+33(0)2 54 78 62 52La Vélo Francette: cycle tour from Saumur to La Rochelle
- Saumur, its vineyards, its castle and its Cadre Noir Riding school
- The Thouet Valley and its villages of character
- Riding through the The Marais Poitevin Regional Natural Park
- Arrival on the Atlantic and La Rochelle
/ 2 testimonials
Reference : VF1
Difficulty : Moderate
Linear trip
From March to October
Departure: daily
Some questions about this trip ?
Contact us +33(0)2 54 78 62 52 or by email
> Download tour program
Your cycling tour on La Vélo Francette:
A superb route over the water, from Loire Valley to the Atlantic Ocean via the Sèvre Niortaise.
Discover an authentic route and off the beaten track for a road movie “Sweet France”, between pretty villages and charming countryside. From Saumur and its vineyards to the Atlantic and La Rochelle via the “Green Venice” of the Marais Poitevin, this circuit reveals many architectural treasures with many cities of character and a bucolic and preserved landscape.
Day 1 : Arrival in Saumur
Discover this elegant city of Art and History and its vineyards. Ideas for a visit: The Cadre Noir riding school, the imposing Saumur Castle with its exceptional view over the Loire river and an inevitable visit of a cellar to taste a glass of Saumur sparkling wine.
Day 2 : Saumur – Thouars | 43 km
First step along the water, from Loire Valley to the Thouet Valley, which presents beautiful cities of character. The fortified city of Montreuil-Bellay and Thouars on their rocky outcrops are the must-sees. In Taizon, the remarkable bridge of the 13th century is also to be seen.
Day 3 : Thouars – Parthenay | 66 km
Never far from the Thouet river, this bucolic and more rugged route allows to discover some gems of Romanesque Art like Saint Généroux or Airvault. Saint Loup, city of character, is also a must stop. His castle would have inspired the French Writer Charles Perrault. Shortly after, Cebron Lake is perfect for a relaxing break before arriving in the medieval town of Parthenay.
Day 4 : Parthenay – Niort | 54 km
A rural stage that combines remarkable heritage (Champdeniers-Saint-Denis and Collegiate of Saint Marc la Lande) and beautiful landscapes along the Sèvre Niortaise. Arriving in Niort, you are greeted by the 12th century dungeon and the large 19th century covered market, in Baltard style.
Day 5 : Niort – Arçais (or Damvix) | 33 km (or 37 km)
Between land and sea, discover the charms of “Green Venice” and its small villages, including Coulon “small city of character”. The Regional Natural Park of the Marais Poitevin is a place apart, poetic. A boat trip in this charming green labyrinth is a good time, a relaxing break.
Day 6 : Arçais (or Damvix) – La Rochelle | 57 km (or 53 km)
Ultimate stage of the “Vélo Francette”, the route stays true to the water. First Sèvre Niortaise to Marans, nice river city with its marina, its historic center and its futuristic bell tower. Continue on bike paths along the canal of Marans to arrive in apotheosis on the ocean and its magnificent beaches. The historic center of La Rochelle is full of architectural treasures.
Day 7 : Departure during the day
Select your category
- from March 1st to June 12th
from September 11th to October 31st - Departure: daily
295 € / pers.*
- from June 13th to 30th
from September 1st to 10th - Departure: daily
295 € / pers.*
- from July 1st to August 31st
- Departure: daily
295 € / pers.*
Category's details
• 6 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
•
Luggage transport during the bike stages (1 luggage 20kg per person)
•
Equipped cycle rental for 5 days
•
1 travel folder (per room) including colour maps
•
Digital routes (GPX tracks)
•
City taxes
•
Hotline 7 days a week
• Dinners / Lunches / Drinks
•
Tickets to attractions, tours of attractions, tasting
•
Optional insurances (Cancellation Insurance OR Tranquility Insurance)
•
Single room supplement (6 nights included)
•
Transfer from La Rochelle to Saumur and personal bike repatriation
from 3 to 11 years old : - 50%
from 12 to 17 years old : - 20%
(Only if the triple or quadruple rooms are occupied by 2 adults minimum )
According to the category(price per person)
(accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
+ 60 € / pers.
+ 35 € / pers.*
(accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
+ 70 € / pers.
+ 50 € / pers.*
Mid season
+ 70 € / pers.
+ 50 € / pers.*
High season
+ 75 € / pers.
+ 55 € / pers.*
from 0 to 2 years old : free / from 3 to 11 years old : - 50% / from 12 to 17 years old : - 20%
(Only if the triple or quadruple rooms are occupied by 2 adults minimum )
Extras
If you bring your own bike.
(in the case of a single person per booking)
Your accommodation
Your cycle hire
OPEN or CLOSED frame
- 1 rear pannier
- 1 front pannier
- 1 repair kit
- 1 lock (for 2 bikes)
Helmet not provided.
UNIVERSAL frame
- 1 rear pannier
- 1 front pannier
- 1 repair kit
- 1 lock (for 2 bikes)
Helmet not provided.
- Bikes will be delivered at the 1st hotel.
- At the end of the tour, leave the rental bikes at your hotel, we will pick them up.
> How to arrive in Saumur
> Return
Your journey
Tour description:
Exclusively cycling paths or signposted routes for cyclists.
Bike stages trip profiles:
(click below to see the trip profile of each stage)
- stage Saumur – Thouars
- stage Thouars – Parthenay
- stage Parthenay – Niort
- stage Niort – Arçais
- stage Arçais – La Rochelle
GPX files:
Besides the maps, we also provide the GPX files of your bike stages, as well as a suggestion of free mobile application (if you do not have a bike touring GPS).
How to arrive in Saumur
By train:
From Paris Montparnasse train station >> Angers St Laud train station or St Pierre des Corps train station (by TGV train) >> Saumur train station (by train) – (about 2h30).
For more information, do not hesitate to visit : www.sncf.com/en
By plane:
- From Roissy CDG airport:
– Roissy Charles de Gaulle T.2 train station >> Angers St Laud train station (by TGV train) >> Saumur train station (by train).
www.parisaeroport.fr/en/passengers/access/paris-charles-de-gaulle/public-transport
- From Orly airport:
– Taxi transfer to Paris Montparnasse train station >> Angers St Laud train station or St Pierre des Corps train station (by TGV train) >> Saumur train station (by train).
– Bus shuttle (Le Bus Direct) : from Orly Sud or Ouest >> Line 1 >> Paris Montparnasse train station >> Angers St Laud train station or St Pierre des Corps train station (by TGV train) >> Saumur train station (by train).
www.lebusdirect.com/en/lines-and-schedules/orly-airport-paris-etoile-champs-elysees-line.html
– Bus shuttle (Orly Bus) : from Orly Sud or Ouest > > Paris centre – stop ‘Denfert Rochereau’ >> Metro line 4 >> Montparnasse train station >> Angers St Laud train station or St Pierre des Corps train station (by TGV train) >> Saumur train station (by train).
http://aeroportorly.paris/orlybus.php
– Orly Val (automatic metro): from Orly Sud or Ouest >> Paris – stop ‘Antony’ >> RER B – stop ‘Denfert Rochereau’ >> Metro line 4 >> Montparnasse train station >> Angers St Laud train station or St Pierre des Corps train station (by TGV train) >> Saumur train station (by train).
http://aeroportorly.paris/orlyval.php
www.transilien.com/en
www.ratp.fr/en/plans-lignes
- From Beauvais airport:
– Taxi transfer to Paris Montparnasse train station >> Angers St Laud train station or St Pierre des Corps train station (by TGV train) >> Saumur train station (by train).
– Bus shuttle >> Paris – stop ‘Porte Maillot’ >> Metro line 1 + line 13 >> Paris Montparnasse train station >> Angers St Laud train station or St Pierre des Corps train station (by TGV train) >> Saumur train station (by train).
www.aeroportparisbeauvais.com/en/acces-et-transports/navettes/
- From Tours airport:
– Taxi transfer or TRAM (tramway – from stop « Terminus Vaucanson ») line A >> ‘Gare de Tours’ >> Saumur train station (by train).
www.tours.aeroport.fr/gp/Parking-and-Transport/309
- From Nantes airport:
– Taxi transfer or Bus shuttle « TAN » : Nantes train station >> Saumur train station.
www.tan.fr/fr/menu/se-deplacer/tan/navette-aeroport/
Return
If you have to come back to the start point:
- This return can be carry out by RandoVelo/Biking France (please contact us).
- A return transfer by train is possible and organised on your own. Please visit: www.sncf.com/en
Plan to go to the train station with your luggage (and your potential own bike)
(Personal bike return costs are on your responsibility).
– La Rochelle Ville train station >> St Pierre des Corps train station (by TGV train) >> Saumur train station (by train) – (about 4h30).
– La Rochelle >> Saumur (by taxi)
If you have to return to Paris (city centre) / Paris Airports:
- This return can be carry out by RandoVelo/Biking France (please contact us).
- A return transfer by train is possible and organised on your own. Please visit: www.sncf.com/en
Plan to go to the train station with your luggage (and your potential own bike)
(Personal bike return costs are on your responsibility).
– La Rochelle Ville train station >> Paris Montparnasse train station (by TGV train).
– La Rochelle Ville train station >> St Pierre des Corps train station or Poitiers train station (by TGV train) >> Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV Station (by TGV train).
Nearby Airports:
– La Rochelle Airport: www.larochelle.aeroport.fr/en
– Nantes Airport: www.nantes.aeroport.fr
– Poitiers Airport: www.poitiers.aeroport.fr/en
– Bordeaux Airport: www.bordeaux.aeroport.fr/en
Trip overall rating : / 2 testimonials
France
travel date: 04 June 2021.
Organisation toujours aussi parfaite pour notre troisième randonnée avec 2 couples d’amis retraités, étapes bien dimensionnées pour des pratiquants du VAE occasionnels, choix des hébergements judicieux et en général de très bon standing. Assistance efficace en cas de rare imprévue.
France
travel date: 05 September 2020.
Organisant un séjour Saumur-La Rochelle-Oléron-Royan, je n’ai pu qu’ apprécier les adresses proposées pour l’hébergement et la restauration. De plus, l’ensemble de l’équipe de RandoVélo est à louer pour les conseils divers et variés, la gentillesse et le professionnalisme, dont j’ai usé et abusé. Merci à tou(te)s.
Some questions about this trip ?
Contact us +33(0)2 54 78 62 52 or by email
