French Cycle Vacations at Les Croisettes, France

La Caillere, France Bike Tours

Active Adventure

Are you ready for a unique adventure? Cycle with us through the Vendée countryside on one of our touring bicycles through the forests, on the Atlantic coastline and along the canals of the Marais Poitevin. Experience the culture and cuisine of France and its centuries-old chateaux, abbeys and villages and stay at our cosy French country home.Les Croisettes is a French country stone house, which has been lovingly restored in old French style. We are situated on manicured mature garden with swimming pool, sun terrace, various fruit trees and a grape vine. We are located in the south east Vendée in a quiet hamlet only 15 minutes south of the pretty town of Chantonnay and 20 minutes north of the historic market town of Fontenay le Comte. The guest house features 10 guest bedrooms with private baths, two salons and an intimate dining room incorporating Doyles Bar. Les Croisettes is the French country house one dreams of finding and it will be your home during your holiday.

The Les Croisettes format is open to recreational cyclists of all levels of ability. Daily tours to over twenty destinations range from 20 to 40 miles with longer options available and they are personally guided and tailored to the guests’ abilities. The program allows guests to experience the beautiful countryside and the wonderful micro-climate of the region from a bicycle. You can also cycle on the same routes of a previous Tour de France. After a day’s ride over gentle rolling terrain, guests can enjoy a five-course dinner prepared by our personal Cuisinier, complemented with regional wines ,cheese and coffee served in charming surroundings.

Typical Day

half way through the week, we will take you all the way to the beautiful port town of La Rochelle. From here you will cycle over the 3kms long bridge, which will take you to the Ile de Ré. This 26kms long island with its width varying from 5kms to as little as 70m has 100kms of cycling tracks. Because it is very flat, i.e. the highest point is no more than 20m above sea level, it is possible to cycle the whole island from the bridge, south to north, along the east coast and back along the west coast, all in one day. From the bridge you will arrive at Rivedoux with its sandy beaches, towards La Flotte and the major town of the island Saint Martin de Ré, which is well worth a visit. From there you will follow the coast round the bay to arrive in Loix. You can also avoid Loix and head straight for the narrowest part of the island towards Ars en Ré (a name which frequently brings a smile to most English speakers). This part of the island is well known for its sea salts, collected at dawn and known as “Fleur de Sel” (flower of salt) and its oysters and mussels farming. Around another bay you will reach the most north westerly point known as Les Porte de Ré. From there you are on your way back, making a dash south easterly towards the Phare des Baleines (the lighthouse of the whales). This beautiful building was started in 1849 and finished in 1854. Replacing the lighthouse built in 1682 with a height of 29 metres, this new lighthouse is 57m high and you can access the top by climbing its 257 steps. From now on you can say you are on your way back by going in a south westerly direction through La Couarde sur Mer, Le Bois Plage en Ré, La Noue, Sainte Marie de Ré and back to the bridge for a last effort. This trip can vary between 100 and 65 kms depending on whether you choose to follow all the tracks or, sometimes cut across. As well as salt, the island produces its own wine and many other products with the “Ile de Ré” label. You will not be short of finding a souvenir or two.
For lunch, guests can enjoy locally made cheeses served with various breads and a crisp green salad. For the more adventurous, we can take a side tour to the home local farmers with the facility to buy from their shops, ie wine from the vineyard in Vix, local honey, the Vendée Trospinet and Coffee Liqueur made in Lucon , and once you have made your purchases, your shopping can be left in the van. Then back to Les Croisettes to relax and enjoy your well deserved evening meal. Followed by a night cap in our bar before retiring to bed

Age range, type of group

GROUP SIZE
Since we stay at Les Croisettes all week, we are able to offer this experience for as few as two people. You never have to fear that your vacation will be cancelled due to insufficient sign-ups and you can plan your vacation with confidence. Most of the time you will share your cycling holiday with 6-10 others. We can accommodate private parties for up to 10 people.

FAMILY VACATIONS
We believe that Les Croisettes is the ideal trip for a family. We are able to be flexible with the level of biking that we offer. Our accommodation is the ideal home base for independent excursions into the French countryside.The minimum age for accompanied children is 10. Please check with us to be sure we have the right size bicycle for your child when booking. Les Croisettes is also available for custom groups. Just give us a call and we will design the cycling vacation that is just right for your group

Sleeping and meals

•Six nights in our newly renovated rooms with private baths.
•Six continental breakfasts, one lunch, and five dinners , wine, tea and coffee.
•Fully escorted cycling excursions. Or the opportunity to ride on your own, with maps and instructions for each day’s adventure.
•Vehicle support while cycling.
•Round trip van transfers to and from the TGV train station and van transfers for one evening out.
•Use of our hybrid bicycle plus helmet during your stay.
•Use of our swimming pool.
•Boules

Restrictions

Les Croisettes is non smoking, but you may smoke out on the terrace.

Discounts Offered

Prices from €1250 a reduction of €335 per person for all bookings made before 31st December 2010

La Caillere, France Bike Tours

La Caillere, France Bike Tours