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From Bordeaux to Arcachon by bike – 2-day trip

Price per person

From 450€

Type of stay

Voyage à vélo

Location

Bordeaux, Arcachon - France

Duration

4 to 5 days

Difficulty

Departures

Daily from April to October

Capacity

2 people minimum

Reference

Cyclo 16-3

Your stay

Cycling from Bordeaux to Arcachon – Short break

This short bike tour from Bordeaux to Arcachon is aimed at cyclists who want to discover the two emblematic towns in the Bordeaux region with their rich historical past over an extended weekend. It’s a short but active cultural and iodine-filled holiday.

Bordeaux has been transformed over the past decade. Its historic center, now almost entirely pedestrianized, its Unesco World Heritage-listed quays and its Cité Mondiale du Vin, to name but a few, are real invitations to stroll around and discover an exceptional city. You’ll be staying right in the heart of historic Bordeaux, so you won’t miss a thing. Numerous bistros and gourmet restaurants will welcome you to round off your visit in the best possible way. You can also take advantage of the city’s cycling infrastructure.

Then head for the Atlantic coast along a rolling cycle path from the quays of Bordeaux through the Médoc peninsula to Lacanau Océan. Between lake and ocean. A radical change of atmosphere and an immediate feeling of being on vacation! Just a few pedal strokes and you’re on your way to the beach, where surfers of all sizes challenge the relentless waves, before enjoying dinner with a sea view or at the hotel in the pine forest.

A very pleasant cycle path (part of the Velodyssée) under the shade of pine trees along the coast and punctuated by regular access to the beaches will then lead you due south to the entrance to the Arcachon basin. Depending on the option you choose, you’ll cruise along Cap Ferret, sandwiched between the gentle waters of the Arcachon basin and the breakers of the ocean coast, passing through the picturesque fishing villages of “Le Canon” and “L’Herbe” before taking the boat across the basin to Arcachon. You can also head east around the basin via the many typical fishing ports, including Andernos les Bains, Biganos and Gujan Mestras.

For those who have more time, we suggest an extra day from Arcachon for a final stopover by bike, time to visit the winter town with its sumptuous villas and reach the majestic Dune du Pyla which, from the top of its 110 meters, offers a breathtaking view of the mouth of the basin, its sandbanks, Cap Ferret and the peaks of the Landes forest.

You'll enjoy :

A rolling greenway from the heart of Bordeaux to the ocean.
Ocean beaches within easy reach of Lacanau and Cap Ferret
Oyster-farming villages with multicolored facades in the Arcachon Basin
Boat trip across the basin.
Arcachon, its lively promenade and the sumptuous villas of the winter town

Back to travel

Daily program

Day 1 - Arrival in Bordeaux

Arrival at your accommodation in Bordeaux. You will be welcomed at your hotel****. We’ll provide you with documentation on the region and a road book indicating your itinerary. Bordeaux, the ancient Roman “Burdigala”, inextricably linked to its vineyards…shines brightly in its stone finery to dispense with artifice. Bordeaux is second only to Paris in France for the number of listed monuments. The Garonne River, the heart of the city, welcomes walkers on its banks or for boat trips. Everyone can make the quays their own, hoping to witness the stopover of a cruise liner, the “astonishing spectacle” of a giant of the seas in the heart of the city.

Overnight accommodation and breakfast at ****.

Day 2 - From Bordeaux to Lacanau-Océan

Your cycling holiday in Aquitaine takes you from Bordeaux, the wine capital, to Lacanau Océan, a seaside town on the Atlantic coast. You’ll cycle along the Voie Verte, a cycle path that follows the route of the old Bordeaux-Lacanau railroad line. It’s in the heart of nature, with dense vegetation and a shady path. It’s a beautiful, safe, rolling route, dominated by pine forests and the song of the cicadas. Most of it is on cycle paths, but there are also stretches on forest tracks and paths.

“Lacanau-Océan, where cycling is a way of life, is appreciated for its long ocean beaches sheltered by dunes and forests, its lakes and unspoilt natural areas. The resort is also renowned for its surf spots. Its villas, built in the early 20th century, bear witness to a rich past. Overnight accommodation and breakfast in a hotel ****

Day 3 - From Lacanau Océan to Arcachon

This cycling stage continues its route from “Lacanau-Océan” between dunes and forests. You’ll cycle on your own bike path through some of the Aquitaine region’s longest unspoilt beaches; Le Porge Océan boasts an immense 13 km of undeveloped beach. To make the most of it, leave the tracks of the cycle path every now and then. Never far from the shore, you can continue your cycling tour along a beautiful route towards Cap Ferret or the Bassin d’Arcachon*.

Enjoy a pleasant end-of-stopover through the typical oyster-farming villages of the Bassin d’Arcachon and take the ferry to the famous seaside resort of Arcachon.

Overnight stay and breakfast in a *** hotel

Day 4 - from Lacanau Océan to Taussat

*For those who wish to take full advantage of the Bassin d’Arcachon and its typical harbors, it is possible to spend an extra night near Andernos and continue your cycling tour the next day around the Bassin to the emblematic town of Arcachon.

Overnight stay and breakfast in a 3-star hotel

Since the middle of the last century, the “Bassin d’Arcachon” has been the kingdom of the oyster, and its 84 km of beaches surrounded by pine trees make it an original and privileged location, unique on the French coast. Surrounded to the west by the wild ocean, to the north and east by the Bordeaux vineyards, and to the south by the immense moorland forest, the Bay enjoys a mild climate where the invigorating scents of the sea air and pine resin mingle.

Day 5 - from Taussat to Arcachon

A pleasant stage awaits you as you cycle around the basin. You’ll be following the vélodyssée, which runs along an old railroad line. You’ll enjoy the many harbors and villages typical of the Basin, as well as splendid views over the bay as you observe the many species of migratory birds.

A seaside resort of international renown, Arcachon was born in the 19th century from the imagination of daring pioneers who banked on the sea-bathing craze. Discover the city, the winter town with its sumptuous Second Empire villas, its churches, its promenade along the Bassin and its port.

Overnight stay and breakfast in a *** hotel

Day 6 - Getaway to Dune du Pyla and departure from Arcachon

You’ll cycle towards the Pyla Dune, the largest dune in Europe at 107 metres high, 2700 metres long and 500 metres wide. The dune, of recent formation (it was only 35 meters high in 1855), is still not stabilized and is advancing towards the forest at a rate of 3 to 4 meters per year. After putting your bikes down for a while, climb to the top of the Dune via a staircase or signposted path. On the way back, you’ll follow a magnificent track along the beaches to Le Pyla sur Mer and then on to Le Moulleau, a lively suburb west of Arcachon in summer, with its trendy boutiques and cafés. You’ll discover the famous “Notre dame des Passes” church, built in Byzantine style by the Dominicans at the top of a dune. It houses the Vierge de l’Avent, one of only 3 statues in France depicting the Virgin in pregnancy.

The route includes a detour (not to be missed!) to visit the winter town of Arcachon, with its sumptuous Second Empire villas and churches. Finally, you’ll return to the Promenade d’Arcachon and your hotel.

rates

Price per person

4 days – 3 nights: €450 July and August: €490
5 days – 4 nights: €550 July and August: €595

Price includes

3 or 4 nights in 3 and 4-star hotels with breakfasts (in double/twin rooms)
1 night in a charming 2* hotel (5-day version)
Route book (map and directions)
GPS navigation application
Luggage transfer at each stage
Crossing the Bay of Arcachon by boat (4-day option)
24/7 technical assistance

Supplement

	4 days – 3 nights	5 days – 4 nights
Touring bike rental (VTC) Electric bicycle rental (VAE) Gravel bike rental	75 € 135 € 120 €	90 € 165 € 150 €

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:

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

Itinerary

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