La Rochelle - Royan

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.).