Short bike tour from Bordeaux to Arcachon bay and the ocean
Pricing informations
Tour description
Short bike tour from Bordeaux to Arcachon bay and the ocean
This short bike ride from Bordeaux to Arcachon is suitable for cyclists who want to discover the two emblematic cities of the Bordeaux region with a rich historical past during an extended weekend. A small cultural and iodized stay, short but active!
Bordeaux is a transformed city for about ten years. Its historic centre, which has become almost entirely pedestrian, its quays classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and its « Cité du Vin », are real invitations to stroll and discover an exceptional city. You will be accommodated in the heart of this historic Bordeaux, not to miss anything. Many bistros and gourmet restaurants will welcome you to close your visit in the best way. You can as well enjoy enjoy the cycling infrastructure of the metropolis to visit the city.
Then head for the Atlantic coast by a very rolling bike path from the quays of Bordeaux that will take you through the Médoc peninsula to Lacanau Océan. Between lake and ocean. Radical change of atmosphere and immediate impressions of «Great holidays»! With a few pedal strokes, reach the beach where surfers challenge the incessant waves before a dinner «sea view» or at the hotel in the pine forest. A very pleasant bike path (part of the Velodyssée) under the shade of pine trees along the coast and punctuated by regular access to the beaches, will lead you to the entrance of the Arcachon Bay. Depending on the option chosen, you will travel the Cap Ferret, between the softness of the waters of Arcachon basin and the waves of the ocean coast, crossing the picturesque fishing villages of «Le Canon» or «l’Herbe» before taking the boat to cross the basin to Arcachon. Alternatively, you can bypass the basin through the many typical fishing harbours including Andernos les Bains, Biganos and Gujan Mestras.
For those who have more time, we propose an extra day from Arcachon for a final stage by bike, to visit the Winter Town with its sumptuous villas and join the majestic dune of Pyla which, from the top of its 110 meters, offers a breathtaking view of the mouth of the basin, its sandbars, Cap Ferret and the peaks of the Landes forest.
- A rolling greenway from the heart of Bordeaux to the ocean.
- Nearby beaches between Lacanau and Cap Ferret
- The typical oyster farming villages with the multicoloured facades of the Arcachon basin
- The boat tour to cross the Arcachon Bay from the Cap Ferret to Arcachon
- Arcachon, its lively promenade and the sumptuous villas of the Winter Town
Program
Arrive at your 3 or 4 stars hotel in Bordeaux, where you will find the road book and bikes.
« 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 trip. The quays suit everyone, hoping to witness the stop of a cruise ship, “amazing show” of a giant of the seas in the city centre Capital of wine, Bordeaux is endowed with a rich history and architecture. Overnight in a 3 or 4 stars hotel in Bed and Breakfast.
Your bicycle tours in Aquitaine takes you from Bordeaux, to « Lacanau-Ocean », seaside town. Take the road bike, a cycle path that follows a former railway track « Bordeaux-Lacanau ». It is a beautiful itinerary, easy and secured that goes through the pine forest where you can listen songs of the cicadas. Ride on a cycle path but also sometimes on backroads or forest trails.
« Lacanau-Ocean » in the Médoc Ocean region, where cycling is a way of life, is much appreciated for its long sandy beaches sheltered by dunes and forests, its lakes and its unspoilt natural areas. The seaside resort is also famous for its surfing spots. Its early 20th century villas bear witness to a rich past.
Overnight in a 3-star hotel with breakfast included
This stage of the Velodyssey continues its itineraries from « Lacanau-Océan » between dunes and forests. Ride only on cycling routes and discover the widest wild beaches of the Aquitaine coast; «The Porge Ocean » has a 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 your cycling tour through a beautiful itinerary towards the « Cap Ferret » or the « Bay of Arcachon »*.
Enjoy and finish your cycling day through typical oyster villages of the « Bay of Arcachon » and rejoin by ferry the renowned seaside town of «Arcachon ».
Overnight in a 3-star hotel with breakfast included
For those who wish to enjoy plenty the « Bay of Arcachon » and its typical ports it is possible to spend an extra night around « Andernos » and to continue your cycling tours the next day around the Bay to the iconic city of « Arcachon ».
Overnight in a 2-star hotel with breakfast included
The «Arcachon Bay », is since the middle of the last century the world of the oyster! With its 84 km of beaches surrounded by pine trees it is an original and special place, unique on the French coast! Situated between the « Côte d’Argent » and the « Côtes des Landes », the Bay has an enjoyable climate with a perfect sunshine all year long. Breath the sea air, the flavorful aromas of the pine trees, mimosa and brooms.
Today’s road cycling takes you around the Arcachon Bay, what a pleasant stage. Follow the vélodyssey 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. Come and discover the «Arcachon Bay », the winter town and 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!
Overnight in a 3-star hotel with breakfast included
You will start your trip by cycling to the Pilat dune, the largest dune in Europe at 105 meters high, 2700 meters long and 500 meters wide. The dune, formed recently (only 35 meters high in 1855), is still not stable and moves towards the forest at a rate of 3 to 4 meters a year. Having left your bikes for a moment, you can climb to the summit using steps or by a marked path. You will follow beaches on a magnificent track and you will join the “Pyla sur Mer” then Moulleau, a suburb to the west of Arcachon, a very lively place in summer with chic boutiques and trendy cafés. You will be surprised by the Notre dame des Passes church, of byzantine style, built at the top of a sand dune by the Dominicans. Just before Arcachon, you will visit the “Winter city” with its somptuous villas.
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.
