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Vélodyssée: cycle from Bordeaux to Biarritz along the Atlantic coast

Price per person

From 1170€

Type of stay

Bicycle trip

Location

Bordeaux, Arcachon, Biarritz -France

Duration

8 to 9 days

Difficulty

Departures

Daily from April to October

Capacity

2 people minimum

Reference

Cyclo 16

Your stay

Cycling on La Vélodyssée from Bordeaux to Biarritz

Cycle along the Atlantic coast following La Vélodyssée from Bordeaux to Biarritz. Discover the people, nature, heritage and culture of Gironde, Landes and the Basque Country! Discover the landscapes of La Vélodyssée, the longest cycle route in France and Europe! Enjoy the marvellous peace and quiet along the way.

You’ll start your bike tour in Bordeaux, a UNESCO World Heritage site, at the famous quays of the Garonne, and continue between lakes and ocean. You’ll cycle around or cross the Bassin d’Arcachon by boat. An opportunity to discover authentic fishing villages and the oyster culture. After a stopover in Arcachon and an ascent (on foot!) of the astonishing Dune du Pilat, you’ll make your way through the Landes department, famous for its surf spots and human-scale seaside resorts. The Port of Capbreton marks your gradual entry into the Basque Country. You’ll visit Bayonne, its historic quarter with its narrow medieval streets, before ending your adventure in the elegant seaside resort of Biarritz! This southern section of La Vélodyssée from Bordeaux to Biarritz is undeniably one of the richest, both naturally and culturally.

Enjoy the many beaches along the coast and the large lakes, the many bars and restaurants and the warm welcome of the local population. Don’t forget to sample the region’s typical dishes, renowned the world over for their richness and diversity. You’ll receive a warm welcome every evening in charming 3-star hotels or bed & breakfasts.

You'll enjoy :

Swimming spots all along the route to suit all tastes.
A completely safe bicycle route
Ideally located accommodation
A vacation atmosphere… all year round!
The remarkable towns of Bordeaux, Arcachon, Bayonne and Biarritz

Back to travel

Daily program

Day 1 - Arrival in Bordeaux

Arrival at your accommodation in Bordeaux. You will be welcomed in a hotel***. We’ll provide you with documentation on the region and a road book indicating your route. 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.

Night and breakfast in a *** hotel.

Day 2 - 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. Villas built in the early 20th century bear witness to a rich past.

Overnight stay and breakfast in a *** hotel

Day 3 - Lacanau Océan to Arcachon (8-day version) or Andernos (9-day version)

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

*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 4 - Andernos 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 4 or 5 - Arcachon to Biscarrosse

Start your journey in the direction of the Dune du Pilat, an essential stopover at the summit to admire the beauty of the site. You can’t come to the “Bassin” without taking a look! Then pedal off under the pine trees of the Landes forest. Here, everything is done to ensure that this triple mix of ocean – sea – forest is the best for all human pleasures. Just after leaving the Gironde, the Vélodyssée will take you to Biscarrose Plage, to complete your stage in the Landes département. “Biscarrosse is famous for its waves. But the resort is also a kingdom of beaches, dunes and Landes pine forests… A whole sunny expanse to discover. The town’s atmosphere is unique and revitalizing. Its gentle summer fragrance ensures a complete change of scenery. Sand castles, kites, sunbathing, sips on the terrace, chichis, aperitifs, night markets, waffles, street shows, merry-go-rounds, casino…

Overnight stay and breakfast in a *** hotel

Day 5 or 6 - Biscarrosse to Mimizan Plage

This time, the Vélodyssée takes you inland! You’ll leave the coast behind, and find the blue of the lakes replacing that of the sea. Discover the Etang de Cazaux et de Sanguinet, the second largest lake in France (5800 ha!), a little paradise surrounded by greenery and pine trees, then follow the Etang de Biscarrosse and the Etang de Parentis. The track then takes you between lakeside harbours and intimate lakes to cross the state forest and reach the ocean at “Mimizan” Plage. This seaside resort dates back to the Belle Epoque, when sea bathing became fashionable and popular with a wealthy clientele. Mimizan owes its construction to the now-defunct railroad.

Night and breakfast in a charming ** hotel

Day 6 or 7 - Mimizan plage to the heart of Landes

Leave the attractive seaside resort of “Mimizan plage” and join the velodyssée for a forest trail. Here’s a pleasant, quiet and calm stage through the woods, enhanced by the scents of the pine forest. Let yourself be carried away by the sea air and enjoy the nearby ocean beaches, occasionally leaving the track. Discover Contis Plage, St Girons Plage and the beaches of Lac de Léon. Finish your cycle tour in another of the Landes’ lively seaside resorts.

Footpaths and cycle paths invite you to discover the forest and peaceful ponds, an area of calm and relaxation. Let yourself be seduced by the countryside and seaside towns of the Landes.

Overnight stay and breakfast in a *** hotel

Day 7 or 8 - From the moors to the Basque country

The last stage of your cycling holiday and the final stretch of the Landes region… The trail takes you one last time into the heart of the forest, to emblematic seaside resorts such as Hossegor and Cap Breton. Enjoy the great beaches and continue on more urban terrain as you approach “Boucau”. Here you are in a new setting on the Atlantic coast: the Basque Country. Pedal along a pleasant cycle path through its capital, Bayonne, to the renowned seaside resort of Biarritz.

“Biarritz is one of the most famous seaside resorts in France and Europe. Its magnificent ocean beaches, surfing, thalassotherapy cures and numerous golf courses are appreciated the world over. At nightfall, the restaurants, bars and party venues will enchant your evening.

Overnight stay and breakfast in a hotel ****

Day 8 or 9 - Departure from Biarritz

After breakfast, continue your stay.

rates

Price per person

	April to October	July and August
8 days – 7 nights : 9 days – 8 nights :	1170 € 1270 €	1235 € 1340 €

Price includes

7 to 8 nights in 3* and 4* hotels (1 2* hotel) with breakfasts (in double/twin rooms)
Route book (map and directions)
GPS smartphone application
Luggage transfer at each stage
Crossing the Bay of Arcachon by boat (8-day option)
24/7 technical assistance

Supplement

	8 days – 7 nights	9 days – 8 nights
Touring bikes (VTC) Electric bicycle (VAE) Gravel bike	150 € 270 € 245 €	165 € 300 € 275 €

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 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: