Oleron and Re Islands by Bike
A cycling paradise, these two islands offer 200 km of paths through salt marshes, lighthouses, pine forests, and oyster beds.
Four days by bike on the islands of Re and Oleron, which together offer more than three hundred kilometres of cycle paths, nearly all flat and separated from the road. The route links Saint-Martin-de-Re and its UNESCO-listed Vauban fortifications, the Phare des Baleines and its two hundred and fifty-seven steps, Ars-en-Re and its black-and-white spire that once served as a seamark, then Le Chateau-d'Oleron and its oyster huts repainted in bright colours by artists, Saint-Trojan-les-Bains and its pine forest, and finally the Chassiron lighthouse at the northern tip. This is family cycling heaven. Both islands are linked to the mainland by bridge, but not to each other: allow two hours' driving between them.
Practical info
- Stops
- 6
- Duration
- 4 days
- Transport
- 🚲 Bike
- Distance
- ≈ 100 km
- Best time
- Spring and summer
Itinerary
- 1
Saint-Martin-de-Re
Fortifications Vauban classees UNESCO, port de peche et ruelles blanches.
- 2
Phare des Baleines
Phare de 57 m, panorama sur l'ile et la foret de Trousse-Chemise.
- 3
Ars-en-Re
Clocher noir et blanc, marais salants et label Plus Beaux Villages.
- 4
Le Chateau-d'Oleron
Citadelle, cabanes colorees des artistes et parcs ostreicoles.
- 5
Saint-Trojan-les-Bains
Foret de pins et plages oceanes, petit train touristique vers la Grande Plage.
- 6
Phare de Chassiron
Pointe nord de l'ile d'Oleron, phare a bandes noires et blanches et jardins.
