Niort / Champdeniers
Leaving Niort, the Vélidéale shares the ride to the town of Parthenay with another western French cycle route, La Vélo Francette. At the level of Echiré, gourmets among you may which to leave the route to stop at the Atelier de l'Excellence du Beurre d'Echiré (dedicated to the fine butter made here, and its multiple uses), while later on, all will want to admire the Château du Coudray-Salbart as you reach Ternanteuil. The stage ends at Champdeniers-St-Denis, which has some small-scale architectural delights for you to uncover.
Gradients and elevation
Road types
Surface
The route
The route is signposted both for the La Vélidéale and La Vélo Francette on this stage taking you to Parthenay. Much of the time you’ll cycle on roads with motorized traffic, although there are stretches along farm tracks too. Before reaching Breilbon, there is a significant slope to tackle.
Links with the V43 (La Vélo Francette) and the V94
In Niort, it’s possible to join the Vélo Francette route which connects Ouistreham, on the Normandy, Channel coast, with La Rochelle on France’s Atlantic coast. Or you can join the V94 cycle route from Echiré, cycling off towards Saint-Maixent-l'Ecole in the Haut Val de Sèvre area.
Practical information
Office de Tourisme Niort - Marais poitevin Vallée de la Sèvre niortaise
Port Boinot, 1 Rue de la Chamoiserie - 79000 Niort - 05 49 24 18 79
https://www.niortmaraispoitevin.com/
SNCF
Niort train station
Don't miss
- Niort : the Coulée Verte de la Sèvre Niortaise, an 11km-long greenway beside the river; the imposing Romanesque keep (donjon); the covered market, or Halles du Marché (open Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings); the town churches, including the Protestant church (or temple); the Hôtel de Ville (town hall); the Pilori, the former town hall, from the 16th century, turned contemporary arts centre; the Jardins de la Brèche, major public gardens.
- Echiré: the Château du Coudray-Salbart (at Ternanteuil), an extraordinary medieval fort; Atelier de l'Excellence du beurre d'Echiré (dedicated to the reputed local butter); the meanders of the Sèvre Niortaise River
- Champdeniers-St-Denis: the washhouses (lavoirs); the underground river; the showground (champ de foire); the Château de Nuchèze
