Cyclotourism in France, Bike around Bordeaux over 12 days

Arrive in Bordeaux « Unesco World Heritage Site »

Accommodations in hotels *** in the heart of Bordeaux. Welcome pack of the area and circuits will be given as well as your bike.

From Bordeaux to the « Entre-Deux- Mers » – 55 to 60 Km

This route allows you to discover the Entre-Deux-Mers area of 55 km of track / greenway and lanes... Enchanting ! You will leave Bordeaux with the track that runs along the Garonne River and its beautiful landscaped quays, then you will follow the greenway trail, winding through the hillsides of the Entre-Deux-Mers through Creon and Sauveterre de Guyenne, which are magnificent fortified walled towns. Finally, by small roads surrounded by vineyards, you will drive to your accommodation.

From Sauveterre de Guyenne to Bazas – 40 to 50 Km

Between Sauveterre-de-Guyenne and La Réole, the cycle route passes through gently rolling and highly picturesque landscapes. La Réole, a medieval town founded in 977 on the banks of the Garonne, is the smallest «Town of Art and History» in France. At Fontet, the route joins the Canal de Garonne. It is here that «Le Canal des 2 Mers à vélo» cycle route continues on its way under a canopy of plane trees until reaching Toulouse, or even Sète and the Mediterranean. «Bike around Bordeaux» cycle route, however, goes towards Bazas via a “Véloroute” cycle route. By taking a detour through Castets-et-Castillon, you’ll be able to see the beginning of the Canal with its locks and to take advantage of all the services that this small port has to offer. Bazas is a famous medieval town with a beautiful cathedral, and an important place for the Way Of Saint James.

Direction The Landes de Gascogne Regional Nature Park - 70 Km

Departure from Bazas to join the cycle path in Uzeste. Passing through Uzeste, you can admire the collegiate church housing the tomb of Pope Clement V (it is also worth visiting his château in Villandraut). After crossing Villandraut and the river Le Ciron, you come in the pignada, a logged pine forest, planted by man since the 19th century. The itinerary goes on to Budos, then through the valleys carved out by the River Ciron, to Leogats and Nouaillan. You then carry on to Balizac where you enter the Landes de Gascogne Regional Nature Park. You will be riding along a lovely little forest road offering great variety and taking you westwards. Heading towards Louchats, the pine forest becomes denser and the scent of pine resin richer. Leave your bicycle at the site of the lagoons of Gât-Mort and discover the water beneath the carpet of fern. Make a stop at the lakes of Hostens, it offers plenty of shade by the shore, perfect for an afternoon nap. The road will then take you, between pine trees and heather, to the small town of Le Barp. Stay in a charming little hotel, stone built, with a swimming pool.

Towards the Arcachon Bay - 45 Km

The itinerary follows a little road where the pine forest gradually thins to find back the cycle track in Salles along the Eyre River that you will follow until Mios. You will then reach the Arcachon Bay at the Ornithological Park of Teich, maritime window of the Regional Natural Park. The sites for picnicking are not lacking, just choose! You will progress towards the Biganos Port and towards the “Port des Tuiles”. You continue towards Audenge and Audenge port where former basins are used as swimming pools. Following the dykes of the Graveyron estate, with its fish reservoirs, you reach the castle. Having enjoyed the splendid views over the basin and watched the many species of migrating birds. You will cycle gently along the cycling track to Andernos Les Bains, a very pleasant seaside town. For the evening you can enjoy a number of activities - bars overlooking the sea, a walk on the pier or the beach, or go for a walk alongside Andernos.

From the Arcachon Bay to Lacanau – 45 Km

From Andernos, the pleasure to pedal in the heat, accompanied by the cicadas song and the pine odours. You will leave Andernos and will pursue your circuit towards the saint Brice's magnificent site, which mixes forest and natural bank of the “Arcachon Bay” and then the Oyster-farming port of Ares.

The Great Medoc Lakes from Lacanau to Montalivet – 40 Km

Get on your bike and go on the journey to the north following the Vélodyssée. Here the road bike continues on a bike path among the pines, between lakes and oceans. Leave the lake of Lacanau and join a charming shady trail cut in the dunes of the seaside resort of Carcans Maubuisson and the lake of Hourtin. Follow the lake and then the « route des phares » and after a last ocean break at Hourtin Plage, head north to Montalivet.

From Montalivet to Royan – 40 Km

Sandy beaches as far as the eye can see... The seaside resorts of Le Porge, Lacanau, Carcans, Hourtin, Vendays-Montalivet and Soulac-sur-Mer are just some of the stops along the way where you can explore and relax. You can then cross the Gironde Estuary from Verdon in a unique ferry ride to discover Royan in the evening (its marina, cathedral considered as a masterpiece of modern architecture)

From Royan to Mortagne – 35 Km

You will leave Royan by taking the “boulevard Garnier” and its beautiful villas from the XIX century. You will stop at the Park of the estuary, « pole nature » of Charente Maritime. You will enjoy its unique feel and wooden area, dominating the estuary. The park offers interactive exhibition and animations allowing you to discover “everything” about the estuary. You will cross Saint-Seurin-d’Uzet, the old capital of Caviar, with its port almost located in the centre of the village. More south, you will visit the wine-maker of Mortagne to discover all about the Pineau, Cognac and Charentais wine. Mortagne-sur-Gironde, lays on the wild cliffs, its fishing and sailing port make it a unique site in the area. You will stay in a charming guest house, opposite the port... In the guesthouse the rooms are spacious, bright with own suit.

From Mortagne to Blaye – 60 Km

Go on along the Estuary on a very nice cycling path between marshes and dykes until Vitrezay, the gateway to Gironde. After a visit to the «Birds Land» bird sanctuary, a beautiful «Voie Verte» cycle track leads to the Blaye Citadel, built by Vauban and listed by UNESCO (alongside Fort Pâté and Fort Médoc) as the Vauban lock”. Take a ferry to cross the estuary from Blaye to Lamarque the next day.

From Blaye to Bordeaux – 50 Km

After crossing the Gironde Estuary, the itinerary leads directly to the heart of the Médoc vineyards, where villages and world-famous wine-making châteaux abound. Fort Médoc is not to be missed. A visit and wine-tasting break is an absolute must before heading on, towards more urbanised, but equally interesting areas. The route’s grand finale is the approach to Bordeaux along the quays of the Garonne.

End of Tour