From Cognac to La Rochelle

Suitable for all levels. 95% on cycle paths on Île de Ré, quiet minor roads and cycle paths. 42 to 55km per cycling day. No particular technical difficulties. Many trains allow bikes on board, so you can shorten or skip a stage.

Luggage transfers are included. You only carry what you need for the day in a small backpack or pannier, along with your picnic lunch and snacks for the ride. Your luggage will be waiting for you at the hotel in the evening.

This trip is available for a minimum of 1 person.

8 days, 7 nights, 6 days of cycling.

A self-guided tour without a guide. We provide a digital travel pack containing 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 version of the travel pack with maps, a route guide and a travel 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 directly to the first hotel.

Accommodation

In 3* hotels, in rooms for two with a private bathroom. Single rooms can be booked for a supplement.

Hotel ratings

In France, more and more hotels and guesthouses are choosing not to have an official rating, including establishments that still held a rating a year or two ago. This does not mean their quality has declined—far from it. Many guesthouses offer charming rooms.
If we specify, 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

Breakfast is included. For lunch and dinner, you will find restaurants near your hotels or along your route. Markets or shops are available at each stop.

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

Please note: Accommodation photos are for illustrative purposes 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 at your hotel in Cognac

End

On Day 8 after breakfast, at your hotel in La Rochelle

You can add an extra night before or after your stay in Cognac or La Rochelle.

Bike hire

If you hire a bike, it will be delivered to your hotel in Cognac by 10:30 am on Day 2. At the end of the trip, you must leave the bike at your final hotel on Day 8 after breakfast and notify reception. We will arrange its return. These are the types of bikes we book (or equivalent models; photos are for illustrative purposes only).

Two types of bikes:

• Hybrid bike: premium Arcade Escape model

Men’s hybrid bike

Women’s hybrid bike

• E-bike: electrically assisted bicycle
• 

Equipment included:

• Handlebar bag with 1 bike lock per bike
• 1 rear pannier, 25 L
• 1 handlebar bag
• 1 repair kit (pump, spare inner tube, basic tools, puncture repair kit)

HELMETS
Helmets are not provided. When you book, please let us know whether you would like to hire one and which size you need.

Size guide (head circumference):

By plane

La Rochelle or Bordeaux Airport. Alternatively, travel via Paris.

Estimated journey time from La Rochelle Airport to Cognac: 2 hours
From the airport to La Rochelle railway station
Option 1: Bus

Monday to Friday: illico 1B bus every 20 minutes, get off at Gare SNCF.
Saturdays: 1B bus every 30 minutes, get off at Gare SNCF.
Sundays and public holidays (in July and August, every hour from 9:04 am to 7:04 pm): D5 bus, get off at Place de Verdun (the bus stop is a 20-minute walk from the railway station)
1.30 € single ticket available from the driver

Option 2:
Taxi from the airport to La Rochelle railway station (approximately 20 minutes)
Then take a train from La Rochelle (Ville) to Cognac, approximately 1,5 hours.

Estimated journey time from Bordeaux Airport to Cognac: 2 hours 30 minutes
Take the “30'Direct” bus (hourly departures, approximately 30 minutes. Approximate fare: 8 €) or a taxi (approximately 50 €) to Bordeaux St. Jean railway station. Then take a train from Bordeaux to Cognac (1 change): 2 hours.

If you arrive at Paris Charles de Gaulle – estimated travel time from Paris to Cognac: 5 hours
Option 1: Train from Terminal 2 to Cognac, with one change: approximately 4 hours 30 minutes.
Option 2: “Le Bus Direct” bus line 4, taxi (55 €), or RER + metro to Paris Montparnasse station: approximately 1 hours.
Then take the train from Paris Montparnasse to Cognac: approximately 3,5 hours (change at Angoulême).

If you arrive at Paris Orly – estimated travel time from Paris to Cognac: approximately 5 hours
“Le Bus Direct” bus line 1, taxi (30 €), or RER (regional express rail network) + metro to Paris Montparnasse station: approximately 30 minutes.
Then take the train from Paris Montparnasse to Cognac: approximately 3,5 hours.

By train

On the SNCF website

By car

You can plan your route on Via Michelin

Parking your car

You can park your car at the first hotel (approximately 10€ per day).

Returning to your car

A private vehicle transfer is available, or you can return to Cognac by train via Saintes in 2 hours.

On a number of our trips, there are 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 under your own responsibility and at your own risk.

Member of Agir pour un Tourisme Responsable (ATR)

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 on 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 sector adopt 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 positive 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 concrete 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
• Sunglasses (for protection from the sun, wind and midges)
• T-shirts or cycling jerseys made from breathable, quick-drying fabric.
• A long-sleeved base layer (the same recommendations apply as for T-shirts).
• Comfortable cycling socks.
• A pair of sports shoes with non-slip soles, suitable for cycling and walking.

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 resisting sweat odours (brands include Icebreaker, Ruka, etc.)!
As a general rule, avoid cotton, which makes you cold when wet.

Protection from sun and rain

• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• A hat, cap or bucket hat (helmet)
• A windproof jacket

Picnic

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

• A jumper or fleece
• Comfortable walking trousers
• A pair of shorts
• A tracksuit or 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
• Swimwear
• A small first-aid kit: personal medication, Elastoplast, Biogaze or “second skin” (2), gauze, disinfectant, arnica granules and aspirin for minor aches and injuries …

• If your bike does not have a pannier, bring a comfortable small 40l backpack with a waist 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 somewhere along the way.
• A bag for luggage transfers: a backpack or travel bag in good condition.

Country: France
Capital: Paris

Documents

Travellers, including minors, must carry a national identity card or passport (EU nationals).

Health

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

Cognac Tourist Office
16 rue du XIV juillet
16100 Cognac
Tel.: 0545821071

Saintes & Le Saintonge Tourist Office
Place Bassompierre
17100 Saintes
Tel.: 0546742382

Website: www.tourism-cognac.com

Rochefort Océan Tourist Office
Avenue Sidi Carnot
17300 Rochefort
Tel.: 0546990860

Website: www.rochefort-ocean.com

La Rochelle Tourist Office
2 quai Georges Simenon
Le Gabut
17000 La Rochelle
Tel.: 0546411468
Website: www.larochelle-tourisme.com

Destination Île de Ré
Website: www.iledere.com

France’s international dialling code: +33.

No time difference: GMT +1.