Destination ‘Accueil Vélo’ (‘Cyclists Welcome’)

Choosing cycling as a means of getting around and exploring the island in harmony with nature is one of the simplest and most authentic ways to discover Île de Ré.

Whether you’re visiting for a short break, a keen cyclist, a touring cyclist or simply a visitor exploring by bicycle, discover the island’s heritage and unspoilt landscapes at your own pace along 138 km of cycle paths.

Whether you’re an touring cyclist or a visitor exploring the island, discover Île de Ré by bicycle

Are you a touring cyclist? If you’re on the Vélodyssée and Vélo Francette, two national itineraries passing through La Rochelle, take time to stop off on Île de Ré.

To reach us, take the cycle path over the Île de Ré bridge. Cycle up over the bridge and let the island gradually reveal itself to you. Once on the island, three cycle routes listed on the Charente-Maritime cycle network (Véloroutes et Voies Vertes) allow you to explore the coastline, forests and salt marshes that make our island so special. As you follow these routes, take the opportunity to stop off in one of our ten villages and learn more about our history and heritage.

Are you a visitor exploring by bicycle? Discover Île de Ré along 138 km of cycle paths. The island is mainly flat, so, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced cyclist, cycling is the perfect way to discover our ten villages and get close to the island’s unspoilt nature. If you don’t know where to start, the tourist office recommends six different themed routes exploring the varied landscapes and awakening your senses. If you don’t have your own bicycle, there are many bike hire companies on the island offering half-day, full-day or multi-day bike hire. Come and experience our island in a sustainable way, close to nature!

Before getting on your bicycle, visit one of the island’s tourist offices to pick up a cycle path map. It shows the entire cycle network, a selection of points of interest and viewpoints, a table of distances between villages with average journey times, and a reminder of the safety rules essential for getting around with peace of mind!

Committed partners for a successful cycling experience on Île de Ré

When you come to Île de Ré by bicycle, you can rely on the professionals working alongside us to make your stay as enjoyable as possible. You can count on a network of accommodation, visitor sites, leisure activities and bike hire companies certified with the ‘Accueil Vélo’ quality label: committed to making your stay on the island and your cycling experience as smooth as possible.

A personalised welcome, adapted facilities and special rates are just some of the benefits of choosing an ‘Accueil Vélo’ professional.

When you visit Île de Ré and stay with our ‘Accueil Vélo’ partners, you are guaranteed an establishment:

located less than 5 km from a cycle route
with facilities adapted to cyclists: secure bicycle shelter, puncture repair kit, etc.
providing a cyclist-friendly welcome (practical information, advice, itineraries, weather forecast, etc.)
offering dedicated services for cyclists: luggage transfer, laundry and drying facilities, bicycle hire and washing, etc.

Our Accueil Vélo partners

Destination Île de Ré Tourist Office Certified with the ‘Accueil Vélo’ quality label

Since 2022, Destination Île de Ré has been committed to guaranteeing the quality of the welcome for cyclists on Île de Ré through the ‘Accueil Vélo’ quality label. This national quality label, present in many destinations, connects you with professionals committed to meeting your needs and ensuring your stay on Île de Ré lives up to your expectations.

As an island committed to nature conservation, cycling is the ideal way of getting around, visiting and exploring the island, while respecting the environment.

Before you set off to discover the island by bicycle, our tourist information officers will provide you with all the information you need, including a map of the cycle path network and suggested cycle routes on the island. To ensure your stay goes smoothly, all practical information can be sent to you before your arrival. As an ‘Accueil Vélo’ tourist office, we can also provide you with a small puncture repair kit and let you charge your GPS or smartphone before setting off to explore the cycle paths and enjoy the beautiful natural setting.

Before you set off to discover the island by bike, our travel consultants will provide you with all the information you need, including a map of the cycling network and suggestions for suitable tours of the region. To ensure you have a pleasant stay with no surprises, all practical information can also be sent to you before your arrival. As a Accueil Vélo tourist office, we can also provide you with a small bike repair kit and allow you to charge your GPS or Smartphone before setting off to explore the cycle paths and enjoy the beautiful countryside.