La Rochelle to Bordeaux Velodyssey and Gironde Estuary

You will cycle along the Velodyssee to discover the island « Ile de Ré »! Wide sandy beaches, marshes, oyster farms or pine forests. You will continue your cycling holiday into backroads going through the Haute-Saintonge and Haute Gironde. Meeting with winemakers of the famous “Cognac” and “Pineau” of Charente will be an Highlight!

Then, you will cycle by superb Romanic churches, caves and some unique Gallo-Romanic sites. On your two wheels you will discover small ports on the estuary like Meschers sur Gironde, will stroll in city and charming villages like Talmont sur Gironde. This journey with various landscapes alternates bicycle paths trough forests and flat roads alongside streams of vineyards and cliffs, will allow you to discover the exceptional natural surrounding which will fulfil yourself with its diversity. the last cycling day will lead you from the Citadel of Blaye, the famous Margaux vineyard down to Bordeaux.

In the Royal city of Rochefort you’ll discover the “Corderie Royale”! Brouage citadel built by the French engineer Vauban, the marshes of Marennes, the oyster-farming port of La Tremblade and Royan.

You cross the Gironde Estuary by ferry to Lamarque and continue your bike trip across Médoc. Cycle along the seashore then through the vineyards where they grow numerous “Grands Crus” such as Château Margaux. You reach Margaux before getting to Bordeaux on your ride to discover this historic and lively city.

Highlights

• The towns of La Rochelle, Royan and Bordeaux.
• The transporter bridge over the Charente at Rochefort
• Cycle paths along the Atlantic and in the Marennes marshes
• The wild and unspoiled shores of the Gironde estuary
• The limestone cliffs of Meschers and their picturesque fishing huts
• The Vauban Citadel of Blaye

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