You stick close to the water’s edge, following the meanders of the Sèvre Niortaise River, alternating between the towpath and quiet riverside roads. The sites of Roussille or La Garette offer ideal spots for a pause in these winding parts. Or consider a longer halt at the little capital of the Marais Poitevin, the gorgeous, watery village of Coulon.
Gradients and elevation
Slope breakdown
Road types
- Cycle path
- Routes reserved for cyclists and pedestrians (greenways, cycle tracks, towpaths), separated from cars for maximum safety.
- Shared road
- Quiet minor roads with little traffic (unless otherwise stated in the stage details). Shared with cars (stay alert).
- Not specified
- Data unavailable or being assessed. Please refer to the detailed stage description.
- Provisional
- Section on a road or cycle path awaiting better-quality facilities (see stage details).
Surface
- Smooth
- Asphalt, tarmac or smooth concrete. Optimal comfort.
- Rough
- Fine gravel, compacted stabilised surface or worn tarmac. Less comfortable, vibrations possible.
- Natural
- Dirt, grass, roots or stones. Under 5%: short sections with little impact. Higher percentage: route suited to mountain or gravel bikes only.
- Not specified
- Data unavailable or being assessed. Please refer to the detailed stage description.
The route
Signposts indicate La Vélo Francette. Much of the way is along the Sèvre Niortaise towpaths, with some stretches on roads with motorised traffic. Numerous little bridges allow you to switch from one bank to the other, offering you different perspectives on the river.
Tourist Offices
- Niort Marais Poitevin-Vallée de la Sèvre Niortaise Tourist Office
- Niort Marais Poitevin-Vallée de la Sèvre Niortaise Tourist Office (Coulon branch)
SNCF Train Services
Niort train station: high-speed TGV and regional TER services, line 13 Poitiers > Niort > La Rochelle
Lines 11 et 13 Paris > Angoulême ou Niort > Saintes > Royan
www.ter.sncf.com/poitou-charentes
Buses
Line T : Niort > Magné > Coulon
http://mobilite79.fr/
Don’t miss
Niort: the Coulée Verte (‘Green Corridor’) along the Sèvre Niortaise River; the massive twin Romanesque keeps; the covered market (market days are Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sunday mornings); the churches, including the Protestant one; the townhall; the former townhall, the Pilori, with its great tower; the Jardins de la Brèche Gardens…
St-Liguaire: the rope ferry at Port Lateau; the lock at La Roussille, plus a gastronomic inn in an idyllic location
Coulon: a village in the heart of the Parc Naturel Régional du Marais Poitevin, designated a Grand Site de France thanks to its exceptional environment; the Maison du Marais Poitevin visitor centre, presenting the way the marshes were tamed by man and set in the last medieval manor still standing in the village; Holy Trinity Church; the port, offering all manner of outings on the waters.
