Bordeaux to Biarritz: La Vélodyssée
Enjoy the wonderful tranquillity of the Atlantic Coast as you cycle on this section of the longest cycling track in Europe, from the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bordeaux to the glittering seaside town of Biarritz. Travel through vast forested areas and bustling seaside towns.
This holiday was named as one of the '10 greatest cycling holidays on Earth' by ex-professional cyclist David Millar.
Oddly, Biarritz isn’t a destination much thought of when it comes to cycling, being primarily associated with surfing, yet it has lots to offer. I should know, as I lived and trained there for seven years. Much of the best riding is to be had along the French-Spanish border which lies atop the nearby foothills of the Pyrenees. As for Biarritz itself, there are few places better for après-velo.
Holiday Highlights
- Bordeaux- UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Part of longest cycling track in Europe, the Vélodyssée
- Pine forests
- Coastal cycling
- Dune de Pyla
- Oyster villages
- Resort of Biarritz
What's Included
Starting Days
You can choose to begin this holiday on any day of the week from April to October.
Itinerary & Hotels
1
Arrival Bordeaux day 1
- Summary
Arrive at your 3-Star Hôtel de Normandie in the heart of the 18th century centre of Bordeaux. You’ll find the road book and bikes waiting for you.
- Hotel
Hôtel de Normandie
BordeauxLocated in the heart of Bordeaux's 18th century centre, the windows of Hôtel de Normandie offer a view of Bordeaux's famous Esplanade des Quinconces. The modern and comfortable rooms are peaceful and relaxing.
Facilities
- En suite facilities
- Central location
- Continental breakfast
Board
- Cuisine
There are plenty of restaurants to choose from in the lively city centre.
2
Bordeaux to Lacanau day 2
- Summary
Set out along a cycle path that follows a former railway track; an easy and safe route with beautiful scenery that takes you through a pine forest abuzz with the sound of cicadas. Stay at 3-star Hôtel Vital Parc in the heart of the forest.
- Hotel
Hôtel Vital Parc
Lacanau OcéanThis hotel is part of a seaside resort with a restaurant, bar and outdoor swimming pool. The hotel has 58 bedrooms with views over the swimming pool or pine forest and benefits from the relaxed atmosphere of the surrounding area.
Facilities
- TV with cable channels
- Hairdryer
- Safe box
- Free unlimited WiFi in the communal areas
- Balcony
Board
- Cuisine
Restaurant l'Authentique offers a varied menu.
39 mi
(63 km)3
Lacanau to Arcachon day 3
- Summary
Here you pick up the Vélodyssée, between dunes and forest. Riding on dedicated cycle tracks, discover the widest beaches of the Aquitaine Coast and the beautiful scenery on the way to Cap Ferret, where you will take the ferry to Arcachon. Tonight’s accommodation is 3-star Hôtel de la Plage,
- Hotel
Hôtel de la Plage
ArcachonThis is a very well appointed hotel located close to the beach and market square but in a quiet road so it is quiet at night. The rooms are contemporary and comfortable with well equipped bathrooms and maybe a small balcony.
Facilities
- Plentiful breakfast
- Bath or shower
- Hairdryer
- Bar and Billiard room
- Free WiFi Access
Board
- Cuisine
Breakfast is a big event at this hotel with freshly baked pastries and bread, jams, cold cuts, cheeses, eggs, fresh fruit and much more. For dinner you can choose from the many local restaurants.
29 mi
(47 km)4
Arcachon to Biscarrosse day 4
- Summary
Start the day with a trip to the summit of the Great Dune of Pyla, then cycle under the pines of the Landes forest, the perfect blend of ocean and woodland. Spend tonight at 3-star Hôtel la Forestière,
- Hotel
Hôtel la Forestière
BiscarrosseA charming hotel set on the edge of a pine forest, just 800m from the ocean and 5km from a freshwater lake. The Petitteville family and their staff will extend you a warm welcome to their 50 air-conditioned rooms decorated with a forest theme.
Facilities
- Heated outdoor pool with sun terrace
- Secure bicycle storage area
- Free WiFi access
- En suite facilities
- TV, telephone, safe, desk space
- Breakfast buffet on the terrace or by room service
Board
- Cuisine
The hotel's restaurant serves good quality regional dishes prepared using local produce, seafood and seasonal fresh ingredients.
18 mi
(29 km)5
Biscarrosse to Mimizan Plage day 5
- Summary
The Vélodyssée takes you inland to discover Lake Cazaux and Sanguinet, a little paradise surrounded by greenery and pines. Then follow the banks of Lake Biscarrosse, through the Landes forest back to the ocean. Stay in a charming Chambre d’hôte or 2-star hotel.
- Hotel
L’Emeraude des Bois
MinizanThis is a comfortable 2-star hotel, a member of Logis de France (2 Cheminées), located in a residential area on the edge of the forest and 1500m from the sea and sandy beaches. The hotel has 15 comfortable rooms to offer, two of which are housed in a separate villa.
Facilities
- Secure storage for bikes
- Internet access
- En suite facilities
- Hairdryer
- TV
- Safe
Board
- Cuisine
The restaurant serves traditional cuisine using local produce, on the terrace in warm weather.
32 mi
(51 km)6
Mimizan Plage to the heart of the Landes day 6
- Summary
Follow the Vélodyssée through the quiet, scented pine forest, leaving the track from time to time to visit the nearby ocean beaches. End your day at a 3-star hotel in another attractive seaside town, Moliets.
- Hotel
Hôtel Grill Océan
Moliets-et-MaaThe Hôtel Grill Océan in Moliets et Maa is located right in the heart of the Landes. Part of the Logis de France group, the hotel is a stone's throw from the golf course and nature reserve. The outdoor wooden terrace provides shade and is ideal for an afternoon drink or evening meal. A warm welcome awaits you at this comfortable sixteen room hotel.
Facilities
Leisure activities nearby
- Golf
- Mini golf
- Tennis
- Fishing
- Horse riding
- Night market
Room amenities
- Individual heating
- Flat screen TV
- Shower
- TV TNT
- Internet connection
- Bathroom with WC
Board
- Cuisine
Entrées
- œuf mollet au poireau en chaud froid
- tête de veau sauce gribiche
- croustillant de pied de cochon
- cappuccino de langoustine
Plats
- sole plancha façon meunière
- turbo sauvage grillé
- risotto crèmeux parmesan et Saint Jacques grillées
- marmitako de bonite
- pigeonneau rôti
- souris d'agneau braisée
- tendrons de veau jus persillé
- osso bucco de veau maison
Desserts
- éclair au chocolat maison
- baba au rhum maison
- mille feuilles maison
- tarte aux fraise maison
34 mi
(55 km)7
Into the Basque Country day 7
- Summary
The cycle path leads through the forest to the famous seaside towns of Hossegor and Capbreton. Enjoy the wide beaches and continue through more urban areas as you approach Boucau. Ride on a pleasant route into the Basque Country, through Bayonne and onto Biarritz. Stay by the sea in 3-star Hôtel Georges VI.
- Hotel
Hotel Georges VI
BiarritzCompletely renovated, situated in the centre of Biarritz close to the Port Vieux beach, the hotel is next to the Aquarium, the Côte des Basques beach and the centre of town. The comfortable English décor will delight you with its charm. The interior patio at the Hotel George VI is ideal for relaxing after a day of sightseeing and you can borrow beach towels from the 24-hour reception.
Facilities
- Free WiFi
- Patio garden
- TV in room
- Air-conditioning
Board
- Cuisine
There are plenty of restaurants to choose from in Biarritz with cuisines and budgets to suit all appetites.
40 mi
(64 km)
Route & Location
Customise Your Holiday
8 NIGHT OPTION
Add a night in Andernos, between Lacanau and Arcachon, and have an extra day cycling around the Bay of Arcachon.
Or add an extra night in Bordeaux at the start of your holiday, or in Biarritz at the end of your holiday.
Please call for details.
Customer Reviews
4.7 out of 5 rating based on 8 reviews
- Service (4/5): the route cards for the cycle were well laid out.
they provided good background information also
The hotels were well situated.
the travel agents were very helpful and sorted out hotels for extra nights.Product (4/5): It was a bit on the expensive side. Also, the bikes needed tweaking on day two. They were not as well maintained as one would expect - however the support team were very prompt in responding. of note was the hotel Mimizan Plage - Hotel L'Emeraude des Bois. The whole experience was wonderful. The hotel was family run and not a chain hotel. More of this please! - Service (5/5): Excellent quality, organisation and customer service. Easy company to deal with and very responsive to deal with any issues. Overall highly recommended.
26th July 2018
Product (5/5): All the hotels on our route were either excellent or very good. The meals where half board was included, were all very good, only one was a little underwhelming compared to the others, but still acceptable. All the hotels were extremely friendly and helpful. The route was very enjoyable and the scenery stunning and the journey was well organised, although after a few days the cycles through the forests became a little boring. The stop off hotel which Belle France arranged for our journey down to, and return from, Bordeaux was top class and highly recommended. The hotel at Bordeaux also had excellent and secure car parking to leave our car. Overall highly recommended.Reviewer supplied photos: - Service (5/5): Very good quality bicycles, good accommodation, and excellent documentation.
20th July 2018
Product (5/5): Very good value for the service provided. - Service (5/5): Ferry tickets and train tickets were booked as "extras" and worked perfectly.
26th September 2017
Product (5/5): Excellent bikes of high quality. Hotels exactly as described, and all quite adequate. Luggage transfers good, cases already waiting in the room when we arrived. Velodyssee was a joy to cycle on. Maps and instructions accurate. Great holiday ! - Service (5/5): The schedule was put together exactly as required and worked perfectly.
25th July 2017
Product (5/5): The holiday was extremely enjoyable with excellent hotels and superb bikes. We have done many of these cycling holidays over the years and Belle France never fail to deliver an excellent standard. - Service (5/5): FANTASTIC SERVICE RECEIVED FROM KATE ABSOLUTELY FIRST CLASS
7th June 2017
Product (5/5): FANTASTIC SERVICE AND EVERYTHING WAS SUPERB , GREAT CO AND WOULD DEF RECOMMEND TO ANYONE LOOKING FOR A FANTASTIC HOLIDAY - Service (4/5): The service received from Belle France was excellent but for a couple of relatively minor details :
i) whilst the step by step directions were on the whole excellent, the directions when close to the hotels in Lacanau and Biarritz were misleading and took us away from the hotels in each case. We wasted about 30 minutes on each occasion retracing our steps to find the correct route.
ii) We discovered on Day 2 that we were supposed to have vouchers for the Cap Ferret to Arcachon ferry, but we have no idea where these vouchers were or when/if they had ever been sent to us. Accordingly we paid for our own crossing.14th September 2016
Belle France: Thank you for your feedback for the Bordeaux to Biarritz Vélodyssey cycling tour.
I have just returned from this tour myself and I had the same route notes and did not have any difficulties into Lacanau and Biarritz. So I am sorry that you lost a little time here retracing your steps, I hope it was not too hot and that it did not spoil your day. I will look again at the notes just to make sure that they make sense and are not misleading in any way.
There should have been a voucher in your welcome pack that was given to you at the first hotel, this voucher is then exchanged for the ferry crossing at the port. But please let us know the price you paid for the crossing and we will arrange a refund for you.
I do hope that we hear from you again in 2017.
Kind regards
Lorna
14th September 2016Product (5/5): Excellent - Service (5/5): Excellent - went off without a hitch!
16th October 2015
Product (5/5): Had a great time. Accommodation good. Organisation excellent. Directions good (although we did need to refer to google maps a few times).
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4 out of 5
18th October 2019
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