Cycle Bordeaux to Biarritz

Make your own arrival to Bordeaux, then make your way to your hotel where you'll receive your information packs and bikes. Known as ‘Burdigala’ in ancient Rome, Bordeaux is inseparable from its renowned vineyards and has beautiful architecture made from local stone. The Garonne River, at the the heart of the city, welcomes walkers along its banks and offers boat excursions. Capital of wine, Bordeaux is endowed with a rich history and architecture.

Your cycling holiday in Aquitaine takes you from Bordeaux, the capital of wine, to the seaside town of Lacanau-Ocean. Take the Green Way, a cycle path that follows a former railway track. It's a beautiful ride, easy and safe - mostly on cycle paths and occasionally on small paths or forest trails - passing along pine forest where you'll hear the song of cicadas. Lacanau-Ocean, in the middle of the Medoc-Ocean region, is known for its long ocean beaches sheltered by dunes and forests, its lakes and its unspoiled natural areas. It is also known for its surfing spots. The town's early 20th century villas bear witness to a rich past.

Ascent: 60m/196ft

Join the Velodyssee from Lacanau-Ocean, cycling between dunes and forests. The cycle path leads you to discover the widest wild beaches of the Aquitaine coast including the 13km long Porge Ocean beach. To fully enjoy the scenery, you should leave the cycle path from time to time. You'll never be far from the shore as you cycle through beautiful scenery to the Bay of Arcachon. Enjoy and finish your day cycling through typical oyster villages then take the ferry to the seaside town of Arcachon.

Ascent: 50m/164ft

Today you cycle towards the 'Great Dune of Pyla', the highest in Europe, where you really must reach the summit (on foot!) to appreciate the surrounding beauty. Continue under the pines of the Landes forest, which offers a heady mix of ocean, lakes and forest. The Velodyssey takes you to Biscarrosse, to end your day in the Landes area. Known for its waves and relaxed seaside feel, Biscarrosse beach has a lovely revitalising ambience.

Ascent: 100m/328ft

The Velodyssee leaves the coast today, making a wide detour inland, where the blue of the vast lakes replaces that of the sea. Discover Lake Cazaux and Sanguinet, the second largest lake in France covering 5800 hectares: it is a little paradise and is surrounded by greenery and pines. Continue alongside Lake Biscarrosse and Parentis before the path takes you between small lake ports and intimate lakes through the forest to rejoin the ocean at Mimizan beach. Mimizan was developed during the Belle Epoque, when sea bathing became fashionable with the wealthy, along the railway line which is no longer there.

Ascent: 115m/377ft

Leave the lovely seaside town of Mimizan beach and return to the Velodyssee. This is a very pleasant stage, it's quiet and calm as you cycle through pine-scented forests. Enjoy the nearby ocean beaches by leaving the track from time to time. Discover 'Contis' and 'St Girons' ocean beaches and the beaches on Lake Leon. Finish your cycling day in either Moliets or Messanges, attractive seaside towns in the Landes department.

Ascent: 130m/426ft

The last stage of your cycling holiday sees you leaving the Landes. The cycle path leads you once more into the heart of the forest before you reach the seaside towns of Hossegor and Cap Breton. Enjoy the wide beaches before cycling through more urban areas as you approach Boucau. This is Basque country. Follow the cycle path through its capital, Bayonne and continue to the renowned seaside town of Biarritz. With beautiful ocean beaches, surfing, thalassotherapy and golf courses by day, and great restaurants, bars and nightlife, Biarritz is famous worldwide.

Ascent: 120m/393ft

The trip concludes after breakfast.