Home » All our cycling trips » Bordeaux – Gironde » The Canal des Deux Mers by bike from Royan to Bordeaux
The Canal des Deux Mers by bike from Royan to Bordeaux
Price per person
From 625€
Type of stay
Bicycle trip
Location
Royan, Bordeaux - France
Duration
5 days
Difficulty
Departures
Daily from April to October
Capacity
2 people minimum
Reference
Cyclo 03-2
Your stay
Cycling from Royan to Bordeaux.
This bike trip from Royan to Bordeaux takes you along the Gironde estuary to discover southern Charente Maritime and northern Gironde. This bike tour follows the famous “Canal des 2 Mers” cycle route.
A wide variety of cycling routes, first on the right bank, then on the left bank of the estuary. First, the right bank from Royan. You’ll cycle along the limestone cliffs overlooking the many net-fishing huts on stilts known as carrelets. Pass through charming fishing villages and the remarkable fortified bastide town of Talmont sur Gironde overlooking the estuary.
Further south, after Mortagne sur Gironde, you’ll come to the large marshes where exceptional wildlife lives and breeds: storks, white spoonbills, otters, harriers and grey herons… to be observed in the Terres d’Oiseaux bird sanctuary. A pleasant daily bike ride through the heart of this wild area, then along a quiet cycle path through the Côtes de Blaye” vineyards to the Citadelle of Blaye, built by Vauban.
After crossing the estuary by boat, your final stage on the left bank of the river takes you through the famous vineyards of Moulis and Margaux, two of the Médoc’s best-known appellations, before entering the beautiful city of Bordeaux. You’ll then cycle along the majestic quays of the Garonne in the heart of the city, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to your hotel.
You’ll be warmly welcomed every evening in 3-star hotels and charming bed & breakfasts.
You'll enjoy :
- Royan’s Art Deco uniqueness
- The limestone cliffs of Meschers and their picturesque fishing huts
- The wild shores and wetlands of the estuary, home to thousands of migratory birds
- Boat trip from the Vauban Citadel in Blaye to the prestigious Margaux vineyards
Daily program
Day 1 - Arrival in Royan
Arrival at your accommodation in Royan. You will be welcomed in a 3* hotel.
We’ll provide you with documentation on the region and a road book indicating your route.
Night and breakfast in a 3* hotel
Day 2 - The cliff trail
- 35 km
- 100m
You’ll set off from Royan along Boulevard Garnier and its beautiful 19th-century villas. You continue along the cliff top, with superb views over the estuary. Charming little harbours hide away here. Discover Talmont sur Gironde, with its church and flower-filled streets, or Meschers and its troglodyte caves. Stop off at the Parc de l’estuaire, Charente Maritime’s “nature park”, and drive through a forest overlooking the ocean and the Gironde estuary, as well as Saint-Seurin-d’Uzet, the former Caviar capital, with its port practically in the center of the village.
Further south, you can visit the cellars of Mortagne producers to learn all about Pineau, Cognac and Charentais wines. Mortagne-sur-Gironde, perched on its white cliffs, is a unique site in the region, a marina and fishing port.
Day 3 - Mortagne to Blaye along the estuary
- 60 km
- 100m
Continue along the estuary on a pleasant greenway through marshes and dykes to Vitrezay, gateway to the Gironde. After a visit to the Terres d’Oiseaux ornithological park at Port des Callonges, a beautifully landscaped greenway leads to the foot of the Blaye citadel, fortified by Vauban and recognized by UNESCO. A ferry takes you across the Blaye estuary to Lamarque the next day!
Overnight in a Bed and Breakfast*** hotel or charming B&B. Evening at leisure.
Day 4 - Off to Margaux and Bordeaux!
- 52 km
- 100m
Today, take the ferry across the estuary! Your cycling day continues on the Médoc side, in the heart of the Bordeaux vineyards, passing through Château Margaux. Here, the Garonne and the Gironde estuary leave their mark on the landscape, with marshes, riverbanks and small harbours, ideal for discovering the flora and fauna, islands and carrelets. Follow the narrow roads to Bordeaux, a UNESCO World Heritage site!
Overnight in a 3* bed and breakfast hotel in the heart of Bordeaux.
Day 5 - Departure
After breakfast.
rates
Price per person
- 5 days – 4 nights: €625
Price includes
- 4 nights in 3* hotels and charming bed & breakfasts (in double/twin rooms)
- 1 dinner
- Route book (with map and directions)
- 1 GPS application
- Luggage transfer at each stage
- Crossing the Gironde estuary
- 24/7 technical assistance
Supplement
- VTC bike rental: €140
- Electric bike rental: €210
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 :
- 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
- 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 08:00 to 20:00.
Itinerary
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