The Gironde by bike

Choosing your cycling itinerary

To explore the Gironde by bike, you can opt for a turnkey package. Some travel agencies specialise in cycling holidays. This is of course the easiest option from an organisational point of view, and gives you a chance to try out cycling holidays in a very gentle way.

👉 Find travel agencies for cycling holidays in Gironde on the Tourist Office website.

For more freedom, you can also build your own itinerary by choosing from the various existing routes and selecting the stages of your choice: vineyards, ocean, estuary, medieval castles... There are in particular four major cycle routes in Gironde: Le Tour de Gironde à vélo, le canal des 2 Mers à vélo, la Scandibérique and la Vélodyssée. Then, of course, it's up to you to choose - you can opt for a mixture of all of these, as you wish!

The Bay of Arcachon is a great destination for cycle tourism. With over 220km of cycle paths, the Bay invites you to discover it in a whole new way! The grand tour of the Basin by bike is 77 kilometres long. Between the beach, pine forests and small oyster-farming ports, it's a great way to admire the local scenery and cross the ten communes of the Bassin d'Arcachon.

In Blaye Bourg Terres d'estuaire, the cycle routes wind through vineyards and forests, passing through old villages and skirting the Gironde estuary. When it comes to heritage, there are plenty of fascinating places to stop off: a citadel, a prehistoric cave, a medieval village... Don't miss the " corniche route " linking Blaye to Bourg, where you can cycle between cliffs and troglodyte dwellings. You can also admire the "carrelets".

Ranked 6th among cycling cities, and awarded the "Cycling Territory" label, Bordeaux is one of the most pleasant cities in which to cycle. Stroll through the city's historic centre, discovering its cobbled streets and medieval gateways, ride along the banks of the Garonne or venture out into the metropolis to explore the landscapes of the Jalles, the hillsides and the châteaux. The Bordeaux Tourist Office organises guided tours of the city by bicycle, classic or electric.

In the Entre-deux-Mers region, the famous Roger Lapébie cycle path is a must: between vineyards, forests and bastides, this is a route of great beauty.

The Grand Libournais cycle routes allow you to explore the vineyards and discover the great vintages, as well as the remarkable architecture of this destination. In the Libournais, three cycle routes cross the region: the Voie Verte de la vallée de l'Isle, the Scandibérique, and the Roger Lapébie trail. And for the more experienced, you can also try your hand at rail biking and even water biking!

The Médoc offers a host of different itineraries: through the vineyards, along the dunes, through the forests and around the lakes. For the more sporty, there are mountain bikes and fat bikes for adventuring on the beaches. But the Médoc is also home to some lovely family-friendly itineraries. An adventure for young and old awaits you in the Médoc!

The southern Gironde also boasts a number of greenways. Get on your bike and cycle along the Canal de la Garonne from Mios to Bazas, passing through Hostens and the Château de Villandraut. The Château de la Brède is also accessible by bike! The Sud Gironde also invites you to explore the Sauternes vineyards, a great opportunity to visit the châteaux and taste the Sauternes wines.

🚴 Your choice of bike is of course crucial. Depending on your physical condition and the difficulty of the route you've chosen, you can opt for a conventional bike, an electric-assist bike, a tandem, a mountain bike or even a cargo bike. And don't forget the accessories: trailers, helmets, panniers, etc.

👉 Find all the rental companies on the Gironde Tourist Office website.