The Gironde possesses one of the finest cyclepath networks in France. You can go all the way round the Arcachon basin with the Eurovelo1, which is a sure temptation to do just that!
You'll see grand Atlantic beaches, wild and free, which contrast with the gentler waterfront cycleways of Arcachon and its café and restaurant terraces. And then there are once again beaches, calmer this time, in the shelter of an arm of the bay. The route takes you from small port to harbour in a succession of changing colours. And it brings you to the vast Bird Park and the salt meadow nature reserve. You'll enjoy slipping through the pine forest to reach Cap Ferret, but the story doesn't end there. There are also the landing pier and the boat which come to collect you, the sea air of the crossing, and a fabulous panorama of the Bay of Arcachon just coming into sight...
The circuit is well-adapted to the needs of children. Most of the route is along cyclepaths. However common sense dictates that some experience and a respect of the Highway Code are required when the route goes through urban areas.
You'll love
biking along the excellent cycle-paths that wind through heath and woodland
making your way up Europe's highest sand dune!
having a break in an oyster hut
exploring the ports and beaches all along the route
the boat trip across the Bay that rounds off your adventure
Things to see:
The beach is about 150 metres from the hotel. Arcachon town and seafront.
Night at 3 star hotel.
D2
Around Arcachon
26 km (level 1/5). Duration around 3 hrs.
A nice way to start your holiday...there's something for everyone. The seafront and beaches, busy shops, or again the peace and quiet of the forest of the Landes.
The "winter town", an architectural curiosity, and the dune of Pyla (sometimes written 'Pilat'), geological rarety. A great bike ride with a walk up the remarkable Dune in the middle.
Night at the hotel.
D3
From Arcachon to Le Teich
22,3 km (level 1/5). Duration about 2hrs20.
There are several points of interest on this stage, so you have to choose when you stop and for how long! First there's the beach, but there are lots of nice shops...A little further on there's the port and the "criée" - the fresh fish auction. Then you leave the busy urban world for the small oyster-farming ports. Then it's deeper into the Bay area as you approach the delta of the Eyre river and the Bird Park.
Night in a tourist residence or in a guest house.
D4
Around Teich
23,5 km (level 1/5). Duration around 2hrs30.
We suggest you visit the Parc Ornithologique du Teich as the day's principal objective. It takes from 2 to 3hrs to walk and stop and look and wonder at all the bustling wildlife there is to see at the Bird Park.
The ride after the park is the only time you cycle away from the waters of the Bay to make an inland incursion.
Night at the residence or at the guest house.
D5
From Teich to Arès
30 km (level 1/5). Duration about 3hrs45.
Now you are on the other side of the Bay and the Eyre delta.
The itinerary takes you along narrow country roads to small historical ports. There are plenty of places to picnic and you're sure to appreciate the calm and beauty of your surroundings. The second part of the ride is along a former railway, but you're never far from the Bay and its beaches...
Night in 2 star hotel.
D6
Around Arès
27 km (level 1/5). Duration around 3hrs20.
Bearing west now to come back to the ocean and its windswept beaches.
But first there's a pleasant ride through a pine forest. Song of the cicadas, smell of pine resin, white beaches, all conspire to help us relax in this dreamy atmosphere. . Then the cherry on the cake - the immensity of the blue ocean answering the green of the vast forest of the Landes.
Night at the hotel.
D7
From Arès to Arcachon (then if you wish, on to the peninsula of Cap Ferret)
24km (level 1/5). Duration about 3hrs.
This ride will bring you right to the extremity of the peninsula, the 'Cap'.
Leaving this friendly town set in the countryside, where daily life echoes the ebb and flow of the tides, you come to the village 'at the end of the world' which is one of a string of hamlets composing the parish of Lège Cap-Ferret. As you may at any moment go down to the sea to swim, don't forget your bath towels and picnic...
You can if you wish ride another 11.5km (level 1/5) estimated time 2hrs, which takes you right down to the tip of the shifting Cap.
Boat across the Bay to come back to Arcachon.
Departure.
Possibility to extend your stay in Bordeaux : please contact us.
*Rates based on a room shared with two adults. Single-parent families, please contact us.
What's included?
Bed and breakfast
3 star hotels, 3 star tourist residences or 3 'épis' guest houses.
Detailed roadbook and maps.
Logistical and technical support.
Baggage transport.
Boat transfer back from Cap Ferret to Arcachon.
Optional
Bike rental from :
Bike for adult or junior (from 1m45) : 90 €
MTB for child (under 1m45) : 60 €
Trailer bike or bike cart for child : 60 €
Child seat : 10 €
Electric power bike rental for adult or junior (from 1m45) : 140 €
What's not included ?
Dinners and lunches
Beverage and extra
Entrance fees for the visits
Return transfer from Home to the first accomodation
If you arrive by car you must park it during your holiday in July and August-(€75 per week)
Facultative cancellation and repatriation insurance
Characteristics of circuits
Place-to-place cycling holiday suitable for all the family.
Daily stages between 24 and 35 kilometres, around 2 to 4hrs cycling at your own rhythm.
Fairly even route with little climbing.
Quiet little country roads and cyclepaths
Suitable for country bikes.
Organisation
These holidays are much more about relaxed exploration than athletic performance. We transport your luggage and a detailed roadbook will guide you from beginning to end. We also provide the logistical and technical support necessary.
On longer holidays you change accommodation every other day, which gives you the chance to better explore your surroundings or simply take your time and relax...
B&B accommodation is in either 3 star/'épis' hotels, guest houses or tourist residences chosen for their atmosphere, warm welcome and environmental and architectural setting.
For technical reasons, we do not propose midday or evening meals during this holiday. However at each stage you'll find there are plenty of different places to eat.
N.B : the accommodation described above is given as an indication and may vary according to availability at the moment your reservation is finalized.
Access
By car
highway A10 ou A89 or A63 direction Bordeaux and then take A660 direction Arcachon
By air
Bordeaux-Mérignac airport
By train
Arcachon railway station. The accommodation is at 300m.
Comments
Global note
5.0
De très bons souvenirs malgré un temps mitigé. Les randonnées sont parfaites et faciles pour les enfants. Nous avons apprécié la tranquillité des traversées en forêts.
Pour ceux qui aiment passer des vacances en toute tranquilité tout en faisant du sport à la rencontre de la nature, des paysages et de leurs habitants, Safrantours vous offre ce compromis en prenant tout en charge. Il ne vous reste plus qu'à pédaler.
Merci à toute l'équipe de Safrantours pour sa réactivité et son efficacité dans l'organistation de notre périple familial en vélo autour du bassin d'Arcachon! A découvrir et à recommander.
Très belle façon de découvrir une belle région. Vélo, tourisme et détente étaient au rendez-vous.
Une très belle expérience avec une équipe de professionnels rodés. Un facilitateur pour découvrir à notre rythme une région. Nous repartirons en toute confiance et dans l'immédiat, nous recommandons Safrantours aux futurs aventuriers.
Wir haben einen fantastischen, abwechslungsreichen, unproblematischen und gleichzeitig erholsamen Urlaub verbracht. Die Strecken waren toll zusammengestellt und alle Tour-Unterlagen leicht verständlich und hilfreich. Noch nie haben wir soviel in so kurzer Zeit gesehen... Es war toll! Vielen Dank, Safran-Team.
Traduction: Nous avons passé des vacances fantastiques, variées, sans problèmes et en même temps relaxantes. Les itinéraires étaient bien organisés et tous les documents de voyage étaient faciles à comprendre et utiles. Jamais auparavant nous n'avions vu autant de choses en si peu de temps.... C'était génial ! Merci beaucoup l'équipe de Safran.
Vacances très réussies ! Tout à fait conforme à ce qui est présenté dans les brochures. Excellent accueil dans chaque hôtel et chambre d'hôtes.
Très beau circuit, balades en vélo très agréables.
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