Vélodyssée from La Rochelle to Arcachon

Day 1 – Arrival in La Rochelle
You will settle into your hotel and explore the old harbour with its medieval towers, the arcaded city centre, and the 15th-century town hall.

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

Day 3 – La Rochelle to Marennes (59-70 km · 85 m↑)
You will ride through Châtelaillon, the Yves Bay nature reserve, and Rochefort with its famous Eiffel transporter bridge, then continue through marshes to the oyster town of Marennes.

Day 4 – Marennes to Royan (48 km · 80 m↑)
You will pedal through pine forests and past La Palmyre zoo to reach Royan, a modern seaside resort with belle-époque villas, a striking covered market, and a lively waterfront.

Day 5 – Royan to Montalivet (35-45 km · 30 m↑)
You will take a ferry across the Gironde estuary, cycle past the seaside resort of Soulac-sur-Mer, and follow pine-shaded paths to the peaceful resort of Montalivet on the wild Médoc coast.

Day 6 – Montalivet to Lacanau-Océan (50-55 km · 160 m↑)
You will ride south through the Landes forest between lakes and ocean, passing France's largest lake at Hourtin. Lacanau-Océan welcomes you with long surf beaches, early-20th-century villas, and a laid-back atmosphere.

Day 7 – Lacanau-Océan to Arcachon (45 km · 50 m↑)
You will cycle between dunes and forest to the wild 13 km beach of Le Porge, continue to Cap Ferret, and take the ferry across the Arcachon Bay past typical oyster villages to the elegant resort town of Arcachon.