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Cycling from Arcachon to Biarritz along the Atlantic coast. Vélodyssée

Price per person

From 805€

Type of stay

Bicycle trip

Location

Arcachon, Biarritz - France

Duration

6 days

Difficulty

Departures

Daily from April to October

Capacity

2 people minimum

Reference

Cyclo 16-2

Your stay

La Vélodyssée: Cycling from Arcachon to Biarritz along the Atlantic coast.

Cycling from Arcachon to Biarritz along the Atlantic coast following La Vélodyssée. Four days of cycling between the ocean coast, large lakes, small seaside towns and historic centers. Discover the Arcachon Basin, the 110-meter-high Dune du Pilat, the surfing spots of Mimizan, Anglet and Biarritz, the winter town of Arcachon and its sumptuous villas, the lively marina of Capbreton, the exceptional historic center of Bayonne and its narrow, Basque-style streets, and finally Biarritz, the emblematic city of the South West and its rocky coastline. Discover the people, nature, heritage and culture of Gironde, Landes and the Basque Country! Enjoy the marvellous tranquillity that reigns throughout the journey.

You’ll start your cycling trip in Arcachon. We recommend arriving early or staying an extra day, so you can stroll through the little-known winter town, whose sumptuous villas are well worth a visit. Then let yourself be guided along this safe, rolling cycle route. A pleasant route with no major difficulties, in the shade of the pines, punctuated by regular “bathing” stops on the invigorating Atlantic beaches or by the quieter ponds and lakes of Cazaux and Sanguinet, Biscarrosse and Parentis or, further south, the Etang de Léon.

You’ll love the stopover towns of Biscarrosse, Mimizan and Moliets, with their “summer vacation” atmosphere (shorts, flip-flops and caps are a must!). The Port of Capbreton marks your gradual entry into the Basque Country. You’ll visit Bayonne, its historic quarter with its narrow medieval streets, before ending your adventure in the elegant seaside resort of Biarritz! This southern section of La Vélodyssée between Arcachon and Biarritz is undeniably one of the richest, both naturally and culturally.

You'll enjoy :

Swimming spots all along the route to suit all tastes.
Alternating between invigorating ocean beaches and charming lakes with gentle, calm waters
A “grand vacation” atmosphere… all along the way
Bayonne’s charming quayside, with its typical red-and-white Basque facades
Charming hotels in excellent locations

Back to travel

Daily program

Day 1 - Arrival in Arcachon

Arrive at your accommodation in Arcachon. You will be welcomed in a hotel***. We’ll provide you with documentation on the region and a road book indicating your route.

Night and breakfast in a *** hotel.

Day 2 - Arcachon to Biscarrosse

Start your journey in the direction of the Dune du Pilat, an essential stopover at the summit to admire the beauty of the site. You can’t come to the “Bassin” without taking a look! Then pedal off under the pine trees of the Landes forest. Here, everything is done to ensure that this triple mix of ocean – sea – forest is the best for all human pleasures. Just after leaving the Gironde, the Vélodyssée will take you to Biscarrosse Plage, to complete your stopover in the Landes département. “Biscarrosse is famous for its waves. But the resort is also a kingdom of beaches, dunes and Landes pine forests… A whole sunny expanse to discover. The town’s atmosphere is unique and revitalizing. Its gentle summer fragrance ensures a complete change of scenery. Sand castles, kites, sunbathing, sips on the terrace, chichis, aperitifs, night markets, waffles, street shows, merry-go-rounds, casino…

Overnight stay and breakfast in a *** hotel

Day 3 - Biscarrosse to Mimizan

This time, the Vélodyssée takes you inland! You’ll leave the coast behind, and find the blue of the lakes replacing that of the sea. Discover the Etang de Cazaux et de Sanguinet, the second largest lake in France (5800 ha!), a little paradise surrounded by greenery and pine trees, then follow the Etang de Biscarrosse and the Etang de Parentis. The track then takes you between lakeside harbours and intimate lakes to cross the state forest and reach the ocean at “Mimizan” Plage. This seaside resort dates back to the Belle Epoque, when sea bathing became fashionable and popular with a wealthy clientele. Mimizan owes its construction to the now-defunct railroad.

Night and breakfast in a charming ** hotel

Day 4 - Mimizan to Moliets

Leave the attractive seaside resort of “Mimizan plage” and join La Vélodyssée for a forest trail. Here’s a pleasant, quiet and calm stage through the woods, embellished by the scents of the pine forest. Let yourself be carried away by the sea air and enjoy the nearby ocean beaches, occasionally leaving the track. Discover Contis Plage, St Girons Plage and the beaches of Lac de Léon. Finish your cycle tour in another of the Landes’ lively seaside resorts.

Footpaths and cycle paths invite you to discover the forest and peaceful ponds, an area of calm and relaxation. Let yourself be seduced by the countryside and seaside towns of the Landes.

Overnight stay and breakfast in a *** hotel

Day 5 - From the Landes to the Basque Country

The last stage of your cycling holiday and the final stretch of the Landes region… The trail takes you one last time into the heart of the forest, to the emblematic seaside resorts of Hossegor and Capbreton. Enjoy the great beaches and continue on more urban terrain as you approach “Boucau”. Here you are in a new setting on the Atlantic coast: the Basque Country. Pedal along a pleasant cycle path through its capital, Bayonne, to the renowned seaside resort of Biarritz.

“Biarritz is one of the most famous seaside resorts in France and Europe. Its magnificent ocean beaches, surfing, thalassotherapy cures and numerous golf courses are appreciated the world over. At nightfall, the restaurants, bars and party venues will enchant your evening.

Overnight stay and breakfast in a hotel ****

Day 6 - Departure

Departure from Biarritz after breakfast

rates

Price per person

6 days – 5 nights: €805
July and August: €860

Price includes

5 nights in 3-star and 4-star hotels (1 or 2 2* hotels) with breakfasts (in double/twin rooms)
Route book (map and directions)
1 GPS smartphone application
Luggage transfer at each stage
24/7 telephone assistance

Supplement

VTC bike rental: €125
Electric bike rental: €225
Gravel bike rental: €205

Further information

We take care of transporting your luggage every time you change accommodation, so you can travel light and enjoy your day’s hiking.

Leave your luggage at the reception desk of your accommodation before departure.

At the end of the afternoon, you’ll meet them at the reception desk of your new accommodation or directly in your room.

Luggage accepted per person: 1 suitcase or travel bag (maximum 23 kg) + 1 carry-on.

Your travel file corresponds to the documents or files you receive prior to your trip (generally one month before) and/or on arrival at your first accommodation.

It includes :

A welcome letter with key practical information:

Baggage transport times
Details of delivery and collection of rental bikes if required
Your local contact and emergency telephone number(s)
Any additional information

Travel logbook including map with route (at the appropriate scale) and directional, tourist and practical information

Any necessary vouchers to be given to the service provider(s)

On request and depending on the tour:

Download the “Evazio” application onto your smartphone for GPS navigation with visual (reading the route on your smartphone screen) and/or spoken guidance. The application also contains practical and tourist information. Once the trip has been downloaded, no Internet connection is required.
Loan of a GPS device with pre-recorded tracks
Send GPX tracks of each stage for use with your own navigation device

On this tour, we can provide you with a choice of the following, upon reservation:

A VTC bike adapted to the ride and the route

An electric bike adapted to the route

A gravel bike adapted to the course

With equipment :

Bag 1

Handlebar bag

Repair kit

Anti-theft device

Headset

1 rear bag
1 handlebar bag
1 repair kit
1 helmet (on request)
1 anti-theft device
1 charger (for electric bike)

For younger children, depending on age and size, we can offer

Children's bikes

Bicycle follower

Trailer

Second trailer

A child’s bike
A baby seat
A trailer
A follower bike

The bike is adjusted to your size and delivered to the first accommodation.

At the end of the tour, the bike must be left at the last accommodation with its equipment. We’ll take care of collecting them.

This tour is offered in the “superior” category

Hotel categories :

Comfort: The tour features mainly 2 and 3-star hotels (or equivalent comfort level) and bed & breakfasts.
Superior: The tour features mainly 3- and 4-star hotels (or equivalent level of comfort) and charming bed & breakfasts.
Luxury: The tour features mainly 4- and 5-star hotels (or equivalent level of comfort).

For the duration of your stay, our telephone assistance service is available:

7 days a week
from 07:30 to 20:30.

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