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The Canal des Deux Mers by bike from Royan to Bordeaux

Price per person

From 625€

Type of stay

Voyage à vélo

Location

Royan, Bordeaux - France

Duration

5 days

Difficulty

Departures

Daily from April to October

Capacity

2 people minimum

Reference

Cyclo 03-2

Your stay

Cycling from Royan to Bordeaux.

This bike trip from Royan to Bordeaux takes you along the Gironde estuary to discover southern Charente Maritime and northern Gironde. This bike tour follows the famous “Canal des 2 Mers” cycle route.

A wide variety of cycling routes, first on the right bank, then on the left bank of the estuary. First, the right bank from Royan. You’ll cycle along the limestone cliffs overlooking the many net-fishing huts on stilts known as carrelets. Pass through charming fishing villages and the remarkable fortified bastide town of Talmont sur Gironde overlooking the estuary.

Further south, after Mortagne sur Gironde, you’ll come to the large marshes where exceptional wildlife lives and breeds: storks, white spoonbills, otters, harriers and grey herons… to be observed in the Terres d’Oiseaux bird sanctuary. A pleasant daily bike ride through the heart of this wild area, then along a quiet cycle path through the Côtes de Blaye” vineyards to the Citadelle of Blaye, built by Vauban.

After crossing the estuary by boat, your final stage on the left bank of the river takes you through the famous vineyards of Moulis and Margaux, two of the Médoc’s best-known appellations, before entering the beautiful city of Bordeaux. You’ll then cycle along the majestic quays of the Garonne in the heart of the city, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to your hotel.

You’ll be warmly welcomed every evening in 3-star hotels and charming bed & breakfasts.

You'll enjoy :

Royan’s Art Deco uniqueness
The limestone cliffs of Meschers and their picturesque fishing huts
The wild shores and wetlands of the estuary, home to thousands of migratory birds
Boat trip from the Vauban Citadel in Blaye to the prestigious Margaux vineyards

Back to travel

Daily program

Arrival in Royan

Arrival at your accommodation in Royan. You will be welcomed in a 3* hotel.

We’ll provide you with documentation on the region and a road book indicating your route.

Night and breakfast in a 3* hotel

The cliff trail

You’ll set off from Royan along Boulevard Garnier and its beautiful 19th-century villas. You’ll continue along the top of the cliffs, with superb views over the estuary. This is where you’ll find charming, unspoilt harbours. Discover Talmont sur Gironde, with its church and flower-filled streets, or Meschers and its troglodyte caves. Stop off at the Parc de l’estuaire, Charente Maritime’s “nature park”, and drive through a forest overlooking the ocean and the Gironde estuary, as well as Saint-Seurin-d’Uzet, the former Caviar capital, with its port practically in the center of the village.

Further south, you can visit the cellars of Mortagne producers to learn all about Pineau, Cognac and Charentais wines. Mortagne-sur-Gironde, perched on its white cliffs, is a unique site in the region, a marina and fishing port.

From Mortagne to Blaye along the estuary

Continue along the estuary on a pleasant greenway through marshes and dykes to Vitrezay, gateway to the Gironde. After a visit to the Terres d’Oiseaux ornithological park at Port des Callonges, a beautifully landscaped greenway leads to the foot of the Blaye citadel, fortified by Vauban and recognized by UNESCO. A ferry takes you across the Blaye estuary to Lamarque the next day!

Overnight in a Bed and Breakfast*** hotel or charming B&B. Evening at leisure.

En route to Margaux and Bordeaux!

Today, take the ferry across the estuary! Your cycling day continues on the Médoc side, in the heart of the Bordeaux vineyards, passing through Château Margaux. Here, the Garonne and the Gironde estuary leave their mark on the landscape, with marshes, riverbanks and small harbours, ideal for discovering the flora and fauna, islands and carrelets. Follow the narrow roads to Bordeaux, a UNESCO World Heritage site!

Overnight in a 3* bed and breakfast hotel in the heart of Bordeaux.

Departure

After breakfast.

rates

Price per person

5 days – 4 nights: €625

Price includes

4 nights in 3* hotels and charming bed & breakfasts (in double/twin rooms)
1 dinner
Route book (with map and directions)
1 GPS application
Luggage transfer at each stage
Crossing the Gironde estuary
24/7 technical assistance

Supplement

VTC bike rental: €140
Electric bike rental: €210

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:

The “Evazio” application, downloadable onto your smartphone, for GPS navigation with visual (reading the route on your smartphone screen) and/or spoken guidance. The app 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

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: