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, plus 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 family adventure!

Points of interest of the stay:

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

Day 1 - Arrival in Royan

Arrival at your accommodation in Royan. You will be welcomed in a *** or **** hotel.
Delivery of documentation on the region and the road book with your route.
Royan is a modern seaside town with a few preserved Belle Epoque villas, a covered market to discover and a lively seafront.
Night in B&B in a 3 * hotel.

Day 2 : Royan - Montalivet - 35 to 45 km

Departing from Royan, you cross the Gironde estuary by boat with your bike and reach the Medoc coast! From the Pointe du Verdon you start your tour on pleasant cycle paths to the charming seaside resort of Soulac. Beaches and ocean as far as the eye can see pass before your eyes. Continue to Montalivet, a small peaceful resort between the Landes forest, ocean and swamp. You can stop in Vendayes depending on the availability of accommodation.
Night in B&B in Montalivet or Vendayes in a 2 * hotel.

Day 3 : Montalivet - Lacanau Océan 35 to 40 km

After breakfast, take the bike to continue your journey due south to Lacanau Océan!
The vélodyssée continues on a cycle path among the pines, between lakes and oceans. Take a break in Hourtin to discover the largest lake in France. Cycling in Lacanau-Océan
is a way of life, we appreciate its long oceanic beaches sheltered by dunes and forests, its lakes and unspoiled natural spaces. It is also a seaside resort known for its surf spots.
Night in B&B in a 3 * hotel.

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

This cycling stage continues from Lacanau-Océan between dunes and forests. You cycle on your own site and walk along the largest wild beaches of the Aquitaine coast including a huge 13 km beach untouched by any construction at Le Porge Océan.
Your cycling journey continues through beautiful landscapes towards Cap Ferret. Enjoy a pleasant end of the journey through the typical oyster-farming villages of the Arcachon Basin before reaching the famous seaside resort of Arcachon by ferry.
Night in B&B in a 3 * hotel with breakfast.

Day 5 : Arcachon - Biscarrosse: ~ 30 Km

You start this stage in the direction of the Dune du Pyla, a getaway to the top of its summit is essential to admire the beauty of the site.
Then drive under the pines of the Landes forest.

The ocean - sea - forest mix makes it an exceptional stopover for all your senses. The vélodyssée takes you to Biscarrosse Plage, to finish your stage in the Landes department.
Biscarrosse is best known for its waves but it is also the kingdom of beaches, dunes and Landes pine forests ... The atmosphere of this town is unique and revitalizing.
Night in a 3 * hotel with breakfast.

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.
Night in a B&B in a guest room or charming 2 * hotel with breakfast.

Day 7: Mimizan beach to the heart of the Landes: ~ 55 km

Join the vélodyssée for a course in the forest. Here is a pleasant step through the woods accompanied by the smells of the pine forest. Take advantage of the nearby ocean beaches, sometimes leaving the track. You cross Contis Plage, St Girons Plage and the beaches of Lac de Léon to end your cycle route in another lively seaside resort in the Landes.
Footpaths and cycle paths invite you to explore the forest and peaceful ponds.
Night in B&B in a 3 * hotel with breakfast.

Day 8: From the moors to the Basque Country: ~ 65 Km

Last stage of your cycling trip and the last section of the Landes. The track takes you one last time in the heart of the forest to the famous seaside resorts of Hossegor and Capbreton. Take advantage of the great beaches and drive on more urban terrain around Boucau. You arrive in the Basque Country, a new setting on the Atlantic coast. You cross its capital, Bayonne, on a beautiful cycle path towards Biarritz.

Biarritz is one of the most famous seaside resorts in France and Europe. Its superb beaches and its surfing, thalassotherapy treatments and golf courses are popular all over the world. At nightfall, this lively city will enchant your evening.
Night in B&B in a 4 * hotel with breakfast.

Day 9: Departure from Biarritz

End of the cycle tour on the Vélodyssée after breakfast.

General informations :

• 9 days and 8 nights
• Accommodation comfort level: 2 to 4 * (local standards)
• Prices for children: contact us.

The dates :

Achievable between April and October 2024.

High season in july and august.

Included :

• Self-guided online tour
• Assistance in case of breakdown (except puncture).
• Luggage transfer at each stage
• Crossing the Estuary at Royan
• Crossing the Arcachon basin

Not included :

• Transport to the place of departure
• half board
• Personal expenses
• Visits other than those included in the program
• Tourist tax to be paid on site.

The options :

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

Levels :

1 2 3 4 5 6

Ground :

Flat land, some coasts between Bayonne and Biarritz.

Weather :

Soft sun, little wind and pleasant temperatures.

Technicality:

Cycling: 45 to 80 km per day or 4 to 5 hours of cycling per day
Partly marked itinerary, useful roadbook and map reading.

Bibliography :

- Bike guide on the Vélodyssée (Atlantic coast)
 

Standard + Accommodation :

The hotels are 2 * and 4 * with rooms equipped with shower and toilet.

Additional nights :

An additional night is offered at the end of the tour.

Food :

- 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 accommodation and notify reception. We will take care of his return.
We offer specific equipment for children, seats, small hitched bikes and trailers.

- 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. If you have rented a bicycle, it will be picked up at the hotel in Biarritz.

Assistance:

- Assistance in the event of breakdown (except punctures for which we do not intervene)
- In case of bad weather or if you cannot ride a bike for a day, possibility of a direct journey to the next stage.

Return :

By minibus: If you are a group. We take care of the luggage and bicycles that you will find at the station in the city of departure.

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'll provide you with personalized access to our Respire Voyages hiking application so you can enjoy your itinerary day by day. This access will be sent to you by e-mail a few days before departure.. We will also give you vouchers for hotels and restaurants 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.

Your car :

A parking space is available at the first hotel, payable locally.

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.