La Vélodyssée - © Aurélie Stapf - photographe

La Rochelle - Bordeaux by bike

Along the coast by bike to Bordeaux on the Vélodyssée

From the famous port at La Rochelle, La Vélodyssée makes its way to Châtelaillon-Plage and to the royal city of Rochefort, bathed by the waters of the Charente. Several charming detours later, the Seudre Marshes hove into view, followed by the oyster farm parks of Marennes. The cycle trails only resume in the pine forests of Royan. You then go up the biggest estuary of France until Bordeaux through Blaye and its citadel before the capital of wine

Le Pont Transbordeur de Rochefort
La Vélodyssée ® A.Lamoureux

Take the time to discover the treasures of Rochefort

First of all, the transporter bridge – the last of its kind in France – is a majestic engineering feat spanning the Charente. (check opening dates). Next, the Hermione, a replica of an 18th-century frigate, which, after a voyage to America in the footsteps of La Fayette, has returned to its home port (for now...). And finally, the Corderie Royale, a majestic building 374 metres long!

Dégustation d'huîtres fraîches de l'Océan Atlantique
La Vélodyssée ® A.Lamoureux

Tasting of fresh oysters from the Atlantic Ocean

In Marennes, the La Vélodyssée cycle route takes you through the heart of Europe’s leading oyster-farming area. Stop off at the Cité de l’Huître and its educational oyster farm, a living eco-museum, to discover the work of oyster farmers. Divided into five themed ‘huts’, the museum space will introduce you to oyster farming landscapes, farming techniques and the secrets of the oyster. Finally, cycle along the “Chemin des Claires”.

Carrelets et villages sur les flots
J. Damase

Carrelets and villages on the water

All along the route you’ll find huts built on stilts. Known as ‘carrelets’, they’re used for fishing. Talmont-sur-Gironde, Meshers-sur-Gironde and Mortagne-sur-Gironde make for pleasant stops for a picnic or a visit.

La citadelle de Blaye
Le Canal des 2 mers à vélo - J. Damase

The Citadel of Blaye

The Citadel of Blaye is a defensive complex designed by Vauban to protect Bordeaux from maritime invasions. Comprising Fort Pâté (on the eponymous estuary island) and Fort Médoc (on the left bank of the estuary), this trio was built under Louis XIV and is now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the name ‘Verrou Vauban’.

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Tailor-made itineraries

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Tailor-made itineraries

La Rochelle / Rochefort

22 La Rochelle / Rochefort

50 km
3 h 20 min
I cycle often
As the famous towers which defend the port of La Rochelle hove into view, a cycle path section takes us to the Port of Minimes, then onto the Cove of Godechaud, right next to the sea. The delightful Bay of Châtelaillon now comes into sight and offers weary cyclists a very pleasant stopping point. After the Bay of Châtelaillon comes a pretty seaside section before heading back inland towards the ‘royal city’ of Rochefort. While the middle section of this route might appear somewhat commonplace, the remarkable town of Rochefort is well worth exploring.
Rochefort / Marennes

23 Rochefort / Marennes

38 km
2 h 31 min
I cycle often
It’s with great regret that we leave behind Rochefort and its gardens on the banks of the Charente. We take the former steam-train tracks – now the greenway – and La Vélodyssée meets the marshes, criss-crossed with little channels, before heading onto the oyster centre of Marennes (some sections under construction).
Marennes / Royan

24 Marennes / Royan

45 km
3 h 01 min
I begin
The Marennes Country, home to the leading oyster farms in Europe, spreads over salt marshes and the Seudre estuary. Here cycle paths are numerous and a truly memorable part of the route takes you through the forest of Coubre as La Vélodyssée reaches La Palmyre.This part is fit for a king, with splendid sea views. Following cycle lanes throughout, it weaves through the coastal forest and array of pretty beaches, one of which is the charming St-Palais, along the coast road to reach the striking cliffs and sandy beaches either side of the beautiful streets of Royan. All you have to do is to catch the boat!
Royan / Talmont-sur-Gironde / Mortagne-sur-Gironde

1 Royan / Talmont-sur-Gironde / Mortagne-sur-Gironde

37 km
2 h 34 min
I cycle often
Past Royan’s port, this stage begins at Royan’s Grande Conche Beach. Head along the seafront on a lovely shaded cycle path. The cycle route then threads between tracks and quiet roads to Meschers-sur-Gironde before reaching Talmont-sur-Gironde, an astonishing look-out post onto the estuary and part of the association of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France. Caillaud Cliff and the square fishing nets suspended above the waters add to the atmosphere. The stage continues via quiet, sometimes steep roads and tracks to Mortagne-sur-Gironde, a port well protected from the temperamental Gironde.
Mortagne-sur-Gironde / Vitrezay

2 Mortagne-sur-Gironde / Vitrezay

25 km
1 h 40 min
I cycle often
From Mortagne-sur-Gironde to Vitrezay, the scenery is characterized by great expanses of marshes backed by hills covered with vineyards and crops. A number of little marinas along here provide access to the Gironde Estuary and offer places to pause.
Vitrezay / Blaye

3 Vitrezay / Blaye

39 km
2 h 37 min
I cycle often
Reaching the port of Vitrezay, you leave the département (French county) of Charente-Maritime, continuing on the Canal des 2 Mers à Vélo cycle route into the département of Gironde. Bypassing the electricity-producing nuclear power station of the Blayais, a beautiful greenway leads to Blaye and its citadel designed by the great 17th-century engineer Vauban. The citadel and other forts along the Gironde remind you of warring times. A small ferry crosses the estuary from Blaye to Lamarque.
Blaye / Bordeaux

4 Blaye / Bordeaux

50 km
3 h 19 min
I cycle often
From Blaye, cross the Gironde Estuary by ferry to Lamarque, in the midst of the Médoc, a peninsula packed with some of the greatest wine territories (or appellations) in the world. A provisional route takes you along quiet roads through the Médoc’s vines, fields and heaths to the edge of the city of Bordeaux, at Blanquefort. From here, a cycle track leads you gently to the heart of the great wine town. Bordeaux is a splendid, dynamic city, its exceptional architectural heritage listed as a World Heritage Site. Amidst its grand quarters, sample its many lively, trendy cultural and gastronomic offerings.

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