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Tour of the Arcachon Basin by bike – Vélodyssée

Price per person

From 650€

Type of stay

Bicycle trip

Location

Arcachon - France

Duration

6 to 7 days

Difficulty

Departures

Daily from April to October

Capacity

2 people minimum

Reference

Cyclo 11

Your stay

Le tour du bassin d’Arcachon à vélo is a family bike tour following the route of the famous “Vélodyssée”.

For younger cyclists, this route offers short cycling stages, some of which are loops, and several protected swimming spots along the way, away from the ocean! The Bassin d’Arcachon à vélo is also 100 kilometers of cycle paths and coastal trails to discover the landscapes, flora and fauna of the Bassin. An authentic experience in unspoilt natural surroundings.

A 4 to 5-day bike ride to discover the famous 110 m-high Dune du Pyla, with its breathtaking view of the ocean to the west and the pine forest to the east, the oyster-farming villages of Gujan Mestras, the Ornithological Park of Le Teich, a resting place for migratory birds, the marinas of Biganos and Andernos, and Cap Ferret, lined with picturesque oyster-farming villages and ocean beaches. And don’t forget Arcachon, with its seaside district and winter town of distinctive architecture.

The Bassin d’Arcachon is the only lake on the Aquitaine coast to have retained an opening to the ocean. Twice a day, the water of this inland sea is renewed by the tide through narrow passes. Long frequented only by fishermen, since the middle of the last century the Bay of Arcachon has been the kingdom of the oyster, and its 84 km of beaches surrounded by pine trees make it an original and privileged place, 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.

The calm waters of the Bassin are a delight for lovers of unspoilt nature; the dangers of ocean beaches are non-existent and the water temperature very pleasant. Alternating between small ports with colorful huts, long beaches, bird sanctuaries and pine forests, this bike tour is infused with iodine and the scent of pine, mimosa and broom.

You'll enjoy :

The exceptional natural heritage of this unspoilt inland sea
The authentic oyster-farming villages of L’Herbe and Le Canon on Cap Ferret
The Parc Ornithologique du Teich bordered by a path “between two waters”.
The seaside resorts of Arcachon and Andernos les bains
The Dune du Pilat, Europe’s highest dune

Back to travel

Daily program

Day 1 - Arrival in ARCACHON, late afternoon.

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 this city, the winter town with its sumptuous Second Empire villas, its churches, its promenade along the Bassin and its port.

Check-in at a *** hotel.

Night in a Bed and Breakfast. Evening free.

Day 2 - ARCACHON - LA DUNE DU PILAT - ARCACHON

This day is not included in the 6-day version.

After breakfast, you’ll cycle to the Pilat Dune, Europe’s largest dune at 105 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.

Then off to Arcachon and your hotel.

Overnight in a Bed and Breakfast*** hotel. Evening at leisure.

Day 3 - ARCACHON - BIGANOS - ANDERNOS

Take the train with your bikes and leave Arcachon for Biganos.

From the Biganos train station, cycle to the magnificent Port de Biganos, then to the Port des Tuiles. Continue on to the Port d’Audenge, where old basins are used as swimming pools. Cycling along the dykes of the Graveyron estate, with its fish tanks, you’ll reach the château. After enjoying splendid views over the basin and observing the many species of migratory birds, you’ll continue on to the typical Port de Cassy, along a wide path running alongside the Domaine de Certes.

Continue along the cycle path to Andernos Les Bains, a very pleasant seaside resort.

For your evening, you can take advantage of the many entertainment venues, bars and terraces facing the sea, stroll along the jetty, or prefer the beach or promenade along Andernos, to reach the church of St Eloi and continue on to the port of St Brice.

Night and breakfast in a ** hotel in Andernos.

Dinner and evening free.

Day 4 - ANDERNOS - LE GRAND CROHOT - ANDERNOS

A beautiful ride through the great forest of Cap-Ferret: from the grassy banks of the Bassin to the white dunes of the Atlantic, the pleasure of pedaling in the heat, accompanied by the song of the cicadas and the fumes of pine oil.

You’ll set off from Andernos and continue your tour between ocean and forest, along sandy beaches where the ocean crashes into splendid rollers. After a well-deserved swim, you’ll leave the beach and continue through the national forest to Lège-Cap-Ferret, then Arès, and finally Andernos. The vegetation is different here, with huge willows and ferns replacing the pine forest on the ocean side. You can stop off at the “cabane du résinier”, a place of entertainment and discovery not to be missed.

You’ll pass through the oyster-farming port of Arès and then continue on to the magnificent site of Saint Brice, which combines forest, lakes and the natural shoreline of the Bassin. Enjoy a final stop in this peaceful setting before heading back to Andernos.

Night and breakfast in a ** hotel in Andernos.

Dinner and evening free.

Day 5 - ANDERNOS-LES-BAINS - LE CAP FERRET- ARCACHON

Cap Ferret is a cape separating the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Arcachon Basin to the east, offering an original geographical location that allows you to enjoy the landscapes of the Arcachon Basin on one side, where you can see the Dune du Pilat and the Banc d’Arguin, and the waves and vastness of the Côte d’Argent on the other.

You’ll set off from Andernos to the hamlet of Jane de Boy, then take the track back to the Bassin to discover the famous oyster villages of Herbe and Canon.

This part of the peninsula is enchanting: natural, unspoilt… The panorama as you leave the fishing village is breathtaking! Take your time to soak it all in: Île aux oiseaux, Arcachon opposite and the Pilat Dune… It’s magical! Don’t forget to visit the Algerian chapel of L’Herbe… (a Moorish-style religious building dedicated to Christian worship, with Mary, the cross of Christ and the Muslim crescent) before heading back to the landing stage to catch the boat with your bikes.

You’ll leave Cap Ferret and cross the Bassin to reach Arcachon and your hotel. You’ll admire the banc d’Arguin in the middle of the passes, the Ile aux Oiseaux and the famous cabanes tchanquées. From the landing stage, you’ll reach your hotel.

Overnight in a Bed and Breakfast *** hotel. Evening at leisure.

Day 6 - ARCACHON - LE TEICH - ARCACHON

Leaving Arcachon, you’ll head for the port and the Pointe de l’Aiguillon (a traditional district whose fishermen’s huts contrast with the splendid villas of the Winter Town).

On the way to the oyster harbours of La Teste and Le Rocher, you’ll pass through the “Prés salés” (salt meadows), vast expanses uncovered by the sea and only covered during high tides. Here you’ll find unique vegetation and a varied fauna: crabs, shellfish and crustaceans, which are the delight of many species of birds! Gujan-Mestras, the oyster-farming capital, boasts no fewer than 7 ports dedicated to oyster farming, with their wooden huts lined up along the channel where the boats typical of the basin are moored. Take a look at the marshes, with their curious underground shelters for hunting waterfowl, before reaching the Le Teich ornithological park and visiting the Eyre estuary, an integral part of the park. This unspoilt natural area is designed to welcome wild birds. The site offers a varied landscape of forests, meadows and lagoons. You’ll be able to observe a wide variety of birds, including swans, grey herons, egrets and pairs of storks, before returning to your hotel at the end of the day.

Overnight in a Bed and Breakfast *** hotel. Evening at leisure.

Day 7 - ARCACHON

End of the bike tour. Don’t leave Arcachon without visiting the winter town and the Moorish park.

Departure by train from Arcachon SNCF station or by car (if arriving by car).

rates

Price per person

	6 days – 5 nights	7 days – 6 nights
Comfort version : Superior version :	650 € (690 € from June 15 to September 15) 750 € (815 € from June 15 to September 15)	755 € (805 € from June 15 to September 15) 860 € (940 € from June 15 to September 15)

Price includes

5 to 6 nights in 2, 3 or 4-star hotels with breakfasts (in double/twin rooms)
Route book (with map and directions)
1 smartphone app for GPS navigation
Luggage transfer at each stage
Crossing the basin by boat
24/7 telephone assistance

Supplement

	6 days – 5 nights	7 days – 6 nights
Touring bike (VTC)	100 €	115 €
Electric bike (VAE)	190 €	220 €
1 additional person in the room (comfort version)	50 %	50 %

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 “comfort” or “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: