The Vélodyssée: From La Rochelle to Royan
Day 1
50 km
La Rochelle → Rochefort
You set off from our Paulette partner agency in La Rochelle, heading south. As you leave the city, the sea joins you. At Châtelaillon beach, gulls glide beside you and parasols flutter gently in the wind. The salty air awakens, energizes, propels.
Approaching the Yves marsh, the world seems to pause: every glance catches a wing, a reed, a glimmer of water. Calm prevails. The route then leads inland, following peaceful canals toward Rochefort—a town shaped by its maritime past and riverside ease. The echo of great naval shipyards still lingers over the Charente, like a floating memory.
Day 2
48 km
Rochefort → La Tremblade
Leaving Rochefort, the horizon opens wide across untamed expanses. Marshes stretch in every direction, like a mosaic of water and sky. The path winds between oyster huts, colorful wooden sheds, and the scent of seaweed and pine resin.
Halfway through, the fortified village of Brouage emerges—calm and timeless. Wind whistles between its stone ramparts, whispering stories of salt and trade. Then comes Marennes, oyster capital, where shimmering “claires” and docked boats hint at the rhythm of tides.
Cross the Seudre viaduct to soar above this aquatic world. On the other side, La Tremblade welcomes you with vibrant charm—wooden piers, sea air, and the day’s reward: a platter of seafood, tired legs stretched out, and the sun sinking low.
Day 3
41 km
La Tremblade → Royan
This morning, you plunge into the La Coubre forest—vast, enveloping, serene. The wind hushes beneath the pine needles, and the soft sand crunches under your tires. The scent of sap, the rustle of branches, the cry of jays—everything here breathes freedom.
La Coubre lighthouse stands tall and proud, watching over the sea. From the top, the coast stretches like a ribbon—dunes shifting, pines standing firm.
You continue past the beaches of La Palmyre, where children laugh and kitesurfers draw lines across the sky. Pedal onward to Saint-Palais-sur-Mer, with its sculpted cliffs and the Pont du Diable—stone sentinel battered by waves.
And finally, Royan appears: a lively seafront, retro 50s villas, and a laid-back Atlantic vibe. You arrive with a full heart, tired legs, and a smile of pure joy.