The Vélodyssée from La Rochelle to Bordeaux

Arrival in La Rochelle. Day without cycling.

La Rochelle is a lively and historical city that is not to be missed. Stroll around the Old Port and its famous towers. Enter the old town to wander through the alleys and under the shopping arcades.
La Rochelle offers other must-see activities such as a visit to theaquarium, a stroll on the Minimes marina, or even a cruise to Fort Boyard and the Isle of Aix.

Night in La Rochelle

Leave La Rochelle by following the Atlantic Coast towards Chatelaillon-Plage, an elegant seaside resort with Belle Epoque architecture and Les Boucholeurs, a small fishing andoyster farmers with its oyster tasting huts.
The cycling stage continues via Fouras and through the marshes to reach Rochefort. It was here that in 1661 Louis XIV decided to develop a powerful Maritime Arsenal. Don't miss a visit to the Royal Ropeworks, a magnificent and impressive 374 m long rope factory.

Night in Rochefort

Cross the Charente by taking the last transporter bridge of France. After this amazing experience in a gondola above the river, set off on a bike ride through the Brouage marsh. Direction Marennes, the city of the Oyster and its colorful oyster huts along the canals.
Crossing the Seudre estuary and end of the stage at La Tremblade, opposite the island of Oléron.

Night in La Tremblade

You follow the Vélodyssée cycle path through the pine forest of the Wild Coast and its 20 kilometers of beach! Admire the Coubre lighthouse, a work now threatened by coastal erosion. Then cycle from Bonne Anse Bay to Royan via the beach of Great Coast, the small seaside resorts with their pretty beaches, coves and cliffs dotted with squares. A Royan park your bike and take a stroll around the marina or simply relax on one of the many terraces on the seafront or on the large sandy beach.

Night in Royan

Today's cycling stage begins on the pleasant cycle path of the large Royan beach before starting its course along theGironde Estuary. On paths and small roads, you discover picturesque landscapes: limestone cliffs with fishermen's fishing nets, Meschers-sur-Gironde and his troglodyte caves and Talmont-sur-Gironde, a picture-postcard village perched on the water's edge and classified among the "Most Beautiful Villages in France". Arrival at Mortagne-sur-Gironde, a small village with its dynamic and charming marina nestled at the bottom of a channel.

Night in Mortagne-sur-Gironde

You cycle through hilly landscapes, sometimes along cliffs and dikes that border the Gironde, sometimes in the middle of fields, marshes and vineyards. The route ends on a long greenway in the Côtes de Blaye wine region.

Arrival in Blaye. The Blaye citadel is one of the most emblematic sites built by Vauban in the 17th century. From the top of the ramparts surrounding the fortress, enjoy a magnificent panorama of the estuary.

Night in Blaye

Head to Bordeaux for this last day of cycling. Two options are available to you:
• By the left bank of the estuary 51 km
Cross the Gironde at Blaye by taking the ferry before cycling through the Bordeaux vineyards, on part of the Route of the famous wines of Médoc and Margaux. A route on small roads and an arrival at Bordeaux with complete peace of mind along the cycle paths.

• By the right bank of the estuary 59 km
Cycle through the vineyards of the Côtes de Blaye and the Bourg hills to Bordeaux. On the way you take the beautiful Flowery Corniche Road, with its troglodyte houses, fishing huts and bourgeois residences. Pass the historic village of Bourg, an unmissable site on your route before finishing the adventure at Bordeaux.

Night in Bordeaux

Day without cycling. End of stay after breakfast.

Before leaving, take the time to discover the essentials of Bordeaux, the historic districts, the quays and the stock exchange square with its water mirror, the City of Wine and the Basin of Lights. And don't miss out on tasting the famous cannelés !