Saint-Savinien / Rochefort

Before starting your day, take the time to admire the flower-lined quays of the Saint-Savinien river port—framed by elegant bourgeois homes—and stroll through the narrow streets of the old quarter. The village of Saint-Savinien-sur-Charente is a popular stopover for boaters, thanks to its unspoiled environment and picturesque setting. Its port, active since the 13th century, grew alongside the cut-stone trade. A "Village of Stone and Water" and a *Petite Cité de Caractère*© (Small Town of Character), Saint-Savinien-sur-Charente also styles itself as an "artists' village," featuring an arts hub in its center. Visit the galleries and workshops of stone and metal sculptors, knife makers, painters, woodturners, and more. Back on the road, a few pedal strokes take you across the Charente River (passing into the commune of Le Mung) to the Île de la Grenouillette leisure center. At the miniature port, you can enjoy a memorable boat ride. Back on your bike, the route follows quiet local roads through fields, villages, and hamlets. The Romanesque church of Saint-Vivien in Geay boasts a remarkable apse in the Saintonge style. Along this stage, you will alternate between the right and left banks before finally crossing to the right bank just before reaching Cabariot and arriving in Tonnay-Charente, recognizable by its striking 19th-century suspension bridge. As you pass beneath it, look up at the series of pointed arches supporting the deck, which rises 23 meters high. Once you reach the quays, admire the fine houses before heading on toward Rochefort. This City of Art and History invites us to immerse ourselves in the great maritime adventure embodied by the majestic Royal Ropery.

⚠️ Roadworks will be carried out in the municipality of Tonnay-Charente over a two-year period starting on September 13, 2026. Traffic flow within the town will be altered for the direction from Saint-Savinien towards Rochefort; the opposite direction will not be affected. Please follow the on-site diversion signage. More information 

The route

No real difficulties for cyclists on this stage of La Flow Vélo leading to Rochefort. The way alternates between quiet little roads and limestone tracks. There are 200m of track in a bad state of repair at time of writing before you arrive at the Pont de la Cèpe bridge.
Ride through Tonnay-Charente using its one-directional cycle path running parallel to the RD137 main road.
Link to the EV1 - La Vélodyssée cycle route
At the level of the Pont de la Cèpe bridge, you can head south via La Vélodyssée. If you cross the bridge towards Rochefort, La Vélodyssée and La Flow Vélo share the same path up to the town.

⚠️ Arriving in the commune of Rochefort at the Quai Libération, La Flow Vélo is under construction from March 17 until October 2025. A diversion is in place; you must take Avenue William Ponty. 

https://en.laflowvelo.com/news/works-under-way 

Train stations

• Rochefort
• Regional train line (TER) and Intercitys for La Rochelle, Saintes, Bordeaux

Don't miss

• Saint-Savinien sur Charente : Heritage house, old town, church
• Le Mung: The miniature port
• Cabariot: Moulin de Girouin leisure center, Cepe bridge,
• Trizay : Abbey, Compostela gardens,
• Tonnay-Charente : Suspension bridge
• Rochefort: L'arsenal des mers: La corderie-centre internationale de la mer + l'accro-mâts + Le musée national de la Marine / L'ancienne école de médecine navale, Le musée des commerces d'autrefois, le musée Hèbre-musée d'Art et d'Histoire, le conservatoire du Bégonia, Le pont transbordeur de Rochefort et son musée, la place colbert