Cycling from Bordeaux vineyards to the ocean, Arcachon basin

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.