The Wine Route by bike: the Bordeaux vineyards

The Wine Route by bike: the Bordeaux vineyards on a loop from Bordeaux

Highlights of the stay:

• Bordeaux
• Renowned vineyards: Saint-ÉMilion, Médoc, Graves, Cadillac
• Castles and wine estates
• Greenways

Day 1 : Arrival in Bordeaux and transfer to St.-Emilion

Individual arrival in Bordeaux by car, train or plane. Private transfer to St.-Emilion, the first vineyards classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Check into your hotel and overnight with breakfast in St.-Emilion.

Day 2 : From St.-Emilion to Sauveterre-de-Guyenne (37 km)

Enjoy the optional visit of the famous undergrounds of St.-Emilion and be marvelled by the iconic monolithic church. Leaving behind the rolling countryside of the St.-Emilion plateau, you cycle through the « Entre Deux Mers » region, passing through Branne on the banks of the Dordogne river. You then join the Roger Lapébie cycle path, a former railroad line that has been recycled as a safe cycling route. This second part of the route is very easy on the pedals, with little gradient. It does, however, offer views of verdant vineyards and passes through picturesque villages with their prestigious architecture, typical of the Bordeaux hinterland.
Overnight with breakfast in Sauveterre-de-Guyenne.

Day 3 : From Sauveterre-de-Guyenne to Cadillac (30 km)

You cycle through the Gironde countryside. You are still in the « Entre Deux Mers » region. Cycle through the Loupiac terroir and slowly approach the lands of Côtes de Bordeaux, Cadillac and Graves. This area is rich and varied. The itinerary leads you along quiet roads, but the height difference makes this a demanding stage. In Cadillac, you can visite the Château Vieille Tour (with tasting by appointment), the Cadillac Wine House or the Château Ducal.
Overnight with breakfast in Cadillac.

Day 4 : From Cadillac to Bordeaux (48 km)

You leave Cadillac via the towns of Beguey and Rions, a very pleasant Graves wine-growing area. The itinerary takes you along quiet roads, but the gradient is quite steep on the first part. You then reach the Roger Lapebie cycle path in Sadirac, which takes you all the way to Bordeaux. This track, which is a former railroad line, allows you to stop off at old railway stations that have been converted into cafés or restaurants. Once in Bordeaux, you cross the Pont de Pierre which offers a stunning view of the Bordeaux quays. You then cycle along the Garonne river to your hotel. Here you can admire the famous Place de la Bourse.
Overnight with breakfast in Bordeaux.

Day 5 : From Bordeaux to Margaux (37 km)

Leave the center of Bordeaux and take the cycle path to Blanquefort. Keep going towards Le Pian-Médoc, where you can cycle gently through the Médoc vineyards. The route is flat and signposted through the famous Margaux appellation. The « Entre Deux Mers » cycle path leads you near castles, where you can enjoy the optional visit and tasting in the Château du Tertre.
Diner, overnight with breakfast in Margaux.

Day 6 : From Margaux to Pauillac (35 km)

You leave Margaux and cycle through the heart of the Médoc vineyards. The route is marked to the town of Lamarque. Short sections of the route take you through Bordeaux vineyards. As you reach Pauillac, you cycle through stunning castles. You can do a visit and tasting in one of the famous wine estates.
Overnight with breakfast in Pauillac.

Day 7 : St-Estèphe bike loop and end of the tour in Bordeaux (20 km)

Today, you cycle along the Gironde Estuary to reach St.-Estèphe. The route is totally flat in the region of castles. Enjoy the included guided tour and tasting in the Château Lafon-Rochet in St.-Estèphe. Come back to Pauillac in the afternoon where you will have a transfer to Bordeaux (included). End of your tour and departure. You can book an additional night in Bordeaux if you want to extend your stay.

General informations :

• 7 days and 6 nights
• Comfort level of accommodation: 3/4* hotels and charming guest rooms
• Prices for children: contact us.

The dates :

• Available from April to October 2024.
• Departures from Tuesday to Saturday (no departures on Sundays and Mondays)

Included :

• Assistance in the event of a breakdown (except puncture).
• Baggage transfer at every stage
• Transfer by private vehicle from Bordeaux to Saint Émilion on day 1
• Transfer by private vehicle from Pauillac to Bordeaux on day 7
• Dinner day 5
• Visit to Château Lafon Rochet included on day 7
• Access to our Respire Voyages hiking application with your day-by-day travel diary

Not included :

• Transport to the place of departure
• Personal expenses
• Anything not specified in “included”
• Tourist taxes to be paid on site.

The options :

• VTC or VAE rental
• Paper travel diary
• Additional night(s) in Bordeaux
• Theft guarantee for the rented bike
• cancellation insurance

Levels:
1 2 3 4 5 6

Ground :
Generally flat terrain except days 1 and 2 where you can expect some nice hills (confirmed level). Easily achievable with an e-bike

Climate :
Shaded, mild sun and pleasant temperatures.

Technicality:
Cycling: 30 to 48 km per day or 3 to 4 hours of cycling.
Partly marked route, useful roadbook and map reading.

Bibliography:

• The Gironde Tour by bike - chamina
• Guide to the Gironde estuary - South West

Accommodations:
*** or **** hotels and charming guest rooms, with rooms equipped with shower and toilet.

Additional nights:
Additional night(s) possible at the start and end of the tour.

Meal :

• Breakfasts: copious (coffee, tea, chocolate, milk, bread butter, jam, orange juice)
• Lunch: not included
• Dinner: not included

The bike :

Rental bicycle: If you rent a bicycle, it will be given to you on the day of your arrival at the 1st hotel. A security deposit will be required. At the end of the tour, you must leave this bike at the last hotel and notify reception. We will take care of his return.
Personal bicycle: We do not recommend bicycles with small tires. VTC and mountain bikes are excellent. Remember to service your bicycle before leaving. At the end of the tour, you will have to take care of your own bicycle.

Support:
Assistance in the event of breakdowns for rented bicycles (except punctures for which we do not intervene).

Luggage :
They are transported by a courier or by our team and limited to one piece of luggage per person (max. 23 kg).

Travelogue :

Access to our Respire Voyages application with your personalized Travel Journal a few days before your departure.

Paper travel diary possible on request.

Transportation :

• By train: TGV station in Bordeaux
• By road: Bordeaux is 600km from Paris Highway A10 from Paris and A62 from Toulouse.
• By plane: Bordeaux-Mérignac airport.

Your car :

Possible at the André Meunier public car park (to be paid on site, no reservation possible - allow around €25/night).

Cancellation insurance :
To guarantee reimbursement of costs in the event of cancellation of your stay, you can take out cancellation insurance. To learn more about insurance, click here.