In the vineyards, Canals & intimate rivers
29,78 Km
2 h 31 min
I begin / Family
Riding off along the town of Cognac’s quays makes for a fine start to the next stage of La Flow Vélo. Along this bucolic stretch, you’ll encounter several tributaries of the Charente River heading for the town of Saintes. Little chain-operated ferries enable you to cross the waters at Rouffiac and Chaniers in a fun way, plus there are simple riverside inns (guinguettes) to enjoy. The cycle route continues on through riverside flood meadows to Saintes, a place boasting 2,000 years of history for you to explore. Wandering around the streets on foot is the best way to take in the many sights of this deeply historic town going back to Gallo-Roman times.
Elevation of the stage
43 m 33 m
Waytypes of the stage
Cycle path: 23,11 km By road: 6,67 km
Surface of the stage
Lisse: 6,37 km Rugueux: 20,88 km Accidenté: 2,52 km
The route
No particular difficulties along this stage of La Flow Vélo. There’s a mix of small roads and stretches on towpaths, a delight for cyclists. The way is perfect for pottering along by bike; and relish the river crossings via little chain-operated ferries. Take care after Les Gonds, up to the entrance to Saintes, where you need to follow the ‘Chaucidou’ – on this narrow road, there are restrictions for motorized traffic, while riders keep to the coloured band reserved for cyclists. From the footbridge over the Né, signposting is mainly on wooden markers.
SNCF train stations
- Stations in Cognac and Saintes
- TER line Angoulême - Châteauneuf-sur-Charente - Jarnac - Cognac - Saintes - Saujon - Royan
- TER and Intercity lines for La Rochelle, Rochefort, Bordeaux, Niort
Don't miss
- Cognac: The Cognac country discovery area, The Cognac art museum, the art and history museum, The Cognac art museum, The Cognacthèque, the gardens of the town hall, the Francois 1er park, the trading houses
- Salignac sur Charente: The port of Le Lys
- Rouffiac and Chaniers: Chain bins to cross the Charente,
- Saintes: the Germanicus Arch, the Gallo-Roman amphitheatre, the church of Saint-Eutrope, the Ladies' Abbey - the musical city, Walk on the Charente, the cathedral saint pierre, the aldermen's museum, the archaeological museum, the Dupuy-Mestrea museum
Travellers’ reviews