south

A week of cycling in Landes, France, that will leave you breathless!

In forest

1 week

I cycle a lot

6 days of cycling in south-west France, through the Landes department, from Arcachon Bay to Bayonne

Ready for a cycling adventure along the trails of Landes? Share some time with friends exploring this friendly region of France! Climb on your bike and get ready for invigorating holidays filled with the joys of cycling and activities in nature. This sensational itinerary will take you on a journey to discover everything Landes has to offer, making unforgettable memories for you and your friends!

😍 Get ready for a change of scene as you go cycling in Landes, France! You’ll travel along over 100 km of fine, sandy beaches, cross the largest pine forest in Europe, and discover numerous seaside resort towns, from the more touristy to the more natural. Great places and great people await you for a unique experience with a personal touch.

📍 200 km
⏱️ 6 stages
🏁 Arcachon ➡️ Bayonne
🚲 I cycle a lot

Practical info

Add to a roadbook

Day 1: Arcachon > Biscarrose with discovery of the Arcachon Basin (34 km)

A small bay mostly surrounded by land and opening to the Atlantic Ocean, Arcachon Bay is a multifaceted place with everything from swimming, to hiking, to visits of coastal towns. From Lège-Cap-Ferret to Arcachon, pedal and pass in and out of the Landes forest!

🛏️ Whether in Biscarrosse-Plage, Biscarrosse-Lac or Biscarrosse-Bourg, many Accueil Vélo accommodations can welcome you.

Day 2: Biscarrosse > Mimizan-Plage (58 km)

In the morning, head into the town of Biscarosse for the traditional market. Enjoy a picnic, then climb on your bike for a day of riding! Indeed, you have a long day of pedalling ahead of you! You cover 20 km of trails before reaching the small port of Piaou on the lake in Parentis-en-Born, where you can take a break to refresh and have a pleasant lunch.

Then, get back on your ride and head towards Mimizan-Plage, a seaside resort that’s dynamic and lively all summer long. Because you’ll have a 31-km journey to your day’s final destination, take a break near the centre of Mimizan. It can be an opportunity to take a ride in an outrigger boat on Aureilhan Lake with All Water.

You’ll then be ready to complete the final segment of your day’s journey and it’ll be the toughest part because the dune path connecting Mimizan-Bourg to Mimizan-Plage (the town centre to the beach) has lots of ups and downs. But don’t worry, you still have less than 10 km to go.

You made it! Catch your breath, this segment was the longest and most difficult of your trip! You need a well-deserved rest on the terrace of one of the town’s restaurants.

🛏️ For the night, several Accueil Vélo accommodations are available

Day 3: Mimizan-Plage > Vielle-Saint-Girons (39 km)

Today, you’re going to reach new heights! Cycle the 15 km from Mimizan-Plage to Contis-Plage and climb the 187 steps of the only lighthouse in Landes: the Phare de Contis. This white and black lighthouse offers a 360° view from its summit. You’ll see the Atlantic Ocean, the coast and dunes, and then the Landes forest as far as the eye can see. When you have lunch, save some room for the ‘chichis’ (doughnuts) at La Royale. It’s a must-visit local meeting spot!

After your gourmet lunch break, you’ll have two hours of riding to reach Vielle-Saint-Girons. Once there, take the afternoon to enjoy the ocean and laze about on the Lette Blanche beach, or go horse riding with Les Centaures equestrian centre.

Day 4: Vielle-Saint-Girons > Vieux-Boucau-les-Bains (20 km)

After a generous breakfast, start your day by pedalling to Léon. One stop you don’t want to miss on the way: the nature preserve at the étang de Léon (Lake Léon). To explore this natural treasure, take a tour with Canoë Surfing on the La Palue river for two hours of adventure!

Want to have lunch by the sea? You’ll have to travel another 8 km to Moliets-et-Maa. If you have a big appetite, head instead straight to Léon for the ‘ferme auberge’ (farm inn) at Maison Tenoy to savour a meal that couldn’t be more typical of the fantastic cuisine of Landes. Be careful while crossing through Léon: you’ll be sharing the route with cars.

In the afternoon, stopping for a beginner’s golf lesson is a must. One of the most renowned in Europe, the Moliets golf course even offers a panoramic view of the ocean from the green! Not far from the ocean, La Vélodyssée plunges into the Landes forest. Travel a few kilometres to reach Messanges. You can even sprint the final stretch and find out which of your friends is the most competitive!

🛏️ 5 campsites with the Accueil Vélo label await you in Messanges*, make your choice! After you have settled comfortably, head to the Central Beach of Messanges for dinner at Snack de la Plage. The menu of arranged rums at the La Hitillère, in the town of Messanges, invites you to enjoy some great tastings for the rest of the evening.

*♻️ Camping le Vieux Port is European Ecolabel certified

Day 5: Vieux-Boucau-les-Bains > Capbreton (21 km)

Take advantage of the cool morning air to travel around Lake Marin on foot or by bike. If you want to walk, there’s even a place for you to park your bikes. Then, get back on La Vélodyssée and head to Hossegor. This is a great place for a little shopping spree. In Hossegor, you’ll find a number of boutiques selling major surf brands like Rip Curl, Billabong, Quiksilver, and more. For lunch, head towards the beach and relax on the terrace of Le Napoli, a pizzeria offering great dishes and generous portions.

And then I’m sure you’ll have this nagging thought... There’s no way you can end this trip without trying to catch some waves! Luckily, you can trust one of the surf instructors in Hossegor to start teaching you the art of surfing 🏄.

To finish this busy day, complete the route to Capbreton. Go out for a tapas happy hour with your friends on the terrace of Belharra Café and take in a panoramic view of the ocean. Don’t forget to take a selfie! Snap a group photo at your table with the ocean in the background. Everyone who didn't come will be so jealous! Finish your dinner with a little something sweet: waffles, artisan ice cream, churros... So many tempting choices!

🛏️ For the night, set up your tent at La Civelle municipal campsite, which is Accueil Vélo-certified.

Day 6: Capbreton > Bayonne (26 km)

This is the last segment of your odyssey of cycling in Landes, but it will not disappoint. Get up early to explore Capbreton as the sun rises. Why not visit the town a way a little out of the ordinary? No need to exert yourself, this way of getting around takes no effort at all. What is it? Segways! Take a picnic with you and cycle 10 km to Labenne. Robinson Park, the largest ropes course in the Aquitaine region, will give you a nice, sporty afternoon.

Then, get back on La Vélodyssée and head to the capital of Basque Country: Bayonne! Be careful, the route between Boucau and Bayonne is on the road! When you arrive in Bayonne, you will find lots of culture and entertainment. Down narrow streets, along the Nive river, or under the city’s arcades, you’ll find many gourmet shops and restaurants that will pique your curiosity. After sharing some tapas, continue your night of partying by doing a pub crawl through ‘Petit Bayonne,’ a neighbourhood known for its legendary party scene.

ℹ️ ALL THE PRACTICAL INFORMATION

➡️ Type of route: linear with return by train

🚆 Access to the route and return to the starting point

By train :

Main and regional lines: Paris-Montparnasse / Bordeaux

By car, parking possible:

Arcachon: station car park (147 spaces, paying)

For the return to the starting point: lines 51 (Bordeaux <> Hendaye) and 41.2U (Bordeaux <> Arcachon) of the TER Nouvelle-Aquitaine network allow you to reach Arcachon from Bayonne station with a change at Biganos (between 2h10 and 2h30 journey).

⚠️ Due to significant peaks in summer, many services for cyclists will be put in place thanks to a La Vélodyssée / SNCF / Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine partnership (information to come very soon).