Vélodyssée, From Bordeaux to Biarritz

Cycling trip between Bordeaux and Biarritz, on the Vélodyssée

Day 1: Arrival in Bordeaux

Arrive in Bordeaux, check into your hotel and enjoy a free city tour. 

An escapade in the world's wine capital, with its famous wine city, its famous Gothic Cathedral, its UNESCO World Heritage city center littered with architectural marvels, wine bars, gourmet brasseries and lively squares. 

Overnight in Bordeaux.

Day 2 - Bordeaux to Lacanau - 54 km 

Leaving the city of Bordeaux, you follow a cycle path through the woods to the ocean. 

This former railroad line has been rehabilitated as a greenway, and will give you a change of scenery as soon as you leave the metropolis. You'll be able to make your way to Lacanau in complete safety. 

Points of interest : 

• Lacanau Océan downtown: Take time to visit the seaside resort of Lacanau, and stop off at one of the many restaurants and cafés.  
• Plage Sud Lacanau: Super spot, access via the cycle path, arriving amid the pine trees of the Parc Naturel Médocain. You can leave your bike attached at the entrance to the beach, which is accessed via a dune offering a superb view of the forest on one side and the beach on the other. 
• Le Porge: This small village in the Medoc offers a wild and natural setting, perfect for relaxing and sunbathing on the immense stretch of sand facing the ocean. 

Overnight in Lacanau.

Day 3 - Lacanau to Arcachon (via Cap-Ferret boat) - 50 km 

A pleasant stage of the La Vélodyssée® cycle route between dunes and forest. From time to time, you'll need to get off the cycle track to take advantage of the links to the sea and enjoy windows onto the ocean landscape. 

You'll then make your way to the Cap Ferret peninsula, where gourmets will be able to feast on the famous pearl of the basin, the oyster. 

After a pleasant moment in the heart of the Gironde peninsula, guaranteed to give you a breath of fresh air, you'll board a boat for Arcachon. 

Tourist attractions :

• Cap Ferret lighthouse 
• Cap Ferret market 
• Piraillan market 
• Horizon beach
• Le Porge beaches 
• Oyster huts 

Overnight in Arcachon.

Day 4 - Arcachon to Biscarosse Plage - 30 to 40 km 

A short but richly rewarding stage. 

You'll first ride along the beaches of Arcachon and La Teste de Buch, then after climbing the Dune du Pilat you'll head into the Landes forest via La Vélodyssée to reach Biscarosse. 

Tourist attractions :

• Arcachon: Ville d'hivers + Plage Pereire + Le Moulleau 
• La Teste de Buch: Panorama de La Corniche; Dune du Pilat + Beaches (Le petit Nice, La Lagune, La Salie)

Overnight in Biscarosse Plage or Ville.

Day 5 - Biscarosse to Mimizan Plage - 40 km  

A 40 km bike ride through the Landes forest. 

The scent of the pine forest, the sound of crickets and the shade of the pines guarantee a relaxing stopover, with time for a bite to eat at the Lac de Parentis or the Etang d'Aureilhan, and a host of water sports activities. 

Tourist attractions :

• Parentis en Born: Le Lac 
• Between Parentis and Mimizan: Aureilhan lake 
• Mimizan: Beach and shopping street 

Overnight in Mimizan.

Day 6 - Mimizan to Vieux Boucau (or Messange) 55 km  

This stage takes you along the Landes coast on a completely flat route, along which you can stop off at one of the many Landes beaches. 

You'll pass through the surfing villages of Contis Plage and Moliets et Maa, where you can eat and swim. 

Points of interest  

• Contis Plage 
• Cap de l'Homy Beach 
• Plage de la Lette Blanche 
• Moliets et Maa: Courant d'Huchet + Beaches 

Overnight in Vieux Boucau or Messange .

Day 7 - Vieux Boucau to Biarritz - 52 km  

The final leg of your journey takes you from Les Landes to the Basque country. 

The town of Bayonne is an essential stop on this leg, where you can discover Basque culture by strolling through the narrow streets of old Bayonne. 

You'll then make your way to the magnificent city of Biarritz, where you can relax and take in the sights.  

We recommend leaving your bikes at the hotel and visiting Biarritz on foot. 

Points of interest :

• Bayonne: The old town 
• Biarritz: The whole town is packed with sights and cultural attractions. 

Overnight in Biarritz.

Day 8 - End of tour in Biarritz

Your La Bicyclette Verte tour ends after breakfast. 

General informations :

• 8 days and 7 nights
• Comfort level of accommodation:
  • 2/3* in standard category
  • 3/4* (except one 2* accommodation) in comfort category
• Child rates: contact us

The dates :

Departure every day from April to October 2024

High season: July and August

Included :

• 7 nights b / b in 3 * and 4 * hotels (1 2 * hotel)
• Luggage transfer at each stage
• gps app
• crossing the arcachon basin

Not included :

• Airport / station transfers - hotels
• Drinks and personal purchases
• Entrance fees, site visits and possible tastings
• Repatriation assistance

The options :

• Bike rental (VTC or VAE)
• Extra night (s) in Biarritz or Arcachon
• GPS navigation with smartphone application (audio and visual)
• Theft insurance for the rented bike
• cancellation insurance

Level :

1 2 3 4 5 6

Ground :

Flat terrain and secure cycle path.

Weather :

Continental, mild sun, pleasant temperatures.

Technicality:

30 to 60 km per day, or 3 to 5 hours of cycling.
Flat and easy to follow route. Accessible to everyone.

Bibliography :

The Vélodyssée

Meals:

Breakfasts: generous (coffee, tea, chocolate, bread, milk, butter, jam, orange juice)
Lunches: not included
Dinner: half board not offered, but restaurants nearby each evening.

The bike :

Rental bike: VTC or VAE depending on the option chosen. The bike is equipped with a helmet, lock, repair kit, saddlebags, briefcase, etc.

Personal bike: we do not recommend bikes with small tires (minimum 28). Hybrid bikes and mountain bikes are excellent. Remember to check your bicycle before setting off. At the end of the circuit, you will have to take care of your bike.

Assistance:

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

Luggage:

They are transported by a courier or by our correspondent, and limited to one piece of luggage per person (maximum 20 kg).

Transport :

- By train from Paris to Bordeaux (around 2 hours).
- By car: around 6.30 hours from Paris to Arcachon, via the A10.
- By plane: Bordeaux - Mérignac international airport.

Your vehicle :

You can park your vehicle at the nearby Indigo car park, for around € 15 per day.

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.