Arcachon Basin by bike in 6 days

Cycling around the Arcachon Basin

Climb the dune of Pilat, visit oyster-farming villages and enjoy the beaches and landscapes. The Arcachon basin has beautiful walks for cycle tourists and cycle paths suitable for families and beginners. Enjoy a beautiful cycling adventure around the city of Arcachon on the Vélodyssée route.
The Arcachon basin is a unique place in France with its kilometers of pine-fringed beaches, its Bordeaux vineyards and the Landes forest.
This cycling trip around the Arcachon basin and in the Landes de Gascogne Regional Natural Park will leave you with wonderful memories of authentic holidays.
 
Points of interest :

• Cap Ferret and Andernos les Bains
• The dune of Pilat
• The flora and fauna of the Arcachon basin
• The ocean and the pine forests
• The oyster villages

 
Day 1: Arrival in Arcachon

Your cycling holiday begins at the end of the afternoon upon your arrival at the first accommodation in the city of Arcachon. Take the time to visit this world-famous seaside resort, discover its superb villas and stroll along its promenade along the basin to its port.
Night in hotel ***

Day 2: from Arcachon to the dune of Pilat - 25 km or from Arcachon to Teich - 40 km

Dune du Pilat version:
Go by bike towards the Dune du Pilat after your breakfast. The Dune du Pilat is the largest dune in Europe at 105 meters high. Climb there to contemplate the panoramic view. On the way back, you walk along the beaches on a pleasant cycle path through Pyla sur Mer and Moulleau. Take a break to enjoy this dynamic place.
You can admire the Byzantine-style Church of Our Lady of Passes, built on top of a dune.
Return to Arcachon and join your hotel for the night.

Version towards the Teich:

You leave the city of Arcachon by bike to cycle to the port and Pointe de l'Aiguillon. Discover the fishermen's huts which contrast with the superb villas of the Winter Town.
You continue to the oyster port of La Teste, rolling through the salt meadows. Your cycling trip around the Arcachon basin continues towards Gujan-Mestras, the capital of oyster farming and its 7 ports dedicated to oyster farming. Walk along the pretty wooden cabins lined up along the channel. Next stop to the Teich ornithological park to visit the Eyre estuary. Take the time to discover this unspoiled natural and wild space, home to many wild birds.
Return to the Arcachon hotel by bike for your last night.

Day 3: from Arcachon to Biganos via Andernos - 25 to 30 km

Take the train with your bikes to go directly to Biganos. You can then get on your bike to the port of Biganos and then to the Port des Tuiles. You then cycle to the port of Audenge where you can see its old basins which are now used as swimming pools.
Your circuit around Arcachon runs along the dikes of the Graveyron estate to the castle.
Very beautiful views of the Arcachon basin are available to you on the way and you will have the pleasure of observing different species of migratory birds on the course. The journey continues towards the port of Cassy along the Certes domain to finally reach Andernos les Bains, a seaside resort. Enjoy the town of Andernos, its entertainment, bars and terraces facing the sea.
Night and breakfast in a ** hotel in Andernos.

Day 4: From Andernos to Grand Crohot - 37 km

Today's bike route takes you through the large forest of Cap-Ferret, from the banks of the basin to the white dunes of the Atlantic coast. You ride accompanied by the song of the cicadas and the smell of pines in the national forest as far as Lège-Cap-Ferret and towards the oyster port of Ares. You extend your cycle route around Arcachon to reach the site of St Brice between forest, bodies of water and the natural shore of the Arcachon basin.
Night and breakfast in the town of Andernos.

Day 5: From Andernos to Cap Ferret and return to Arcachon - 30 km

Cap-Ferret separates the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Arcachon basin to the east, to offer a splendid view of the landscapes of the basin and the Silver Coast. Drive to the hamlet of Jane de Boy then return to the bay via the cycle path, passing through the oyster villages of L'Herbe and Canon. This part of the route offers exceptional landscapes.
Return by bike to Arcachon.

Day 6: End of your cycling trip around Arcachon

Your trip ends after breakfast. A 7-hour program is possible if you want to take advantage of an extra day.

General informations :

• 6 and 5 nights or 7 days and 6 nights
• Accommodation comfort level: 2 and 3 * (local standards)
• Prices for children: contact us.

 
The dates :
 
 
Can be done every day between April and October 2024.

High season from 15/06 to 15/09.
 
 
Included :

• Self-guided loop circuit
• Assistance in the event of a breakdown (except puncture).
• Luggage transfer at each stage
• 1 boat crossing of the Arcachon basin included
• 5 nights with breakfast in ** and *** hotels
• A travel file (the road book in French or English with color maps and tourist documentation)

 
Not included :

• Transport to the place of departure
• Personal expenses

 The options :

• VTC or VAE rental
• Extra night (s) in Arcachon
• Theft insurance for the rented bike
• cancellation insurance

 
 
Levels:
 
 
1 2 3 4 5 6
 
 
 
Ground :
 
 
Flat terrain, which does not exclude some hills.
  
 
Weather :
 
 
Shaded, mild sun, a little wind on the coast and pleasant temperatures.
 

 Technicality: 
 
Cycling: 35 to 55 km per day or 3 to 4 hours of cycling.
Partly marked itinerary, useful roadbook and map reading.
 
 
 
Bibliography:
 
 
- The Tour of the Gironde by bike - chamina
- The Arcachon Bay by bike

 
 
Meal :
 
 
- Breakfasts: generous (coffee, tea, chocolate, milk, butter, bread, 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 requested.
At the end of the tour, you will have to 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. Hybrid bikes and mountain bikes are excellent. Remember to check your bicycle before setting off.
At the end of the tour, you will have to take care of your own bicycle.
  
 
Assistance:
 
 
- Assistance in case of breakdown (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. 20 kg).
 
 
Roadbook :
 
 
We will provide you with detailed maps and a description of the routes when you arrive at the first hotel. We will also provide you with vouchers for hotels and restaurants as well as luggage tags.
 
 
 
Transport :
 
 
- By train: Station in Arcachon (see SNCF)
- By road: Arcachon is 600km from Paris A10 motorway from Paris and A62 from Toulouse.
- By plane: Bordeaux international airport.
 
 
Your car :
 
 
A parking space is available at the first hotel (for a fee).
 
 
Cancellation insurance :
 
 
In order to guarantee the reimbursement of costs in the event of cancellation of your stay, you can take out cancellation insurance. To learn more about insurance, click here.