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La Flow Vélo – Cycling vacations from Angoulême to Rochefort and Ile d’Aix

Price per person

From 770€

Type of stay

Bicycle trip

Location

Angoulême, Rochefort - France

Duration

6 days

Difficulty

Departures

Daily from April to October

Capacity

2 people minimum

Reference

Cyclo 34

Your stay

Cycling vacations on the Flow vélo from Angoulême to Rochefort and Ile d’Aix

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 close to the Charente river, on small roads in the heart of the Cognac vineyards, through the Charente countryside, the Charente Maritime marshes or along the beaches of Ile d’Aix. This relaxing cycling tour has plenty of surprises in store.

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. As you meander along the Charente, you’ll come across villages, churches, farms and bridges, all of which add to the region’s charm. Along the way, you’ll reach the land of the “liqueur of the Gods”: Cognac, where you’ll meet passionate winegrowers or “les Grandes Maisons” in Jarnac or Cognac itself.

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 spectacular Gallo-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 “.

Finally, set off for a final island stopover on the small, unspoilt island of Aix, nestled between its two big sisters, Ré and Oléron. This crescent of sand, 3 kilometers long and 700 meters wide, offers cyclists the enchantment of a stopover at sea. Close to the majestic Fort Boyard, Ile d’Aix offers beach and marsh landscapes to the south, while to the north, the forest and creeks are reminiscent of the Mediterranean. Take the time to discover every nook and cranny of Charente’s most insular island by bike or on foot!

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
Les Grandes Maisons de Cognac in Cognac and the surrounding vineyards
The Art and History towns of Angoulême and Saintes
The island of Aix, as small as it is unique.

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 - Aix Island getaway

A change of scenery for this last day of the 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, classified as a remarkable natural site, can only be discovered on foot, by bike or in a horse-drawn carriage. The 15 km of pedestrian and cycle paths criss-crossing the island allow you to explore this little corner of paradise, where nature reigns supreme.

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

Day 6 - Departure

Departure from Rochefort after breakfast

rates

Price per person

6 days – 5 nights: €770

Price includes

5 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 telephone assistance

Supplement

VTC rental bike: €135
Electric bike: €230

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: