Vélodyssée, From Royan to Biarritz

Cycling trip between Royan and Biarritz, on the Vélodyssée

This cycle route is today one of the best known and most frequented in France and for good reasons! First of all, it is fully signposted, and secondly the ocean as a backdrop and crossing the beautiful towns of the Atlantic coast will leave you with unforgettable memories. Finally, this is a bike route suitable for everyone, ideal for a cycling adventure!

Points of interest of the stay:

• Biarritz, Royan, Biscarrosse and Mimizan
• Lake Hourtin
• The Arcachon basin
• the dune du Pyla

Day 1 - Arrival in Royan

On arrival, you'll receive a full guide to the region and a detailed roadbook. Royan is a modern seaside resort with elegant, well-preserved villas, an emblematic covered market and a lively seafront ideal for an evening stroll.

Overnight in Royan

Day 2 : Royan - Montalivet / Vendayes - 35 to 45 km

From Royan, take your bike across the Gironde estuary by boat to the Médoc coast. From the “Pointe du Verdon”, follow the pleasant cycle paths to the charming seaside resort of Soulac, where the beaches and ocean stretch as far as the eye can see. Continue on to Montalivet, a peaceful resort nestling between the Landes forest, the ocean and the surrounding marshes. Depending on availability, a stopover in Vendayes may also be considered.
Overnight in Montalivet or Vendayes

Day 3 : Montalivet / Vendayes - Lacanau Océan 35 to 40 km

After breakfast, saddle up on your bike and continue your adventure south towards Lacanau-Océan. The Vélodyssée guides you along a cycle path shaded by pine trees, between sparkling lakes and ocean beaches. Stop off at Hourtin to discover France's largest lake. At Lacanau-Océan, cycling is an integral part of the way of life. You'll love the vast beaches lined with dunes and forests, the peaceful lakes and unspoilt natural areas. This seaside resort is also renowned for its famous surf spots.

Overnight in Lacanau Océan

Day 4 : Lacanau Océan - Arcachon via Cap Ferret ~ 45 Km

This cycling stage takes you from Lacanau-Océan through a landscape of dunes and forests. You'll cycle along a specially laid-out route, past the vast, unspoilt beaches of the Aquitaine coast, including the impressive 13km beach at Le Porge Océan, which has not been built on.

Your adventure continues through magnificent panoramas towards Cap Ferret. Finish the day with a trip through the charming oyster-farming villages typical of the Bay of Arcachon, before taking the ferry to the famous seaside resort of Arcachon.

Overnight in Arcachon

Day 5 : Arcachon - Biscarrosse ~ 30 Km

Discover the majestic Dune du Pilat, where a climb to the summit offers breathtaking views. Then continue your cycle tour under the shade of the pine trees of the Landes forest.

This stage is a real immersion, between the ocean, the sea and the forest. The Vélodyssée guides you to Biscarrosse-Plage, where you end your day in the Landes department. Renowned for its waves, Biscarrosse is also a haven of endless beaches, dunes and pine forests. Its unique, invigorating atmosphere is an invitation to relax.

Overnight in Biscarosse

Day 6 : Biscarrosse - Mimizan Plage ~ 52 Km

Join the interior on this stage of the Vélodyssée! You leave the coast and the ponds replace the sea. Discover the Cazaux and Sanguinet lakes, the second largest lake.
largest in France (5800 ha). You then walk along the Biscarrosse and Parentis lakes to the forest domaniale and Mimizan Plage. Back to the Belle Epoque when sea bathing became fashionable and was very popular with wealthy clients.
Overnight in Mimizan Plage

Day 7: Mimizan Plage to Vieux Boucau or Messanges ~ 55 km

Take the Vélodyssée for a day cycling through the Landes forests, lulled by the scents of the pine forests. This pleasant stage invites you to explore the nearby ocean beaches, which can sometimes be reached by leaving the cycle path. Along the way, you'll pass through Contis-Plage, Saint-Girons-Plage and the shores of Lac de Léon, before reaching another of the Landes' lively seaside resorts.

The footpaths and cycle paths along the way offer an immersion into the heart of the forest and serene ponds, perfect for a contemplative break.

Overnight in Vieux Boucau or Messages

Day 8: From Vieux Boucau or Messages to Biarritz ~ 65 Km

For this final day of your cycling tour, the route takes you through a final stretch of Landes countryside, deep into the forest before reaching the famous seaside resorts of Hossegor and Capbreton. Take time to enjoy the vast beaches before cycling through more urban terrain on the outskirts of Boucau.

You then enter the Basque country, where a new coastal landscape is revealed. Pass through Bayonne, its capital, along a beautiful cycle path that takes you all the way to Biarritz. Biarritz is world-renowned for its majestic beaches, popular surf spots, thalassotherapy treatments and golf courses. When night falls, let yourself be charmed by the atmosphere of this emblematic city.

Overnight in Biarritz

Day 9: Biarritz

End of the cycle tour on the Vélodyssée after breakfast.

General information :

• 9 days and 8 nights
• Standard category accommodation : 2 to 4 * 
• Prices for children: contact us.

The dates 2025:

Daily departure between April and October.

High season in July and August.

Included :

• 8 nights with breakfasts
• Tourist taxes
• Luggage transfer at each stage
• Boat crossing of the Estuary at Royan
• Boat crossing on the Arcachon Basin
• GPS App with points of interest
• Assistance in case of breakdown (except puncture).

Not included :

• Transport to the place of departure
• Dinners
• Personal expenses
• Visits other than those included in the program

The options :

• Standard bike or ebike rental
• Extra night (s) in Royan or Biarritz
• Theft insurance for the rented bike
• Cancellation insurance

Level :

1 2 3 4 5 6

Ground :

Flat land, some hills between Bayonne and Biarritz.

Weather :

Soft sun, little wind and pleasant temperatures.

Technicality:

Cycling: 30 to 65 km per day or 3 to 6 hours of cycling per day
Partly marked itinerary, useful roadbook and map reading.

Bibliography :

- Bike guide on the Vélodyssée (Atlantic coast)
 

Additional nights :

An additional night is bookable at the beginning or end of the tour in Royan or Biarritz.

Meals :

- Breakfasts: buffet
- Lunches: not included
- Dinners: 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. At the end of the tour, you will have to leave this bike at the last accommodation and notify reception. We will take care of his return.
 

- Personal bike: We do not recommend bikes 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 need to take care of your own bicycle.

Assistance:

Assistance in the event of breakdown (except punctures for which we do not intervene)

Return :

By train : We can book your train ticket back to Royan.

By private van : We can organise your return from Biarritz to Royan with your luggage and own bikes. (on request, and with an extra cost on Sundays and bank holiday).

Luggage:

They are transported by a courier or by our team and limited to one piece of luggage by person (max. 20 kg).

Roadbook :

We will send you your roadbook with the access to the app, your vouchers for hotels as well as luggage tags.

Transport :

- By train: SNCF TGV to Royan in around 4 hours from Montparnasse station. For more information on timetables, contact SNCF.
- By road: A10 motorway, exit 35. Paris is 510 km from Royan.
- By plane: Airports in Poitiers and La Rochelle and international, Nantes or Bordeaux.

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.