Riding a bike is a fun way to discover a place. Strollers enjoy total freedom of movement. France’s picturesque towns and villages reveal themselves differently when explored by bicycle. Bordeaux, in particular, offers cyclists a breathtaking panorama. Here are three itineraries to try and see the best of the city.
Discover a part of the city’s history and its testimonies
The beauty of the city of Bordeaux lies not only in its landscapes, but also in its magnificent buildings and historic sites. The proposed route will start near one of these. The Hôtel de la Bourse, symbolizing the city’s liberation, will see cyclists getting ready. The most beautiful attraction remains the Miroir d’Eau. It is on the list of contemporary world heritage sites. It’s a sight that’s sure to motivate travelers. From here, cross the magnificent Pont de Pierre and the Martin Luther King Promenade. A right fork a little further on leads to the Voie Verte du Parc aux Angéliques. The latter had several lives before becoming the landscape sequences of today. It’s imperative to slow down to enjoy the plant arrangements. The next bend is on rue Matteoti, which joins chemin Richelieu. The next green lung is Parc des étangs. A cycle path runs alongside it. This leads off to the left onto rue Jules Guesde. Next comes Avenue Gaston Cabannes. The route continues straight on until the third exit towards Bouliac. The name conjures up a not-very-difficult hill, so be prepared. Cyclists follow the route de Tresses to rue de Cadenne. This road leads for 2 km through the alleys of Château Carignan. The château boasts impressive feudal-style architecture. The vineyards here produce renowned vintages. Walkers then pass several other exceptional sites, before completing the route back to the Miroir d’Eau.
A relaxing and rewarding stroll through the heart of Bordeaux
Here, the walk takes place inside the city and does not lead back to the starting point. This takes place at the Botanical Gardens. The tour will highlight the right bank. The garden features unique landscaping arrangements. There are also permanent and temporary exhibitions. At the Queyries exit, cyclists cross the Parc aux Angéliques, then the Pont de Pierre. They enjoy the gentle breeze during their adventure trip brought back by the river to reach the Grand Bar Castan. Despite their thirst, they didn’t stop at this charming bistro. On the other hand, the church of Saint-Pierre, just off the rue de la Cour-des-Aides, is well worth a visit. Despite renovations, the building retains all its Gothic splendor of yesteryear. It bears witness to the port past of this part of town.
You then have to make your way along 5 streets. These are rue des Faussets, then rue de Leupold on the left, then rue du Puits – Descujols. The penultimate street, Rue des Caperans, crosses over to the left. Finally, walkers reach the Rue du Parlement-Saint-Pierre. The Place du Parlement and, above all, the old buildings that surround it make a perfect excuse for a rest. Even the fountain in the middle has an interesting history. The walk continues to the Grand Théâtre. Even today, it enjoys a magnificent reputation for beauty. After a visit to the Place des Quinconces, the walk can stop at the Jardin Public.
A bucolic and sometimes cultural immersion in the heart of the Bordeaux countryside
On the Presqu’île side, too, there are some very interesting paths and cycle tracks. The walk begins after everyone has admired the work entitled Les Fées. Crossing Avenue François Mitterrand leads to Parc Favols. This is an estate that has had many lives. The stroll continues merrily on to Calle San Martin de Valdeiglesias. From here, it’s easy to find Château Brignon. It’s not just of historical interest. In fact, it represents an economic hub that supports the development and creation of businesses. Then there’s Rue de Beauval, the sports field and Domaine de Beauval. The biggest attraction is the Bollée de Bassens wind turbine. It can be defined as a prototype of its kind at the time of its creation. A romantic cycle path runs along the railroad line. Follow it, then turn left at the roundabout. This path leads to the chapel of Saint-Denis. There’s also the Saint-Louis church and the Domaine de la Blanche. The great thing about bike tours is that they can end at any time. The key is not to force yourself, but to take your time. If you had to hurry, you’d be better off in a car.
