Cycling in La Rochelle: a 100% girls’ ride site

Set off on an adventure on two wheels

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Outward journey: Fort Boyard, Vinaigre and carrelets

Goal : Châtelaillon – La Rochelle in 1 hour! For sporty types like us, it should be easily achievable. And with all the latest gossip, giggles and superb Charente scenery, we’ll never see the 14 km go by. We checked our water and snacks and set off from the promenade. Heading for Saint-Jean des Sables!

From the beach, there’s a whole host of pretty tourist spots in our path! We’re sharing our favourites from our bike ride in La Rochelle:

1 – The magnificent panorama from Fort Saint-Jean on the beach at Châtelaillon
Look, girls, you can see Fort Boyard! (This is where the karaoke starts… Sorry for the ears!)

2 – The lock-keeper’s house at Saint-Jean des Sables
We set the bikes down and take advantage of the coolness of the canal. The timing is perfect, as low tide gives us a great view of the foreshore. *

*Don’t know what the foreshore is?

All you need to know about low tide

3 – A break at the belvedere known as La Chaume
A pergola and benches: the last person sitting loses their place! We squeeze in together and take the time to admire the Islands and Fort Enet in the distance.

4 – The peaceful port of Loiron in Angoulins
On the advice of other cyclists, we cross the delightful Loiron cove and its pretty, colourful fishermen’s huts. It doesn’t take long to learn the old name of the port: Vinaigre!

5 – The carrelets at Pointe de la Belette
Another novelty for us! Together we discovered the carrelets, square fishing nets set by houses on stilts. Typical of the region.

6 – The view of La Rochelle from the Pointe de la Barbette
Our bike ride in La Rochelle is drawing to a close. From our promontory, the rebellious city is revealed in a magnificent panorama stretching as far as the beach at Aytré. A few more pedal strokes and we’re there!

We also learned that our trip to Aytré was the first Terra Aventura Vélo in Charente-Maritime. The kids are going to be thrilled!

Find out more about Terra Aventura

11:00: A taste of holiday

Arriving in Aytré, we headed for Les Minimes and its famous Phare du Bout du Monde lighthouse. Even though we’ve only done 14 km, that’s pretty much the impression we’re getting! We stayed green right to the end, opting for the electro-solar boat that took us quickly to the old port of La Rochelle.

To cross the channel faster than lightning

La Rochelle loves two-wheelers, and you can feel it! It’ s easy to park your bike in one of the bike parks around the station.

After the effort, lunch on the harbour. We take out the sunglasses, have a drink with our friends and enjoy our break on the terrace like true Rochelaises. A final coffee and we’re already under the arcades, ready for a must-do shopping session in the town centre.

Vélodyssée: France’s longest cycle route!

Enjoy 1200 km of cycle paths for a unique adventure

Find out more about La Vélodyssée

The girls’ bike trip to La Rochelle? Good humour, cult moments and great memories.

Juliette, 34 years old

On the way back: application, twilight and swimming pool

End of the day, we’re all starting to stall. Shall we go home? Fred advised us to get on the train with our bikes. It only takes a few seconds to download the local Ter application, buy our tickets online and we’re comfortably settled in for the return journey.

Download the Ter Local application

The train skirts the sea and we see again the magnificent spectacle of the outward journey, this time with the evening lights. What a day! We reached our hotel just a stone’s throw from the station before taking a final dip in the blue of the swimming pool.