south

Cycling along the Gironde coast

Seaside

Short trip (3 to 5 days)

I cycle often

Explore all the natural riches of the Gironde in a single cycling trip!

mer velodyssee

Your route starts in Soulac-sur-Mer, then passes through the seaside resorts of Montalivet-les-Bains, Hourtin, Carcans, Lacanau and Le Porge, before reaching the Cap Ferret peninsula, gateway to the Bay of Arcachon. Between maritime pine forests, fishing villages and oyster-farming ports, the route ends in Arcachon, but can be extended with a stopover at the Dune du Pilat, the highest dune in Europe.

😍 This route is completely safe, signposted from end to end and accessible to all. It uses 70% greenways and can be returned to the starting point by train.

📍 160 km
⏱️ 4 stages
🏁 Soulac-sur-Mer ➡️ Arcachon
🚲 I cycle often

Practical info

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Jour 1 : Bordeaux > Soulac > Montalivet (22 km)

From Bordeaux, you can reach the small seaside town of Soulac-sur-Mer by TER in less than 2 hours. This is the northern end of the Médoc wine region. It's under the spell of Soulac-sur-Mer, with its lively streets and seaside villas, that you take the La Vélodyssée route to Montalivet.

Practical info: Soulac's covered market is open every day, all year round, from 8am to 1pm.

🛏️ In Montalivet, a number of accommodation establishments with the Accueil Vélo label welcome you in the midst of unspoilt countryside.

Day 2: Montalivet > Lacanau Océan (52 km)

Here you are on the Côte d'Argent, the kingdom of cycle paths. La Vélodyssée has chosen the middle route to reach Hourtin through the forest. In the surrounding area, there are plenty of options for refreshing yourself in the ocean or in one of the vast lakes, including the one at Hourtin, which is the largest in France!

The nature reserves encountered along the way are proof that these wide-open spaces are populated, rich and much more diverse than you might think at first glance.

🛏️ Overnight accommodation: hotels, campsites, holiday villages - choose from accommodation with the Accueil Vélo label.

Day 3: Lacanau > Arès / Andernos (40 - 45 km)

100% green route on this pleasant stage between dunes and forest! Don't hesitate to leave the cycle path to take advantage of the few links to the sea and enjoy the magnificent views of the ocean.

Next, La Vélodyssée continues on its way, discovering new horizons as it heads towards the Bay of Arcachon. You'll see that the atmosphere is radically different, with the return of the world of oysters. For a shorter stay, you can treat yourself to a royal alternative with the tracks leading to Cap Ferret (16.5 km) and then cross the Bassin by boat to arrive directly in Arcachon.

🛏️ The Fontaine Vieille campsite, which has the Accueil Vélo label, can accommodate you overnight.

Day 4: Arès / Andernos > Arcachon > Bordeaux (42 km)

The Vélodyssée follows an old railway line. You'll recognise the stations, then leave ‘the rails’ to enjoy a cycle ride over the Arcachon basin and the surrounding towns. Shortly after Lanton, you enter the Landes de Gascogne Regional Nature Park, with the towns of Audenge, Biganos and Le Teich. Here, a visit to the Parc Ornithologique du Teich is a must, and in Gujan Mestras the 6 oyster-farming harbours are also worth a diversion.

Arcachon already marks the end of this route! If you want to enjoy one last evening, treat yourself to a meal in one of the town's restaurants and stay in one of the accommodation establishments with the Accueil Vélo label.

ℹ️ ALL PRACTICAL INFORMATION

➡️ Type of route: linear with return by train

🚆 Access to the route and return to the departure point

By train:

Access Bordeaux from the main and regional lines: Paris / Toulouse / Hendaye / Tarbes / Arcachon / Lille-Flandres / Strasbourg / Nantes / Nîmes / Marseille-Saint-Charles / Brussels-Midi

For the return to the departure point: line 41. 2U (Bordeaux <> Arcachon) on the TER Nouvelle-Aquitaine network will take you to Bordeaux from Arcachon station (less than an hour's journey)

⚠️ Due to major peaks in traffic during the summer, a number of services for cyclists will be introduced thanks to a partnership between La Vélodyssée / SNCF / Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine (information to come very soon).