Arcachon Bay Cycle Tour – Velodyssee

Day 1 : Arrival in France in Bordeaux area then Arcachon, late afternoon

Only 60 km from the city of Bordeaux UNESCO world heritage where chateaux and vineyards are famous, « Arcachon » is an international well-known seaside town of South West France. This town was born during the 19th century, from the imagination of daring pioneers who bet on the popularity of sea bathing.

Come and discover the «Arcachon Bay », the winter town and its sumptuous villas from the second empire, its churches, walk leisurely alongside the Bay and its ports.

« Arcachon » will no longer have secret for you!

Overnight in a 3-star hotel in « Arcachon » citywhere you will find the road book and bikes waiting for you. Breakfast included.

Day 2 or 6 : Arcachon – La Dune Du Pyla – Arcachon

Warning – This step is not included in the 7 days trip.

After breakfast, start your cycling day to the Great Dune of Pyla World heritage site, the highest dune in Europe: 105 meters high, 2700 meters long and 500 meters wide. The dune was shaped recently (only 35 meters high in 1855) and is still not stable and moves towards the forest at a rate of 3 to 4 meters a year. You can climb to the top using steps or backroads. Follow the beach on a bike road to reach « Pyla sur Mer » then « Le Moulleau », a suburb to the west of « Arcachon », a very lively place in summer with its luxury shops and fashion cafés. You will be amazed by the « Notre dame des Passes » church, of byzantine style, built at the top of a sand dune by the Dominicans. It houses the “Vierge de l’Avent”, one of the 3 statues in France representing the pregnancy of the Virgin Mary. Back to the port of « Arcachon » and your hotel.

Overnight in a 3-star hotel, breakfast included. Evening Free.

Day 3 : Arcachon – Biganos – Andernos 25 to 30 km

Take the train from « Arcachon » to « Biganos » with your bicycle.

From the train station of « Biganos », cycle towards towns Port of « Biganos » and Port « des Tuiles », in the forest!  Follow the cycle path as far as « Audenge » and reach the waterways (next to the port and barge). Here, former basins are used as swimming pools! The town, an oyster-farming centre, is also known for its fish reservoirs (a system of locks which encloses the catch at low tide).

Follow itineraries on the dyke of the « Domaine Graveyron » and observe its fish reservoir to reach the castle.

Enjoy  view trip over the lagoon and observe many migrating bird. Then come back inland towards the port of « Cassy » using a large shady path following the « Domaine de Certes ».

End you journey following the cycle track to « Andernos Les Bains », a very pleasant seaside town. (You are halfway here!) Today the town is one of the major local resorts, very popular in summer, with beaches stretching for over 4km/2 mi and a casino.

In the evening you can enjoy many activities…have a drink in a bar overlooking the sea, a walk on the pier or the beach, or go for a walk alongside « Andernos » to rejoin the small church of « St Eloi » and go to « St Brice » port. The jetty offers extensive views over the lagoon, the town’s oyster port, the beaches and the marina.

Overnight in a 2-star hotel or in a guesthouse. Breakfast included. Evening Free.

Day 4 : Andernos – Le Grand Crohot – Andernos 37 km

A nice day cycling in the big forest of « Cap-Ferret » towards the ocean beaches: the pleasure to pedal in the heat, accompanied by the “cigales” song and the pine odours.

You will leave « Andernos » and will pursue your itinerary between the Atlantic ocean and pine forest, along the fine sandy beaches where the ocean comes to smash in magnificent rollers one of the best of the Atquitaine coastline. After a well deserved bathing, you will leave the beach and will take back your road cycling through the national fores in the countryside  to join villages as « Lège-Cap-Ferret », then « Ares », and finally « Andernos ». The vegetation is there different and replace the forest of pines which was along the ocean. You can make a stopping place for the hut of the résinier, a space of animation and discovery which you should not miss. You will cross the Oyster-farming port of « Ares » and will pursue then your trip towards the « Saint Brice »'s magnificent site, which mixes forest and natural bank of the « Bassin d’Arcachon ».

Your itinireraries can take advantage of a last stopping place in this peaceful place before taking back your road for « Andernos ».

Night and breakfast in a 2-star hotel, in « Andernos ». Free dinner and evening.

Day 5 : Andernos-Les-Bains – Le Cap Ferret– Arcachon 30 km

Today explore the « Cap Ferret », the place to be! Cyclists and each traveller want to stop here and discover the richness of this area. Its original geographic situation allows to enjoy the diversity of landscapes around it. Enjoy the view over the « Arcachon bay », the Great Dune of Pyla  and the « Banc D’arguin » and on the other side observe the wild Atlantic coastline “the Côté d’Argent”, a paradise for holidays !

Leaving « Andernos » on two wheels and going through the hamlet of « Jane de Boy », take a track to discover the picturesque oyster-breeding  towns of « Herbe » and « Canon ».This part of the peninsula is enchantress… Each cyclist have panoramic view on leaving the fishing village takes your breath away!

Take the time to explore everything including the « île aux Oiseaux » (bird island) but without your two wheels the best is a boat guided tour!

Do not forget to discover the Algerian Herbe village chapel... (Moorish style, a religious building destined for Christian worship, with Mary, Christ’s cross and the Islamic Crescent, guided tours are available too) and enjoy your bike holiday.

Leave the « Cap Ferret » and cross the Bassin to go back to « Arcachon » and your hotel.

Overnight in a 3-Star hotel in « Arcachon », breakfast included.

Dinner and evening free.

Day 6 or 2: Arcachon – Le Teich – Arcachon 40 km

Leave « Arcachon » and take the cycling routes via the Port of « La Teste ». Leave the track and take the “7 oyster ports” of « Gujan Mestras » backroads around the bay alongside the railway station.

Arrive at the oyster port of « La Teste » and the port of « Rocher » passing by the “Salt fields”, vast expanses uncovered by the sea and only covered up during Spring Tides. It’s home to a special vegetation, refuge to a variety of fauna: crabs, shellfish and crustaceans, which are adored by all sorts of birds! Enter « Gujan- Mestras », capital of oyster fishing which has 7 ports dedicated to oyster farming.  Road bike through its ports and wood cabins lined up along the channel where flat-bottomed boats are moored and a few “pinasses”… typical boats of the bay.  Explore a few marshes with curious dug-out shelters one after the other for hunting the water game. Reach the Teich bird park.

This natural reserve is set up to attract wild birds. It offers various landscapes, from forests to meadows and lagoons. Discover many different sorts of birds including swans, grey herons, little egrets as well as mating pairs of storks.

Return in your hotel at the end of the day.

Overnight in a 3-Star hotel in « Arcachon ». Breakfast included. Dinner and evening free.

Day 7 : Arcachon

End of your cycle tours. Before you go, have a look in the winter town, a splendid neighborhood! And discover the Parc Mauresque offering an excellent view of the town and the « Arcachon Bay ».

Departure by train from the train station of « Arcachon » or with your car.

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