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  • BE: +32 (0) 2 588 76 91
Voyage vélo Cycling holidays in France Radreisen in Frankreich
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La Rochelle coast and countryside

Cycle tour through the Poitevin Marshes

From the Poitevin Marshes to the Atlantic coast, explore the hidden gems of Poitou-Charentes region.

Reviews (3) :
4.33 / 5
Reference PC0302
  • Itinerant trip
  • 5 days
  • Moderate
  • From April to October
  • Minimum age 10 years
From
Prices
589€ / pers.
Book here
  • Itinerary
    • Explore the Poitevin marshes by bike for 5 days. You start your bike trip in Niort where you can admire its imposing keep, then you cycle on small roads and along the narrow canals of the Poitevin marshes. You cross the small villages, discover the fauna and flora of the marshes with a guide on a boat and visit the magnificent abbey of Maillezais. Stop in the city of art and history Fontenay-le-Comte before leaving the wild Marais Poitevin to reach the beautiful port city of La Rochelle. The city prosperous past can be easily noticed thanks to its nice architecture from which the old fortified harbor is remarkable. La Rochelle offers a wide range of cultural and touristic activities. Do not miss La Rochelle aquarium. The city is very well equipped with cycling paths, which makes it perfect for discovering it on a bicycle.

    Day 1
     
     

    Niort

    You arrive at your own pace in the small town of Niort. You can stroll through the old town, admire the dungeon and the old district.

    Day 2
     
     

    Niort - Coulon

    Bike
    46km
    You ride along on the bike path along the river to leave Niort and reach the small country roads in the marshes. Through the quiet and lovely small villages, you reach Arçais also called the “Green Venice of the Marais Poitevin”. After a lunch on the harbor, you can board small boats and navigate through the narrow canals to discover the rich flora and fauna (coypus, the “angélique” a local plant, etc.).

    In the afternoon, your bike tour take you to the picturesque charm of the wild marshes through Saint-Georges-de-Rex before reaching Coulon, a small village with white stone houses. You can visit the interesting museum of the marshes to complete your knowledge of the region.

    Day 3
     
     

    Coulon - Fontenay-le-Comte

    Bike
    54km
    You leave Coulon through the marshes of the Marais Poitevin by riding on the dams. You cross a large part of the wet marshes. Your bike ride leads you to Maillezais where you visit an abbey of the 11th century, one of the starting point of the history of the Marais Poitevin. The bike route takes you then to the city of Fontenay-le-Comte, where you can enjoy a leisurely stroll, visit the many churches and the Renaissance castle of Terre-Neuve.

    Day 4
     
     

    Fontenay-le-Comte - La Rochelle

    Bike
    58km
    You follow the Vendée river to Marans and enjoy the charm of the marsh Marais Poitevin. In the afternoon, you ride through La Rochelle countryside following a canal before reaching the old port of La Rochelle.
    The city prosperous past can be easily noticed thanks to its nice architecture from which the old fortified harbor is remarkable.

    La Rochelle offers a wide range of cultural and touristic activities. Do not miss La Rochelle aquarium. The city is very well equipped with cycling paths, which makes it perfect for discovering it on a bicycle.

    Day 5
     
     

    Departure from La Rochelle

    After breakfast, you leave for your next destination or extend your stay as you wish.
       

    Visit of the Towers of the Old Port of La Rochelle 2h

    		9,50 € / adult
  • Accommodation

    • Category B

    You stay in **/*** hotels. Breakfast is included.
    * Example of the type of accommodation
  • Bikes, luggage and documents
    • Bikes

    On your arrival day, we provide you with:

    • a touring bike adjusted to your size or a tandem
    • equipped : front rack pack with an integrated file compartment, saddlebag, helmet (on demand), reflective vest, repairing toolkit with patches etc.

    We also provide you with the appropriate equipment for your children : baby seat, bike trailer or trailer bike depending on their age and size.
    Electric bikes are also available for adults (+1m55).

    You can of course also bring your own bikes, in this case a reduction will be applied (see the Tarif tab)


    Luggage


    For this trip, bikes are equipped with 2 waterproof saddle bags with a capacity of 10 to 20L each to transport your luggage. Do not forget to put your items in a soft travel bag to be able that you can roll it up in your saddle bags.

    For more comfort, you can choose to add luggage transport in your booking:
    (see rate in "Prices")

    • We transport your luggage from one accommodation to the next using a private vehicle.
    • Your luggage is directly delivered in your accommodation before you arrive.
    • We provide a saddlebag for the things you shall need during the day.(included in your bike rental).
    • We advise to take an extra set of clothes with you if you expect to arrive before 5p.m. at your accommodation.

    Our word of advice : as we know from experience, we strongly recommend you to avoid wearing a backpack during your cycling trip.


    Travel documents

    A cycling holiday is the best way to explore a region and discover its culture, landscapes and local traditions.

    Your tour is self-guided to give you the freedom to ride at your own pace. You will be provided all the information you need to enjoy peacefully the itinerary and its interesting sites.
    You will have in your travel documents :
    • a detailed map (A4 format) of the itinerary that we drew at the easiest scale to follow for a bicycle rider
    • a step-by-step description of the itinerary (bound A5 format) giving the direction to follow at each intersection
    • a tourist leaflet containing a brief presentation and useful practical information (opening time, price, contact) about the points of interest along the way

    Example of a map and a step-by-step description

  • Practical information
    • To get to departure point:

    • By plane: flight to La Rochelle, then take a train to Niort.
    • By train: from Paris Montparnasse station, you can take a direct TGV (fast trains) to Niort. The duration of the trip is about 2h30. To plan your trip, www.raileurope.com.

    Parking

    If you drive to Niort, you can park your car in a secured car park located in the city center: parking St Jean (Place Saint Jean) or parking Espace Nortiais (Rue du Mûrier).


    To get back to starting point:

    Regional trains take you back to your starting point if you wish. They are accessible without booking in advance and bicycles are free. You have to buy your ticket on spot. You will find the timetable of the day in your travel documents.

    We can also organise a transfer in a private vehicule on demand.


    Meeting time:

    The first day is an arrival day without cycling. You arrive whenever you want depending on from where you come. Please note that rooms are usually available in the middle of the afternoon depending on your accommodation. We thank you to advise us if you plan to arrive late.

    .
  • Reviews

    •   Memory of the trip  

    prev next
    1 2 3
    3 bike travelers reviews 4.33 / 5

    “ Superbe ”

    On the 2024-08-21 by francois
    Très beau parcours! Très bon travail de logistique:les hôtels étaient très confortables, les bagages arrivaient à temps, bonne recommandations de restaurants, ... Bref, très satisfait. p.s.C'est notre 4ième voyage avec Vélo Voyageur!

    “ Vélo Marais Poitevin ”

    On the 2021-09-14 by Cathy
    3,5 Un parcours bucolique , varié, agréable, beaucoup de pistes cyclables , mais un effort a faire dans le choix des hôtels et la capacité d'accueillir des vélos.

    “ Rando Vélo parfaite ”

    On the 2021-08-10 by efred
    Nous avons fort apprécié cette première rando à vélo. Circuit facile, belles pistes, jolis petits villages traversés, courses possibles sur le parcours pour le pique nique....... Nous sommes enchantés de cette première aventure à vélo
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