The Canal des 2 Mers From Royan to Bordeaux

Moderate: 49 to 53km of cycling per day. Less than 200m of elevation gain per day. Mostly on cycle paths, greenways or minor roads.

Luggage transfers are included. You only carry what you need for the day in a small backpack or pannier, including your picnic lunch and snacks for the ride. Your luggage will be waiting at your hotel in the evening. Your luggage is transferred by a transport provider and is limited to one bag per person, weighing no more than 15 kg. Bags must be ready at reception by 09:00 and may be delivered as late as 18:30.

From 2 people.

5 days, 4 nights, 3 days of cycling.

Depart on a date of your choice from April to September.

A self-guided tour, without a guide. We provide a digital travel pack that includes access to our smartphone navigation app, a list of your accommodation, any vouchers required and all the information you need for your trip to run smoothly.

If you wish, we can provide a printed travel pack with maps, a route guide and a travel document wallet, for a supplement of 35 € per pack. For printed travel packs requested less than 45 days before departure, and for travellers living abroad, the packs will be sent to your first hotel.

Accommodation

Accommodation in 3* hotels or equivalent and guesthouses, with 1 night in a 2* hotel. Based on two people sharing a room. Single rooms are available subject to availability and a supplement.

Hotel ratings

In France, an increasing number of hotels and guesthouses choose not to have an official rating, including establishments that were still rated a year or two ago. This does not mean their quality has declined—far from it. Many of the guesthouses are charming properties.
If we indicate, for example, a comfort level of “3* or equivalent”: this means that the establishment does not necessarily have an official rating, but offers a level of comfort comparable to a 3* hotel.

Meals

Accommodation is on a bed and breakfast basis. Dinner in Saint-Thomas-de-Conac is included.

You can generally order packed lunches from your accommodation; you can also prepare your own picnic or stop at a small restaurant or bistro. For dinner, you can eat at restaurants near your accommodation or at your hotels (not included).

Please let us know about any food allergies or special dietary requirements when booking; we will do our best to adapt your meals.

Please note: Accommodation photos are for illustration only. Accommodation may change. Depending on availability, we may book other hotels offering an equivalent standard and level of comfort.

Start

On Day 1 in the afternoon in Royan.

Finish

On Day 5 after breakfast in Bordeaux.

You can add an extra night in Bordeaux.

Several options are available:
Before this trip, you can combine it with our La Vélodyssée Atlantique Nature trip from La Rochelle to Royan (FRALV0013) or our Vélodyssée trip from Nantes to Royan (FRALV0006).
After this trip, you can continue with our Canal des 2 Mers trip along the Canal de la Garonne from Bordeaux to Toulouse (FRALV0016) or our full Canal des 2 Mers trip from Bordeaux to Béziers (FRALV0033).

Bike hire

If you hire a bike, it will be delivered to your hotel in Royan on Day 2 before 10 am. At the end of the tour, you must leave the bike at the final hotel on Day 4 after your ride and let reception know. We will arrange its return. Here is the type of bike we book (or an equivalent; photos are for illustration only)

Type: Hybrid bike, 24 gears, 28-inch wheels, indexed gear system. Hybrid bikes come with an adjustable saddle, a side kickstand, a luggage rack, 1 side pannier and a handlebar bag. For hygiene reasons, water bottles are not provided.

A repair kit, pump, bike lock and helmet (on request when booking) are available for your use.

You collect your bike in Bordeaux and leave it in Toulouse.

You can also hire an e-bike with a 400 Wh battery.

Your own bikes

Return by train: from Bordeaux to Royan; journey time 2 hours 40 minutes–3 hours (TER regional train; approximately 30 € + bikes travel free). One change in Saintes. Bikes travel free on TER regional trains, but charges apply on other types of train.

By plane

Bordeaux Airport
Shuttle between the airport and Bordeaux railway station, 9€ (August 2020).
Then take the train from Bordeaux to Royan: TER regional train with one change in Saintes, approximately 2 hours 30 minutes.

By train

Getting to Royan
From Paris (Montparnasse station): TGV high-speed train + TER regional train with one change in Angoulême, approximately 4 hours
From Lyon (Part-Dieu station): TGV high-speed train + TER regional train with two changes in Massy and Angoulême, approximately 6 hours 45 minutes
Please check timetables and fares at www.sncf-connect.com

By car

You can plan your route on ViaMichelin.

A number of our trips offer opportunities to swim along the day’s route or at the end of the day. It would be a shame to miss out. However, we stress that you alone must decide whether it is appropriate to swim; you therefore swim at your own risk and are responsible for your own safety.

Member of Agir pour un Tourisme Responsable (ATR — Action for Responsible Tourism)

Since 2012, Grand Angle has been a member of ATR, the leading association for more responsible tourism. We design our trips – on foot, by bike and in the snow – to invite everyone to discover the world differently: with curiosity, respect and kindness.

As a member of the board of directors since 2018, we actively help the industry develop more meaningful practices. In practical terms, we take care to ensure:

• Transparency in our practices and prices
• Respect for our partners and local communities
• Protection of the environment on every trip

We also share the values of the traveller’s ethical charter, which encourages everyone to take simple steps to protect the places they visit and foster meaningful encounters.

Travelife Partner

Since 2025, Grand Angle has held Travelife Partner status, an international label that certifies our responsible environmental, ethical and sustainable management practices, both within our company and in our work with partners and the organisation of our trips.

This label, the second level of a rigorous international certification scheme, recognises our practical actions in support of responsible tourism. We are actively working towards the next level, Travelife Certified, in line with our sustainable development policy

For cycling

• Cycling shorts or tights, depending on the season
• Cycling gloves
• A helmet (not compulsory but strongly recommended)
• Sunglasses (to protect against the sun, wind and midges)
• A windproof jacket
• T-shirts or cycling jerseys
• A handlebar map holder
• A water bottle

Note
Synthetic technical clothing performs very well. New merino wool clothing is also available; it performs very well, is comfortable to wear and has the advantage of not developing sweat odours! (Brands include Icebreaker, Ruka, etc.). As a general rule, avoid cotton, which makes you cold when wet.

For a lunchtime picnic (optional)

• A plastic bowl or plate
• Cutlery (spoon, fork, knife)

For protection against sun and rain

• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• A hat, cap or bucket hat (helmet)
• A windproof jacket
• A rain poncho or a Gore-Tex jacket

After exercise

• A jumper or fleece
• Comfortable trousers for walking
• Shorts
• A tracksuit or a change of clothes
• A lightweight, long-sleeved cotton shirt
• A pair of running-style trainers for the evening
• Spare clothes and underwear
• A toiletry bag
• A small first-aid kit: personal medication, Elastoplast, Biogaze or “2nd skin”, gauze, antiseptic, arnica pellets and aspirin for minor aches and injuries…

• If your bike does not have a pannier, bring a small, comfortable 40-litre backpack with a hip belt to carry your personal belongings and picnic during the day. If you have a luggage rack, you can secure your bag to it with bungee cords. Rental bikes come with a pannier for your belongings. Bring a small backpack as well; this makes it easy to carry your belongings when you stop to visit places along the way.
• A bag for luggage transfers: a backpack or travel bag in good condition.

Country: France
Capital: Paris

Travel documents

Travellers, including children, must have a national identity card or passport (EU nationals).

Health

Bring your French health insurance card (Carte Vitale) and enough of your usual medication for the duration of your stay.

Bordeaux Tourist Office

12 cours du 30 juillet

33000 BORDEAUX

Tel: 0556006600

Royan Tourist Office

1 boulevard de la Grandière

17200 ROYAN

Tel: 0546230000

Country calling code for France: +33.

No time difference: GMT +1.