Langs La Charente en La Boutonne

The ride

From Rochefort you roll out toward the Parc naturel marin de l'Estuaire de la Gironde et de la Mer des Pertuis, a nature reserve where the ride opens up. Then it's on along La Charente, L'Arnoult and La Boutonne, three rivers that keep you company as the kilometres tick by. Of the 56.9 km, roughly a third runs unpaved, so expect the surface to change under your wheels. Back in Rochefort, you close the loop with 241 m of climbing behind you.