La Vélodyssée: 6 day Cycling Tour Arcachon to Biarritz 

Arrival in Arcachon

Use this first day to discover Arcachon, a famous seaside resort well-known for the ‘Arcachonaises’ and marvelous villas of the 'winter town'. Take a walk on the seaside front promenade or under the shady Mauresque park.

Arcachon – Biscarrosse | 32km / 49km

Take advantage of this small stage to appreciate the discovery of the Pilat Dune. You will be rewarded with the ascent at the top you will enjoy a panoramic view impregnable on the ocean and the Bay of Arcachon. A view not to be missed.

Biscarrosse – Mimizan Plage (or Contis les Bains) | 55km

The course now travels inward away from the ocean and the Vélodyssée allows you to discover the interior of the Landes and its ponds. The more sinuous and more hilly route winds between the dunes and the big lakes (Biscarrosse, Parentis, Aureilhan) to arrive at the seaside resort of Mimizan-Plage, animated and charming with its Belle-Epoque villas.

Mimizan Plage (or Contis les Bains) – Vieux Boucau (or Capbreton) | 60km (or 66km)

The Vélodyssée finds you a peaceful route along the coast in the heart of the pine forest. Contis les Bains is an ideal first stop. A small unusual detour for a superb point of view the visit of the lighthouse of Contis with the ascent of its 183 steps. After Saint Girons Plage the route slowly departs from the ocean once more by a cycle path that alternates between forest and small roads. Leon lake invites you to swim before returning to the coast and reach Vieux Boucau with its marine lake.

Vieux Boucau (or Capbreton) – Biarritz | 61km (or 41km)

A great last stage in apotheosis with a beautiful bike path that leaves the Landes arriving where the surf is king. Ride along the longest sandy beach in Europe to the famous resorts of Hossegor and Capbreton. Do not miss the history soaked walk on the Estacade, a wooden pier built by Napoleon III in the 19th century.

Departure during the day

Option : Extra bike stage to Hendaye (30km) & an additional night in Hendaye: Vélodyssée, the views of the ocean are wonderful and you discover the soul of the Basque country. You will cross pretty villages of Bidart then the old fishing port of Guétary. Saint Jean de Luz also deserves a stop. Then the route ends with the cliffside road (bike path and shared lanes) between Ciboure, do not miss the Socoa Fort and Hendaye. The castle of Abbadia deserves the detour and the visit as well.