The Vélodyssée from La Rochelle to Bordeaux
Day 1
50 km
La Rochelle → Rochefort
You start from our partner agency Paulette in sunlit La Rochelle, a vibrant port city. Soon, the cobblestones give way to coastal paths. In Châtelaillon-Plage, striped beach huts and retro villas line the shore. Then comes the Yves marshland, where reeds whisper and white egrets take flight as you pass. The silence here feels almost liquid.
You ride along calm canals all the way to Rochefort, where the Charente river reflects the sky in still waters. Once a naval base, Rochefort blends military heritage with riverfront tranquility. As evening falls, you settle onto a bench by the water—legs relaxed, mind still in motion.
Day 2
48 km
Rochefort → La Tremblade
You leave Rochefort at sunrise, when golden light still grazes the marshes. The route weaves between canals, willows, grey herons, and brightly painted oyster shacks. A detour through Brouage is a must: a walled village frozen in time, steeped in history.
Further on, you cross Marennes, oyster capital of France, where shallow ponds stretch as far as the eye can see. From the top of the Seudre viaduct, the view opens wide: shimmering saltwater, wooded islets, an endless horizon. You arrive in La Tremblade, a bustling port where seafood is savored by wooden docks, amidst the scent of salt and sun-warmed pine.
Day 3
41 km
La Tremblade → Royan
A day to breathe deeply. You ride through the La Coubre forest, a vast cathedral of maritime pines, where your wheels glide through the dappled shade. On the roadside, squirrels dart and woodpeckers take flight.
The red-and-white La Coubre lighthouse stands like a sentinel. Climb to the top for sweeping views: the sea, the dunes, the forest—and you..
Following the coastline, the beaches of La Palmyre, the cliffs of Saint-Palais-sur-Mer, and the Devil’s Bridge punctuate your ride. In Royan, a sunny seaside town with art deco flair, it’s time to unwind. Ice cream in hand, you watch the sailboats drift back into the harbor.
Day 4
35 km
Royan → Mortagne-sur-Gironde
You leave the Atlantic behind and trace the Gironde estuary, broader and calmer now. The cliffs soften, the light turns golden, and the vegetation shifts. At Meschers-sur-Gironde, troglodyte caves carved into the cliff offer breathtaking views. Further along, Talmont-sur-Gironde, a listed Romanesque village, welcomes you with flowered lanes and a church poised over the void.
You reach Mortagne-sur-Gironde, cradled between vineyards and marshes, in utter stillness. The little port below, pink-tinged clouds above the estuary, and that feeling of being far, far from the everyday.
Day 5
65 km
Mortagne-sur-Gironde → Blaye
A longer but smooth ride through the Gironde wetlands. The road is quiet, lined with reeds, herons, and rushes. You pass through Braud-et-Saint-Louis, Etauliers, Mazion—small villages where bikes feel right at home.
By day’s end, the imposing silhouette of the Blaye citadel appears. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it overlooks the estuary with quiet strength. Cobbled lanes, ancient ramparts, panoramic views—Blaye has a discreet yet lasting charm. The perfect place to feel both away and at home.
Day 6
50 km
Blaye → Bordeaux
Final stretch: you and your bike board the ferry from Blaye to Lamarque. On the left bank, the scenery shifts. Médoc vineyards stretch in neat lines to the horizon.
You roll through Cussac, Margaux, with its storied estates and châteaux, then follow the Médoc bike trail to Blanquefort and into Bordeaux. The riverside arrival is a reward in itself: light-colored cobbles, silent trams, elegant Haussmann buildings.
You return your Paulette rental bike, still floating from a week out of time.