From « la Rochelle » your cycling tour takes you along the Atlantic coast to discover the Charente maritime area. You will ride along the Velodyssée to discover many islands like the « Ile de Ré » or « Ile d’Aix » but also wide sandy beaches, marshes and oyster farms. You will ride on little roads going through the Haute-Saintonge and Haute Gironde. You will meet the winemakers of the famous “Cognac” and “Pineau” of Charentes. You will also cycle by superb Romanic churches, caves and some unique Gallo-Romanic sites. You will discover small ports on the Estuary; will stroll in cities and charming villages. This journey with various landscapes alternates bicycle paths trough forests and flat roads along vineyards and cliffs. This trip will allow you to discover an exceptional natural setting. At the end, you will cross the Gironde estuary and reach Bordeaux via the famous Margaux Vineyards. You will be warmly welcomed every evening in 3 or 4 * hotels and charming guest houses.
Day 1 Arrival in La Rochelle
Arrival at your hotel in La Rochelle, where you will find the road book and bikes waiting for you. “La Rochelle” is a lovely city, remarkable for its history. You can appreciate the old harbor and its towers which kept the entrance of the city from 13th to 15th century. You can also enjoy the city centre and its arches as well as the town hall from the 15th century. Night in a 3*** hotel with breakfast.
Day 2 Loop tour around the island of “Ré” ~30 or 60 km
Loop tour on the Ré island, passing through the villages of “Flotte en Ré” (dating from the 18th century) and its fishing boats, “Saint-Martin” with its fortifications and its fortress. You will walk along oyster beds, salt marshes and the nature reserve of the “Lilleau des Niges”. Back by “La Couarde” and “Bois plage”. Night in a 3*** hotel with breakfast.
Day 3 La Rochelle > Marennes / La Tremblade~ 59 or 70 km
Today’s cycling takes you along the coast and through the lovely city of “Chatelaillon”. Your itinerary then continues by the nature reserve of the Yve’s Bay and takes you through “Rochefort”. This city founded in the 17th century around shipbuilding shares with you the original and unique transporter bridge “Eiffel”. The route continues on the bike paths through the marshes of “Marennes”. Possibility to cross the surprising Citadel of “Brouage”, in the hearth of the marshes, before ending your tour in “Marennes” well-knowned for its oyster’s production. Night in a 3*** hotel with breakfast.
Day 4 Marennes > Royan ~ 48 km
Your itinerary takes you on the cycling path through the pine forest of the wild coast, to “La Palmyre” where you can visit the zoo. It is easy to observe the animals. You will arrive to “Royan” by “Saint Palais”, the beaches of “Vaux sur Mer”, “Pontaillac”, and the marina. It is a stage marked by the delightful smell of maritime pines. Royan is a modern resort hiding some beautiful villas of the belle époque, an original covered market and a festive and lovely waterfront. Night in a 3*** hotel with breakfast.
Day 5 Royan > Mortagne-sur-Gironde ~35 km
You will leave Royan by taking the “boulevard Garnier” and its beautiful villas from the XIX century. You will continue at the top of the cliffs with a super view over the estuary. Here are hidden charming little ports. Discover Talmont-sur-Gironde, its church and blooming streets, the artisanal village of cave dweller dug in the limestone cliffs of Meshers-sur-Gironde. You will stop at the Park of the estuary, « pole nature » de la Charente Maritime, you will cross a forest overlooking the ocean and the estuary of Gironde, but you will also cross Saint-Seurin-d’Uzet, the old capital of Caviar, with its port located in the centre of the village. More to the south, you will be able to discover all about the Pineau, Cognac and Charentais wine. Mortagne-sur-Gironde lays on wild cliffs, its fishing and sailing port make it a unique site in the area. Night with dinner and breakfast in a charming guesthouse.
Day 6 Mortagne-sur-Gironde > Blaye ~ 60 km
Go on along the Estuary on a very nice cycling path between marshes and dykes to Vitrezay, the gateway of Gironde. After a visit to the «Terres d’Oiseaux» bird sanctuary, a beautiful «Voie Verte» cycle track, leads to the Blaye Citadel, built by Vauban and listed by UNESCO (alongside Fort Pâté and Fort Médoc) as the “Vauban lock”. A ferry allows you to cross the estuary from Blaye to Lamarque the next day. Night with breakfast in hotel 3* or charming guesthouse.
Day 7 Blaye > Bordeaux ~ 52 km
Discover Blaye and its famous citadel built by Vauban and take the ferry afterwards! Your cycling day continues on the Medoc side, in the heart of the Margaux and Haut Médoc vineyards. The Garonne River and the estuary of Gironde mark profoundly the landscapes, through swamps, banks and small ports. There are so many spaces to discover the fauna and flora. Through little roads continue towards Bordeaux, listed as Unesco World Heritage. Overnight in a 3* hotel. Breakfast included.
Day 8 Departure
Departure after breakfast.
