Saintes / Saint-Savinien
After Saintes, you feel the pull of the ocean. The rivers become tidal and there are regular river ports along the way, great places to halt at. This stage, though, mainly takes you through countryside a bit away from the Charente River. However, Port d’Envaux and the châteaux of Panloy and Crazannes will stop you in your tracks. Then you arrive at Saint-Savinien-sur-Charente, nestled in its meander. Take a break here and savour the charm of this village, one of the most picturesque in the county of Charente, designated a Petite Cité de Caractère. Imagine how beautifully-cut stone from the surrounding quarries was once shipped out from here to Ghent, Antwerp and even London.
Gradients and elevation
Road types
Surface
The route
La Flow Vélo leaves Saintes via the main thoroughfare known as the Cours National, heading towards a campsite. The track then follows the Charente River up to Narcejac. The route continues on a small local road to La Pommeraie. Take care joining the larger RD128 county road from La Pommeraie to Port à Clou. At Port à Clou, a path on wooden pillars allows you to cycle over the wetlands. To reach Saint-Savinien, you alternate between limestone tracks through meadows and small roads through villages. The end of this stage is the same as the start of the next stage, going from Saint-Savinien to Rochefort.
Train stations
- Saintes
- Regional train line (TER) Angoulême - Châteauneuf-sur-Charente - Jarnac - Cognac - Saintes - Saujon - Royan
- Regional train line (TER) and Intercitys for La Rochelle, Rochefort, Bordeaux, Niort
Don't miss
- Saintes: Germanicus Arch, Gallo-Roman amphitheatre, Saint-Eutrope church, Abbaye aux Dames - la cité musicale, Charente river promenade, Saint Pierre cathedral, Musée de l'échevinage, Musée archéologique, Musée Dupuy-Mestreau
- Port d'Envaux: Les lapidiales, Le Chateau de Panloy, the town on the banks of the Charente river
- Crazannes: Le Chateau, Les échappées natures de la pierre de Crazannes
- Saint Savinien sur Charente : Heritage house, old town, church
- Le Mung: The miniature port
