The Tour of Gironde by Bike

The departure from Bordeaux is via the quays and the stone bridge; a cycle lane runs along the Garonne and ends on the Roger Lapébie track, named after a famous Girondin cyclist, winner of the Tour de France in 1937. This track built on the right-of-way of the railway of local interest allowed revitalize this sector by converting several of its stations into restaurants, shops, accommodation and showrooms. The Station Vélo de Créon offers many services along the way.

Between Sauveterre-de-Guyenne and La Réole, the cycle route crosses slightly hilly and very picturesque landscapes. La Réole, a medieval city on the banks of the Garonne, founded in 977, is the smallest City of Art and History in France. At Fontet, the route joins the Canal de Garonne. It is here that “The Canal des 2 Mers à vélo” continues its journey under a canopy of plane trees to Toulouse, or even to Sète and the Mediterranean. The Tour du Gironde by bike takes the direction of Bazas by a cycle route. A detour via Castets-et-Castillon allows you to see the beginning of the Canal with its locks and to take advantage of all the services that this small port offers. Bazas is a famous medieval city, with a very beautiful cathedral, the center of the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.

The route crosses the Landes de Gascogne Regional Natural Park. The pignada, a pine forest, has been planted by man since the XNUMXth century. The crossing of Uzeste allows you to admire the collegiate church which houses the tomb of Pope Clement V (in Villandraut, it is his castle that is worth a detour). In Hostens, the Domaine Gérard Lagors offers both relaxation and swimming and all the services necessary for the comfort of cyclists. The route then follows the Leyre and its gallery forest to the delta which opens into the Bassin d'Arcachon.

After the picturesque oyster-farming villages of the Bassin d'Arcachon and the exceptional natural areas such as the Domaine de Certes and Graveyron, the route runs along the Côte d'Argent to the Pointe de Grave. Sandy beaches as far as the eye can see, the immense forest of maritime pines and the large lakes offer an idyllic setting. The seaside resorts of Porge, Lacanau, Carcans, Hourtin, Vendays-Montalivet and Soulac-sur-Mer are all stops for discovery and relaxation. Crossing the Gironde Estuary from Verdon to Royan is a unique experience thanks to the ferry.

The route runs along the largest estuary in Western Europe between cliffs, hillsides of vines, large marshes and squares, these large typical fishing nets. The stage begins in Royan by small roads up to Talmont-sur Gironde, "Most beautiful village in France", Mortagne-sur-Gironde and Vitrezay, gateway to the Gironde. After a visit to the Terres d'Oiseaux ornithological park, a beautiful landscaped greenway leads to the citadel of Blaye, fortified by Vauban and distinguished by UNESCO (along with Fort Pâté and Fort Médoc) as Verrou Vauban. A ferry allows you to cross the estuary from Blaye to Lamarque.

After crossing the Gironde estuary, the route leads directly to the heart of the Médoc vineyards where villages and wine chateaux with world-famous names follow one another. Fort Médoc, above all, is not to be missed. A visit-tasting break is essential before continuing towards more urbanized areas, but just as interesting. The arrival in Bordeaux is in apotheosis on the quays of the Garonne.