Accommodation for cycling in Poitou-Charentes

Angoulême - Hotel Saint Antoine

Affordable hotel with secure parking on the Flow Vello route

Located near the Point Saint Antoine on the banks of the Charente, the Hotel Saint Antoine is a typically French hotel that's a short ride from the city centre and the train station (with links to both Paris and Bordeaux). It offers a locked storage room for bikes, inhouse fitness centre. Courtyard garden. Free wifi. Flexible room options for groups and families + disabled access rooms. French and English spoken. 

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Arçais - Maison Flore

Small eco-hotel in the heart of the beautiful Marais Poitevin

We stayed at this small eco-hotel on our La Velo Francette ride. It's in a lovely location, with the rambling gardens backing straight onto the canal system of the Venise Verte in the Marais Poitevin. There are 10 rooms – singles, doubles, triples and a family room – some of them with balconies and garden views. There is a bike parking area in the garden; it's not a fully enclosed shed, but the B&B's central gates are locked at night and I felt comfortable leaving my bike in the bike area. There is a hose nearby for washdowns. Free wifi. All-you-can eat buffet breakfast of cereals and fresh fruit. There is an emphasis here on the environment, with the hotel (though it's more like a B&B) having its own solar-energy system.

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Asnois - La Vieille Gorce B&B

Flexible cycle-friendly B&B and cottages between Angouleme and Poitiers

Sarah and Paul at La Vieille Gorce offer cyclists B&B accommodation in their mid-18th century farmhouse in the Vienne countryside between Angouleme and Poitiers. There are three boutique-style B&B rooms. The property is a tranquil oasis surrounded by sunflowers, woodland and charming villages. There are cycle routes on the doorstep, including the Tour de Charente bike route just to the south. Explore historic chateaux, beautiful rivers, wildlife and quiet country lanes. Nearby is the medieval town of Charroux with its famous Charlamagne’s tower on the pilgrim's route to Santiago de Compostela. ‘The Way of Charroux’ is a variant of the Way of Vézelay and follows the GR48. It begins in the Vienne at Angles-sur-l'Anglin, one of the most beautiful villages in France, continues by Montmorillon, Isle Jourdain, Charroux and leaves the Vienne after Surin to go towards Angouleme and Saint Aulay. Charroux is just over 5km from La Vieille Gorce, with bars, shops and restaurants to enjoy. Lockable shed for bike storage.

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Aubeterre - Le Shedeaux Cottage (north-east of Bordeaux)

Cottage for 6 on quiet backroads in beautiful SW France

The area surrounding the market town of Aubeterre is an excellent base for cycling in south-west France. Around 100km north-east of Bordeaux, it is easy to access but far enough away from the tourist trail to enjoy peaceful countryside and quiet backroads. At the crossroads of the Dordogne and Charente departments and on the banks of the river Dronne, this is a true 'local' base for cycling. Le Shedeaux is a luxury French gite just south-east of Aubeterre. It sleeps 6 and is newly refurbished to a very high standard, with a large open-plan kitchen/family room and 3 twin/double bedrooms with their own ensuites. There's a pool for cooling off after rides and wonderful vistas from the patio overlooking open fields. Fresh bread and croissants are a short ride away each morning at the local boulangerie. Safe bike storage. Air-conditioned for the French summer and a log burner for the colder months. English and some French spoken.

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Chirac - Tranquille Vienne Gites (Tour de Charente bike route)

Top value self-catering cottages between Angouleme and Limoges

Open all year round, the three independent and private gites at Tranquille Vienne are perfectly located for cyclists who are exploring the Charente area. They're slap-bang on the Tour de Charente bike route, so perfect for tourers or those wanting a longer-term base to rest and relax. The rolling countryside surrounding the accommodation is well-suited for cyclists of all ages and skill levels. Lex and Monique are keen to welcome all types of cyclists, from road riders wanting a training base to cycle tourers and families. It's perfect for group adventures, with a huge garden and an above-ground pool to keep everyone happy. One of the gites is a 3-bedroomed cottage, while there are also two, 2-bedroom gites – all offering comfortable and affordable accommodation at nightly or weekly rates. There's safe parking for your bikes and lots of local advice on hand. English and French spoken. Free wifi.

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Cognac - Domaine Quai des Pontis

Lovely bike-friendly option on the banks of the river Charente

Wonderfully versatile accommodation, with hotel/B&B-style accommodation, as well as self-catering lodges, 'houses on stilts' and even rustic Gypsy caravans. Twins, doubles, triples and quads, making this great for families and groups. In the middle of Cognac, it's handy for all the local attractions, including Cognac tours and distillery visits. Peaceful location on Charente River banks + swimming pool. Bike hire available on site. French and English spoken. We stayed here on our flow Velo ride from the Atlantic Coat to Thiviers.
Photo: Freewheeling France

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Cognac - Hotel Domaine du Breuil, Chateau Menuet

Live it up in a chateau on the edge of Cognac

For a truly unique French castle experience, checkout the 19th century Chateau Menuet, set in its own seven-hectare park on the outskirts of Cognac. Onsite restaurant serving seasonal menus – the restaurant itself has wonderful views out over the Charente (you can eat on the terrace when the weather's nice). You can also drink the chateau's own Cognac at the bar. The bedrooms are as you'd expect from a chateau – elegant and comfortable (some of the rooms overlook the grounds). Outdoor pool. Free wifi. French and English spoken. There is secure bike storage and the chateau has its own fleet of bikes for hire.

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Cognac - Hotel Heritage

Modern town centre hotel with a rich history

Town centre hotel located in a renovated 17th-century inn that dates back to 1635. A lot of love and thought has gone into the Heritage Hotel to make the most of its history as well as provide the necessary mod-cons for 21st century guests. There's an onsite restaurant with courtyard garden for summer dining (the chef likes to feature local cuisine and use local ingredients), plus a restored and modernised bar area. There is a garage for bike storage plus a picnic service for cyclists wanting to eat out among the vines or near the river. English and French spoken. Singles, doubles, twins and triples. Free wifi.

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Cognac - Hotel L'Oliveraie

Well-located hotel with its own fleet of bikes for guest use

This is a comfortable city centre hotel near the train station. It's particularly bike-friendly, with its own fleet of bicycles, a secure bike parking area and lots of local bikey knowledge (it's been recommended to us by cyclists who stayed there). Singles, doubles, triples and quads – ideal for groups and families. Outdoor swimming pool. Onsite restaurant plus garden, terrace and bar. It doesn't have 24-hour reception but the owners can welcome late arrivals - just call ahead or make a note of it when you book. Disabled access rooms. Free wifi. 

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Coulon - Camping La Venise Verte

Lovely camping base in the heart of a natural wonderland. Ideal for families

4-star campsite near Niort in the heart of the Marais Poitevin Regional Natural Park with heated outdoor pool, evening entertainment and children’s activities. Camping pitches, mobile homes and chalets to rent. On the Velo Francette bike route. Recently awarded European Ecolabel status. Near 300km of cycle paths, walking routes and waterways which criss-cross the park. Part of the Flower Campings network of independently owned sites.

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Coulon - Le Central Hotel (Velo Francette)

In the heart of the beautiful Marais Poitevin marshes

Lovely, stylish locally run hotel in the heart of Coulon – an ideal base for exploring the Marais Poitevin marshes by bike and by boat. Coulon is also on the Velo Francette route. Onsite restaurant serving high-quality local cuisine. The hotel's manager tells us that there is a bike storage area in the hotel's locked, private garage. Free wifi. Lovely garden terrace area for relaxing. There are just 13 rooms here, some of them overlooking the garden. 
Photo: Freewheeling France

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Flow Velo bike route - Les Chambres de l'Abbaye (Saintes)

Old 11th century convent that's been lovingly restored for tourism

Les Chambres de l'Abbaye is a convent converted to a hotel in the heart of Saintes on the Flow Velo bike route that links the Atlantic Coast to Thiviers in the Dordogne. It's one of France's newest and more interesting rural bike routes, and passes through the vineyards of Cognac, among other highlights. Les Chambres de l'Abbaye is a special place to stay. This old convent building dates to the 11th century and has been lovingly restored. It's now a hotel and function centre but that's only half the story, with the abbey also still holding musical festivals and recitals in tune with its wonderful past. It's also accueil velo-accredited and has its own bike section on the website. Arriving by bike here somehow seems fitting. There is even a wonderful, safe and secure bike storage area in the convent's old cellar. We have included this hotel on our DIY cycling itinerary for La Flow Velo. ** Read our review **.

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Fouras - Grand Hotel des Bains

Well-appointed and quiet hotel near beach and town centre

The Grand Hotel des Bains has lots of treats behind its ordinary looking exterior. There's a heated pool that forms part of a spa area, a bar with lots of comfy club chairs, plus clean and comfortable ensuite bedrooms with free wifi. The beach is just a few strides away as is the centre of town. The hotel is accueil velo rated so your bike will be safe and you can get information on local rides from the owners. English and French spoken. Fouras is on La Flow Velo bike route and is an ideal place to stay if you don't want to stay on Ile d'Aix overnight or if you prefer to start the Flow bike route from the mainland. We include this hotel on our DIY Flow route here.

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Gournay-Loize - La Grange de Gournay

Cyclist-run B&B inland from La Rochelle and keen to welcome more riders

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Île d'Oléron - Camping La Cailletière

Family friendly campsite on the island of Oléron

Camping La Cailletière is a 3-star campsite at Dolus on the Île d'Oléron on the west coast of France. It's got camping pitches, cottage rentals and mobile homes. Heated covered pool. Bar/restaurant. Kids’ club and holiday activities in summer. Set in a forested area, it's a peaceful and relaxing place from which to cycle the Oleron, famous for the Marennes-Oléron oysters.

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Île d'Oléron - Novotel Thalassa Oléron Saint Trojan

Family friendly hotel on the beach on beautiful Oléron

Île d'Oléron really is an idyllic place for a cycling holiday. And the Novotel Thalassa Oléron Saint Trojan is a wonderful base. It's located on the beach, and the rooms have either a forest view or a sea view. Whether you're popping across to the island from the mainland for a night or whether you're staying longer to explore the island, this is a relaxing place to be. It's fully self contained with on site restaurant and bar, plus a spa, sauna and fitness centre. It has indoor and outdoor pools, plus its own fleet of bikes for rent (mountain bikes, hybrids and tandems) if you're not bringing your own wheels. Twins, triples and family rooms. It has an excellent family friendly reputaton and even has a kids' club. 24-hour reception. Free wifi. English and French spoken.

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île de Ré - Camping Bel Air

Friendly campsite with pitches and bungalows on super cycling island

Camping Bel Air is a 3-star campsite at at Flotte-en-Ré on the Ile de Ré. It's 900m from the beach and handy for the island's excellent network of bike routes. There is a heated outdoor pool + kids’ club. There are pitches for tents and camping cars, as well as wood cabins and canvas bungalows for self-caterers. Close to the star-shaped citadel and restaurants of St-Martin-de-Ré. The campsite has its own bike rental. Part of a network of independently owned campsites in France.

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Ile de Ré - Hotel La Marée

Cycle-friendly hotel-restaurant on Ile de Ré

Three-star cycle-friendly hotel located within easy reach of the La Rochelle-Ile de Ré bridge. Restaurant onsite and free wifi. The hotel is part of the Logis hotel network and complies with its cycling standards policy. Staff can help with route advice and maps. There is a bike hire outlet 200m away and a cycle route starting just 50m down the road.

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Ile-de-Re - Hôtel La Jetée (Saint-Martin-de-Ré)

Excellent harbour hotel with its own fleet of bicycles

We stayed at the excellent Hôtel La Jetée in Saint-Martin-de-Ré and would happily stay here again on our next visit to the Ile-de-Ré. It's a 3-star harbour hotel with its own fleet of hire bikes and a dedicated underground car park area for secure bike storage. Our room was spick and span, and stylishly decorated. The beds were comfortable, there was a kettle and tea and coffee, plus a bar fridge. The Italian walk-in shower was wonderful. Breakfast was a smorgasbord of yoghurts, cereals, fruits, breads, coffees, teas, meats and smoked salmon. Doubles as well as larger rooms with a sofa bed for groups and children (plus a children's play corner in the breakfast/bar area). Super-friendly staff (English- and French-speaking). Close to restaurants and bars. An excellent base for exploring the island. ** We've stayed here - read our review**

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La Rochelle - Best Western Masqhotel

Bike-friendly hotel on La Vélodyssée EuroVelo 1 and La Velo Francette

Super bike-friendly hotel in the middle of lovely La Rochelle, gateway to Île de Ré, and on the Atlantic Coast EuroVelo 1 La Vélodyssée route, as well as La Velo Francette from La Rochelle to Caen. The Best Western Masqhotel is a member of the Accueil Vélo 'cyclists welcome' tourist initiative. Its bike services are too many to mention here, but they include: a hotel 'bike book' of rides and route suggestions; a 'cyclists' welcome tray' with mineral water, biscuits, tea and coffee; luggage transfer service; hotel bikes for guest use (with advance notice); lunch baskets; and cleaning kits. You can read the hotel's official bike policy on its website. It also meets official French standards for eco hotels. 24-hour room service. Generous buffet breakfasts plus onsite bar/lounge. Free wifi throughout the hotel as well as internet stations for guest use. Hotel manager, Christine, and her staff are bilingual and keen to welcome more English-speaking cyclists to the hotel. 
We've stayed here – read our review

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