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VéloSud, from Biarritz to Lourdes or from Lourdes to Biarritz

Price per person

From 1010€

Type of stay

Bicycle trip

Location

Biarritz, Lourdes - France

Duration

6 to 7 days

Difficulty

Departures

Daily from April to October. No departure on Saturday from Biarritz, no departure on Wednesday from Lourdes

Capacity

2 people minimum

Reference

Cyclo 60

Your stay

The “Vélosud” is a brand new 658-kilometer cycle route offering a more accessible alternative to the Pyrenees mountains. From Biarritz to Barcarès, this route runs along the French side of the Pyrenees, crossing the picturesque landscapes of the Pyrenean foothills.
While it avoids the legendary but very difficult mountain passes, the Vélosud highlights the heritage of the different regions of the Pyrenees, such as the Basque Country and Béarn.

The cycle route offers views of the peaks of the Pyrenees and passes through magnificent valleys and numerous picturesque villages : Urt, Salies-de-Béarn, Sauveterre de Béarn, Nay…

Not to mention major cities such as Biarritz, Bayonne, Pau, and Lourdes. From the Rocher de la Vierge in Biarritz to the Sanctuary of Lourdes via the Château de Pau, it is impossible to provide a complete and exhaustive list of the points of interest to be discovered along the Vélosud route.

You will be welcomed every evening in 3-star hotels or charming guesthouses

You'll enjoy :

Explore Biarritz and Bayonne to immerse yourself in Basque culture
The adorable picturesque villages of Sauveterre-de-Béarn or Urt
Easy cycling along the Pyrenees montains
The Salt City : Salies-de-Béarn
Pau, capital of Béarn, between city and nature, take the time to visit the city
Discover Lourdes and its numerous monuments

Back to travel

Daily program

Day 1 - Arrival in Biarritz

Arrive at your accommodation in Biarritz. We’ll provide you with documentation on the region and a road book indicating your route.

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 in a 3* hotel with breakfast.

Day 2 - Biarritz to Urt

Start your journey facing the ocean, your face bathed in sea spray, in the heart of Biarritz. You will begin by enjoying the coastal landscapes, from the cliffs of the lighthouse to the golden sandy beaches of Anglet.
The Adour River will guide you to the city of Bayonne, whose architectural heritage invites you to pause and reflect.

Bayonne, between heritage and unforgettable experiences, explore “Les remparts de Vauban” (Vauban’s ramparts) around the city ! The Romans built the city’s first ramparts when it was still a Roman castrum called Lapurdum. Take the opportunity to discover Sainte-Marie Cathedral and Grand Bayonne. Discover Le Petit Bayonne, a lively, young, and dynamic place to live. Grab a bite to eat in a restaurant serving Basque specialties !
The stage continues along the banks of the Adour River towards the small port of Urt.

Night in a 3* hotel with breakfast.

Day 3 - From Urt to Salies-de-Béarn

The banks of the Adour and then the Bidouze rivers will guide you peacefully and gently downhill through the Pyrenean foothills. During this stage, you will pass by the Château de Gramont, located in Bidache. Listed as a Historic Monument, this site is an exceptional example of the architectural evolution of castles since the Middle Ages.

Burned down in 1523, it was rebuilt and transformed into a stately castle by the Gramont family. In the 18th century, a second fire left it in ruins. From the top of its keep, you can admire a 360° panorama of the Bidouze valley and the Pyrenees.

You will end your journey in Salies-de-Béarn, a charming little town renowned for its salt springs. It is a true natural gem, where thermal water has been used since ancient times for its medicinal properties. The town, with its historical heritage and traditional buildings, offers a peaceful atmosphere, ideal for relaxation. Among its must-see attractions are the old saltworks, the thermal baths, the Salt and Béarnaise Traditions Museum, and the Bayaà crypt.

Night in a 3* hotel or charming guesthouses with breakfast.

Day 4 - from Salies-de-Béarn to Orthez

From Salies-de-Béarn, you will leave the classic “Vélosud” route along the Gave de Pau for the day and head towards Sauveterre-de-Béarn, on the banks of the Gave d’Oloron. This medieval village, listed among the “Most Beautiful Villages of France,” offers a journey back in time with its cobbled streets, half-timbered houses, and impressive fortified castle. Overlooking the Gave de Pau, discover its majestic Sainte-Marie church, the « Pont de la Légende » bridge, and the Monréal Tower.

You will continue your journey towards Orthez along a pretty, winding road. The former capital of Béarn, Orthez invites visitors to discover its 14th-century Pont Vieux bridge, the symbol of the town. With its majestic arches, it spans the Gave de Pau river and offers a splendid view of the surrounding area. As you stroll through the historic center, be sure to visit the Moncade Tower, an impressive remnant of an ancient fortified castle, as well as the Church of Saint Joan of Arc.

Night in a 3* hotel or charming guesthouses with breakfast.

Day 5 - From Orthez to Pau

A peaceful stop along the Gave de Pau river. Before leaving Orthez, you can relax at its leisure center. Its lake offers a variety of water activities, such as fishing, canoeing, and pedal boating, in a peaceful and green setting. For hiking enthusiasts, several walking trails crisscross the surrounding area, offering superb views of the Béarn countryside.

The Gave de Pau valley and a few detours to villages in Béarn will gradually lead you to the capital of Béarn: Pau.

Nestled at the foot of the Pyrenees, the city enjoys an exceptional setting with breathtaking views of the mountains. Pau is renowned for its castle, the residence of the kings of Navarre, which now houses a museum on the history of the region and the royal family. Don’t miss the Boulevard des Pyrénées, an iconic spot offering spectacular panoramic views of the Pyrenees mountain range !

Night in a 3* hotel with breakfast.

Day 6 - From Pau to Lourdes

During this last stage from Pau to Lourdes, you will have the opportunity to discover the charming village of Nay, with its typical southwestern bastide architecture, and then the Sanctuary of Notre-Dame de Bétharram, located in Saint-Pé-de-Bigorre. This sanctuary, founded in the 17th century by the priests of the Congregation of Bétharram, is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and attracts many pilgrims every year. A few kilometers from the sanctuary, the Bétharram Caves are an impressive natural site, ranked among the most beautiful in the region. This network of caves, discovered in the 19th century, consists of multiple galleries, chambers, and geological formations, making the site a true masterpiece of nature.

You will continue your journey along the Gave de Pau river and reach the town of Lourdes, at the foot of the Pyrenees, which is world-famous for its sanctuary.
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, with its famous Massabielle’s caves, is the heart of the city. It was here that Bernadette Soubirous said to have had her apparitions in 1858, and today, millions of pilgrims come to pray and meditate, hoping to find healing and inner peace. The baths of Lourdes, where believers immerse themselves in the waters of the miraculous spring, are also a tradition for many visitors.

Night in a 4* hotel with breakfast.

Day 7 - Departure

Departure after breakfast.

rates

Price per person

	April to October	July and August
7 days – 6 nights :	1010 €	1070 €

Price includes

6 nights in 3* and 4* hotels or charming guesthouses with breakfast (in double/twin room)
Route book (map and directions)
1 GPS application
Luggage transfer at each stage
24/7 telephone assistance

Supplement

Touring bike : 185 €
Electric bike : 325 €
Gravel bike : 315 €
If departure from Lourdes : 30 €

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

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)

A road bike

For younger children, depending on age and size, we can offer

Children's bikes

Bicycle follower

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: