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La Vélodyssée: from La Rochelle to Arcachon

8 days / 7 days riding  / ref. ODYS12 / Difficulty Moderate / Linear trip
from 1380 €
per person

Your bike tour on La Vélodyssée, from La Rochelle to Arcachon:

From the port of La Rochelle, taking the cycle paths of “La Vélodyssée”, you ride along the coast through the pine forests until you reach the Belle Epoque villas of Royan. Cross the estuary of Grave by boat and head south to discover the Cap Ferret and the Bay of Arcachon. Enjoy the lively resorts and wild beaches.

View trip map

Tour highlights

  • La Rochelle and l’Ile de Ré
  • Bike paths on the longest fully-signposted cycle route in France
  • Arcachon Bay and The Cap Ferret

Day 1 Arrival in La Rochelle + excursion on the Ile de Ré | 54 km


Take time to visit the historic center of La Rochelle, the old port and its lively streets with arcades.

From the centre of La Rochelle, take a shuttle boat to the Ile de Ré (before 10 am)! 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.

Day 2La Rochelle – Rochefort | 60 km


From the famous towers of La Rochelle harbour, ride along the cycling path by the ocean leading to Châtelaillon-Plage, a seaside city. Then you will reach the astonishing city of Rochefort,following the river banks of the Charente.

Day 3Rochefort – La Tremblade | 35 km


Then you will ride along a cycling path to the salt pan crossed by several small canals. Marennes is the first oyster farming pool in Europe: a perfect stopover to discover regional food!

Day 4La Tremblade – Royan | 37 km


Continue your journey between salt pans and the Seudre estuary. After Palmyre, “the Coast of Beauty” is a spectacular step thanks to an amazing cycling path with a sea view until Royan and its Belle Epoque villas.

Day 5Royan – Montalivet | 30 km


After Royan, go to the Pointe de Grave! You embark on the ferry to cross the mouth of the Gironde. Enjoy the bike paths in the shade of pine trees to reach Soulac sur Mer, a pleasant seaside resort and an ideal stopover. Its Romanesque basilica and its beautiful neo-colonial style villas are worth a stroll. The route continues between ocean and pine forest to Montalivet les Bains.

Day 6Montalivet – Lacanau Océan | 52 km


Continue on “La Vélodyssée” along the Atlantic. The easy route takes you through the dunes by beautiful forest trails. It’s hard to resist the call of bathing. Enjoy the pleasures of the ocean or lakes before joining Lacanau-Ocean, known worldwide for its surf spots. Before enjoying the sunset on the terrace or on the beach, you can discover beautiful villas that contribute to the charm of this lively resort.

Day 7Lacanau Océan – Arcachon | 43 km


Follow the Ocean until Arcachon. This stage is a subtle mix of pines and fines sands’ dunes. Leave your bikes, wherever you wish, to enjoy the beaches. Arriving at the Cap Ferret, take the ferry with your bikes, to reach Arcachon. The hotel will welcome you, not far from the beaches, to have fun in the Bay waves!

Day 8Departure during the day


Extend your Vélodyssée adventure!


To Biarritz with our trip: La Vélodyssée: from Arcachon to Biarritz (or Hendaye).


Select your category

category Standard

Your accommodation

These hotels offer all the comfort and well-earned rest after a cycling day (private bathroom). A perfect place to enjoy all the centres of interest around.
Pictures for indicative purposes. Depending on the availability.
Including :

• 7 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
• Luggage transport during the bike stages (1 luggage 20kg per person)
• Equipped cycle rental for 7 days
• Boat transfer La Rochelle > Ile de Ré on Day 1
• Crossing of the Charente river in Rochefort on Day 3
• Boat transfer Royan > Le Verdon on Day 5
• Boat transfer Cap Ferret > Arcachon on Day 7
• A personalized travel app, including all your cycling stages as well as tourist and practical information
• City taxes
• Hotline 7 days a week

Not including :

• Dinners / Lunches / Drinks
• Tickets to attractions, tours of attractions, tasting
• Optional insurances (Cancellation Insurance OR Tranquility Insurance)
• Single room supplement (7 nights included)
• Transfer from Arcachon to La Rochelle and personal bike repatriation

Children discount :from 0 to 2 years old : - 90%
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 travel appYour journeyAt the beginning of the tourHow to arrive in La RochelleReturn

Your travel app

You’ll have personalized access to our travel app, which you can download onto your smartphone.
This app includes all your cycling stages, tourist and practical content, as well as your accommodation. The application will guide you along your route, like a GPS, during your cycling stages.

If you would like a printed version of the roadbook (including color maps of your stages), please let us know when you book your trip. It will be provided at your first accommodation.

At the beginning of the tour

You will be expected before 10am on day 1 to board a shuttle to the Ile de Ré.

How to arrive in La Rochelle

By train
From Paris Montparnasse train station >> La Rochelle Ville train station (about 3h by TGV train).
For more information, do not hesitate to visit : www.sncf.com/en

By plane

  • From Orly airport:
    – Taxi transfer to Paris Montparnasse train station >> La Rochelle Ville train station (by TGV train).

– Bus shuttle (Le Bus Direct) : from Orly Sud or Ouest >> Line 1 >> Paris Montparnasse train station >> La Rochelle Ville train station (by TGV 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 >> La Rochelle Ville train station (by TGV 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 >> La Rochelle Ville train station (by TGV 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 >> La Rochelle Ville train station (by TGV train).

– Bus shuttle >> Paris – stop ‘Porte Maillot’ >> Metro line 1 + line 13 >> Paris Montparnasse train station >> La Rochelle Ville train station (by TGV train).
www.aeroportparisbeauvais.com/en/acces-et-transports/navettes/

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).
    – Arcachon train station >> Bordeaux St Jean train station >> La Rochelle Ville train station (by train or TGV train + train – env. 3h40).

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 (about 3h 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:
– Bordeaux Airport: www.bordeaux.aeroport.fr/en


Trip overall rating : / 2 testimonials

« Parfait!!! »
« Tout a été en notre faveur. Beau temps, bel accueil, tout très bien organisé… Merci à vous.  »
Marie-Hélène France travel date: 07 May 2023
« Très bon site »
« Très bon site, interlocuteur toujours très sympatique et très réactif si imprévus  »
Thierry France travel date: 20 August 2022