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Velodyssee – Tour of Charente Islands by bike

Price per person

From 835€

Type of stay

Voyage à vélo

Location

La Rochelle, Royan - France

Duration

8 days

Difficulty

Departures

Daily from April to October

Capacity

2 people minimum

Reference

Cyclo 44

Your stay

Follow the Vélodyssée, to the discovery of the Charente Island by bike.

Along La Vélodyssée and the Atlantic coast, discover a 100% coastal itinerary to explore the seaside resorts of Charente and the islands bordering these towns.
From La Rochelle to Royan, let yourself be guided from north to south along this coastal route. Day trips to the islands of Ré, Aix and Oléron will complete this peaceful CharenteMaritime holiday. In addition to the towns of La Rochelle, Marennes and Royan, you’ll also spend two nights in Rochefort, an arsenal town with a rich heritage.
This holiday alternates between towns and island getaways, offering you a variety of landscapes as the days go by. The hustle and bustle of the seaside resorts will soon be replaced by the peace and quiet of the natural spaces in the heart of the Charente islands.
Every evening, you’ll stay in towns where numerous restaurants will be ready to welcome you to sample the region’s local specialities: seafood, Ile de Ré potatoes, Charentais grills and the famous Charentais melon! There’s something for everyone.

You’ll be warmly welcomed every evening in 3 or 4-star hotels.

You'll enjoy :

The gentle way of life on the Atlantic coast
The towns of La Rochelle, Rochefort and Royan
The region’s culinary specialties
The island of Aix, as small as it is unique.

Back to travel

Daily program

Day 1 - Arrival in La Rochelle

Arrive at your accommodation in La Rochelle. You will be welcomed in a 3 or 4* hotel. You’ll be given documentation on the region and a route book indicating your itinerary.
La Rochelle, a city with a remarkable history, is a lively tourist attraction. You’ll appreciate the old port and its towers, which guarded the entrance from the 13th to the 15th centuries, the town center and its arcades, and the 15th-century town hall.

Overnight stay with breakfast in a 3 or 4* hotel.

Day 2 – Loop tour Ré Island

Loop tour towards Island of Ré, which passes 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 Le Bois Plage.

Overnight with breakfast in the same 3 or 4* hotel as the day before.

Day 3 - From La Rochelle to Rochefort

This day’s cycling tour follows the coast through the lively town of Chatelaillon, one of Charente Maritime’s prettiest seaside resorts, with its Belle Epoque villas and the village of Bouchôleurs, an opportunity to stop off and enjoy a delicious seafood platter in one of the typical wooden huts.
You’ll then cross the Baie d’Yves nature reserve. Your journey ends in Rochefort. A dynamic city on the Charente estuary, with a rich heritage. Created in the 17th century
around the shipbuilding industry, Rochefort boasts the original and unique Eiffel transporter bridge.

Overnight stay with breakfast in a 3* hotel.

Day 4 – Loop tour Aix Island

A change of scenery for this day-long loop! You’ll discover the marshes on the right bank of the Charente estuary before reaching Fouras, a small seaside resort and ferry departure point. After a 30-minute crossing, during which you’ll catch a glimpse of Fort Enet and Fort Boyard, you’ll arrive on the most insular of the Charente islands: « Ile d’Aix ». Accessible only by boat, this island is classified as a
remarkable natural site, and can only be discovered on foot, by bike or in a horse-drawn carriage. The 15 km of footpaths and cycleways criss-crossing the island allow you to explore this little corner of paradise, where nature reigns supreme.

Overnight with breakfast in the same 3 or 4* hotel as the day before.

Day 5 - From 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.

Overnight stay with breakfast in a 3* hotel.

Day 6 - Loop tour Oléron Island

Departing from 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.

Overnight with breakfast in the same 3 or 4* hotel as the day before.

Day 7 - From 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. The animals are easy to observe. 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 Epoque time, an original covered market and a lively, festive waterfront.

Overnight stay with breakfast in a 3* hotel.

Day 8 - Departure

Departure after breakfast.

rates

Price per person

8 days – 7 nights : 835 € // July & August : 890 €

The price includes

7 nights in 3 or 4* hotels with breakfasts (in double / twin room)
Route book (with maps and touristic information)
1 GPS App with the traces step by step
Luggage transfer step by step
Hotline 24/7

Extra charge

Touring bike rental : 160 €
Electric bike rental : 245 €

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 book including maps with routes (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 touring bike adapted to the ride and the route

An ebike adapted to the ride and the route

With these equipments:

1 rear bag
1 handlebar bag
1 repair kit
1 helmet (on request)
1 anti-theft device
1 charger (for electric bike)

For the youngest, we can provide depending on the age and the height :

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

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

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:

7 days a week
from 07:30 to 20:30.