Flow Vélo, from Thiviers to Rochefort

30 to 62km of cycling. 250 to 415m of elevation gain per day, mainly on roads. Requires experience with uphill cycling to fully enjoy the trip.

Luggage transport is included. You only carry your daily items in a small bag or satchel, along with your picnic and supplies. You will find your luggage at the hotel in the evening. One follower bag per person, limited to 15kg.

We can book a transfer from Rochefort to Thiviers for you.

Trip possible from one person onwards.

7 days, 6 nights, 5 days of cycling.

From April to October.

We handle hotel reservations and luggage transport. We provide you with a detailed map of the route and a step-by-step guide.

Accommodation

In hotels 3* (5 nights) and 2*, in double rooms with bathroom. Option to book a single room (with supplement).

Hotel classification

In France, more and more hotels or guest houses refuse any classification, even establishments that were still classified a year or two ago. These establishments do not lose quality as a result, far from it. Among guest houses, many are charming rooms.
If we indicate, for example, a comfort level “3* or equivalent”: this means the establishment is not necessarily classified, but has comfort corresponding to that of a 3* hotel.

Meals

Breakfast is included. Dinners and picnics are at your expense.

Please specify at registration any food allergies or special diets; we will do our best to adapt your meals.

Note: Accommodation photos are non-binding. Accommodations may change. Depending on availability, we can book other hotels of equivalent comfort and standard.

Start

Day 1 in the afternoon at the hotel in Thiviers

End

Day 7 after breakfast in Rochefort.

It is entirely possible to combine the stay with a few stages of the Velodyssée, or an extension to La Rochelle, or simply an additional night in Rochefort to visit Aix Island.

By train

Access possible from Paris via intercity and regional trains through Limoges in 5 hours.

By car

4 hours 30 minutes from Paris via the A10.

Parking your car

Public parking near your accommodation, or at the hotel depending on availability.

Returning to your car

Return to Thiviers by train via Bordeaux in 4 hours 45 minutes.

Many of our trips are suitable for swimming, during stages or at the end of the day. It would be a shame not to take advantage of this. However, we emphasize that your guides are not lifeguards; swimming is therefore at your own responsibility and risk.

Member of Agir pour un Tourisme Responsable (ATR)

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

On the board since 2018, we actively contribute to advancing the sector’s practices toward greater purpose. In practice, we ensure:

• Transparency in our practices and pricing
• Respect for our partners and local populations
• Environmental preservation on each of our trips

We also share the values of the traveller’s ethical charter, which encourages everyone to adopt simple actions to protect the places you visit and foster beautiful encounters.

Travelife Partner

Since 2025, Grand Angle is recognized Travelife Partner, an international label that certifies our responsible practices in terms of environment, ethics and sustainable management, both within our company and with our partners and in the organization of our trips.

This label, the second level of a demanding international certification, attests to our concrete actions in favour of responsible tourism. We are actively pursuing our progression toward the higher level, Travelife Certified, in accordance with our sustainable development policy

Bicycle Rental

We handle the reservation; please let us know during registration. The bikes are adjusted to the participants' size, which is why you need to provide us with your height at the time of reservation.

Rental for 5 days the bikes are delivered on Day 2 before 10 AM at your hotel in Thiviers and you leave them at your hotel in Rochefort upon arrival of your stage on Day 6. Our partner picks them up either on the evening of Day 6 or on the morning of Day 7.

Here are the types of bikes rented (photo for illustration purposes only)

Arcade Escape hybrid bike (premium range):

Premium women’s rental bike

Premium men’s rental bike

Electric-assisted bike (e-bike)

Electric-assisted rental bike

Equipment included:

• VAUDE front bag with lock, pump and puncture repair spray
• VAUDE rear bag and helmet

For the bike

• Short or long cycling shorts depending on the season
• Cycling gloves
• A helmet
• Sunglasses (against sun, wind and midges)
• A windbreaker
• T-shirts or cycling jerseys
• A handlebar map holder
• A water bottle

Note: synthetic technical clothing is very effective. New merino wool clothing has also appeared; they are very effective and pleasant to wear, and have the advantage of not developing perspiration odours (brands Icebreaker, Ruka, etc…)!
In general, avoid cotton, which cools when wet.

Against the sun and rain

• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• Hat, cap or sun hat (helmet)
• A windbreaker
• A rain cape or a “Goretex”

• A sweater or fleece jacket
• Comfortable trousers for walking
• Shorts
• A tracksuit or change of clothing
• A light cotton shirt with long sleeves
• A pair of trainers
• Change of clothes and personal items
• A swimming costume

• If you don’t have a bag on your bike, take a comfortable small backpack of 40 litres with a belly belt to carry your personal items and picnic during the day. If you have a luggage rack, you can attach your bag to it with elastic straps. The rented bikes are supplied with a bag where you can put your items. Equip yourself anyway with a small backpack; this allows you to easily carry your belongings when you go sightseeing along the way.
• A follower bag: a backpack or a travel bag in good condition

Documents

Travellers, including minors, must be in possession of a national identity card or a passport (EU nationals).

Angoulême Tourism Office
7 Rue du Chat,
16000 Angoulême
Tel.: 0545951684
Website: www.angouleme-tourisme.com

Cognac Tourism Office
16 Rue du 14 July
16100 Cognac
Tel.: 0545821071
Website: www.tourism-cognac.com

Rochefort Ocean Tourism Office
Avenue Marie-François Sadi Carnot,
17300 Rochefort
Tel.: 0546990860
Website: www.rochefort-ocean.com