Backroad cycling France

Cycle the Pearls of the Atlantic Coast, starting in La Rochelle: Ile de Ré, Ile d'Oléron and Ile d'AixRef CN97

Discover a labyrinth of salt marshes, enjoy a sunset on a beach with an infinite setting, cycle from island to island in search of different horizons... You will never tire of the many facets of this authentic and famous archipelago on the Atlantic coast. From La Rochelle, nicknamed "La Porte Océane", we make a first stop on the island of Ré, renowned for its villages with white houses. Then we drop anchor in Boyarville to discover Oléron, the "luminous island", which reveals its wild beaches of fine sand, but also a bewitching nature. We finish our discovery by the most Mediterranean of the Atlantic islands: the island of Aix, pearl of the Charente estuary or "little Corsica of the Atlantic", which invites us on its small 3 km crescent to flirt with paradise... A week of cycling that is both refreshing and exotic!

Self-guided tour: from 1060€ - Details Duration : 8 days | Level : Customer satisfaction :
- 1 reviews
+33 458 140 435 A dedicated team of travel specialists is available to offer you expert advice Monday to Friday from 9 to 12:30 AM and 13:30 to 6 PM (French time) on the phone, or by email.
Book this tour
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This tour is E-bike compatible

Highlights

  • A combination of the islands of Ré, Oléron and Aix with three different atmospheres
  • An itinerary composed mainly of cycle paths and following the Vélodyssée
  • Boat crossings to optimise the time spent on the islands
  • A visit to La Rochelle, "La Porte Océane"
  • The possibility to combine with our "Nantes to La Rochelle" tour for a two week escape!

Description


Detailed itinerary

Day 1: La Rochelle

Itinerary start: On the first day your hotel room in La Rochelle is available mid-afternoon. On day 2 in the morning, you must leave your luggage at the reception by 9am at the latest. For those arriving by car, it is possible to park in the underground pay car park of Verdun (600 spaces), located in the city centre, less than 10 minutes walk from the hotel. If you wish to drop off your car in Rochefort first, there is a free car park with 1000 spaces located Cours Roy Bry 17300 Rochefort.

The rendezvous is in La Rochelle, nicknamed the "Porte Océane": capital of the Charente-Maritime, La Rochelle is famous for its postcard-like Old Port. Guarded by the Chain Tower and the Saint Nicolas Tower, the Old Port has inspired many artists. In the old town, mansions, Renaissance houses and old timber-framed houses follow one another. La Rochelle is well worth a visit, so we will be able to enjoy it again in the afternoon of day 4, on our return from the Ile de Ré.

Day 2: La Rochelle - Saint Martin de Ré

Highlights :

  • This morning we board the ship linking the islands off La Rochelle, our first stop: Ile de Ré!
  • During the crossing, we pass under its famous bridge, skirt the coast of the island and discover the ramparts of Saint Martin de Ré.
  • We then head to the eastern part of the island and its coastal villages:
    • Bois Plage and its famous market.
    • Sainte Marie and its white houses decorated with hollyhocks.
    • La Flotte and its pretty marina.
  • Back in Saint Martin de Ré, we settle into our hotel and enjoy our first night facing the ocean.

Distance : approx. 30 km and 50 m.

Day 3: Saint Martin de Ré - Phare des Baleines - Saint Martin de Ré

Highlights :

  • Today, we head west to discover the second part of the island, up to its end dominated by the famous whale lighthouse, which certainly offers the most beautiful panorama of the island.
  • We discover the villages of Ars en Ré, labelled the most beautiful village in France, Saint Clément des Baleines with its authentic little houses, and La Couarde Sur Mer, renowned for its small seaside resort in the south of the island.
  • The landscapes are very varied, we cycle sometimes in the middle of vineyards, sometimes on tracks surrounded on all sides by a checkerboard of salt marshes or fresh water which glisten under the sun's rays.
  • On the way, we can taste some oysters, either plain or with a touch of salt harvested by the sauniers of the Ile de Ré. The iodine air is powerful and naturally helps us to rest.
  • Alternatives allow us to extend our route towards Les Portes en Ré and Loix, to explore the smallest corners of the island and discover secret beaches.

Distance: approx. 40 km and 50 m.

Extension to Loix: + 15 km

Extension to Les Portes en Ré: + 15 km

Day 4: Saint Martin de Ré - La Rochelle

Highlights :

  • We enjoy our last moments on the island of Ré before heading back to the mainland.
  • After about fifteen tortuous kilometres in the plain, we reach the gates of La Rochelle with its lively port.
  • This is the opportunity to discover its old town, its old port and its various attractions which make the reputation of the capital of the Charente-Maritime region.
  • In the evening, around the old port or in the old town, on a terrace or in the cosy confines of a brasserie, there are plenty of choices to have a taste of the local gastronomy.

Distance: approx. 30 km and 50m.

Day 5: La Rochelle - Boyardville - Saint Trojan Les Bains

Highlights :

  • After breakfast, we take the boat to the south to the island of Oleron, the largest French island on the Atlantic coast.
  • It is famous for its special luminosity, its fine sandy beaches, its unspoilt wilderness and its rich heritage.
  • We set off on our bikes for a 40 km ride southwards to discover the centre of the island with a delicious mix of cycle paths, greenways, forests, marshes and small villages.
  • To the south, we reach Saint Trojan Les Bains between the pine forest and the ocean, before settling in comfortably for two nights at our hotel.

Distance: approx. 35 km and 50m.

Day 6: Saint Trojan Les Bains - La Cotinière - Boucle Nord

Highlights :

  • We leave for a full day to discover the central part of the island and the north (if you choose the level 2).
  • From the start, we follow a shaded forest track, the most important one on the island, and giving access to some absolutely sublime sandy beaches: Gatseau beach and the Grande Plage of Saint Trojan Les Bains.
  • We follow the west coast, passing by the beach of Vert Bois, ideal for surfing, before reaching La Cotinière, a small artisanal fishing port.
  • The beach and the numerous cafés invite us to take a break, before continuing our journey towards the North (level 2) or the East (level 1).
  • The level 2 route takes us along the "wild coast" to the Chassiron lighthouse. We discover beautiful beaches strewn with colourful cabins typical of the island, then we reach a steeper coastline with some cliffs overlooking the ocean. At the very end stands the Chassiron lighthouse. Then we go back down to the east coast, passing through the pretty little streets of the village of La Brée Les Bains and the Saumonards forest, home to some of the island's most beautiful beaches.
  • We join the level 1 route which winds through vineyards and marshes on small, confidential roads to reach Le Château d'Oléron and its citadel.
  • We join Saint Trojan Les Bains by a small bucolic track through the salt marshes and return to our hotel.

Distance level 1: approx. 45 km and 50m

Distance level 2: approx. 75 km and 100m

Day 7: Saint Trojan Les Bains - Rochefort

Highlights :

  • This morning we leave the island of Oleron to reach the mainland once again.
  • We join the Vélodyssée, the famous cycle path along the Atlantic coast, which we leave momentarily to discover the fortified town of Brouage.
  • Then we reach Brouage, this now fortified town was originally built in the 14th century as the outport of Hiers.
  • We join the Vélodyssée again, which we will not leave until we arrive in Rochefort.
  • We ride along a canal that leads us to the Charente, through some facilities such as a tunnel and a metal suspension bridge to cross the river and finish our journey in Rochefort, passing by its harbour office, the last stop on our journey.

Distance: approx. 55 km and 100m.

Day 8Rochefort - île d'Aix - Rochefort

Highlights :

  • Our last stop is on the island of Aix, the third pearl of the Atlantic coast.
  • It is the smallest of the three islands to be discovered during our trip, which we reach by boat from the port of Fouras.
  • The Ile d'Aix concentrates all the diversity of the landscapes of the Charente-Maritime coastline, an island of peace and quiet, it can only be discovered on foot, by bike or in a horse-drawn carriage...
  • As small as it is, the island of Aix is full of treasures with its five beaches, a dense forest that covers half of the island and a rich and fortified heritage.
  • We finish our visit and take the boat back to the coast and the port of Fouras.
  • We the head back to Rochefort, the final point of our journey. At the end of the day, we leave for Rochefort train station.

Distance: approx. 45 km and 100m.

Itinerary end: Your stay ends when you collect your luggage from your hotel in Rochefort, on your way back from the visit to the island of Aix. Your arrival in Rochefort may be late, depending on the time of the return boat from the Ile d'Aix to Fouras, and on how much time you wish to spend enjoying the Ile d'Aix. There are very regular trains between Rochefort and La Rochelle, which take about 20 minutes. If you wish to return by private shuttle, please see below "departure and prices".

Distances and altitude gain are an indication only and may vary.

Dates

This tour can be booked anytime. Please contact us.

Costs and services self-guided tour

Price per person for a group of:

Single-room supplement will be automatically charged in the case of odd-numbered groups.

The price includes:
  • 7 nights in guest houses and hotels of the chosen category in double/twin rooms with en-suite facilities
  • 7 breakfasts
  • Daily baggage transfers
  • Carefully designed itineraries
  • Detailed road book, highlighted maps and GPS tracks
What is not included:
  • International flights
  • Your transfer to the meeting place (see paragraph below)
  • All services mentioned in extensions
  • Travel insurance
  • Drinks at the accommodation
  • Visits to museums, monuments and sites not covered by the programme
  • Additional travel related to change in the programme due to bad weather
  • All personal expenses
  • Everything not mentioned under  “the price includes".

Supplementary services:

Single room accommodation (7 nights) 395 € / 

Single room accommodation (7 nights) - Comfort+ version 795 € / 

Extra nights in La Rochelle:

Extra night in La Rochelle in 2* hotel, double room, including breakfast 85 € / 

Extra night in La Rochelle, in 2* hotel, single room, including breakfast 115 € / 

Extra night in La Rochelle in 3* hotel, double room, including breakfast 95 € / 

Extra night in La Rochelle, in 3* hotel, single room, including breakfast 145 € / 

Extra night in La Rochelle in 4* hotel, double room, including breakfast 140 € / 

Extra night in La Rochelle, in 4* hotel, single room, including breakfast 250 € / 

Extra nights in Rochefort:

Extra night in Rochefort in 3* hotel, double room, including breakfast 80 € / 

Extra night in Rochefort in 3* hotel, single room, including breakfast 135 € / 

Extra night in Rochefort in 4* hotel, double room, including breakfast 115 € / 

Extra night in Rochefort in 4* hotel, single room, including breakfast 195 € / 

Transfer Rochefort - La Rochelle at the end of the trip
max. 8 persons + 8 bikes
260 €

On request, we can book all dinners of your trip in restaurants carefully selected by our teams (budget generally between 30 and 35 € per person, starter, main course and dessert. Drinks not included). Meals are to be paid by you upon arrival at the restaurant.

Dinner reservations (7) 35 € / 

Bike rental

Standard bikes and e-bikes are available for rent (delivery and return fee included).

Standard bike (7 days) 165 € / 

E-Bike (7 days) 295 € / 

Second rear pannier (7 days) 35 € / 

Delivery and return fee (from 1 to 4 rental bikes) 150 €

Delivery and return fee (from 5 to 8 rental bikes) 195 €

All bicycles are equipped with mudguards, a puncture repair kit, a smartphone holder, a rear rack with two rear panniers (saddlebags). Helmets and bike locks available upon request.

Please confirm your height on your booking form.

Electric bikes offer pedaling assistance, greatly reducing the effort needed to cover a given distance compared to a classic "human-powered" bicycle. They offer an alternative solution in two cases: 

  • You do not feel able to complete a level 1 wheel (lowest level) circuit. With electric assistance, this trip becomes accessible. 
  • You would like to complete a circuit with a person who is fitter than you and you are worried that you will be unable to keep up, or that the other person will find your pace too slow.

Equipment for family trip:

Child Bike (7 days)
until 12 years
80 € / 

Child trailer (7 days)
min. 12 months, max. 40 kg, 2 children
115 € / 

Child trailer with baby sling (7 days)
under 12 months
130 € / 

Child seat (7 days)
12 months to 5 years old, max. 22 kg
30 € / 

Private groups / Custom tours

You are a group of friends, a family, a company or a cycling club and you would like to organise a private cycling tour on the dates of your choice. This option is available for guided and self-guided tours.

  • If you are interested in one of the tours presented on our website, we can provide you with a detailed quote based on the number of persons in your group.
  • If you are interested in a custom version of one of our tours, with specific requirements (tour duration, accommodation type, vehicle assistance, airport transfers, bike rental, etc.), we can provide you with a detailed quote based on the number of persons in the group and the group's specific requirements.

For more information or to receive a quote, please contact us by phone at +33 458 140 435  or by email at info@france-bike-trips.com.

Travel insurance

It is important to be correctly insured when embarking on a cycling holiday. We recommend checking the details of your travel insurance (if you have one) and, if necessary, subscribing to our contract below. Please note that France Bike Trips is simply an intermediary between you and the insurance company.

You can choose between these travel insurance contracts while completing your booking form:

  • I subscribe to the "comprehensive multi-risk" insurance cover (4.5%), minimum premium of 15 €:
    This contract covers assistance, repatriation, lost or stolen luggage, holiday interruption and cancellation. To see the full contract, click here.
  • I purchase the "cancellation only" insurance cover (2.5%), minimum premium of 10 €:
    This policy covers cancellation only. To see the full contract, click here.
  • I purchase the "repatriation & assistance" insurance cover (1.6%), minimum premium of 10 €:
    This policy covers assistance, repatriation, lost or stolen luggage and holiday interruption. To see the full contract, click here.

Recommendation:
If you choose to take out a travel insurance policy with another insurance company, please check that the search and rescue coverage is suitable: area covered, expenses included, risks covered (as an indication, a minimum cover of 15 000 € is recommended). Please note that credit card insurance rarely offers this type of coverage.

Booking procedure / Cancellation

How to book

In order to make a booking please fill in the online booking form on the "booking" page of your chosen tour. At the end of the booking process you will be transferred to our bank's secure payment page in order to pay a 30 % deposit.

Last minute booking

All self-guided bookings made within 21 days of tour departure will incur a surcharge of 15 € per person.

Expert advice
  • Unsure which tour to book?
  • Interested in a custom version of one of our tours?
  • Not sure if a particular tour is suitable for your riding style?

A dedicated team of travel specialists is available to offer you expert advice Monday to Friday from 9 am to 6 pm (French time) by phone - +33 458 140 435 or by mail - info@france-bike-trips.com.

Tour confirmation

In order to confirm our guided tours, we need to reach a minimum number of participants (usually 5 persons are necessary). Therefore booking a guided tour does not necessarily mean the tour is confirmed. In the unlikely event that we are unable to confirm your chosen tour, we will offer you the opportunity (no less than 21 days before departure) of switching to another (confirmed) tour, or receiving a full refund.

Self-guided or custom tours: We confirm bookings of self-guided tours and custom tours directly after booking.

In both cases, please await our final booking confirmation before making any travel arrangements.

Balance payment

Tour balance payment must be made no less than 30 days before tour departure. Your travel documents will be sent to you once we have received your balance payment. Road books and maps will be sent to you 3 weeks before departure.

Cancellation

In the event that you are obliged to cancel your tour France Bike Trips will reimburse the entire sum paid for the tour, minus the following cancellation charges:

  • More than 60 days before departure: 5 % of the tour price, excluding insurance premium
  • Between 60 and 31 days before departure: 15 % of the tour price, excluding insurance premium
  • Between 30 and 21 days: 30 % of the tour price, excluding insurance premium
  • Between 20 and 14 days: 50 % of the tour price, excluding insurance premium
  • Between 13 and 7 days: 70 % of the tour price, excluding insurance premium
  • Less than 7 days before departure: 100 % of the tour price, excluding insurance premium

Full details of our sales conditions are available here

Getting there

By train: From Paris Montparnasse train station to La Rochelle train station (about 3h30 by TGV train).
https://www.sncf-connect.com/en-en/

By plane:

  • From Roissy - Paris Charles de Gaulle airport: head to La Rochelle train station.
  • From La Rochelle airport.

By car:
Route planner: en.mappy.com

Coming back:

You can return to La Rochelle by taking the train from Rochefort (about 30min) : https://www.sncf-connect.com/en-en/

Route navigation

You will receive an email 2 weeks before departure, containing all the information necessary for your upcoming tour, including the following navigation tools:

Our dedicated smartphone app

Follow your route with comfort and ease! Thanks to the Velorizons navigation app, download the full trip itinerary to your smartphone, view route maps and profiles, access the list of booked accommodation, services and useful contacts, and use the integrated route guidance (visual and vocal) for navigation.

See the mobile app presentation video

To benefit fully from the app navigation system, we strongly recommend attaching your smartphone to the bicycle handlebar using a dedicated mount. An example can be viewed here.

Velorizons app compatibility
Operating systemAndroidAppleWindows PhoneBlackberry
CompatibilityVersion 8.0 minimumiOS 8.0 minimum. iPhone compatible, iPad compatible if GPS equippedNon compatibleNon compatible
A detailed Road Book

Your tour road book will be available to download in your My France Bike Trips customer area. The road book contains:

  • Full colour maps with highlighted routes,
  • Step-by-step route description,
  • Route profiles
GPS tracks

Tour GPS tracks will be available to download in your My France Bike Trips customer area. The tracks are in .gpx format, compatible with all GPS devices/apps.

Car sharing

If you sign up for a guided tour, we offer you the opportunity to see if you can carpool with other participants to get to the point of departure. To do this, go to "Car sharing" in our website. By entering the complete reference and the date of departure of the tour (available on the registration confirmation that we have sent you), you have access to route details and emails of other participants who wish to carpool.

Group size and guiding

For guided trips we limit the size of our groups from 5 (min) to 12 (max) persons in order to ensure security and conviviality.

You will be guided by English-speaking French mountain bike guides.

No size limitation for self-guided groups.

Accommodation

We favour comfortable accommodation with warm hospitality. For more details, please see the "Costs and services" section.

For private groups and self-guided tours it is possible to choose alternative accommodation (upgrade) depending on availability.

Food

"L'art de la table"

We pay very careful attention to the quality and the variety of your meals.  Fresh and local produce will be served wherever possible.

Depending on the meals included in your chosen tour:

  • Continental breakfasts taken at the accommodation
  • Cold picnics for lunch (mixed salad, bread, cold meats, cheese and fruit). Each participant carries his picnic in his daypack
  • Hearty dinners (3 to 4 courses, with local dishes)

Please check the "Dates & Prices" section for meal plan details.

Baggage

During the day you carry only a daypack for additional clothing, water, food, camera, etc. The rest of your baggage is transferred each day to the following nights accommodation.

Health

We strongly recommend having a medical check-up before your holiday. 

Our / Your state of mind

- A "group" tour: If you join a guided tour, you will be part of a group for several days. This is a superb opportunity to meet new people and share some magical moments. However, a group tour requires that each person show friendliness, openness and mutual respect for their fellow travellers.

- An "adventure" tour: despite the most careful preparation, adventure tours can present unforeseen events. Accepting these risks will help you enjoy your trip to the full, in the knowledge that your guide, our local partners and the entire France Bike Trips team will offer you the most suitable solutions to any given situation.

Bike and plane / train

If you decide to bring your own bike, be aware that transporting a bike by plane or train is no longer an issue. However a few simple guidelines help to optimise the transport and avoid potential damages that could occur.
Your bike must be transported in a designated bike bag (standard size 120x90cm). This maximal size allows you to travel with your bike as "hand luggage" in any TGV and SNCF trains.
It is very important that you protect your bike in the bag. After having deflated the tires, removed the wheels (by removing the quick release mechanisms), pedals and rear derailleur (which is left hanging on the chain), we recommend you wrap your bike inside the bag in a sheet of dense foam (thickness of 3 to 5 cm). A piece of cardboard or rigid plastic positioned between the foam and the inside of the cover can be beneficial to provide more rigidity.

Once folded up the bike bag will take up very little space and will be transported by the assistance vehicle during your tour.

Bike bags are available directly from France Bike Trips at a cost of 70 euros, plus postage.

Your equipment

Equipment provided by France Bike Trips on guided tours:
  • A group first-aid kit
  • A bike repair kit and tools
Personal equipment to bring:
Baggage

All your luggage must fit in two bags: a daypack and a travel bag.

1/ Daypack

This is the bag you will keep with you each day whilst riding. This bag should not be too large (up to 30 litres).

It will contain: a picnic lunch, camera, waterproof and extra clothing, etc.

Each day, your guide will advise you on what to bring in your bag according to the route and the weather.

2/ Travel bag

This is the bag that will be transported from one accommodation to the next by vehicle. It should contain all the belongings you will not use during the day.

IMPORTANT: Your luggage transported from one accommodation to the next must fit in a single bag and must not exceed 20kg.

List of equipment to pack in your bag the day of departure:
For your head
  • A cap or other head protection against the sun
  • A hat or headband
  • A bike helmet.
For your upper body
  • Two base layers (made of synthetic or natural breathable fabrics)
  • A warm shirt or a sweatshirt
  • A fleece
  • A waterproof jacket
For your legs
  • Two good quality cycling shorts
  • Trousers
  • Casual short
  • A swimsuit.
For your feet
  • Comfortable sports shoes 
  • Sports socks
  • Sandals (not obligatory, but nice during breaks and in the evening...).
For your bike

If you rent a bike from France Bike Trips, this material is not necessary.

  • 2 spare tubes and a puncture repair kit
  • Lubricant for chain and derailleur
  • A pump
  • A spare derailleur hanger
Various
  • A pair of cycling gloves
  • A bike lock
  • 2 bike bottles 75 cl (or Camelbak)
  • A small individual pharmacy: sunscreen (face and lips); band aids + double skin; Immodium; pain killers, earplugs, other personal medication.

Self-guided formula

Self-guided tour "user guide"

Active autonomy: what you need to know for our self-guided tours

In order to achieve the planned tour programme, you must:

  • Guide yourself with the highlighted maps and road book;
  • Choose suitable start times adapted to the lengths of the daily stages as well as your own riding pace, and leave an adequate safety margin of time;
  • Obtain daily weather forecasts from your hosts, and take into account the weather conditions when planning journey times;
  • Arrive at the booked guest houses and hotels listed in the programme on the given dates; 
  • Bring the necessary personal equipment to carry out the tour. France Bike Trips equipment list constitutes the necessary minimum;
  • Carry insurance policies and emergency telephone numbers with you at all times;
  • Be familiar with basic first-aid steps;
  • In the event of any problems during your trip, contact France Bike Trips (contact information in your travel documents). Possession of a mobile phone that works in France is strongly recommended.

Self-guided tours are undertaken without a guide and at your own risk. France Bike Trips cannot be held liable for any route error, misconduct, personal imprudence, inadequate planning or inappropriate reactions in the event of incidents.

Any programme change of your own initiative is under your responsibility and at your expense. 

Having said this, with our advice and good preparation, you should be able to look forward to a wonderful, trouble free holiday. Enjoy your trip!

Average tour rating:

5/5 - 1 Reviews
Philippe V. | Participant rating:
"What a pleasure to cycle in this region where everything is designed for cycling. Cycling by the sea and in the middle of the salt marshes and among the birds, it's great. A week of cycling with (almost) no cars around us. Very pleasant accommodation, each in its own style. What a pleasure to have oysters and a glass of white wine at the stopovers around 11am.
(customer review translated from our French website Vélorizons)"
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A dedicated team of travel specialists is available to offer you expert advice Monday to Friday from 9 to 12:30 AM and 13:30 to 6 PM (French time) on the phone, or by email.


Phone number: +33 458 140 435

Contact us

A dedicated team of travel specialists is available to offer you expert advice Monday to Friday from 9 to 12:30 AM and 13:30 to 6 PM (French time) on the phone, or by email.

Please type in your email address in order to access tour details and description

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