From La Rochelle to Bordeaux by bike – Vélodyssée and Gironde estuary
Price per person
From 985€
Type of stay
Location
Duration
Difficulty
Departures
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Your stay
Cycling from La Rochelle to Bordeaux.
This cycling trip from La Rochelle to Bordeaux takes you along the Atlantic coast then the Gironde estuary to discover the south of Charente Maritime and the north of Gironde. This bike tour follows the famous “La Vélodyssée” and “Canal des 2 Mers” cycle routes.
The route begins with the discovery of the Ile de Ré, with its long sandy beaches, marshes and oyster basins… You’ll visit the towns of Rochefort, Marennes and Royan, then ride along the cliffs of the Gironde Estuary. Passing through Haute-Saintonge and then Haute Gironde, you’ll take small roads and meet producers of the famous Charentes Cognac and Pineau. You’ll pass superb Romanesque churches, caves and unique Gallo-Roman sites, discover small ports on the estuary, stroll through charming towns and villages such as Meschers sur Gironde or Talmont sur Gironde. Finally, your bike tour takes in the Vauban Citadel at Blaye, then crosses the estuary, winds through the prestigious Margaux vineyards and finishes on the Quais de la Garonne in Bordeaux, a World Heritage site.
This cycling tour from La Rochelle to Bordeaux, alternating between cycle paths and small, flat roads along the ocean and Gironde estuary, will let you discover an exceptional natural setting and delight you with its diversity of landscapes.
You’ll be warmly welcomed every evening in 3 and 4-star hotels and charming bed & breakfasts.
You'll enjoy :
- The towns of La Rochelle, Royan and Bordeaux.
- The transporter bridge over the Charente at Rochefort
- Cycle paths along the Atlantic coast and in the Marennes marshes
- The wild, unspoilt banks of the Gironde estuary
- The limestone cliffs of Meschers and their picturesque fishing huts
- The Vauban Citadel at Blaye
Daily program
Day 1 - Arrival in La Rochelle
Arrival at your accommodation in La Rochelle. You will be welcomed in a 3* hotel.
We’ll provide you with documentation on the region and a road book indicating your route.
La Rochelle, a city remarkable for its history, is a lively tourist destination. Enjoy 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. Night and breakfast in a 3* hotel
Day 2 (optional) - Ile de Ré loop
- 30 à 60 km
- 150m
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 a 3* hotel
Day 2 or 3 - From La Rochelle to Marennes
- 59 à 70 km
- 85m
This day’s bike tour follows the coast through the lively towns of Chatelaillon and Fouras. It then branches off into the Baie d’Yves nature reserve. At Fouras, you can take the ferry across to Ile d’Aix, where you can visit the island that hosted Napoleon 1st’s last retreat. Before reaching Marennes, the route takes you through Rochefort. This town, founded in the 17th century around shipbuilding, boasts the original and unique Eiffel transporter bridge. The route continues along the cycle paths of the most beautiful coastline in western France.
Night and breakfast in a 3* hotel
Day 3 or 4 - Marennes to Royan
- 48 km
- 80m
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 a 3* hotel
Day 4 or 5 - The cliff trail
- 35 km
- 100m
You’ll set off from Royan along Boulevard Garnier and its beautiful 19th-century villas. You continue along the cliff top, with superb views over the estuary. Charming little harbours hide away here. Discover Talmont sur Gironde, with its church and flower-filled streets, or Meschers and its troglodyte caves. Stop off at the Parc de l’estuaire, Charente Maritime’s “nature park”, and drive through a forest overlooking the ocean and the Gironde estuary, as well as Saint-Seurin-d’Uzet, the former Caviar capital, with its port practically in the center of the village.
P
urther south, you can visit the cellars of Mortagne producers to learn all about Pineau, Cognac and Charentais wines. Mortagne-sur-Gironde, perched on its white cliffs, is a unique site in the region, a marina and fishing port.overnight stay, half-board, in a charming B&B.
Day 5 or 6 - Mortagne to Blaye along the estuary
- 60 km
- 100m
Continue along the estuary on a pleasant greenway through marshes and dykes to Vitrezay, gateway to the Gironde. After a visit to the Terres d’Oiseaux ornithological park at Port des Callonges, a beautifully landscaped greenway leads to the foot of the Blaye citadel, fortified by Vauban and recognized by UNESCO. A ferry takes you across the Blaye estuary to Lamarque the next day!
Overnight in a Bed and Breakfast*** hotel or charming B&B. Evening at leisure.
Day 6 or 7 - Off to Margaux and Bordeaux!
- 52 km
- 100m
Today, take the ferry across the estuary! Your cycling day continues on the Médoc side, in the heart of the Bordeaux vineyards, passing through Château Margaux. Here, the Garonne and the Gironde estuary leave their mark on the landscape, with marshes, riverbanks and small harbours, ideal for discovering the flora and fauna, islands and carrelets. Follow the narrow roads to Bordeaux, a UNESCO World Heritage site!
Overnight in a Bed and Breakfast in a 4* hotel in the heart of Bordeaux.
Day 7 or 8 - Departure
After breakfast.
rates
Price per person
| April to October | July and August | |
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Price includes
- 6 or 7 nights in 3* and 4* hotels and charming bed & breakfasts (in double/twin rooms)
- 1 dinner
- Route book (with map and directions)
- 1 GPS application
- Luggage transfer at each stage
- Crossing the Gironde estuary
- 24/7 technical assistance
Supplement
| 7 days – 6 nights version | 8 days – 7 nights version | |
| Touring bike rental (VTC) | 160 € | 175 € |
| Electric bike rental (VAE) | 290 € | 320 € |
| Gravel bike rental | 270 € | 300 € |
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
A gravel bike adapted to the course
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 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.
Itinerary
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