Vélodyssée by Bike: Bordeaux to Biarritz

Day 1: Arrival in Bordeaux
On arrival, you will take your time to discover Bordeaux, a UNESCO World Heritage site. You will walk along the Garonne docks, wander the lively streets of the Saint Pierre quarter, bargain-hunt in the Chartrons district and enjoy the reflecting Miroir d'Eau before settling into your hotel.

Day 2: Bordeaux – Lacanau (65 km; +150 m)
You will leave Bordeaux along the cycle paths that will softly lead you toward Lacanau-Océan, crossing the pines of the Landes forest, the largest forest in France.

Day 3: Lacanau – Arcachon (45 km; +150 m)
You will follow the Ocean all the way to Arcachon on a stage that blends pines and fine sand dunes. You will leave your bike whenever you wish to enjoy the beaches and, once at Cap Ferret, you will take the ferry with your bike to reach Arcachon, where your hotel awaits not far from the waves of the Bay.

Day 4: Arcachon – Biscarrosse Plage (30 km; +230 m) — or Arcachon – Biscarrosse Ville (50 km; +390 m)
You will take advantage of this short stage to discover the must-see Pilat Dune. The ascent will reward you with a panoramic view over the Ocean and the Bay of Arcachon before reaching Biscarrosse.

Day 5: Biscarrosse Plage – Mimizan Plage (58 km; +410 m) — or Biscarrosse Ville – Contis les Bains (57 km; +200 m)
The route will gently move away from the ocean as the Vélodyssée takes you inland, between dunes and big lakes — Biscarrosse, Parentis, Aureilhan — to reach the lively seaside resort of Mimizan Plage, charming with its Belle Époque villas.

Day 6: Mimizan Plage – Vieux Boucau (60 km; +460 m) — or Contis les Bains – Capbreton (65 km; +490 m)
The Vélodyssée will find a peaceful route along the coast, in the heart of the pine forest. You may stop in Contis les Bains and climb the 183 steps of its lighthouse for a superb viewpoint. After Saint Girons Plage, you will ride through forest and small roads and swim in Lake Léon before reaching Vieux Boucau, original with its marine lake.

Day 7: Vieux Boucau – Biarritz (60 km; +190 m) — or Capbreton – Biarritz (40 km; +215 m)
A beautiful final stage in apotheosis awaits you along a cycle path that leaves the Landes and enters surf country. You will ride beside the longest sandy beach in Europe to reach the famous resorts of Hossegor and Capbreton, where the wooden pier of the Estacade, built by Napoleon III in the 19th century, invites a last walk. You will then reach Biarritz, the prestigious Basque capital.

Day 8: Departure from Biarritz
After breakfast you will leave Biarritz according to your travel plans.

Optional extension — Biarritz – Hendaye (30 km; +430 m) with 1 extra night in Hendaye
For an integral Vélodyssée, this last more sportive stage will give you wonderful ocean views and the soul of the Basque country. You will cross pretty villages such as Bidart and the old fishing port of Guétary, pause in Saint Jean de Luz, then follow the cliffside road between Ciboure (with its Socoa Fort) and Hendaye, where the Abbadia castle is worth the detour.