Le Canal des deux Mers by bike, from Royan to Bordeaux
Pricing informations
Tour description
Cycling trip from Royan to Bordeaux.
This tour from Royan to Bordeaux by bike takes you along the estuary of the Gironde to discover the south of the Charente Maritime and the north of the Gironde. This cycling tour takes the famous cycle route «Canal des 2 Mers».
Cycling route of a great variety first on the right bank from Royan and then on the left bank of the estuary. You follow small roads by bike on the limestone cliffs overlooking the multiple net fishing huts on stilts called « carrelet ». Passing through charming fishing villages and the remarkable fortified bastide of Talmont sur Gironde overlooking the estuary.
To the south, after Mortagne sur Gironde, appear large marshes inhabited by an exceptional fauna : storks, white spoonbills, otters, harriers and gray herons… to observe in particular in the ornithological reserve Terres d’Oiseaux. A very pleasant daily bike ride in the heart of this wild area, and then on a quiet cycle track leading, through Côte de Blaye vineyards, until the Citadel of Blaye, built by Vauban.
After crossing the estuary by boat, your last stage by bike, on the left bank, will lead you to the heart of the famous vineyards of Moulis and Margaux, two must-see appellations of the Médoc, before entering the beautiful city of Bordeaux. You finally wander along the majestic banks of the Garonne in the heart of the city, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to your hotel.
You will be warmly welcomed every evening in 3 or 4 stars hotels.
- The « Art Deco » singularity of Royan
- The limestone cliffs of Meschers and their picturesque tiled fishing huts
- The wild shores and wetlands of the estuary, shelters for thousands of migratory birds
- Boat crossing from the Vauban Citadel of Blaye to the prestigious Margaux vineyard.
Program
Accommodation in a 3 stars hotels. You will get touristic documentation and your route notes which will indicate your circuit. Night and breakfast in hotel 3*
You will leave Royan by taking the “boulevard Garnier” and its beautiful villas from the XIX century. You will continue at the tof of the cliffs with a super view over the estuary. Here are hidden charming little wide ports. Discover Talmont-sur-Gironde, its church and blooming streets, the artisanal village of cave dweller dug in the limestone cliffs of Meshers-sur-Gironde. You will stop at the Park of the estuary, « pole nature » de la Charente Maritime, you will cross a forest overlooking the ocean and the estuary of the Gironde, but also you will cross Saint-Seurin-d’Uzet, the old capital of Caviar, with its port almost located in the centre of the village. More south, you will visit the wine-maker of Mortagne to discover all about the Pineau, Cognac and Charentais wine. Mortagne-sur-Gironde, lays on the with cliffs, its fishing and sailing port make it a unique site in the area.
Overnight in a charming guesthouse. Dinner and Breakfast included.
Go on along the Estuary on a very nice cycling path between marshes and dykes until Vitrezay, the gateway to Gironde. After a visit to the «Terres d’Oiseaux» bird sanctuary, a beautiful «Voie Verte» cycle track leads to the Blaye Citadel, built by Vauban and listed by UNESCO (alongside Fort Pâté and Fort Médoc) as the Vauban lock”. A ferry crosses the estuary from Blaye to Lamarque the next day.
Overnight and breakfast in hotel 3* or Charming guesthouse.
Discover Blaye and its famous citadel built by Vauban and take the ferry ! Your cycling day continue on the Médoc side in the heart of the Margaux and Haut Médoc vineyards. The Garonne River and the estuary of the Gironde mark profoundly the landscapes, through swamps, banks and small ports. There are so many spaces of discovery of the fauna and flora, the islands and the plaices. Through little roads continue towards Bordeaux, Unesco World Heritage.
Overnight in a 3-star hotel. Breakfast included.
After your breakfast.
Practical details
Luggage
The documents
The bikes
Accomodations
Support
We take care of transporting your luggage to the next accommodation so that you fully enjoy your daily ride.
You leave your luggage at the reception desk before your departure.
At the end of the afternoon, you recover them in the next accommodation (at the reception or directly in your room).
Luggage accepted per person: 1 suitcase or travel bag (20 kg maximum) + 1 hand luggage.
We remind you that rental bikes are equipped with saddlebags to be used to bring your belongings useful for the day.
Your travel pack corresponds to the documents or numeric files that you receive before your trip (usually one month before) and upon your arrival at the first accommodation.
It includes:
- A welcome letter with the main practical information:
- The time slot for luggage transport
- Details of the delivery and recovery of rental bikes if necessary
- Your local contact and telephone number(s) in case of emergency
- Any additional information
The travel book including a map with the route (at the appropriate scale) and directional, tourist and practical indications
The voucher(s) to be given to the service provider(s) (only if requested)
On request and depending on the tours:
The “Evazio” application to download to your Smartphone for a “GPS” guidance. This guidance is visual (reading of the track on the Smartphone’s screen) and vocal.
The application also contains practical and tourist information. Once the trip has been downloaded, no internet connection is necessary
The loan of a GPS device with pre-loaded tracks
GPX traces of every step for use with your own navigation device
On this tour, you can choose on reservation:
- A hybrid bike suitable for touring and for the course
- An electric bike adapted to the route
With its equipment:
- 1 rear bag
- 1 handlebar bag
- 1 repair kit (for 1 or 2 bikes)
- 1 helmet (on request)
- 1 lock (for 1 or 2 bikes)
- 1 charger (for the electric bike)
For the youngest, we can propose depending on age and size
- A child bike
- A baby seat
- A trailer
- A bike trailer
The bike is delivered to the first accommodation and is adjusted to your size.
At the end of the course, the bike must be left at the last accommodation with its equipment. We will take care of their recovery.
This tour is available in a “superior” version :
The type of accommodation is classified into 3 ranges:
- Comfort : The trip mainly presents hotels classified 2 and 3 stars (or equivalent) and guesthouses.
- Superior : The tour mainly presents hotels classified 3 and 4 stars (or equivalent) and charming guesthouses.
- Luxe : The tour mainly presents hotels classified 2 and 3 stars or equivalent
Our assistance remains available for the duration of your stay.
