Poitevin Marsh by bike: from Niort to La Rochelle
5 days / 3 days riding / ref. VF2 / Difficulty Easy / Linear tripper person
Your cycling tour on the Vélo Françette
It is hard to resist to the charming power of the “Green Venice”!
Starting from Niort, ride your bike along the little shady canals of the Poitevin Marsh (Regional Nature Reserve), and go with the flow, listening to the babbling water, and the chirping birds.
Discover Coulon, the Green Venice capital village, and follow the interlacing of bicycle paths in the midst of the “Marais Mouillés”, to the ancient abbey of Maillezais and the charming village of Arçais.
The large sea canals safely lead you to the grand finale, the Towers of the Vieux-Port in La Rochelle.
Tour highlights
- The green lanscapes of the Poitevin Marsh
- The majestic Maillezais abbey
- The easy ride along the canals
- The secured bike arrival into La Rochelle
Day 1Arrival in Niort
Less than two hours away from Paris in TGV, Niort is the perfect starting point. The overwhelming middle-aged Donjon watches over the old city. At the bottom of the old keeper, the “Sèvre Niortaise” river is already suggesting you to start the journey.
Day 2Niort – Damvix | 37 km (option +4 km)
The landscaped banks of the « Sèvre Niortaise » offer a cooling pathway along the river, the “Coulée Verte”, peppered with footbridges, locks and fishermen. Pretty fast, Coulon, capital of the “Marais Poitevin” shapes in the distance; the nickname “Green Venice” then suddenly takes on its full meaning. Time seems to stand still in this village bordered with canals. Then, continue until Arçais then Damvix, beautiful and typical villages of the marsh housing.
Day 3Excursion to Maillezais abbey | 46 km
Meander within the maze made by the canals and the shady lanes of the “Marais Mouillés”, and take a break in the bird sanctuary of St-Hilaire-La Palud to observe more than 75 bird species. Then, just a short spin on the bike, and you will be in the middle of an oasis of greenery, where tower the ruins of the majestic abbey of Saint-Pierre de Maillezais. It is a must-see visit! Back to Arçais, through the canals, along the bicycling paths and quaint villages.
Day 4Arçais Damvix – La Rochelle | 53 km
The Sèvre Niortaise leads you out of the marshes. Beyond Damvix jetties, towpaths follow the large sea canals to reach peacefully Marans. Enjoy the pleasant marina, right in the center of the city, then allow yourself to be led serenely by the Vélodyssée bike trails, along Rompsay canal, to the “Vieux Port” de La Rochelle.
Day 5Departure during the day
Take some time to walk under the typical arch streets of the city, or to visit the Towers of the “Vieux Port”, loyal guards of the city since the 13th century!
Possibility to plan an extra bike excursion on Ile de Ré (55 km).
From the centre of La Rochelle, take a shuttle boat to the Ile de Ré! Once you’ve arrived in Saint Martin de Ré, a seaside village of incomparable charm, set off along excellent and safe cycle paths to discover the magic of the Ile de Ré, a true cycling paradise. Cycling through salt marshes and maritime landscapes, you’ll reach Ars-en-Ré, listed as one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in France“. On the way back, take a look at the ruins of the Abbaye des Châteliers. Rivedoux-Plage, with its white sandy beach, is more inviting. Return to La Rochelle by bike.
Documents
> Download tour programSelect your category
Your accommodation
• 4 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
•
Luggage transport during the bike stages (1 luggage 20kg per person)
•
Equipped cycle rental for 3 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 (4 nights included)
•
Transfer from La Rochelle to Niort and personal bike repatriation
from 3 to 11 years old : - 20%
from 12 to 15 years old : - 10%
(Only if the triple or quadruple rooms are occupied by 2 adults minimum )
VTC ARCADE bike - 21 speed gears
OPEN or CLOSED frame
- 1 rear pannier
- 1 front pannier
- 1 repair kit
- 1 lock (for 2 bikes)
Helmet not provided.
ARCADE or EXS ebike
UNIVERSAL frame
- 1 rear pannier
- 1 front pannier
- 1 repair kit
- 1 lock (for 2 bikes)
Helmet not provided.
Practical details
- 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.
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 Niort – Damvix: 37km / elevation gain: 159m / elevation loss: 170m
- excursion Abbaye de Maillezais: 46km / elevation gain: 86m / elevation loss: 87m
- stage Damvix – La Rochelle: 53km / elevation gain: 95m / elevation loss: 93m
- option excursion to Ile de Ré : 54 km / elevation gain : 173m / elevation loss : 164m
GPX files:
Besides the maps, we also provide the GPX files of your bike stages, as well as a suggestion of free mobile application.
How to arrive in Niort
By train:
From Paris Montparnasse train station >> Niort train station (about 2h20 by TGV train).
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 >> Poitiers train station >> Niort train station (by TGV train).
– RER B to Denfert-Rochereau > Metro Line 4 direction ‘Porte de Clignancourt’ >> stop ‘Montparnasse-Bienvenue’ train station >> Niort train station (by TGV train).
www.parisaeroport.fr/en/passengers/access/paris-charles-de-gaulle/public-transport
www.transilien.com/en
www.ratp.fr/en/plans-lignes
- From Orly airport:
– Taxi transfer to Paris Montparnasse train station >> Niort train station (by TGV train).
– Bus shuttle (Le Bus Direct) : from Orly Sud or Ouest – Line 1 >> Paris Montparnasse train station >> Niort train station (by TGV train).
www.lebusdirect.com/en/lines-and-schedules/orly-airport-paris-etoile-champs-elysees-line.html
- From Beauvais airport:
– Taxi transfer to Paris Montparnasse train station >> Niort train station (by TGV train).
– Bus shuttle >> Paris – stop ‘Porte Maillot’ >> Metro line 1 + line 13 >> Niort train station (by TGV train).
www.aeroportparisbeauvais.com/en/acces-et-transports/navettes/
- From Bordeaux-Mérignac airport:
– Bus shuttle (30 minutes) to the city center: Bordeaux St Jean train station >> Poitiers train station (by TGV train) >> Niort train station (by TGV train).
www.bordeaux.aeroport.fr/en
https://30direct.com/en
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 >> Niort train station (about 40 minutes by train or TGV train).
– La Rochelle >> Niort (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
