Cycling from Bordeaux vineyards to the ocean, Arcachon basin
Price per person
From 865€
Type of stay
Location
Duration
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Your stay
This cycling trip from the Bordeaux vineyards to the ocean crosses the south of the Gironde department.
This is a 4 to 6-day bike tour through a varied landscape. It begins in the vineyards of Entre-Deux-Mers and Sauternes. These two vineyards, on either side of the Garonne, not only boast famous wine estates such as Château Yquem, but also offer remarkable views over the Garonne valley or the Ciron, the peaceful local river. You’ll then leave the vineyards behind and gradually enter the forest of the Landes de Gascogne Regional Park. The terrain is flat and the scent mingled with iodized wind and melting resin. After a few well-advised stops on the moor and a well-deserved swim at the pretty Hostens lake lost in the woods, this bike tour changes scenery once again. You reach the river Leyre, the harbinger of the nearby Arcachon basin. The pleasant Sentier du Littoral (coastal path), part of which lies between two bodies of water, will then lead you to Arcachon via a succession of active Port Ostréicoles. Arcachon will be your starting point for looping stages. Take a bike ride to the 107-metre-high Dune du Pilat, overlooking the ocean. Or to Cap Ferret, a spit of land wedged between ocean and basin, home to picturesque fishing villages. On this cycling trip from the vineyards of Bordeaux to the ocean, you’ll follow small roads and cycle paths, dotted with typical little villages. You’ll discover the medieval town of Saint-Macaire, the village of Sauternes, the château of Villandraut, the ornithological park of Le Teich, the winter town of Arcachon and its famous villas.
Last but not least, you’ll have the opportunity to sample the renowned cuisine of the South West, not forgetting the oysters of the Arcachon Bay. Accommodation in charming hotels and bed & breakfasts.
You'll enjoy :
- The little wine roads of Entre-Deux-Mers and Sauternes
- Hostens lakes and Gat Mor Lagoon in the Landes de Gascogne Regional Nature Park
- The Arcachon Basin: seaside resort, oyster ports, picturesque fishing villages and the Pilat Dune
Daily program
Day 1 - Arrival in Bordeaux and transfer to Cadillac
Arrival at Bordeaux train station or airport. Transfer by cab to your accommodation in Cadillac. You will be welcomed in a 3-star hotel. Your host will give you a road book with details of your tour.
Overnight stay and breakfast.
Day 2 - Discovering the Entre-deux-Mers appellation
- 40 km
- 350m
Start of your cycling tour.
On the sunny slopes of the hillsides, a succession of vineyards whose names sing to the ears of wine lovers: the reds and whites of Premières-Côtes-de-Bordeaux, the sweet whites of Saint-Macaire, at the gateway to the Côtes-de-Bordeaux-Saint-Macaire terroir… From Malagar, you’ll reach Saint-Macaire, perhaps the most beautiful medieval town in the whole Entre-Deux-Mers region, built on a rocky promontory once bathed by the waters of the Garonne. Take the time to stroll through the narrow streets and discover the old houses and ramparts.
The vineyards around Saint-Macaire produce wines worth discovering, such as the mellow whites of the Côtes-de-Bordeaux-Saint-Macaire appellation, and the pear orchards of the Lot-et-Garonne region.
The tour will take you to the Bastide de Cadillac and its château, to the residence of the famous painter Toulouse-Lautrec at Château Malromé, and to that of writer François Mauriac at Domaine de Malagar.
Accommodation in a charming 3-star hotel in Saint-Macaire or Langon
Overnight stay and breakfast.
Day 3 - From the Sauternes vineyards to the Landes de Gascogne Regional Nature Park
- 45 km
- 175m
Depart from Saint-Macaire or Langon to cross over to the left bank of the Garonne and discover the prestigious Sauternes vineyards with their famous “Château Yquem”. Over 2,000 hectares of vineyards turn gold and wine is king! The route takes in winding roads, small villages punctuate the walk and then the route passes under tall pines, in the mingled scents of Atlantic wind and melting resin. An easy route through moorland and the “Parc Naturel Régional des Landes de Gascogne”.
An interesting itinerary in late autumn, as the forest retains its colors, and the slightest ray of sunshine warms the atmosphere at the foot of the pine trees; a fine summer ride too, for the pleasure of pedaling to the haunting music of cicada song. There are many cool, shady spots along the way.
Welcome to a guest house in a charming little village of half-timbered houses in the heart of the Lande.
Dinner, overnight stay and breakfast.
Day 4 - Through the Landes de Gascognes
- 35 km
- 50m
You’ll take a pleasant little forest road with varied scenery, leading you westwards. The pine forest becomes denser, and the smell of resin more pervasive. Put your bike down at the Lagunes du Gât-Mort, where a picnic stop is just what you need. The Hostens lakes also offer shady waterside areas ideal for siestas. The rest of the trail takes you through pine and heather to your accommodation.
You’ll be welcomed in a village in the heart of the Landes de Gascogne regional park. The owner of this stone-built hotel**, with an impeccable welcome, offers top-quality local cuisine based solely on duck, regional and seasonal produce. In fine weather, the terrace, adorned with paintings, is embellished with a fountain and covered with vines, bringing freshness for your comfort.
Overnight stay and breakfast
Day 5 - Towards the Bassin d'Arcachon and the ocean
- 50 km
- -
You’ll follow the cycle path to Mios, then take a small road where the pine forest gradually fades into the distance. There’s no shortage of places to picnic – you just have to choose! This itinerary, which gives pride of place to small country roads, is pleasant to discover in spring and summer, but also in autumn when the light illuminates the foliage and porcini mushrooms venture to grow along the paths… You’ll choose to take the sentier du Littoral, enjoying the salty sea air of the basin, to reach Arcachon via the magnificent, wild little oyster ports.
This tour takes you to Le Teich, the maritime window of the Parc Naturel Régional, to the Parc Ornithologique, where the landscape opens up to the lights of the Bassin d’Arcachon. The park’s various trails welcome birdwatchers and nature lovers in general. Lined with tamarisk, arbutus, willow rushes and wild prunus, the walk will also delight botany enthusiasts.
We’ll be waiting for you in the heart of Arcachon, in a 3-star hotel, for an evening on the waterfront.
Overnight stay and breakfast
Day 6 - Visit to the Bay of Arcachon
You can choose to stay an extra 1 or 2 days in this hotel to discover the many facets of the Bassin d’Arcachon and enjoy the ocean. You can take day tours on both sides of the Bay.
Day 7 - Cap Ferret
- 20 km
- 20m
Take your bike and boat across the Bay of Arcachon to the wilder Cap Ferret. You can leave your bike for a while to climb to the top of the lighthouse and observe the Bay. You’ll continue your journey to the village of L’Herbe, one of the most beautiful oyster-farming villages, with its colorful houses and flower-filled alleyways, typical Arcachon Bay’s boats, reservoirs and resin-maker’s hut.
Please note: you’ll need to get back to the pier in good time to catch the last boat back to the hotel.
Overnight stay and breakfast
Day 8 - Dune du Pilat or wild Audenge.
- 25 à 60 km
- 100m
You can choose to follow the cycle path to the 117-metre-high Dune du Pilat. From the heights of Europe’s highest dune, you’ll enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire Basin and the pine forest.
If you choose Audenge, you’ll leave Arcachon behind and take the cycle path via the port of La Teste and on to the 7 ports of Gujan Mestras, which run alongside the railroad line. Fishermen’s huts, boats beached on the sand, no hustle and bustle to disturb the peace and quiet. Another cycle path takes you to Le Teich and then Biganos, all the way to Audenge. At the port, oyster farmers and fishermen populate the few shacks facing a seawater-fed swimming pool. At the far end of the jetty, there’s a fine view over the Bassin and the bottom of the Delta de L’Eyre. Thousands of seagulls peck at the mud from August onwards.
Several options: Stop at the Domaine de Certes in Audenge or stop at the Parc Ornithologique du Teich or stop at the port of Biganos – Return by train from Biganos.
Return to the hotel for your last evening.
Overnight stay and breakfast
Day 9 - Departure
Departure from Arcachon.
rates
Price per person
| April to October | July and August | |
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Price includes
- 5 to 7 nights, in 3-star hotels and bed & breakfasts (in double/twin rooms)
- 1 dinner
- Route book (with map and directions)
- 1 Smartphone app for GPS navigation
- Luggage transfer at each stage
- Crossing the Arcachon bay by boat (7-day minimum stay)
- Taxi transfer on arrival or departure from Bordeaux
- 24/7 technical assistance
Supplement
| 6 days – 5 nights | 7 days – 6 nights | Version 8 days – 7 nights | |
| Touring bike rental (VTC) | 130 € | 145 € | 160 € |
| Electric bike rental (VAE) | 240 € | 265 € | 285 € |
| Gravel bike rental | 240 € | 265 € | 285 € |
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 :
- 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
- 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.
Itinerary
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