Atlantic coast from Bordeaux to Biarritz.
Ride out to meet man, nature, heritage and culture of the Gironde, Landes and Basque Country. Explore landscapes through the Vélodyssée, the longest cycling track in France and Europe, and enjoy the wonderful tranquility all along the coast! These six steps will lead you from Bordeaux, a UNESCO World heritage site to the famous seaside town of Biarritz. You will cycle between lakes and ocean going through the vast forested area of the Landes de Gascogne. Discover a variety of landscapes like for example salt marshes, dunes, forests, large beaches surrounded by pine trees and intimate lakes along your trip. Breathe the sea air, the perfume of the pine trees, mimosa and brooms. Conviviality is surely one of the main features of this cycling holiday. There are many restaurants and bars abound where the oysters and duck specialties await you. You won’t be starving or thirsty! There are many places for people to meet and chat. After each day’s cycle you will be warmly welcomed in the best hotels (2 or 3-star) and charming bed and breakfast of the area.
Day 1: Arrival in Bordeaux
Welcome to Bordeaux. You will find the road book and bikes waiting for you at your hotel. Bordeaux, named before ‘Burdigala’, is a Roman city, inseparable from its vineyards and prestigious stones architecture. The river Garonne, heart of the city, welcomes walkers on the banks and offers boat trips. The quays suit everyone, hoping to witness the stop of a cruise ship, amazing show of a giant of the seas in the city center. Capital of wine, Bordeaux is endowed with a rich history and architecture.
Day 2: Bordeaux > Lacanau, ~64 km
Your cycling tour holiday in Aquitaine takes you from Bordeaux, capital of the wine to Lacanau-Ocean, seaside town. Take the Green Way, a cycle path that follows the former railway track from Bordeaux to Lacanau. It is a beautiful itinerary, easy and secured that goes through the pine forest where you can listen to the songs of the cicadas. Ride on a cycle path but also sometimes on small paths or forest trails. Lacanau-Ocean in the Médoc Ocean region, where cycling is a way of life, is much appreciated for its long ocean beaches sheltered by dunes and forests, its lakes and its pure and natural areas. The seaside resort is also famous for its surfing spots. Its early 20th century villas bear witness to a rich past.
Day 3: Lacanau > around Andernos, ~45 km
This stage of the Vélodyssée continues its itinerary from Lacanau-Océan between dunes and forests. Ride only on cycle path and discover the widest and wildest beaches of the Aquitaine coast. The Porge Ocean has a wide beach of 13 km without any building. To enjoy it, leave from time to time the track of the cycle path, never far away from the shore line. Continue cycling through a beautiful itinerary towards the Cap Ferret.
Day 4: around Andernos > Arcachon, ~45 km
Today’s cycle tour takes you around the Arcachon Bay. Follow the Vélodyssée cycle path which runs along an old railway line and little roads to explore the Bay of Arcachon. Discover the surrounding towns and small ports. Enjoy the splendid views over the bay and observe the many species of birds. And finally you will discover the town of Arcachon, with its sumptuous villas from the second empire, its churches, its walks alongside the bay and its ports. Arcachon will no longer be a secret for you.
Day 5: Arcachon > Biscarrosse, ~30-40 km
Start your itinerary in the direction of the Dune of Pilat and make an essential trip to its summit to appreciate the beauty of the site. You can’t come to the bay without taking a look. Then cycle under the pines of the Landes forest. Here everything is respected so this triple mix between ocean, sea and forest is the best for all the pleasures of men. The Vélodyssée cycle path takes you to Biscarrose Plage to end your day in the Landes area. Biscarrosse is renowned for its waves. But the seaside resort is also the kingdom of beaches, dunes and the pine forest… all a sunny expanse to discover. The town ambience is unique and revitalizing. Its sweet summer perfume guarantees an absolute change of scene. Sand castles, kites, sunbathing, drinking outside, frills, night markets, waffles, street shows, casino...
Day 6: Biscarrosse > Mimizan Plage, ~52 km
La Vélodyssée leaves the coast to make a wide detour inland, where the blue of the vast lakes replaces that of the sea. Discover the lake of Cazaux and Sanguinet, the second largest lake of France, which is a little paradise surrounded by greenery and pines. Then go alongside the lake of Biscarrosse and Parentis. Further, the cycle path takes you between little lake ports and intimate lakes to go through the Landes forest and rejoin the ocean in Mimizan Plage. Mimizan dates back to the “Belle Epoque” when sea bathing became fashionable and was very much prized by a rich clientele. This seaside resort was built as a result of the railway which is no longer there today.
Day 7: Mimizan Plage > around Moliets, ~55 km
Leave the attractive seaside town of Mimizan plage and return on the Vélodyssée cycle track to follow an itinerary through the forest. It is a pleasant stage, quiet and calm through woods and embellished by the scent of the pine forest. Let you be carried by the sea air and enjoy the nearby ocean beaches leaving from time to time the track. Then discover Contis Plage and St. Girons Plage as well as the beaches of Lake Leon. End your cycling day in another attractive seaside town of the Landes.
Day 8: Landes > Biarritz, ~69 km
This is the last stage of your cycling holiday before you leave the Landes. The cycle path takes you a last time in the heart of the forest to discover the emblematic famous seaside town of Hossegor and the Cap Breton. Enjoy the wide beaches and continue through more urban areas as it approaches Boucau. Welcome in a new scenery of the Atlantic coast, the Basque Country. Ride on a pleasant cycling path and go through its capital, Bayonne to rejoin the renowned seaside town of Biarritz. Biarritz is one of the most famous seaside resorts of France and Europe. Its magnificent ocean beaches and surfing, its thalassotherapy and many golf courses are popular worldwide. At night, its restaurants, bars and squares will delight your nights.
Day 9: Individual departure from Biarritz
