From La Rochelle to Bordeaux

Day 1 – Arrival in La Rochelle
You will settle into your hotel where the road book and bikes await. Explore the old harbour, the three medieval towers, and the arcaded city centre at your own pace.

Day 2 – Optional loop around Île de Ré (30-60 km · 150 m↑)
You will cycle across the bridge to Île de Ré, passing Flotte-en-Ré's fishing boats, Saint-Martin's Vauban fortifications, oyster beds, salt marshes, and the Lilleau des Niges nature reserve before returning via La Couarde.

Day 3 – La Rochelle to Marennes (59-70 km · 85 m↑)
You will ride along the coast through Châtelaillon, the Yves Bay nature reserve, and the shipbuilding city of Rochefort with its famous Eiffel transporter bridge. The route continues through marshes to Marennes, the oyster capital of France.

Day 4 – Marennes to Royan (48 km · 80 m↑)
You will pedal through the pine forest of the wild coast and past La Palmyre zoo. Sandy beaches and the scent of maritime pines lead you into Royan, a lively seaside resort with belle-époque villas and a modernist covered market.

Day 5 – The Cliffs Trail (35 km · 100 m↑)
You will follow the cliff tops overlooking the Gironde estuary, discovering the medieval hilltop village of Talmont-sur-Gironde, the cave dwellings of Meschers, and the old caviar capital of Saint-Seurin-d'Uzet. The day ends in Mortagne-sur-Gironde among Cognac and Pineau vineyards.

Day 6 – Mortagne to Blaye (60 km · 100 m↑)
You will ride between marshes and dykes along the estuary through Vitrezay and the Terres d'Oiseaux bird sanctuary. A beautiful greenway leads to the UNESCO-listed Blaye Citadel built by Vauban.

Day 7 – Blaye to Bordeaux (52 km · 100 m↑)
You will take the ferry across the Gironde and cycle through the legendary Margaux and Haut-Médoc vineyards, past small river ports, wetlands, and into Bordeaux, a UNESCO World Heritage city.