dossier
Bordeaux Vineyards Cycling
Season: Startany day, March to November.
Duration: 7 days (6 nights).
Terrain & Difficulty
Grade B(Moderate cycling), over flattish terrain - can be warm. Day stages 39km/23mito 50km/30mi. The terrain is relatively flat, with short climbs out of theriver valleys onto the intervening vineyard areas. This makes cycling easy andenjoyable.
The Bikes
Onthis tour bike hire is included in the tour price and no security deposit isrequired.
The bikes are 21-speed hybrid bikes equipped with aluminum frame, locksaddlebag, pump, basic repair kit, water holder and key lock. You can bringyoungish children on this tour as the bike supplier can provide a trailer.Helmets are also included if you want them, but we would recommend that forsizing and hygiene reasons that you bring your own. Please bring your owndrinks bottles. Road assistance will be given in the event of serious breakageor damage.
Before traveling, we will need to be advised your height and inside legmeasurements, so that we can organize for the correct bikes to be available foryour arrival.
Maps & Route Notes
Weprovide adapted maps. We also provide specially researched route descriptions.
Arrival
Flyto Bordeaux. Or, if you prefer to fly to Paris then onward by train.
The starting point of the tour is Capian, near to Bordeaux, You arrive at the railway station or the airport and transfer to the first hotel bya taxi (included in the tour price) where you will be warmly received. You willalso get your route book and any extra documentation there. The area is in themiddle of the wine growing area.
You will receive up-to-date train times for your date of travel,or alternatively you can visit Rail Europe's website at www.raileurope.com or call toll free1-800-848-7245. Relevant French National Railway timetables can be obtainedfrom the Internet, either at www.sncf.com (text in French or English), or atwww.bahn.de (text in German, but a very fast and efficient site, with allchanges of train detailed). Alternatively you can check out the links from ourwebsite at www.breakaway-adventures.com
Accommodation
Hotels normally with en suite shower and toilet. Note that thehotels described below may vary depending upon the availability. Half board on5 nights, B&B only on 2 nights. Picnic lunches are not included in the tourprice but are available from hotels or local shops. We indicate in the routenotes where there are suitable restaurants or cafes for lunch stops, orrecommend you carry food if there are none convenient to the route.
Night1:In Capian here you will be at a 'Bacchus' 3 star wine estate hotel, actually achateau. You will be given wine with your meal here and you will be able tosample many more. This chateau overlooks the Garonne , 30km/18mi to the southof Bordeaux. There is an attractive living room and a large park to wanderaround the grounds. Dinner & Breakfast included.
Night 2: In Saint Macaire. We stay in a three star hotel in the heart ofthe Mediaeval city. This was an old merchant's house dating from the 16thCentury and has been completely renovated to provide the perfect combination ofbeauty of local heritage with the latest modern facilities. Dinner &Breakfast are included.
Night 3: In Saint Symphorien Village, you will stay at a charming house,with a small swimming pool in the garden. The rooms are very well appointedwith the emphasis on whiteness, light and linen. Fittings replicate Georgianera furnishings. Dinner & Breakfast are provided.
Night 4: In Le Barp is spent in a 2 star hotel in the nice countryside.It is a stone built building with a terrace tangled in suspended vines. Theplace is popular for its local cooking. Dinner, & breakfast are included.
Night 5, 6 & 7: In Acachon. We stay at an attractive 3 star hotel inthe heart of the town, 150meters fromthe beach. The hotel has comfortable standard rooms, living room and a shadygarden. Breakfasts and dinner on the first night are included.
Itinerary Guide
Day 2. Capian to Saint Macaire 35 km/21mi approx. This ride takes youinto the 'Entre -Deux-Mer' area. Cycling through the Premeieres Cotes deBordeaux winegrowing area. You get some superb views of the Garonne River andvisit the charming old merchant town called Saint Macaire as well as Cadillacwhere you can visit former residences of the artist Henri Toulouse - Lautrecand the writer Francois Mauriac. This is an old 'bastide' town and the chateauis worth a look.
Day 3. Saint Macaire to Saint Symphorien 38 km/23mi approx. From thevillage you cross to the left bank of the Garonne river, the tour follows thetwisting roads through the World famous vines of the Sauternes area, includingthe jewel in its crown - 'Chateau Yquem.' You pedal onto Budos then throughvalleys carved out by the River Ciron to Leogats and Nouaillan, then ontoBalizac where you enter the 'Landes de Gascogne regional Nature Park,' beforereaching Saint Symphorien. Occasionally you may stay in the village of Origne insteadwhich is another 6 km/3.6mi.
Day 4. Saint Symphorien to Le Barp 38 km/23mi approx. Today's ride takesyou throughout the Regional Nature park. You will be riding along a lovelylittle forest road offering great scenic variety and taking you westwards.Heading towards Louchats, the pine forest becomes denser and the scent of pineresin richer. Leave your bike at the site of the lagoons of Gat -Mort. Hostenlake offer plenty of shade by the shore, perfect for an afternoon nap! Acycling track will then take you between pine trees and heather, to the smallroad leading to Le Barp.
Day 5. Le Barp to the bay of Arcachon and the ocean. 51 km/31mi. Todayyou begin with a gentle cycle ride along the cycling track to Mios, where youjoin a minor road as the pine forest gradually thins. Crossing over the railwayline takes you to Le Teich where the park meets the sea. You can have a lookaround the ornithological park and take a break. From here then take thecoastal path, with the salt from the bay under your wheels and follow the scentof the sea air to Gujan-Mestras. A link road will connect you with the minorforest road taking you as far as the Atlantic Seaboard. There you can pay avisit to the Dune du Pyla, where you can leave your bike and climb to the topof the highest dune in Europe with great views from the top. Then in your owntime roll along to your hotel.
Day 6. Around Cap Ferret. Today you can take the boat with your bike tocross Arcachon to reach the cap Ferret and ride on the other side of the bay.Leave your bike to walk up to the top of the lighthouse and then pedal on toreach the very pretty village of l'herbe, some reservoirs and the 'Tapper'sShack.' You must however be careful not to miss the last boat departure backacross the bay to return to the hotel.
Day 7. Into the Domaine de Certes in Audenge. Leave Arcachon and takethe cycling track via the port of La Teste. Leave the track and visit the 7oyster ports of Gujan Mestras. This minor road runs around the bay. Then headback to your hotel for your last night.
Day 8. End of Tour. After breakfast take the train back from Arcachon toBordeaux, for flight or rail connections (not included approx 9 E/US$12). Main Trip Page