Bike tour in Charente, Land of Cognac
Pricing informations
Tour description
Cycle tour in Charente, land of Cognac
Cognac cycle tour in the land of the “Nectar of the Gods”: « Cognac ». Cycling, food and spirits! Discover Charente on your two wheels! This holiday offers a week by bike through vineyards, rivers, pretty limestone villages and forest. Cycle at your own speed from hotels to guesthouses on easy and pleasant tracks. Stop at the farms where the Cognac, water spirit, is produced! Farmers enjoy sharing their passion with tourist. Go alongside the river Charente next to the road cycling and enjoy the beauty of the countryside lined with white cliffs and green oaks; a perfect place for cyclist. Visit the Houses of Cognac producers and the pretty town of Agngoulême.
In Cognac country, the slopes are gentle, the valleys are roven with row of vines.The winemaking farms where brandy and Cognac are made and distilled are delighted to welcome cyclotourists and tourists!
The river Charente traces out beautiful meanders, along road bike its waters gain more and more volume, towns and villages from the nautical past make you want to stop and visit. In the south, the withe cliffs and green oak trees line the country roads.
The town of Cognac has long owed its economic development to King François I. In giving many privileges to his “nice town” François I launched a flourishing salt trade at Cognac, using the Charente river.
Let yourself to be guided along the streets of cognac, many possibilities offer you to do what you want: Visit one of the houses such as Bache Gabrielsen or the Cognac Art Museum. You will also taste the best of the local gastronomy and specialities as Truffles, Charentais melon, Pears from Angoulème…
The Cognac cycle tour in Charente offers a unique experience! Charente-Maritime is waiting for you, few days spent here and you never won’t want back home. To be more confortable during your cycling adventures, we can Bike hire or an E-bike as you prefer!
- The sweetness of life in the Charente region
- The Grandes Maisons de Cognac in Cognac and its wine-growing surroundings
- The historic city center of Angoulême perched on its promontory
- Small roads bucolic settings
Program
Note : This tour is a loop tour and can start and finish (depending on you) :1/ Either in Cognac2/ Or in AngoulêmeWe present here the tour from Cognac
Overnight in a charming 2-star hotel in « Cognac » city where you will find the road book and bikes waiting for you. Breakfast included.
Cycle in « Cognac Country »and discover all the treasures of this “Liqueur des Dieux” (nectar of one Gods) famous worldwide. Go through a magic universe exploring the old town with its trading houses and museums. The itinerary leads to the wine area of « Cherves-Richemont », the Mill of « Prazier » and the Church of « Saint-Georges de Richemont ». Take the time to stop and relax along the river « l’Antenne ».
Or you can choose to relax and stay in « Cognac » to visit a Cognac producer like Bache Gabrielsen (not available on Week-end and only on reservation) and the “museum of the Cognac art”.
Overnight in the same hotel. Breakfast included.
Cycle alongside the Charente valley between vineyards and waterways and leave « Cognac », the city that gave birth to King François I to reach «Angoulême », the international city of comics.
The road leads to «Saint-Brice», the Abbey Chatre, and the dolmen Guard Sword. Stop in the town of « Bourg Charente»and have a drink at the “Bistrot” (One “Michelin Star” restaurant).
Continue towards « Jarnac », the birthplace of the former French President, Francois Mitterrand.
Cycle through vineyards past picturesque villages such as « St Simon». Continue alongside the river passing locks and humpback bridges in « Vibrac».Pass the town of « Champmillion» and head towards the chocolaterie in « Trois Palis». What a delight! End your journey in the town of art and history: « Angoulème». The heart of this town is built on a promontory overlooking the river and valley.
Overnight in a charming 3-stars hotel located in the old « Angoulême », on a charming square facing the Palais de Justice. Breakfast included.
Cycle through the water sources of the « Touvres » and the forest of « La Braconne » to reach the chateau of « La Rochefoucauld » classified Unesco World heritage site . Named “The pearl of Angoulème”, the château was built from a fortress in 1026. This is an anthology of seven centuries of architecture and home of the La Rochefoucauld family for over a thousand years. Don’t miss a stop at the Queroy Caves who are also classified world heritage!
Overnight in your hotel. Breakfast included.
Today discover the South of « Angoulème » and its hidden treasures. Cycle through the forest, rivers and lands and explore the many villages, washhouses, churches and legendary places. Pass through « Mouthiers sur Boëme », and take the time to visit the pulpit in « Calvin » and the Garden of Logis de Forge, labeled as “Remarkable garden”. Enjoy cycling along the river la « Boème ».
Overnight in a 3-Stars hotel with a pool and a park. Breakfast included.
Back in the «Cognac Country » ! Between vineyards and across the fields discover at the top of a hill the ruins of the castle Bouteville. Go to the romanesque viewpoint located on a promontory and explore the surroundings. Stop at « Domaine Breuil » and taste their wines, Pineau and Cognac! What a delight.
Overnight in a 3-Stars hotel. Gourmet dinner and breakfast included.
You can sample more Cognac at the hotel (not included).
Cycle through the Charente countryside and enter the “Grande Champagne”, the best of the itineraries and Cognac appellation. Downhill, « Segonzac » is the capital of the 1er Cru Cognac. Taste some local white and Red wines at the House of Grande Champagne and with the wine-makers. Note the stages of “making” Cognac.
Go back to « Cognac » following the vineyards roads.
Overnight in your hotel. Dinner by your own. Breakfast included.
Practical details
Luggages
The documents
Bikes
Accomodations
Support
We take care of transporting your luggage at each change of accommodation so that you travel light and take full advantage of your daily hike.
You leave your luggage at the reception of your accommodation before your departure .
At the end of the afternoon, you will find them at the reception of your new accommodation or directly in your room.
Luggage accepted per person: 1 suitcase or travel bag (20 kg maximum) + 1 piece of hand luggage.
We remind you that rental bicycles are equipped with saddlebags to be used to transport the things you deem useful for the day
Your travel record corresponds to the documents or files you receive before your trip (usually a month before) and upon arrival at the first accommodation.
It includes:
- A welcome letter with the main practical information:
- The time slot for baggage transport
- Details of the delivery and collection of bikes from rental if necessary
- Your local contact and telephone number (s) in case of emergency
- Any additional information
- The logbook travel package including map with the route (to the appropriate scale) and directional, tourist and practical indications
- The necessary voucher (s) to be given to the service provider (s) (only if necessary!)
On request and depending on the circuits:
- The “Evazio” application to download from smartphone for “GPS” navigation with visual guidance (reading of the track on the your smartphone) and / or oral.
- The application also contains practical and tourist information. Once the trip has been downloaded, no internet connection is necessary
- The loan of a GPS device with the pre-recorded tracks
- Sends GPX tracks of each stage to be used with your own navigation support
On this circuit, we suggest that you provide you with the choice and by reservation:
- A hybrid bike suitable for hiking and for the route
- An electric bike adapted to the route
With its equipment:
- 1 rear bag
- 1 handlebar bag
- 1 set of repair
- 1 helmet (on request)
- 1 anti-theft device
- 1 charger (for the electric bike)
For the youngest, we can offer depending on age and size
- A child’s bike
- A baby seat
- A trailer
- A follow-up bike
The bike is delivered to the first accommodation and is adjusted to your size.
At the end of the tour, the bike must be left at the last accommodation with its equipment. We will take care of their recovery.
This tour is available in “superior” version.
The type of accommodation is classified into 3 ranges:
Comfort : The circuit mainly presents hotels classified 2 and 3 stars (or equivalent) and rooms of host.
Superior : The circuit mainly presents hotels classified 3 and 4 stars (or equivalent) and charming guest rooms.
Luxury : The circuit mainly presents 4 and 5 star hotels or equivalent
Our support team remains available for the duration of your trip.
