Along France’s Atlantic Coast: La Rochelle to Bordeaux

Along France’s Atlantic Coast

7 night self guided bike tour in France

From La Rochelle harbor, using the Vélodyssée cycling path, you will ride along to coast through the pinewoods, before joining the Belle Epoque villas of Royan.

Then, along the Gironde estuary, the Canal des 2 mers’ bicycle route leads you into the heart of Bordeaux.

Highlights

• La Rochelle
• Rochefort
• Marennes with the oyster farming pool
• Regional salt pans and the Seudre estuary
• Belle Epoque villas of Royan
• Talmont sure Gironde
• Vélodyssée cycling path
• Coastal cycling and riding along the Gironde estuary
• Bordeaux

Learn More

Learn more about self-guided tours.

Daily program

Day 1: Arrival in La Rochelle
Enjoy the charms of the old city bathed with warm and sweet lights, with its old towers, remains from the old defensive walls.

Day 2: La Rochelle – Rochefort (37 miles/60 km)
From the famous towers of La Rochelle harbor, ride along the cycling path by the ocean leading to Châtelaillon-Plage, a seaside city. Then you will reach the astonishing city of Rochefort, following the river banks of the Charente.

Day 3: Rochefort – La Tremblade (21 miles/34 km)
Then you will ride along a cycling path to the salt pan crossed by several small canals. Marennes is the first oyster farming pool in Europe: a perfect stopover to discover regional food!

Day 4: La Tremblade – Royan (24 miles/38 km)
Continue your journey between salt pans and the Seudre estuary. After Palmyre, "the Coast of Beauty" is a spectacular step thanks to an amazing cycling path with a sea view until Royan and its Belle Epoque villas.

Day 5: Royan – Mortagne sur Gironde (21 miles/33 km)
On a nice shaded cycling track along the sea, your journey will take you from paths to small roads before getting to Talmont sur Gironde, known as one of the "most beautiful villages in France." Then you will ride until Mortagne-sur-Gironde harbor.

Day 6: Mortagne sur Gironde – Blaye (39 miles/62 km)
The numerous small marinas along the river banks of the Gironde are perfect stopping places. You will join Blaye by a beautiful cycling path and will leave Charente Maritime to continue the route of the channel of 2 seas in Gironde.

Day 7: Blaye – Bordeaux (33 miles/53 km)
Cross the Gironde estuary to join Lamarque and the region of the Médoc and its famous vineyards. You will reach the heart of Bordeaux, riding along small roads in the middle of the vineyard.

Day 8: Departure during the day

Surface and terrain

You'll cycle on paved routes and cycle paths on this tour. You'll enjoy rolling terrain each day, and average distances of 29 miles per day.

Hotels

These are sample hotels and may vary based on availability.

You will enjoy superior accommodations in 3- and 4-star hotels.

Hotel La Monnaie or Hotel Centra Park, La Rochelle
www.hotelcentralpark.fr

Hôtel de La Corderie Royale, Rochefort
www.all.accor.com

Hotel Grand Chalet, La Tremblade
www.logishotels.com

Hôtel Cordouan, Royan
www.thalazur.fr

Domaine du Meunier, Mortagne sur Gironde
www.domainedumeunier.com

Guest room Clos Reaud, Blaye
www.closreaud-citadelle.com

HotelMajestic, Bordeaux
www.hotel-majestic.com

Interested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options.

How to get there

Tour start
Nearest airport: Paris, France
Nearest train station: La Rochelle, France

Tour end
Nearest airport: Paris, France
Nearest train station: Bordeaux, France

Tips on getting to and from your tour

Dates

Prices

Included services

• 7 nights accommodation
• Breakfasts
• Luggage transfer
• Travel folder with maps, detailed route descriptions, and tourist brochures
• Hotline for emergency support
• Boat transfer in Rochefort
• Boat transfer of the Gironde
• City taxes

If you book the optional dinner package, you'll receive 6 dinners.

Bike rentals

The bikes available for rent on this tour (must be reserved at time of booking):

• Hybrid touring bikes, 21-speed men's or unisex frame
• Electrically assisted bike, 9-speed*
• Child's bike, trailer, or baby seat

*More about electrically-assisted bikes >

Equipment included with bike rental:

• One rear saddlebag for hybrid bikes; two rear saddlebags for e-bikes
• High visibility jacket
• Anti-theft device
• Map holder and handlebar bag
• Repair kit, pump, lock

Pedals:
The bikes will have flat pedals. If you want to bring your own pedals, please bring your own shoes and also the necessary equipment to change the pedals.

Helmets:
Helmets are included with bike rental on this tour. However, we recommend that you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene purposes.

Tour Company Terms