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From Angoulême to the Ile de Ré by bike. Flow vélo and vélodyssée

Price per person

From 840€

Type of stay

Bicycle trip

Location

Angoulême, La Rochelle - France

Duration

6 or 7 days

Difficulty

Departures

Daily from April to October

Capacity

2 people minimum

Reference

Cyclo 34-2

Your stay

Cycling from Angoulême to Ile de Ré. Flow vélo and vélodyssée

Along the Charente Valley, you’ll discover the perfect blend of river, stone and vine. This cycling trip takes in a large part of the ” Flow Vélo “, the bicycle route linking the Dordogne to the Atlantic. 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 reach La Rochelle in Charente-Maritime, the starting point for an escapade on the marvellous Ile de Ré. A richly varied cycling vacation.

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. An opportunity to visit one of Cognac’s “Grandes Maisons” in Jarnac or 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 ocean atmosphere from now on. You’ll cycle along the Atlantic coast, passing through the seaside resort of Châtelaillon and the typical fishing village of Les Boucholeurs. Long sandy beaches will take you to La Rochelle, where you can stroll through the arcaded lanes of the San-Nicolas and Tour de L’horloge districts.

Then opt for one last day on the cycle paths of the Ile de Ré, the jewel in the crown of the Charente archipelago and the Atlantic coast. Family beaches, typical white villages and the fishing ports of La Flotte-en-Ré or Saint-Martin-de-Ré, salt marshes and wooded areas facing the ocean.

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

You'll enjoy :

The gentle way of life in the Charente region
A quiet greenway close to the river and Cognac vineyards
The Art and History towns of Angoulême and Saintes
The micro-climate of La Rochelle “La Blanche
The undeniable beauty of the Ile de Ré

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 La Rochelle

This day’s bike tour follows the coast through the Baie d’Yves nature reserve, and passes through the lively town of Chatelaillon, one of Charente Maritime’s prettiest seaside resorts, with its Belle Epoque villas and the village of Les Bouchôleurs, an opportunity to stop and enjoy a delicious seafood platter in one of the typical wooden huts.

Your journey ends in La Rochelle. La Rochelle, a city remarkable for its history, is a lively tourist destination. Enjoy the old port and its towers, which were the entrance to the town from the 13th to the 15th centuries, the town center and its arcades, and the 15th-century town hall. Night and breakfast in hotel

Day 6 - Île de Ré option

You could opt for a getaway on the Ile de Ré.

A looping tour of the Ile de Ré, passing through the villages of La Flotte en Ré (dating from the 18th century) and its fishing boats, and Saint-Martin with its fortifications and fort. You’ll pass oyster beds, salt marshes and the L’illeau des Niges nature reserve. Return via La Couarde and Bois plage.

Night and breakfast in the same hotel as the day before

Day 7 - Departure

Departure from La Rochelle after breakfast

rates

Price per person

6 days – 5 nights: €840
7 days – 6 nights: €955

Price includes

5 or 6 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

	6 days – 5 nights	7 days – 6 nights
Touring bikes (VTC) Electric bicycle (VAE)	135 € 230 €	150 € 255 €

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: