From Angoulême to Ré Island by bike. Flow velo & velodyssee
Pricing informations
Tour description
From Augoulême to Ré island by bike. cycling on the Flow velo and velodyssee
Along the Charente Valley you will discover the perfect combination of river, stone and vine. This cycling holiday is largely based on the “Flow Vélo“, a cycle route linking the Dordogne to the Atlantic ocean. We offer you a nice route on a pleasant white cycle path close to the river Charente, on small roads in the heart of the Cognac vineyards, through the Charente countryside. From Rochefort, the Flow vélo greenway gives way to the Vélodyssée one to reach La Rochelle in Charente-Maritime, the starting point for a trip to the wonderful Ré island. This is a varied trip for an exciting cycling holiday.
Starting from Angoulême, the capital of the comic strip, you will travel gently along the Flow Vélo to discover the Charente vineyards and its bucolic countryside. A journey punctuated by villages, small churches, farms and bridges, all of which add to the charm of the region. Along the way you will reach the land of the “liquor of the Gods”: Cognac. This is an opportunity to visit one of the “Grandes Maisons” of Cognac in Jarnac or Cognac.
Your cycling route will take you further through the Saintonge region with its castles and Romanesque churches. Don’t miss a visit to the Gallo-Roman Amphitheatre in Saintes, which is truly spectacular. After Saintes, city of Art and History, head for Rochefort, an arsenal city nestled in one of the last loops of the Charente, well known for its “Corderie Royale“.
Change of scenery after Rochefort and ocean atmosphere from now on. You will cycle along the Atlantic coast passing through the seaside resort of Châtelaillon and the typical fishing village of Les Boucholeurs. Long sandy beaches will finally lead you to La Rochelle where you can stroll through the narrow streets lined with arcades in the San-Nicolas or the Clock Tower districts.
Then opt for a last day on the cycle paths of the Ile de Ré, the jewel of the Charente archipelago and the Atlantic coastline. Family beaches, typical white villages and fishing ports of La Flotte-en-Ré or Saint-Martin-de-Ré, salt marshes and wooded areas facing the ocean.
You will be warmly welcomed every evening in 3-star hotels.
- The sweetness of life in the Charente region
- A peaceful greenway close to the river and Cognac vineyard
- The historic city centers of Angouleme, Saintes & Rochefort
- The Micro climate of La Rochelle
- The Beautiful Ré Island
Program
Arrival at your accommodation in Angoulême. You will be welcomed in your hotel in the « old city ».
Delivery of documentation on the region and the road-book on which will be indicated your circuit.
Capital of comics, City of Art and History, Angoulême will seduce you with its southern atmosphere: cobbled streets and white stone house. Perched on a promontory and surrounded by ramparts, it overlooks the river Charente. Here comics are omnipresent and appear at all the corners of the streets.
Night in B&B in hôtel***
You will start your trip closer to the river of Charente, making a loop in Fléac, before reaching Trois-Palis and its famous chocolate factory.
In Saint-Simeux, you will enjoy to cross the bridge and admire the view of the church overlooking the valley, as well as old eel fisheries and water mill.
You will continue your journey along the Charent river, until you reach the picturesques villages of Vibrac and Jarnac inescapable, to finish the stage in Cognac, a city steeped in history, and world famous for its exceptional spirit.
Labeled City of art and history, Cognac is a city on a human scale that is full of architectural treasures, witnesses of the golden age of the trade of the precious beverage. The visit of one of its famous trading houses is inevitable!
Night in B&B in hôtel***
You leave Cognac and the department of Charente to enter the Charente Maritime. Not far from the river, enjoying the peaceful countryside, the cycle route will take you to Salignac-en-Charente where you will enjoy a breathtaking view of the river. Your itinerary punctuated by villages and hamlets, will end in Saintes, in the Saintonge.
Founded by the Romans, “Mediolanum Santonum” was the capital of Aquitaine in the first century. From this prosperity, it preserves the Arc of Germanicus, a magnificent and vast amphitheater, vestiges of the baths and an aqueduct. Labeled city of Art and History, Saintes will also surprise you with its Abbaye-aux-Dames, a prestigious monastic complex, one of the jewels of the Romanesque art saintongeais.
Night in B&B in hôtel***
On this stage the route of the Flow Vélo, a little more hilly, offers authentic and varied landscapes, allowing you on several occasions to set foot on the ground:
The Port of Envaux, the château of Panloy in the style of Louis XV, the chateau of Crazannes, as well as its quarries of limestone, the small picturesque village of Saint-Savinien, « Small City of Character », and « villages of Stones and Water » are so essential on your course. You will finally reach Rochefort, a dynamic city facing the Charente estuary, with rich heritage.
Chosen by Colbert to become the largest military arsenal of the kingdom, the city is the home port of the famous frigate, the Hermione. You will also discover, the Corderie Royale, considered as the biggest manufactory of Europe, it is the most impressive monument of Rochefort; and its trans-ferry bridge, the very last of France.
Night in B&B in hôtel***
The cycling circuit of this day runs along the coast passing through the natural reserve of the Yves’ Bay and crosses the lively town of Chatelaillon, one of the prettiest seaside resorts of Charente Maritime with its Belle Epoque villas and its village of Bouchôleurs, the opportunity to stop and taste a good platter of seafood in one of the pretty, typical wooden huts.
You will end your journey in La Rochelle. La Rochelle, a town remarkable for its history, is lively and touristy. You will be able to appreciate the old port and its towers, which enshrined the entrance from the 13th to the 15th centuries, the city center and its arcades than the 15th century town hall.
Night in B&B in hôtel***
You can choose to extend your trip with an additionnal day and night to visit Ré island by bike
Loop tour to the island of “Ré”, passing through the villages of “Flotte en Ré” (dating from the XVIIIth century) and its fishing boats, “Saint-Martin” with its fortifications and its fortress. You will walk along the oyster beds, salt marshes and the nature reserve of the
“illeau Niges”. Back by “La Couarde” and “Bois plage”.
Night in B&B in the same hotel as the day before.
Departure from La Rochelle after breakfast
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 a “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.
