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From the 'White City' of La Rochelle to the 'Wine City' of Bordeaux
Ride from the resplendent La Rochelle harbor into the beating heart of beautiful Bordeaux via the Vélodyssée and Canal des 2 Mers (Canal of the 2 Seas) cycle paths. Along the way, pedal through fragrant pinewood forests, past the blissful Belle Epoque villas of Royan, and along the grand Gironde Estuary, enjoying captivating coastal views as you ride.
Highlights
- La Rochelle
- Rochefort
- Marennes & oyster farming pool
- Regional salt pans & Seudre Estuary
- Belle Epoque villas of Royan
- Talmont-sur-Gironde
- Vélodyssée cycling path
- Canal des 2 Mers cycling path
- Gironde Estuary
- Coastal views
- Bordeaux
Learn More
Learn more about self-guided tours.
Interested in adding to your itinerary? Take a look at our cycling day tours in France. -
Traveler photos
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Daily program
Day 1: Arrival in La Rochelle
Enjoy the charms of the city with its atmospheric towers and remains of the old defensive walls.Day 2: La Rochelle – Rochefort (37 miles/60 km; elev. +176m)
From the famous towers of La Rochelle harbor, ride along the oceanside cycling path to Châtelaillon-Plage, a seaside city. You'll eventually reach the astonishing city of Rochefort, following the beautiful banks of the Charente River.Day 3: Rochefort – La Tremblade (21 miles/34 km; elev. +121m)
Follow a cycle path from Rochefort 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 (23 miles/37 km; elev. +131m)
Continue your journey between the salt pans and the Seudre Estuary. After Palmyre, 'the Coast of Beauty' makes for an enchanting experience as you enjoy sea views along the cycle path to Royan, known for its Belle Epoque villas.Day 5: Royan – Mortagne-sur-Gironde (20 miles/32 km; elev. +200m)
On a lovely, shaded cycling track by the sea, your journey will take you from paths to small roads before you reach Talmont-sur-Gironde, known as one of the 'most beautiful villages in France'. You'll then ride to the magical Mortagne-sur-Gironde harbor.Day 6: Mortagne sur Gironde – Blaye (39 miles/62 km; elev. +116m)
The numerous small marinas along the river banks of the Gironde make for stunning stopping places. You will join Blaye by a beautiful cycle path, leaving Charente Maritime to continue the route of the Canal of the 2 Seas.Day 7: Blaye – Bordeaux (34 miles/55 km; elev. +248m)
Cross the Gironde Estuary to join Lamarque and the region of Médoc, famous for its award-winning wine. You'll reach the heart of Bordeaux, riding along small roads in the midst of the verdant vineyards.Day 8: Departure during the day
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Accommodation
Hotels
These are sample hotels and may vary based on availability.
You will enjoy superior accommodation in 3- and 4-star hotels.
La Rochelle: Hotel La Monnaie or Hotel Centra Park
Rochefort: Hôtel de La Corderie Royale
La Tremblade: Hotel Grand Chalet
Royan: Hôtel Cordouan
Mortagne sur Gironde: Domaine du Meunier
Blaye: Guest room Clos Reaud
Bordeaux: Hotel Majestic
Interested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options.
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Bikes
Standard touring bike
VTC GITANE bike - 21 speed gears
Included in this tourA bike that favors an upright, comfortable position, ideal for leisure riding.
Step-through frame (as pictured) - sizes available up to 183 cm / 72 inches
Men's frame (cross-bar frame, not pictured) - sizes available for 183 cm / 72 inches or greater- 1 rear pannier
- 1 front pannier with a map holder
- 1 repair kit
- 1 smartphone holder
- 1 lock
- 1 bottle cage
Helmet not provided.
Trekking bike
SCOTT Sub Sport 20 - 27 speed gears
A “sport” bike that favors a more athletic position and riding style.Step-through frame (as pictured) - sizes available up to 183 cm / 72 inches
Men's frame (cross-bar frame, not pictured) - sizes available for 183 cm / 72 inches or greater- 1 rear pannier
- 1 front pannier with a map holder
- 1 repair kit
- 1 smartphone holder
- 1 lock
- 1 bottle cage
Helmet not provided.
Electrically-assisted bike
MOUSTACHE e-bike or similar
- 1 rear pannier
- 1 front pannier with a map holder
- 1 repair kit
- 1 smartphone holder
- 1 lock
Helmet not provided.
*More about electrically-assisted bikes >
The bikes available for rent on this tour (must be reserved at time of booking):
- Standard 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 standard bikes; two rear saddlebags for e-bikes
- High visibility jacket
- Anti-theft device
- Map holder and handlebar bag
- Repair kit, pump, lock
Bike Protection:
Bike protection can be purchased at the time of booking. You can read more about that HERE.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 available, free of charge but they must be reserved at the time of booking. The use of a helmet is mandatory for children less than 12 years old (whether riders or passengers). For older children and adults, even if it’s not mandatory we strongly recommend it!Dates & Prices
- Low season Apr–Oct 20252025 departures: Daily between April 14th through June 30th and September 1st through October 10th
2025 April Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2025 May Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2025 June Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2025 September Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2025 October Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Tour package Double occupancy € 1693 Single occupancy € 2606 Solo traveler € 2936 Bike rental Price Standard bike Included Electrically-assisted bike € 115 - High season Jul–Aug 20252025 departures: Daily between July 1st through August 31st
2025 July Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2025 August Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2025 September Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Tour package Double occupancy € 1753 Single occupancy € 2732 Solo traveler € 3062 Bike rental Price Standard bike Included Electrically-assisted bike € 115 - Extra options
Extra nights, La Rochelle low seasonDouble occupancy € 137 Single occupancy € 247 Extra nights, La Rochelle high seasonPrice Double occupancy € 153 Single occupancy € 284 Extra nights, Bordeaux both seasonsPrice Double occupancy € 142 Single occupancy € 179
Included services
- 7 nights accommodation
- Breakfasts
- Standard touring bike
- Luggage transfer (1 luggage 20kg per person) - Additional €20 per extra luggage and transfer
- Travel folder with maps, detailed route descriptions, and tourist brochures
- Navigational app
- Hotline for emergency support
- Pont Transbordeur crossing in Rochefort (Day 2)
- Boat transfer of the Gironde River (Day 7)
- City taxes
- GPX tracks upon request
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.
How to get there
Tour start
Nearest airport: Paris, France
Nearest train station: La Rochelle, FranceTour end
Nearest airport: Paris, France
Nearest train station: Bordeaux, FranceFrom Paris: Montparnasse train station >> La Rochelle Ville train station (about 3h by TGV train).
To La Rochelle: Bordeaux St Jean train station >> La Rochelle train station (about 2h15 by train).
To Paris: Bordeaux St Jean train station >> Paris Montparnasse train station (about 2h10 by TGV train).
Tips on getting to and from your tour.
Reviews
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★★★★★ Richard Olson 3 months ago
Enjoyable journey
Once you have seen the major tourist attractions in France, this is a great way to see and experience smaller towns and the Atlantic coastline. Many uncrowded beaches- this area is popular for French tourists but without the crush of international tourists. You will interact with many that speak relatively little English- for us, this made the trip more interesting.
Our bikes were reliable, well-fitted, and well-tuned. We encountered no mechanical difficulties. (If you do get a flat tire, you are expected to know how to deal with it, which was fine with us.)
The routing was excellent, with mostly car-free paths or single lane roads that had only farming-related (slow) vehicles. Mostly asphalt surfaces, occasional crushed limestone, and rarely dirt paths. Many options for stopping at excellent cafes or restaurants, including one place we found out (upon leaving) has a Michelin star. The north to south routing is desirable, as the scenery gets better each day. The routing app worked extremely well, but it was nice to also have the printed maps as a backup.
Not crowded- there were a moderate number of other bikers, including some long distance riders (Norway to Spain).
We enjoyed having our hotels chosen for us- this added an element of surprise and anticipation to each day. Accommodations were varied in style, but they were all outstanding- with excellent breakfasts, and located in nice towns with many restaurant options. Hotels all welcomed bike-tour customers (generally treated us like VIPs.)
- What was the date of your tour?
- July 2024
- How many tours have you completed?
- 7
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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BikeTours.com staff reply from Jan July 21, 2024
Great pics and review! Thanks for your business.
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★★★★★ Keith Veenstra 3 months ago
Good bike ride
Enjoyed the bike experience not new to France so the it wasn’t wow. The accommodation was good and varied enjoyed the châteaux very much . App was very good, bikes excellent. Have done numerous similar bike tours and this rates well.
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★★★★★ Ronan Gardiner July 6, 2023
Incredible Trip
From spectacular coastline to fields of sunflowers to rolling vineyards, this tour offers a "nature bath" that ignites all the senses. Add to that, beautiful overnight towns, historic hotels and incredible food and wine - what's not to love!
This was our second bicycle trip in France (the first was in the equally incredible Loire Valley) and it will certainly not be our last. The distances were just right (the shorter but hillier day was actually the toughest), the bikes were terrific, as was the Roadbook for Discovery AP that served as our guide. Our bags were waiting for us at every overnight town and the entire trip was seamless.
We traveled in late June / early July and there were surprisingly few tourists in the towns we visited. Restaurants and sight seeing activities were therefore easily accessible, requiring no advance reservations. We added a couple of nights in La Rochelle pre-trip and in Bordeaux post, which we would highly recommend, we actually wished we'd had more time in Bordeaux - a spectacular city with lot's to see and do .... and eat and drink. Bon voyage!- What was the date of your tour?
- June/July 23
- How many tours have you completed?
- 3
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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