La Vélodyssée: from Bordeaux to Biarritz (or Hendaye)
9 days / 7 days riding / ref. ODYS8 / Difficulty Moderate / Linear tripper person
Your bike tour on La Vélodyssée, from Bordeaux to Biarritz (or Hendaye):
From Bordeaux, go up the estuary of the Garonne and cross the vineyards of Bordeaux. Then join the Ocean, the Bay of Arcachon by bike paths. Enjoy the lively resorts (Biscarrosse, Mimizan, Capbreton) and wild beaches, renowned for surfing then arrive in the Basque Country, with the prestigious Biarritz. The extension to Hendaye by the wild ledge offers magnificent views.
Tour highlights
- Cross the Arcachon bay by boat from le Cap Ferret
- Seaside resorts and wild beaches
- Bordeaux and Margaux vineyards
Day 1Arrival in Bordeaux
Take your time to visit Bordeaux, World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Take a walk along the Garonne docks, meander in the lively streets of St Pierre quarter, bargain-hunt in the Chartrons quarters, have fun on the reflecting water’s mirror of water …
Day 2Bordeaux – Margaux | 36 km
On this first, leave Bordeaux following the secured cycling paths then proceed to reach the vineyards of Margaux, one of the most famous vineyards in France. As you approach Margaux, you will be surrounded by vineyards. You won’t know where to turn for a wine tasting or winery visit.
Day 3Margaux – Lacanau Océan | 57 km
Enjoy the vineyards landscapes for some kilometers before reaching the cycle paths. This will softly lead you, toward Lacanau-Océan, by the pines of the greatest France forest: the Landes forest. Then reach directly your hotel where a swimming pool is waiting for you.
Day 4Lacanau Océan – Arcachon | 43 km
Follow the Ocean until Arcachon. This stage is a subtle mix of pines and fines sands’ dunes. Leave your bikes, wherever you wish, to enjoy the beaches. Arriving at the Cap Ferret, take the ferry, with your bikes, to reach Arcachon. The hotel will welcome you, not far from the beaches, to have fun in the Bay waves!
Day 5Arcachon – Biscarrosse | 31 km or 49 km
Take advantage of this small stage to appreciate the discovery of a must: the Pilat Dune. You will be rewarded with the ascent: at the top, enjoy a panoramic view, impregnable on the Ocean and the Bay of Arcachon.
Day 6Biscarrosse – Mimizan Plage (or Contis les Bains) | 58 km (or 56 km)
The course now distances itself from the ocean and “La Vélodyssée” makes you discover the interior of the Landes and its ponds. The more sinuous and more hilly route winds between the dunes and the big lakes (Biscarrosse, Parentis, Aureilhan) to arrive at the seaside resort of Mimizan-Plage, animated and charming with its Belle-Epoque villas.
Day 7Mimizan Plage (or Contis les Bains) – Vieux Boucau (or Capbreton) | 60km (or 65 km)
“La Vélodyssée” finds a peaceful route along the coast, in the heart of the pine forest. Contis les Bains is an ideal first stop. A small unusual detour for a superb point of view? the visit of the lighthouse of Contis with the ascent of its 183 steps. After Saint Girons Plage, the route slowly departs from the ocean by a cycle path that alternates between forest and small roads. Leon lake invites you to swim before returning to the coast and reach Vieux Boucau, original with its marine lake.
Day 8Vieux Boucau (or Capbreton) – Biarritz | 60 km (or 41 km)
A great last stage in apotheosis with a beautiful bike path that leaves the Landes to get where the surf is king. You ride along the longest sandy beach in Europe to the famous resorts of Hossegorand Capbreton. Here, do not miss the inevitable walk on the Estacade, a wooden pier built by Napoleon III in the 19th century.
Day 9Departure during the day
Extra bike stage to Hendaye (35 km) + extra night in Hendaye
For an integral Vélodyssée, this last stage more sportive will fill you. The views of the ocean are wonderful and you discover the soul of the Basque country. You cross pretty villages and old fishing ports such as Guétary and Saint Jean de Luz. Then the route ends with the cliffside road between Ciboure (do not miss the Socoa Fort) and Hendaye.
Documents
> Download tour programSelect your category
Your accommodation
• 8 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
•
Luggage transport during the bike stages (1 luggage 20kg per person)
•
Equipped cycle rental for 7 days
•
Boat transfer from Cap Ferret to Arcachon on Day 4
•
1 travel folder (per room) including colour maps
•
A personalized navigation app showing points of interest along the route
•
City taxes
•
Hotline 7 days a week
• Dinners / Lunches / Drinks
•
Tickets to attractions, tours of attractions, tasting
•
Optional insurances (Cancellation Insurance OR Tranquility Insurance)
•
Single room supplement (8 nights included)
•
Transfer from Biarritz (or Hendaye) to Bordeaux and personal bike repatriation
• 8 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
•
Luggage transport during the bike stages (1 luggage 20kg per person)
•
Equipped cycle rental for 7 days
•
Boat transfer from Cap Ferret to Arcachon on Day 4
•
1 travel folder (per room) including colour maps
•
A personalized navigation app showing points of interest along the route
•
City taxes
•
Hotline 7 days a week
• Dinners / Lunches / Drinks
•
Tickets to attractions, tours of attractions, tasting
•
Optional insurances (Cancellation Insurance OR Tranquility Insurance)
•
Single room supplement (8 nights included)
•
Transfer from Biarritz (or Hendaye) to Bordeaux and personal bike repatriation
from 3 to 11 years old : - 20%
from 12 to 15 years old : - 10%
(Only if the triple or quadruple rooms are occupied by 2 adults minimum )
VTC ARCADE bike - 21 speed gears
OPEN or CLOSED frame
- 1 rear pannier
- 1 front pannier
- 1 repair kit
- 1 lock (for 2 bikes)
Helmet not provided.
ARCADE or EXS ebike
UNIVERSAL frame
- 1 rear pannier
- 1 front pannier
- 1 repair kit
- 1 lock (for 2 bikes)
Helmet not provided.
Practical details
- Rental bikes will be available from our local partner.
- At the end of the tour, leave the rental bikes at your hotel, we will pick them up.
Your journey
Tour description:
Mix of cycling paths (90%) or signposted routes for cyclists and small traffic roads.
Bike stages trip profiles:
(click below to see the trip profile of each stage)
Bordeaux – Margaux: 36 km / elevation gain: 105m / elevation loss: 109m
Margaux – Lacanau Océan: 57 km / elevation gain: 141 m / elevation loss: 138m
Lacanau Océan – Arcachon: 43 km / elevation gain: 118m / elevation loss: 137m
Arcachon – Biscarosse (long version) : 49 km / elevation gain : 391m / elevation loss : 368m
Arcachon – Biscarosse (short version) : 31 km / elevation gain : 236m / elevation loss : 220m
Biscarosse – Mimizan : 58 km / elevation gain : 409m / elevation loss : 420m
Biscarosse – Contis les Bains : 56 km / elevation gain : 224m / elevation loss : 237m
Contis les Bains – Capbreton : 65 km / elevation gain : 492m / elevation loss : 498m
Mimizan – Vieux Boucau : 60 km / elevation gain : 462m / elevation loss : 462m
Vieux Boucau – Biarritz : 60 km / elevation gain : 226m / elevation loss : 211m
Capbreton – Biarritz : 41 km / elevation gain : 217m / elevation loss : 204m
option Biarritz – Hendaye : 29 km / elevation gain : 336m / elevation loss : 349m
GPX files:
Besides the maps, we also provide the GPX files of your bike stages, as well as a suggestion of free mobile application (if you do not have a bike touring GPS).
How to arrive in Bordeaux
By train:
From Paris Montparnasse station >> Bordeaux St Jean station (about 2h10 by TGV train).
For more information, do not hesitate to visit : www.sncf.com/en
By plane:
- From Roissy CDG airport:
– Roissy Charles de Gaulle T.2 train station >> Bordeaux St-Jean train station (by TGV train).
www.parisaeroport.fr/en/passengers/access/paris-charles-de-gaulle/public-transport
- From Orly airport:
– Taxi transfer to Montparnasse train station >> Bordeaux St-Jean train station (by TGV train).
– Bus shuttle (Le Bus Direct) : from Orly Sud or Ouest – Line 1 >> Montparnasse train station >> Bordeaux St Jean train station (by TGV train).
www.lebusdirect.com/en/lines-and-schedules/orly-airport-paris-etoile-champs-elysees-line.html
- From Beauvais airport:
– Taxi transfer to Montparnasse train station >> Bordeaux St-Jean train station (by TGV train).
– Bus shuttle >> Paris – stop ‘Porte Maillot’ >> Metro line 1 + line 13 >> Montparnasse train station >> Bordeaux St Jean train station (by TGV train).
www.aeroportparisbeauvais.com/en/acces-et-transports/navettes
- From Bordeaux-Mérignac airport:
– Shuttle transfer (30 minutes) to town center (Bordeaux St Jean train station).
www.bordeaux.aeroport.fr/en
www.30direct.com
Return
If you have to come back to the start point:
- This return can be carry out by RandoVelo/Biking France: please contact us!
- A return transfer by train is possible and organised on your own. Please visit: www.sncf.com/en
Plan to go to the train station with your luggage (and your potential own bike)
(Personal bike return costs are on your responsibility).
– Biarritz Station >> Bordeaux St Jean Station (by train or TGV train).
– Biarritz >> Bordeaux (by taxi).
or
– Hendaye Station >> Bordeaux St Jean Station (by TGV train).
– Hendaye >> Bordeaux (by taxi).
If you have to return to Paris (city centre) / Paris Airports :
- This return can be carry out by RandoVelo/Biking France: please contact us!
- A return transfer by train is possible and organised on your own. Please visit: www.sncf.com/en
Plan to go to the train station with your luggage (and your potential own bike)
(Personal bike return costs are on your responsibility).
– Biarritz Station >> Paris Montparnasse Station (by TGV train).
– Biarritz Station >> Bordeaux St Jean Station (by train or TGV train) >> Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 Station (by TGV train).
or
– Hendaye Station >> Paris Montparnasse Station (by TGV train).
– Hendaye Station >> Bordeaux St Jean Station (by TGV train) >> Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 Station (by TGV train).
Close Airports:
– Biarritz airport: http://biarritz.aeroport.fr/en
– Bordeaux airport: www.bordeaux.aeroport.fr/en
