Bordeaux & Gironde cycling holidays - Bike tours in South-West France

Bordeaux and Gironde Cycling Holidays

Bordeaux and Gironde cycling holidays is one of the most enjoyable ways to explore more of this part of France. So you can find your perfect Gironde bike ride. We’ve reviewed our full collection of cycling routes in the region to deliver you. Just click on each route to see a full breakdown of detailed information!

At the heart of the region, the historic city of Bordeaux is a UNESCO world heritage site. Recognised as the wine capital of the world, many of the most famous wine regions in the world including Medoc, Saint-Emilion, Pomerol, and Margaux are all an easy bike ride away. Bordeaux is a fabulous city that is very bicycle friendly. Since being elected “European destination of the year in 2015”, Bordeaux has become the new “Sun City”.

And rightly this city has so much to offer. It is like looking through a window into the 18th century. With the glorious history embodied in the stone facades in the city centre, as well as the narrow streets dating back to medieval times.

It’s a great city to get lost in absorbing the unique atmosphere, admiring every nook and cranny. Finding “that” little bar or restaurant hidden away in the old town, opening the doorway to the famous local gastronomy.

A flamboyant city adored by locals, surrounded by enchanting vineyards and a breath-taking Atlantic coastline. Is there a better way of discovering these treasures than Bordeaux’s new favourite…By bike?

Between Bordeaux Wine road and Cycle path

The world famous medieval town of St Emilion is one of the most popular places to visit in the region. This is located at the heart of the Bordeaux wine area. For anyone looking for a leisurely ride, the town and the surrounding vines make for glorious cycling, although you might have to leave your bike at the door to the extraordinary catacombs!

The most famous wine region of the worldis undoubtedly the Médoc due to the renowned great wine properties.. Médoc is home to the most prestigious of the Bordeaux estates. Its First Growths, such as Château Margaux, Lafite Rothschild, Latour and Mouton Rothschild are among most expensive wines in the world. With Bordeaux and Gironde cycling holidays, you’ll be an expert of Bordeaux wines.

Numerous wine properties and wine Châteaux accompany you all along your bike tour. You’re right: numerous wine cellars await you where you can taste divine ‘nectars’…. But with moderation please because you have to pedal some kilometers per day!

Gironde Estuary and ocean by bike

Glide around the different parts of the city, breathing the fresh coastal air perfumed by the sea and the pine forest.

For anyone looking to get away from the city… There is a cycle path running the full 60km all the way to the coastal town of Lacanau. Or why not try the Roger Lapebie cycle path? This famous path leads you out of the city where you pick up the Canal de Garonne. If you have the time (and energy) this will lead you all the way to Toulouse!

The coastal region of the Gironde known as the Cote d’Argent, is not only part of the longest beach in Europe. It is also home to the Pyla Dune, the tallest sand dune in Europe. Beyond the dune to the south of the Arcachon Bay are the forests and lakes of the great forest of the Landes, the largest forest in Europe.

In these areas you will find some of the best areas for cycling you could hope to imagine. With hundreds of miles of off road cycle paths you will be spoilt for choice. For those of you looking for a longer ride, two stages of La Velodyssee run through the Gironde. The first from Royan to Lacanau and the second from Lacanau to Arcachon.

Wildlife through your cycling holiday in Gironde and bike tour around Bordeaux

With a surface area of 600 km², length of 75 kilometres and width of 12 kilometres at its mouth, theGirondeestuary is the biggest estuary in Western Europe! Formed by the confluence of the riversDordogneand Garonne, this wild estuary full of remarkable wildlife stretches between marshes and wet meadows, the prestigious vineyards of the Médoc and limestone cliffs ofMeschers-sur-Gironde. To add to the charm of the place, traditional quaint liftnet fishing cabins are dotted along banks of the estuary…

This is an exceptional natural environment where wild birds such as the Grey Heron, Little Egret and White Stork. Migratory fish have also their place, such as sturgeon, eel and lamprey. The Gironde estuary can also boast of being the only estuary in the world where European sturgeon travel to breed!

To protectBordeauxfrom sea invasions, Vauban, the famous military engineer to King Louis XIV, devised a defensive arsenal, with theBlaye Citadel, Fort Pâté andFort Médoc, three places which are now UNESCO World Heritage sites..