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Bordeaux & Atlantic Coast

Family tour along the Atlantic Coast

A biking tour that makes the most of Gironde’s cycling paths, underneath great pine trees, protected by the dunes

Reviews (13) :
4.65 / 5
Reference A0701
  • Itinerant trip
  • 7 days
  • Very easy
  • from March to November
  • Minimum age 1 year
GPSGPS-app available
1129€ / pers.
  • Itinerary
  • A cycling holiday on one of the most beautiful cycling routes in France going from Bordeaux to the Atlantic Coast through the fragrant forests of pine trees and along the beautiful sandy dunes.

    Visit Bordeaux, Unesco World Heritage city, and discover the rich coast of “Les Landes” attractive in many ways: nature, sea sport (surf, kite-surf…) and delicious oyster.

    Oyster-farming is one of Arcachon specialities, so sit down in front of the bay and enjoy the oysters with a glass of white wine. The city of Arcachon in itself is worth the trip.

    Day 1

     
     

    Bordeaux

    You might want to enter the old city section by riding along the quays of the Garonne. The Bordeaux quayside is one of the most magnificent waterfronts in the world. Bordeaux was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 2007 because of the beautiful 18th century facades and outstanding buldings. Discover the banks of the Garonne River and check out the buildings made with white chiseled stone.

    Day 2

     
     

    Bordeaux-Saint-Médard

    Bike
    24km
    Leave the city on the Bordeaux-Lacanau biking path which is flat and well-paved. Ride past bubbling streams, and idyllic natural beauty. End the day with a refreshing swim in the hotel pool.

    Day 3

     
     

    Saint-Médard - Lacanau

    Bike
    49km
    Today is a perfect bike riding day as you follow the cycling path to the Atlantic Ocean. Along the way you’ll pedal through a cool, pine forests until you reach Lacanau. This popular seaside resort offers long, sandy beaches plus a chance to go surfing!

    Day 4

     
     

    Day trip around Lacanau

    Bike
    32km
    Today’s route takes you along the coastline as you pedal on the bike path along the Atlantic Ocean of the shores of Lake Lacanau. Take time for a swim in the ocean or just relax on the beach. If you like, visit the Pond of Cousseau nature preserve. You’ll discover a variety of landscapes ranging from dunes, ponds, swamps and small forests along with various flora and birds.

    Day 5

     
     

    Lacanau-Arcachon

    Bike
    44km
    Ride alors the coastline on the designated bicycle path. Here’s your chance for a unique ride as you get up close to the tallest sand dune in France, the Dne of Pyla. At the end of the ride, Cap-Ferret gives you amazing views of the Great Dune of Pyla. This giant dune is sometimes called "The Sahara of France" because of its four different sand formations. There’s time to sun bathe or swim while experiencing the fresh salt air. Take the boat to Arcachon and enjoy the view of the coastline from a different perspective.
    Boat trip from Cap Ferret to Arcachon. Approximately 1 hour, included in tour
       

    Boat trip from Cap Ferret to Arcachon 1h

    Included

    Day 6

     
     

    Suggested day trip : oyster-farming villages and the Leyre delta

    Bike
    41km
    Learn about oyster farming from dedicated oyster farmers in Gujan Mestras and sample the freshest oysters you’ll ever taste! The Leyre Delta is where fresh waters of the river and the salty waters of the ocean meet. You can go bird watching or rent a canoe or kayak and explore the area or water.

    Oyster museum (Maison de l’huître) Approximately 1 hour, included in tour. The museum visit is partly guided.
       

    Oyster museum (Maison de l’huître) 1h

    The visit is partly guided.
    Included

    Day 7

     
     

    To the Great Dune of Pilat and the ocean

    Bike
    26km
    On this route, you’ll ride along the coastline and dunes towards the Dune of Pilat. Take time to sunbath on the beach or enjoy a dip in the ocean water.
  • Accommodation
  • Category A

    You’ll enjoy staying in these clean and cozy 2 and 3-Star hotels that give you a pleasant rest after your day of biking. Breakfast is included when you spend the night in these friendly and family-run hotels.
    * Example of the type of accommodation

    Category B

    You’ll be very comfortable staying in these mostly 3-Star hotels with clean and cozy accommodations. Enjoy the swimming pool before sleeping in your comfortable bed. A tasty breakfast is waiting for you each morning.
    * Example of the type of accommodation
  • Bikes, luggage and documents
  • Bikes

    On your arrival day, we provide you with:

    • a touring bike adjusted to your size or a tandem
    • equipped : front rack pack with an integrated file compartment, saddlebag, helmet (on demand), reflective vest, repairing toolkit with patches etc.

    We also provide you with the appropriate equipment for your children : baby seat, bike trailer or trailer bike depending on their age and size.

    Electric bikes are also available for adults (+1m55).

    You can of course also bring your own bikes, in this case a reduction will be applied (see the Tarif tab)


    Luggage

    Our services include luggage transport in order to let you enjoy your trip comfortably and without stress :
    • We transport your luggage from one accommodation to the next using a private vehicle.
    • Your luggage is directly delivered in your accommodation before you arrive.
    • We provide a saddlebag for the things you shall need during the day.

    Our word of advice : as we know from experience, we strongly recommend you to avoid wearing a backpack during your cycling trip.
    If you expect to arrive at the next accommodation before 5 p.m., we recommend that you take an extra set of clothes with you in your bicycle bag.


    Travel documents

    A cycling holiday is the best way to explore a region and discover its culture, landscapes and local traditions.

    Your tour is self-guided to give you the freedom to ride at your own pace. You will be provided all the information you need to enjoy the itinerary and its points of interests.

    We can provide you with travel documents in paper format (for a supplement of €15 for printing and postage), which include:
    • a roadbook with maps that we drew at the easiest scale to follow on a bike
    • a roadbook with step-by-step description giving the direction to follow at each intersection and highlighting the points of interest

    Example of a map and of a step-by-step description


    Our GPS App

    For this trip, you can also use our smartphone app featuring GPS guidance (without extra fee).

    You will find in the app all the information given in the map and step-by-step roadbooks. You will be located on the itinerary with the GPS device of your phone. The route and directions to follow will be both viewable on the screen of your phone and announced aloud. As you ride along the itinerary, you will be given information about visits, restaurants, services and useful alerts on the way.

    -> You need to have a smartphone and download Le Velo Voyageur app on your Apple or Android store before the trip. All details concerning the downloading and the use of the application will be given after we have confirmed the booking and the balance is paid. Once the trip is downloaded, the GPS guidance can be used off-line.
  • Practical information
  • To get to departure point:

    • By plane: flight to Bordeaux and then shuttle to the city-center.
    • By train: From Paris-Montparnasse rail station, take a TGV train to Bordeaux. The duration of the trip is about 3h20. To plan your trip, https://www.sncf-connect.com/


    Parking

    If you drive to Bordeaux, we advise you to park on the first day at your hotel in Arcachon where parking is free (no bookable places) or in the surrounding streets near the Place de Verdun, very safe because the police station is located around the corner.
    The first day of your stay is an arrival day without biking so you have plenty of time to drop off your luggage in Bordeaux and drive to Arcachon to park for your vehicle. To find parking spaces : https://www.parkopedia.com/
    You take the train to get back to Bordeaux, where you get your bikes in a shop near the train station.


    To get back to starting point:

    Regional trains take you back to your starting point if you wish. They are accessible without booking in advance and bicycles are free. You have to buy your ticket on spot. The duration to commute is about 50 minutes. To check timetables and buy tickets : https://www.sncf-connect.com/


    Meeting time:

    The first day is an arrival day without cycling. You arrive whenever you want depending on where you come from. Please note that rooms are usually available in the middle of the afternoon depending on your accommodation. We thank you to advise the accommodation if you plan to arrive late.

    You pick up your bicycles at the renter's agency, open from Monday to Saturday 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

    .
  • Reviews
  •   Memory of the trip  

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    13 bike travelers reviews 4.65 / 5

    Fantastique

    On the 2024-07-20 by Véronique
    C’était une très belle découverte ! Merci pour l’organisation

    Superbe circuit en famille

    On the 2020-08-25 by Hélène
    Très bel itinéraire dans une région magnifique, pistes cyclables agréables. Les prestataires sont impeccables. Attention, certaines étapes longues peuvent être un peu dur avec les enfants, mais les journées de "boucles" permettent de récupérer et profiter de la région. On a aimé aller au bout de l'effort en famille !

    Un chouette voyage

    On the 2018-08-13 by Charlotte
    Nous sommes partis avec notre fils de 10 mois. Organisation au top. Les paysages étaient bien variés et les étapes bien mesurées. Bref, nous avons vraiment passé d’excellentes vacances. Nous repartirons en vélo, c’est sûr!

    Un beau séjour en couple dans les Landes

    On the 2018-08-12 by Solange
    Nous avons apprécié le circuit. Région très adaptée aux vélos avec de belles pistes dans la forêt et les dunes. Bel hôtel Les Bruyères à St Médard, Arcachon. Mauvaise prestation à l'hôtel du golf de Lacanau, dommage ! Pas de soucis de bagage ni de vélo. A recommander

    Bonne organisation

    On the 2018-06-09 by marcel
    Circuit bien conçu. Personnel très aimable et coopératif pour régler des détails non prévus en standard tels que le parking des véhicules durant la randonnée. Il serait judicieux de proposer ce service systématiquement. Très bonne qualité des vélos.

    Super séjour

    On the 2017-08-14 by Patricia
    Voyage à faire en famille ou entre amis , bien décrit et facile à suivre . Les étapes sont agréables , ne pas avoir le poids des affaires est vraiment confortable et rends le trajet plus festif . Le transfert des valises est au top , on peut compter sur les filles en cas de soucis majeur , les hôtels sont très correctes, l'idéale est de prendre la demi-pension . Je recommande vivement

    Sur les pistes Girondiennes

    On the 2017-06-26 by Zig & Puce
    C'était pas gagné... mais nous l'avons fait! En même tant, il faut reconnaitre que l'épreuve n'était pas à la hauteur de nos angoisses. Les pistes cyclables entre Bordeaux et Arcachons sont très agréables puisque bien entretenues, ds la pinède, et par conséquent loin des automobiles. De plus il ne manque pas de points pour se désaltérer en chemin, voire pour les amateurs déguster quelques huitres (mais si, mais si, à 11h du matin avec un p'tit verre qui va bien, ça l'fait!) Bref des villes sympas à visiter, une pinède magnifique et des hôteliers accueillants et arrangeants...que demander de plus! Merci au Vélo voyageur pour tous ces bons moments partagés entre amis grâce à vous.

    Mitigé

    On the 2017-06-20 by AnJoKo
    Découverte d'une nouvelle région, entre terre et océan. A l'abri des pins.

    Belle échappée entre océan et forêt

    On the 2017-04-13 by Françoise
    Une belle semaine avec nos petites-filles de 14 et 15 ans. Excellente organisation des responsables du Vélo Voyageur : qualité des vélos, parcours, topoguides, tout était bien.. Ecoute attentive. Mieux que la plupart des opérateurs de circuits à pied ou à vélo que nous avons connus. Petit bémol pour la première étape qui nous a paru moins intéressante. Les suivantes sont superbes. .

    les landes

    On the 2016-08-09 by lilekam
    un excellent séjour avec le vélo voyageur! une organisation impeccable qui nous a permis de profité au maximum de notre circuit!

    So goo experience

    On the 2014-08-31 by Spanish families
    Goofd place, superbe route and extraordinary service!

    A very good experience

    On the 2014-08-31 by Spanish families
    We really enjoy ouir tour from Bourdeaux to Arcachon. It is such a well planned route and it is very good for families. Everything run as expected and we really enjoyed it. We are used to do bike tours and this one was super. The service provided by the Velo Voyaguer is super and very good rated.

    Bordeaux - Arcachon

    On the 2013-08-21 by AMANDINE & PIERRE-YVES
    Première expérience concluante du cyclo-tourisme : beau temps, matériel plutôt fiable, étapes très agréables, hôtels confortables, tous les ingrédients étaient presque réunis pour une réussite totale. Oui, presque, car nous avons rencontré quelques petites difficultés dans les villes où les pistes cyclables sont, hélas, bien souvent difficiles à trouver et à retrouver. Un GPS est fortement conseillé. Malgré ce bémol, cette expérience nous a fait passer d'excellentes vacances et nous commençons déjà à songer aux prochaines, toujours à vélo. Merci aux organisatrices pour cette sympathique randonnée !
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