Rent a bike at the François 1er Hotel in La Rochelle
Hotel François 1er is located in La Rochelle old town and invites you to discover the beautiful city of La Rochelle during a weekend or a longer stay. The warm weather is approaching and the best way to visit La Rochelle in these conditions is by bike. From the François 1er hotel, you can visit the whole city and its surroundings by bike: from the city centre, through Les Minimes, Aytré, to Châtelaillon-Plage, or even further for the most courageous.
Our charming hotel in La Rochelle offers bikes for hire from June to the end of September. So you can hire bikes for a day or for the whole duration of your stay if you wish. If you are visiting La Rochelle at another time, we can arrange for bikes to be delivered to the hotel. Please let us know when you make your reservation.
Our best ideas for bike rides in La Rochelle
Les villages de l’île lui ont donné le surnom de « Ré la Blanche » en raison de la teinte blanche des maisons. L’île de RéThe hotel*** François 1er recommends several bike rides to discover La Rochelle and its surroundings. The La Rochelle area has more than 230 kilometres of cycle paths. Enough to delight all lovers of bike rides.
1. Discovering La Rochelle by bike, the must-do tour
Cycling will allow you to discover La Rochelle in a different way. In just a few hours, you can discover all the main landmarks of the city. We recommend that you first stop at the bottom of the 3 famous medieval towers of La Rochelle. Then, you will take the time to stroll through the narrow streets of the heart of the city, under the arcades. You can easily reach the Saint-Nicolas district and the Gabut district before taking a short break in the Charruyer park. You can enjoy these 40 hectares of greenery only a few minutes from the beach.
2. Cycling along the coastal path
From the hotel*** François 1er, in La Rochelle old town, you will take the greenway which will lead you to Esnandes. Set off to discover the 16 kilometres of the coastal path. The wild coastline will allow you to discover the typical landscapes of the region: the Pointe Saint-Clément, the cliffs of Pertuis, the traditional “carrelets”… This is a walk that guarantees you a breath of fresh air.
3. Gourmet walk towards Châtelaillon-Plage
The Hotel*** François 1er invites you to take this pleasant 14 kilometre walk between La Rochelle and Châtelaillon-Plage. This is the ideal walk if you are visiting La Rochelle as a couple or with your family. We advise you to set off in the morning and continue your route to the village of Boucholeurs. Here you will find various fishermen’s huts and oyster beds.
The tip from our charming hotel in La Rochelle: enjoy a seafood platter in one of the oyster bars of Les Boucholeurs.
4. Cycling to the Ile-de-Ré
The Ile-de-Ré has more than 115 kilometres of cycle paths: ideal for a day out in the unspoilt nature of the Ile-de-Ré. This bike ride will invite you to discover the marshes, the vineyards, the small villages and the beaches of the island. A stop in Saint-Martin-de-Ré is a must to enjoy an ice cream in front of the small port of Saint-Martin.
Cycling will allow you to discover the Ile-de-Ré in a different way and at your own pace. What’s more, you won’t have to pay for the bridge when you cycle to the island.
5. Vélodyssée, the bike ride for the brave
The Vélodyssée is a French section of the EuroVélo, which runs along the Atlantic coast for more than 1200 kilometres. The Vélodyssée allows you to cover the 275 kilometres between the cities of Bordeaux and La Rochelle. This famous ride will allow you to meet local producers and admire a breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean. The François 1er Hotel will welcome you in La Rochelle, the last stop of the Vélodyssée.
6. The Vélo Francette, a ride through the countryside and marshes
The Vélo Francette is a 600-kilometre itinerary that reaches Rouen from La Rochelle. The hotel in La Rochelle François 1er recommends that you ride the 26 kilometres between Marans and La Rochelle. It is a bucolic walk to be done in love, between countryside and marshes.
Once you have arrived in the Poitevin marshes, we advise you to take a boat trip on the marshes. This is an opportunity to spend a moment out of time and to discover the protected nature of the marsh.
Your stay in our charming hotel in La Rochelle
After a good day’s cycling, the hotel*** François welcomes you in one of our 34 fully equipped rooms. You can enjoy a relaxing moment in our reading and listening room or simply stroll along the Vieux-Port.
The hotel*** François 1er is at your disposal to answer all your questions about the various walks we have recommended. To simplify your stay, our hotel in La Rochelle offers bicycles for hire during the summer period (from the beginning of June to the end of September).
