brimming with architectural treasures that bear witness to the golden age of trade in the precious beverage. A visit to one of its famous trading houses is a must!

Night and breakfast in hotel

Day 3 - Cognac to Saintes

You’ll leave Cognac and enter the Charente Maritime department. Not far from the river, enjoying the peaceful countryside, the cycle route will take you to Salignac-en-Charente, where you’ll enjoy a breathtaking view of the river. Your route, dotted with villages and hamlets, ends in Saintes, in the Saintonge region.

Founded by the Romans, “Mediolanum Santonum” was the capital of Aquitaine in the first century. From this prosperity, it retains the Germanicus ArchA magnificent, vast amphitheatre, remains of thermal baths and an aqueduct. Saintes, which has been awarded the “Ville d’Art et d’Histoire” (Town of Art and History) label, will also surprise you with its Abbaye-aux-Dames, a prestigious monastic complex, one of the jewels of Saintonge Romanesque art.

Night and breakfast in hotel

Day 4 - Saintes to Rochefort

On this stage, the Flow Vélo route, which is a little more hilly, offers authentic and varied landscapes, allowing you to set foot on land on several occasions:

The Port d’Envaux, the Louis XV-style Château de Panloy, the Château de Crazannes and its limestone quarries, the picturesque village of Saint-Savinien, Petite Cité de Caractère, and villages de Pierres et d’Eau are all must-sees on your route. Finally, you’ll reach Rochefort, a dynamic city on the Charente estuary, with a rich heritage.

This town, founded in the 17th century around shipbuilding, boasts the original and unique Eiffel transporter bridge.

Night and breakfast in hotel

Day 5 - Rochefort to Marennes

You’ll resume your journey on a pleasant cycle route between two waters, joining the marshes criss-crossed by small canals.

Cross the surprising Citadelle de Brouage, lost in the middle of the marsh, before ending the day in Marennes, well known for its oyster production.

Night and breakfast in hotel.

Day 6 - Oleron island getaway

Leaving Marennes, you’ll reach Bourcefranc, and take the Ile d’Oléron bridge from where you’ll see Fort Louvois.

The Ile d’Oléron, also known as the Ile aux Mimosas for its mild climate, has preserved its wild and authentic character. You’ll start your discovery of the island at Château d’Oléron, a former stronghold with its citadel fortified by Vauban, then wind your way through the channels and oyster-farming huts on the Oyster Route before reaching Saint-Pierre d’Oléron and its famous fishing port of La Cotinière. You’ll then drive along some of the island’s most beautiful beaches, before ending the day at the Port des Salines, where you’ll learn all about the history of salt production on Oléron.

Night and breakfast in the same hotel as the day before.

Day 7 - Marennes to Royan

The cycle path takes you through the pine forests of the “côte sauvage”, past La Palmyre, where you can visit the zoo. It’s easy to observe the animals. You arrive in Royan via Saint Palais, the beaches of Vaux sur Mer, Pontaillac and the marina.

A stopover marked by the intoxicating scent of maritime pines. Royan is a modern seaside town with a few villas from the belle époque, an original covered market and a lively, festive waterfront.

Night and breakfast in hotel

Day 8 - Departure

Departure from Royan after breakfast

rates

Price per person

7 days – 6 nights: €970
8 days – 7 nights: €1050

Price includes

6 or 7 nights in 3* hotels with breakfast (in double/twin room)
Route book (with map and directions)
1 GPS application with step-by-step route
Luggage transfer at each stage
24/7 technical assistance

Supplement

	7 days – 6 nights	8 days – 7 nights
Touring bikes (VTC) Electric bicycle (VAE)	160 € 270 €	175 € 280 €

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
1 charger (for electric bike)

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: