The Tour de Gironde by bike

Loop cycle route of almost 500 km

The Tour de Gironde à Vélo is a 480 km loop tourist cycle route. Often made from Bordeaux, the route takes you to the heart of the vineyards and great castles of the Médoc, along the Gironde estuary or around the Bassin d’Arcachon. It is also a passage via the Landes de Gascogne PNR, through many cities of Art & History and along the Atlantic coast, its beautiful beaches or the incredible Cordouan lighthouse.

Gironde by bike: a rich and varied territory

This route will allow you to appreciate the richness of the Girondin terroir by making you discover over the stages the different great wines of Bordeaux. You pedal in the heart of the castles of Graves, Médoc or Entre deux mers. Variants are possible to reach the vineyards and estates of Saint-Émilion, Sauternes…

Médoc by bike: fine sandy beaches and forest

As is necessary for everyone, this circuit will not fail to make you enjoy the Girondin coast, its forests and its lakes. Lacanau, Montalivet, Hourtin or even Soulac-sur-Mer are on the program with fine sandy beaches, the smell of pines and secure cycle paths. There too you can also deviate from the official route to push a song to the Bassin d’Arcachon, its Ville d’Hiver, its Dune du Pilat…

Gironde estuary by bike

Crossing the estuary at Verdon-sur-Mer towards Royan and the north bank of the Gironde estuary is a highlight. You then often pedal in the heart of the vineyards and cross villages with picturesque charm. Blaye and its citadel are also worth the detour. From Royan, the route is common with that of the Canal des 2 Mers, which joins the Mediterranean via Bordeaux and Toulouse.

Map of the Tour de Gironde by bike
Map of the Tour de Gironde by bike
Cordouan lighthouse on the Tour de Gironde by bike, visible from Royan or Verdon-sur-Mer and can be visited – © Dominique ABIT
Cordouan lighthouse on the Tour de Gironde by bike. Visible from Royan or Verdon-sur-Mer and can be visited – © Dominique ABIT

Our ideas for itineraries on the Tour de Gironde by bike:

The Tour de Gironde by bike: official route

Duration: 9 to 10 days of cycling

Difficulty level 2/5
Little difference in height but stages that can be quite long. Many portions on secondary roads.

Interests on the route:

  • City of Bordeaux
  • Vineyards lakes and castles of the Médoc
  • Atlantic coastline
  • Summer towns of Hourtin, Lacanau, Vendays-Montalivet or Soulac-sur-Mer
  • Blaye and its citadel
  • Gironde estuary
  • PNR Landes de Gascogne
  • Arcachon bay

Possible steps:

  • Stage 1: Bordeaux – Sauveterre de Guyenne, 54 km
  • Stage 2: Sauveterre de Guyenne – Bazas, 52 km
  • Stage 3: Bazas – Salles, 62 km
  • Stage 4: Salles – Lacanau, 73 km (possibility of an intermediate stage around the Bassin d’Arcachon, 35 km)
  • Stage 5: Lacanau – Montalivet les Bains, 52 km
  • Stage 6: Montalivet les Bains – Royan, 30 km
  • Stage 7: Royan – Mortagne sur Gironde, 38 km
  • Stage 8: Mortagne sur Gironde – Blaye, 65 km
  • Stage 9: Blaye – Bordeaux, 51km

Our services on the course:

  • Bordeaux bike rental
  • Arcachon bike rental
  • Lacanau bike rental
  • Luggage transport Gironde
  • GPS bike guidance
  • Tailor-made quote
Château de Thouars, in Talence near Bordeaux. One of the main stage of the Tour de Gironde by bike
Thouars castle, in Talence
Lacanau is a nice stage on the Tour de Gironde by bike
Lacanau and its immense beaches

The Tour of the Gironde Estuary by bike

Duration: 5 to 6 days of cycling

Difficulty level 2/5
No height difference and stages of medium length. A route mainly on secondary roads.

Interests on the route:

  • Vineyards and castles of the Médoc
  • Blaye and its citadel
  • Royan seaside resort and its pretty villas
  • Charming villages of Talmont and Mortagne sur Gironde
  • city of wine
  • Bordeaux
Talmont-sur-Gironde is a pretty stop on the Tour de Gironde by bike
Talmont-sur-Gironde is a pretty stop on the Tour de Gironde by bike

Possible stages:

  • Stage 1: Bordeaux – Lamarque, 48 km
  • Stage 2: Lamarque – Saint Yzans de Médoc, 41 km
  • Stage 3: Saint Yzans de Médoc – Royan, 67 km
  • Stage 4: Royan – Mortagne sur Gironde
  • Stage 5: Mortagne sur Gironde – Blaye, 65 km
  • Stage 6: Blaye – Bordeaux, 61km

Our services on the course:

  • Bordeaux bike rental
  • Luggage transport Gironde
  • GPS bike guidance
  • Tailor-made quote

Prepare your cycling trip on the Tour de Gironde with a bike guide:

Call on a cycling travel professional to organize your cycling holiday in Gironde?

The Gironde by bike with la Bicyclette Verte, a french bike travel agency based in Bordeaux