This first stage leaves La Rochelle’s old harbour on the coastal greenway, skirting the marina before crossing the marshes of the Yves bay and turning inland. The route is almost entirely separated from traffic, making it an excellent first taste of La Vélodyssée for a family: low risk, minimal elevation, and enough points of interest to justify regular stops.
Halfway through, a short detour follows the Fouras cove, a small seaside town popular for its view of Fort Boyard offshore — a classic photo stop on this stage. The route then reaches Rochefort along the Charente quaysides, where the old naval arsenal and its royal ropeworks (now a museum) are worth a stop before finding a place to stay for the night.
Rochefort has a dense network of urban cycle paths, handy for reaching your hotel or a bike rental shop without going back onto the main road.