Breathe in the Marais Poitevin, a new lease of life for cycling holidays

La Bicyclette verte is an institution in Arçais. Born in the heart of the village in 1986, the bicycle rental company had already shown certain ambition. “She was a pioneer in the field of creating bicycle trips”recalls Sébastien Almazan, back in his parents' company. “Five years ago, I came back with the desire to start a business. And since then, we've had a crazy adventure! »

Between mid-October and mid-March, the logistics part of the activity is on pause. But next season is being actively prepared. Especially since the family structure has become Respire, an important player in this growing niche market. “France aims to become the leading destination for bicycle tourism in Europe. » And the company intends to meet all expectations.

It still offers bicycle excursions in the form of a more or less organized program. “Our catalog includes two hundred circuits in France and Europe. The courses that we do not compose ourselves, we buy from our colleagues. »

The principle is simple. Customers plan their journey and the company makes their lives logistically easier. “They can pick up bikes when they get off the train, for example, give us their luggage which we leave at the hotel or lodge at their first stopover point, etc. …” Flexibility is key. It is facilitated by the development of its Bicybags software. A digital solution that allows Respire to take a giant step forward and “to record growth of 20% over the past year. Last summer, we provided 2,000 rentals”. Bicybags is even sold to other market players.

Respire remains anchored in the Marais Poitevin. Its fleet of various cycles, increased from 100 to 600 units, is prepared in a premises in Le Vanneau. La Bicyclette verte still rents bikes from the Arçais pier and the offices are located in the old village dairy. “We are lucky to work in this framework. A choice made possible thanks to the arrival of fiber. » The company also retained its publishing activity. “With Cartovélo, we have 1,100 references in cycling and walking guides. I believe in paper to prepare for trips. »