Family Cycle Tour from Royan to Oleron
€950.00
This original cycling holiday along the beautiful Atlantic coast has been specially conceived for parents with children.
Prices are starting indications, per person, based on two people sharing a twin room, and do not include bike hire. Please make a booking enquiry for a confirmed price based on your chosen dates and exact requirements.
Description
First, you’ll enjoy getting to know Royan, a small yet vibrant seaside town with plentiful beaches ideal for taking a dip. Next day, you pedal off along a superb cyclepath that follows the coast to Ronce-les-Bains and a warm welcome to a lovely hotel facing the Ocean. Then aboard a small boat you’ll sail round Fort Boyard* and on to the peaceful island of Aix, with the promise of a day in the footsteps of Napoleon Bonaparte! The conclusion of this splendid holiday takes you to the Isle of Oléron with its remarkable bike tracks between land and sea.
*Astonishing sea-locked fort famous in France as the setting for the TV game show subsequently metamorphosed in the UK as “The Crystal Maze”.
Itinerary
Example itinerary:
D1 Arrival in Saint Palais
You can be sure of a warm welcome in a family hotel just a few metres from the beach. And you can’t beat a dip in the sea to recover from your journey! In the evening, watch the sun slip down below the horizon…and eat out in one of the little restaurants along the coast.
Night and breakfast next morning in your 3 star hotel or wonderful guest house close to the ocean coast
D2 Saint Palais, Royan, St Georges de Didonne
30.4 km round trip (3hrs30mins)
You spend the whole day on a cycle path exploring numerous ocean bays along the Royan coast. A round trip, this outing leaves you with plenty of time to take a break when and where you fancy, maybe enjoy an ice cream on a shady terrace, (or both!)
Towards the end of the ride, you could be tried your hand at sand-yachting in an exciting vehicle propelled along the beach by the ocean breezes.
Night and breakfast next morning in your 3 star hotel on the ocean coast.
D3 From Saint Palais to Ronce-les-Bains
32.4 km (3hrs45mins)
Today, you take one of the loveliest portions of the Vélodyssée. Leaving Royan and the Gironde estuary, you cycle along the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean on an itinerary reserved exclusively for cyclists and ramblers. No cars, no noise, unless you count the murmur of conversation, occasional laughter, and the sound of breaking waves. You go through the Forest of La Coubre, vast pinewood reminiscent of the Landes region, and you may like to visit the celebrated lighthouse listed as a historic monument. In the evening, you will be greeted at your ocean-facing hotel.
Dinner, night and breakfast next morning in your 3 star hotel with its own pool.
D4 Visit to the Ile-d’Aix (island)
12 km return bike ride to get to the boat that takes you there on a 1hr 30mins trip
Early to rise today! In the morning, you need to get to the port (called La Grève) by bike for an 8.30am sailing time. You leave your bikes at the quay and sail off towards the Ile-d’Aix. You and the kids will love this great little cruise that takes you past oysterbeds, beneath the bridges of Seudre and Oléron, and around the astonishing sea-fortification of Fort Louvois and Fort Boyard*!
On your arrival at the Ile-d’Aix**, you’ll have no less than 6 hours to appreciate the calm of this car-free (carefree?) isle. You may if you wish hire cycles to get about (special rates apply) or just amble round on foot and enjoy the beaches.
At the end of the day you go back to the mainland and your hotel in Ronce-les Bains.
Dinner, night and breakfast next morning in your oceanside 3 star hotel with its own pool.
*Fort Boyard is still used in the French TV programme that metamorphosed into the “Crystal Maze” game show.
** Except for the months of July and August, boat departures depend on the number of passengers enrolled. Should your departure remain unconfirmed, we propose an alternative loop itinerary taking you through the pleasant countryside around the attractive little town of Marennes (30.6 km).
D5 From Ronce-Les Bains to the Island of Oléron
24.8 km (3hrs)
A taxi will come and take you from your hotel to the Ile d’Oléron over the 3 km bridge across the sea that in our view is frankly dangerous for pedalers and pedestrians. Once on the island, you can mount up and enjoy discovering this lovely place along cycle paths that take you past forests, oyster farms and pretty villages. En route you could visit the “Marais des Oiseaux” (Bird Marsh) an educational park that gives you a deeper understanding of the island’s fauna.
At day’s end, you can enjoy the beaches of La Cotinière, a few steps from your hotel.
Night and breakfast next morning in your 3 star hotel on the ocean coast.
D6 Around the Ile d’Oléron
30.2 km (3hrs30mins)
A day to discover the north of the island. A cycle path takes you through vineyards to its largest village, Saint Georges d’Oléron. Then you make your way along the Atlantic coast with its tempting broad beaches…anyone for a dip?
In the evening you’ll love the bustling port of La Cotinière. You might even enjoy an ice cream, created by a local “marchand de crème glacée”, whilst contemplating the setting sun…tough programme!
Night and breakfast next morning in your 3 star hotel on the ocean coast.
D7 Departure
After breakfast, a taxi will come to the hotel and take you back to your vehicle at Saint-Palais.
Your Bike
The hire bikes for our France tours are of good quality and come equipped with bags, bottle clips, and of course safety helmets. Children’s full- and half-bikes, kid-trailers and baby-seats are also available. The actual make of your cycle varies from one region to another.
