Welcome to Hooked on Cycling holidays and our cycling holiday in Gironde a region in the south west of France close to Bordeaux. This biking vacation in France is an independent cycling tour across the Gironde region in France and its various richenesses. This cycle tour will take you through the area starting by the Entre deux Mers vineyards, going on by the pine forest of the Gascogne Regional Park and reaching the Arcachon bay and the ocean. You will take cycling tracks as well as small roads, quite flat and will enjoy the evening in charming hotels and guesthouses.

Available on any day from April 10th to October 15th
( Not a Thursday in July and August )
Level 1-2 self guided tour

Day 1  Arrival at Bordeaux
Arrival at the railway station or at the airport and transfer by taxi to “the Château de Grand Branet”, a Bacchus guesthouse with a “3 ears of corn” rating, where you will receive a detailed route book. The owners will welcome you to their 17th century residence, which was refurbished in the 19th century and is set in the heart of their wine growing estate.
NOTE: If no availability in Chateau du Grand Branet, accommodation in Chateau du Grand Moueys.

Day 2 The “Entre-Deux-Mer” area 22 miles 35 km
You will start your cycling today through the Premières Côtes de Bordeaux wine growing area and arriving in the Côtes de Bordeaux Saint-Macaire area. This day gives you the opportunity to enjoy a superb views of the Garonne River and to visit the heart of the old merchant town of Saint-Macaire. Your tour will take you to the bastide town of Cadillac and its castle, as well as the former residence of the painter Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec at Château Malromé and that of the writer François Mauriac at Domaine de Malagar. Accommodation in a charming 3 star hotel in the medieval town of Saint-Macaire.

Day 3 Landes de Gascogne Regional Nature Park 28-33 miles , 45-53km
Departure from Saint-Macaire to cross over to the left bank of the Garonne River. The tour follows the twisting roads through the world-famous vines of the Sauternes areas, including the jewel in its crown, Château Yquem. The tour then goes on to Budos and through the valleys carved out by the River Ciron, to Leogats and Nouaillan. Then biking on to Balizac where you enter the Landes de Gascogne Regional Nature Park, before reaching Saint-Symphorien or Origne for the night.

Day 4 Landes de Gascogne Regional Nature Park 20-22 miles , 32-38km
You will be riding along a lovely little forest road offering great variety and taking you westwards. Heading towards Louchats, the pine forest becomes denser and the scent of pine resin richer. Leave your bicycle at the site of the lagoons of Gât-Mort and discover the water beneath the carpet of fern.
For your picnic the lakes of Hostens offer plenty of shade by the shore, perfect for an afternoon nap. The cycling track will then take you, between pine trees and heather, to the small road of Le Barp.
Stay in a charming little stone built 2 star hotel. Mr Bourrissoux, the owner, with an irreproachable reception, may serve you local food on the terrace shaded by suspended vines and cooled by a fountain.

Day 5 Bay of Arcachon and the Ocean 28-34 miles 45-54 km
You will cycle gently along the cycling track to Mios, where the route follows a little road as the pine forest gradually thins. Crossing over the railway line takes you to Le Teich, where the Park meets the sea. Enter the ornithological park and take a break. The landscape opens out to the light of the Bay of Arcachon.
Take the coastal path with the salt from the bay under your wheels and follow the scent of the sea air to Gujan-Mestras. A link route will lead you to the little forest road taking you as far as the Atlantic seaboard. Pay a visit to the nationally renowned site of the Dune du Pyla, where you can leave your bike and climb to the top of the highest dune of Europe. The view from the top is breathtaking.

Day 6 The Cap Ferret – various distances
Take the boat to cross the Bay of Arcachon to reach the Cap Ferret and ride throughout the other side of the Bay. Leave your bicycle to walk up to the top of the lighthouse. Keep going cycling to reach the very pretty oyster village of l’Herbe, the reservoirs as well as the Tapper’s Shack. Do not miss the last departure of the boat to cross back the bay and return to your hotel.

Day 7 Domaine de Certes in Audenge – various distances
Leave Arcachon and take the cycling track via the Port of La Teste. Leave the track and take the “7 oyster ports of Gujan Mestras” small road that runs round the bay alongside the railway station. A cycling path will take you then to Le Teich, Biganos and Audenge.
Possible choices Stop-off at the port of Biganos
                             Stop-off at the Ornithologic Parc of Le Teich
                             Stop-off at the Domaine de Certe in Audenge

Day 8 Departure after breakfast
Take the train from Arcachon to Bordeaux

2009 Prices

How to get there
By Plane to Train to Bordeaux where transfers are included on arrival.
To view our other Cycling holidays in France

Click below to view our
Walking Holiday in France

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