Sunset in Saint-Palais-sur-Mer
Cycling in Ronce-les-Bains
The Port des Salines on Oléron island
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La Rochelle - Royan

The Atlantic coast and the islands.

From the port of La Rochelle, this route, which is also part of the Velodyssée (Eurovélo1), takes you along the sea, through the moors and through salt marshes. You will also visit the island of Ré "the white", Oléron "the green" and the island of Madame. A wonderful change from beautiful nature, great sights, many bathing opportunities and the local culture creates a wonderful bike tour from La Rochelle to Royan - a certainly extraordinary travel pleasure.
 
Highlights:
• Three islands with wonderful landscapes
• The discovery of a unique nature
• Charming cycle paths
Classic
  • 7 Days / 6 Nights
  • Individual
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Itinerary

You’ll arrive at La Rochelle in the afternoon and can then check-in at your hotel. This city is famous for its history and its touristic life. The old port with its 13th and 15th century towers at the entrance, the old-town and the arcades, the city-hall and much more await. Large choice of restaurants in La Rochelle, including one 2* Michelin Restaurant.

You will reach the island of Ré passing by Flotte en Ré (13th century), the oyster-farms, the salt marshes, and the nature reserve of L’illeau des Niges. Then you will return to La Rochelle. The island of Ré is very apt for cycling because there are many cycle paths and they are easy to ride as well. When the weather is suitable you can easily combine cycling with swimming. The villages in the island are verybeautiful and well-preserved. The “white island” won’t disappoint you at all

Note: if you don’t want to cross the bridge by bike or don’t want to do too much cycling you can take a bus to the island, rent a bike on the island and come back by bus.

You will leave La Rochelle and cycle along the coast to the resort of Châtelaillon by the Pointe des Boucholeurs, a little harbour with more than 250 ha of oyster farms. You will bypass the marshes of Yves, the meeting point of migratory birds.We will go around the peninsula of Fouras and continue onto the route to Pointe de la Fumée, the boarding place to the isle of Aix. You will cross Fouras by the south to Rochefort, along the banks of the Charente with its many squared dipping nets. You will also passby the marshes of Basse Roche, St Laurent de la Pré and Rochefort Océan, a harbour and historic city. It is also highly recommended to visit the gardens of the Croderie Royale.

You will leave the city of Pierre Logi along the Charente, on the Southern side, and cross it via the last transporter bridge in France (it is now under construction until 2019, so there is a ferry that allows you to cross). You will keepcycling along the river to Port des Barques. If the tide is beneficial, you can go around the island Madame. It is linked to the coast by a road which you can take when there is a low tide (+ 6 km for the round trip). Further South, you will cross themarshes of Moëze to the town of Brouage. In the town, there is a stoned fortress with many watchtowers where Marie Mancini, the love of Louis XIV, cried for her impossible love. Further on, you will pass by Marennes, the land of oysters and then you’ll reach Oléron by the bridge.

Note: Possibility to book an additional night for a round trip on the island of Oléron, the largest island along the French Atlantic coast. This island is larger than the island of Ré. You will explore the Birds Reservation that is located at the heart of the oyster-farms between St Pierre and Boyardville. You will continue cycling in the forest of Saumonards and return via Sauzelle.

You will continue across the oyster parks to Grand Village Plage. Then, continue cycling to the eco-museum of Port des Salines. Don’t miss out on the beautiful cycle path to one of the most gorgeous beaches along the Atlantic coasts. Once there, you will be close to Trojan les Bains and Pointe de Manson. Then, you will get back on the continent and take a2nd bridge to Ronce les Bains.

This cycle route is on a superb path that starts in the forest of Courbe and ends at the lighthouse of Courbe. After that, you will cycle along the ocean to the beautiful village of St Palais sur Mer, where the architecture is that of the ‘30s. It is possible to swim at this location.

Departure after breakfast.

Return to La Rochelle on your own: either by bus (Les Mouettes Transport), approx. 1.5 hours travel time or by train (TER train) with a change in Saintes (e.g. Royan departure 07:49 a.m. / La Rochelle arrival 09:55 a.m.). 

Tour character

Medium difficulty with stages between 30 and 60 km. 90% of the time you cycle on bike paths and car-free paths. The stages do not impose any special technical requirements. This trip can also be cycled with children - from about 10 years of age.

Prices and events

All data for 2023 at a glance
Place of arrival: La Rochelle
  Season 1
01.04.2023 - 14.06.2023
16.09.2023 - 30.10.2023

Arrival daily
Season 2
15.06.2023 - 15.09.2023

Arrival daily
Atlantic coast and islands: La Rochelle - Royan, cat. B, 7 days, FR-AKRLR-07
Base price
780.00
810.00
Surcharge single room 360.00 360.00
Atlantic coast and islands: La Rochelle - Royan, cat. A, 7 days, FR-AKRLR-07
Base price
1,060.00
995.00
Surcharge single room 360.00 360.00

Category B: Accommodation in guesthouses, inns and hotels 2** und 3*** (French classification)

Category A: Accommodation in guesthouses and hotels 3*** and 4**** (French classification)

Season 1
Apr 1, 2023 - Jun 14, 2023
Sep 16, 2023 - Oct 30, 2023
Arrival daily
Season 2
Jun 15, 2023 - Sep 15, 2023
Arrival daily
Atlantic coast and islands: La Rochelle - Royan, cat. B, 7 days, FR-AKRLR-07
Base price
Surcharge single room
Atlantic coast and islands: La Rochelle - Royan, cat. A, 7 days, FR-AKRLR-07
Base price
Surcharge single room
780.00
360.00
1,060.00
360.00
810.00
360.00
995.00
360.00

Category B: Accommodation in guesthouses, inns and hotels 2** und 3*** (French classification)

Category A: Accommodation in guesthouses and hotels 3*** and 4**** (French classification)

Season 1
Apr 1, 2023 - Jun 14, 2023
Sep 16, 2023 - Oct 30, 2023
Season 2
Jun 15, 2023 - Sep 15, 2023
La Rochelle
Double room p. p. cat. B
Single room
Île d'Oléron
Double room p. p. cat. B
Single room
Royan
Double room p. p. cat. B
Single room
La Rochelle
Double room p. p. cat. B
Single room
Île d'Oléron
Double room p. p. cat. B
Single room
Royan
Double room p. p. cat. B
Single room
65.00
110.00
67.00
110.00
65.00
95.00
88.00
125.00
100.00
170.00
80.00
132.00
72.00
112.00
92.00
142.00
80.00
115.00
93.00
120.00
128.00
180.00
94.00
160.00
Additional nights
Place of arrival: La Rochelle
  Season 1
Apr 1, 2023 - Jun 14, 2023
Sep 16, 2023 - Oct 30, 2023

Arrival daily
Season 2
Jun 15, 2023 - Sep 15, 2023

Arrival daily
La Rochelle
Double room p. p. cat. B 65.00 72.00
Single room 110.00 112.00
Île d'Oléron
Double room p. p. cat. B 67.00 92.00
Single room 110.00 142.00
Royan
Double room p. p. cat. B 65.00 80.00
Single room 95.00 115.00
La Rochelle
Double room p. p. cat. B 88.00 93.00
Single room 125.00 120.00
Île d'Oléron
Double room p. p. cat. B 100.00 128.00
Single room 170.00 180.00
Royan
Double room p. p. cat. B 80.00 94.00
Single room 132.00 160.00
Price
Electric bike incl. rental bike insurance
Rental bike incl. rental bike insurance
279.00
193.00
Prices per person in EUR

Services and infos

Leistungen
  • Accommodation in chosen category
  • Daily breakfast
  • Luggage transfer between the hotels (1 piece per person with a maximum of 15 kg)
  • service hotline for the duration of the tour
  • Digital travel pack containing all necessary documents for your trip
Infos

Anreise / Parken / Abreise

  • By car, train or plane to La Rochelle.
  • Parking possibilities near the station "Gare SNCF" for approx. € 12,-/day or at parking space Jean Moulin for approx. € 18,-/day.
  • Transfer back to La Rochelle on your own, e.g. by bus or train.

Please note:

  • Where visitor´s tax is due, it is not included in the tour price.
  • For a surcharge, the printed version of the travel documents with maps, topo guide and travel bag can be deposited at the arrival hotel (surcharge € 35 per package).
    If desired, please specify upon booking.
Contact & booking

Do you still have questions about the tour? We are happy to help and look forward to your inquiry.