Anyone been to Charente Maratime area of France ?

[Dave7]

We are going there in June. I plan on taking me MTB as there seems to be a mix of quite roads and paths.
Just wondered if others have been there and if so any recommendations ?

 

[tubbycyclist]

Went to that area last year with a group and family for a fortnight. Ile dOleron was cracking for family riding. Lots of off road paths that cross the island.

Probably got some links to other websites if you shout out where you are looking.

 

[byegad]

Lovely area, but we went in June and it was too hot for us 30C+. We managed a few days riding but that sort of heat doesn't suit either myself or my wife.

 

[Dave7]

Went to that area last year with a group and family for a fortnight. Ile dOleron was cracking for family riding. Lots of off road paths that cross the island.
Probably got some links to other websites if you shout out where you are looking.

We are staying at a place called La Pignade, Bonce Les Bains (near Royan)........any pointers would be appreciated-thanks

 

[Dave7]

Lovely area, but we went in June and it was too hot for us 30C+. We managed a few days riding but that sort of heat doesn't suit either myself or my wife.

WOW...that's scary. We have often stayed cote deZur and it was rarely that hot!!!!
We arrive end May and stay till mid June so hopefully it wont hit those temperatures.

 

[Andrew_P]

We are staying at a place called La Pignade, Bonce Les Bains (near Royan)........any pointers would be appreciated-thanks

Not been to that Siblu camp but been to 3-4 others in and around La Palmarye\Les Mathes. Some surberb cycle tracks running the length of the coast, then in to pinewoods. In August the traffic in Les Mathes can be so bad the only sensible way is by bike.

Be careful with your bikes though as last time I went there seemed to be organised bike snatchers. I saw at least two cycling with two bikes and it didn't click with me until mine was stolen from outside the mobile home while we were at the pool, my fault it was not locked.

 

[Andrew_P]

A few days I got up at 7am just so I could go out for a 10-15mile sprint around on empty tracks, it was superb. We kept going back because of the tracks etc, went to Aquitaine and they were as good so I assume most French costal resorts have decent Cycling infrastructure

 

[lulubel]

We stayed near Saintes (about 30 minutes drive south of La Rochelle, I think) in October 2009, and it was lovely. Mostly warm and sunny, temperatures in the high 20s during the day, but frost in the early mornings. We didn't have MTBs at the time, but did a lot of road riding on the quiet and well maintained French roads. We were there 2 weeks, and could happily have stayed a lot, lot longer.

 

[Dave7]

Thanks again.
Anyone got suggestions of what else to do/go/see besides cycling.......we are both into nature e.g. bird watching/butterflies etc.

 

[byegad]

WOW...that's scary. We have often stayed cote deZur and it was rarely that hot!!!!
We arrive end May and stay till mid June so hopefully it wont hit those temperatures.

We came home in the first week of June, after a fortnight's stay. We were warned that they could get huge storms roaring in from the Atlantic at any time, we had a brief shower one evening which practically dried as it fell, IIRC the rain lasted 20 minutes and the ground was dry ten minutes after it passed over. We were prepared for wet weather but ended up buying lighter weight clothing for walking around as we didn't ride very far at all.

 

[User169]

Good for oysters!! Yumtus!

 

[bigjim]

I rode it in 2011. Headin south from La Rochelle. This was first week in September. Good quiet roads and paths but we had some terrible wet weather rolling in off the Atlantic.

 

[Dave7]

Good for oysters!! Yumtus!

Now that/they are something I can do without.......tried 1 once! was like I imagine eating snot