THEMED TOURS©
THEMED TOURS© RiblancOPTIONSBECOME AN EXPERT• The “Accueil vélo” label, a range of servicesadapted to cyclists (accommodation, toursites, rental companies and repairers).www.francevelotourisme.com• Visit of La Chapelle des cyclistes, the cyclingsanctuary in Labastide d’Armagnac.www.tourisme-landesdarmagnac.frBike ride in the vineyardsSurfers in AngletCyclists’ chapel• Stopover on a bike tour, at the eco surfcamp, with surf lessons in Seignosse.www.naturalsurflodge.comALL IN THE SADDLE FOR AN ACTIVE HOLIDAYNouvelle-Aquitaine is a surfing destination and a paradise for cycling enthusiasts. It boasts 4,200km of cycle paths and greenways, 3,300 km of national roads and 1,500 km of EuroVélo roads.Beautiful rides can be found along the cycle paths, forest paths, towpaths and other greenways,not to mention the major European routes such as the Flow vélo; the Canal des 2 Mers; theVélodyssée, which runs along the coast and the best surf spots, or the Scandibérique on the Wayof Saint James. From the pine forests of the Landes to the vineyards of Bordeaux and Cognac,from the peaks of the Pyrenees to the hills of Gascony, Nouvelle-Aquitaine offers a diversity oflandscapes, terroirs and cultural and sporting activities ideal for exploration on two wheels.VÉLODYSSÉE, THE ATLANTICIN FREEWHEEL MODEA classic route from Brittany to the French PaysBasque, the section in Nouvelle-Aquitaine extends550 km from La Rochelle to Hendaye. Along theway there is no shortage of activities: swimmingor water sports, discovering oyster beds and smallfishing villages, going down the Huchet stream,visiting the major seaside resorts of La Rochelle,Arcachon, Biscarrosse, Biarritz. From Lacanau toHossegor, from Biarritz to Guéthary, it is packedwith must-visit destinations. There is time alongthe way to stow your bike and take a surfinglesson.ROUTE 1: La Rochelle - Royan (132 km)From the port of La Rochelle, the route leads toChâtelaillon-Plage and the royal city of Rochefort,home port of the Hermione. After a few charmingdetours, cross the Seudre marshes and then theMarennes oyster beds and arrive in Royan throughthe pine forests.ROUTE 2: Royan - Lacanau (82 km)Take the bicycles on board the ferryfor the Royan - Le Verdon crossing.Discover the most beautiful seaside resortsof the Médoc Atlantique: Soulac-sur-Merwith its 1900s architecture, the naturistresort of Montalivet-les-Bains, and Hourtinand Carcans with their freshwater lakesideal for family swimming. In the pine forest,cycle paths linking welcome stops lead toLacanau, a surfer’s paradise.ROUTE 3: Lacanau - Arcachon (79 km)From the Porge forest to the salt meadows,crossing the villages and oyster ports of theArcachon Bay with their brightly colouredfishermen’s huts and narrow alleys. The itinerarygoes around the basin to reach Arcachon fromCap Ferret. Sunset on the Dune of Pilat.ROUTE 4: Arcachon - Capbreton (162 km)Between lakes and forests, ride along the mostbeautiful beaches, resorts and surf spots of theCôte d’Argent: Biscarrosse, Mimizan, Seignosseand Hossegor, to reach the lively port ofCapbreton.ROUTE 5: Capbreton - Hendaye (80 km)An itinerary in the heart of the Pays Basque, fromBayonne, the proud capital, to Biarritz, followingthe Corniche road to Saint-Jean-de-Luz andHendaye on the Spanish border.THE SCANDIBÉRIQUEALONG THE WAY OF SAINT-JAMESThis is the French part of EuroVelo 3, theScandibérique, a European cycle route linkingNorway to Santiago de Compostela. In Nouvelle-Aquitaine, it crosses the Charentes, the Bordeauxvineyards, the Landes forest and ends in thePays Basque at Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port,on the Way of Saint-James. Between plainsand hills, historic cities and protected naturalareas, the Scandibérique is an invitation to travel.Two sample routes:ROUTE 1: Angoulême - Libourne (150 km)Leave Angoulême, city of the Comic Strip andthe Image, then make a gourmet stopover in thevillage of Barbezieux and ride by the Touvéracponds. Continue through the countryside andstop for a tasting in the Cognac houses. The nextday, explore the vineyards around Saint-Emilion, amedieval jewel whose wine-growing landscape isclassed by UNESCO. End the day in Libourne.ROUTE 2: Agen - Mont-de-Marsan (120 km)A trip to the heart of the Lot and Garonne Valleys,to discover the villages of Barbaste, Nérac andPoudénas. Continue to the Landes - Armagnacforest with a visit to Labastide d’Armagnac fora tasting and gourmet break in Villeneuve-de-Marsan. End the day in Mont-de-Marsan, the cityof three rivers known for its fairs and its historicalheritage.20 SMART GUIDE ROUTES www.nouvelle-aquitaine-tourisme.com
THEMED TOURSOenological cruiseon the Gironde estuary© Alban Gilbert - CRT NA© Alban Gilbert - CRT NAOPTIONSBECOME AN EXPERT• Visit one of the lock houses: the inn andguest rooms at La Poule à vélo (Saint-Jeande-Thurac).www.lapouleavelo.frRiver walk© Alban Gilbert - CRT NABicycle ride• Gens de Garonne, a scenovision todiscover the locals’ lifewww.gens-de-garonne.com• Bordeaux celebrates the river every2 years in Junewww.bordeaux-tourisme.comTHE CANAL DES 2 MERS BY BIKE OR BOATThe Canal des 2 Mers by bike is more than 800 km long, connecting the Atlantic Ocean to theMediterranean Sea along the Gironde estuary, the Garonne Canal and the Canal du Midi (classed byUNESCO). An outstanding example of “slow tourism” with plenty of cultural and gastronomic stops,it can be done on two wheels or on the water.THE GIRONDE ESTUARYThe largest estuary in Europe, the Girondeestuary is a reservoir of biodiversity withextraordinary landscapes, including islands, cliffsand cave dwellings, castles and wine estates.BY BIKE: Royan - Bordeaux (153 km)Leave from the seaside resort of Royan toreach Bordeaux by crossing the river via theBlaye-Lamarque ferry.Don’t miss: the Cordouan Lighthouse,Talmont-sur-Gironde, the Vauban Lock and theBlaye Citadel, the Gallo-Roman villa of Plassac,and Bordeaux, the world wine capital.BY BOAT: the estuary extends more than100 km inland. It can be explored by taxi boat,restaurant boat, promenade boat, and top-ofthe-rangecruise boat. Themed visits includewine, heritage, and nature via companies suchas Bordeaux River Cruise, CroisiEurope, andViking River Cruises, to name a few.THE GARONNE CANALInscribed as a UNESCO site, it links theGaronne River and the Canal du Midi to theMediterranean Sea. It begins in Castets-en-Dorthe and ends in Saint-Romain-le-Noble.Either by bike or on the water.BY BIKE: in two main stages• Bordeaux - Agen (153 km)Discover Bordeaux, a UNESCO World HeritageSite, the vineyards of Entre-Deux-Mers, thenstop at the walled city of Sauveterre-de-Guyenne, La Réole, and finally take the greenpath along the canal in the shade of centuriesoldplane trees to Agen.Don’t miss: Abbey of la Sauve-Majeure, Le Masd’Agenais, Damazan, Agen and the canal bridge.• Agen - Toulouse (113 km)On green roads (without cars), discoverlandscapes with an air of Tuscany. From Agento Moissac and Montauban, “Cities of art andhistory” to Toulouse, the Pink City.Don’t miss: Agen and the canal bridge,the archaeological site of Villascopia inCastelculier, Moissac and its abbey, Gens deGaronne in Couthures-sur-Garonne (boat trips,dioramas, treasure hunt in the village, cinemashow where the inhabitants tell their story andshare their experiences and anecdotes aroundthe river).BY BOAT: More than 104 km - 22 locksFor a few hours, a day, or much more, becomethe captain of a boat without a licence for anunforgettable river trip! Their speed is limitedto 8km/h and a “pleasure card” for the entirecruise will be given to you when you leave.Don’t miss: Buzet-sur-Baïse, cruise in the heartof the vineyard – Sérignac-sur-Garonne, prettymedieval country house – Agen, a historicaland gourmet stopover – Valence d’Agen, acharming medieval village.Nearby: Moissac, Romanesque art andcrossing the canal bridge – Castelsarrasin,charming city on the banks of the Garonnecanal – Montech, discover the water slope withyour boat. Possible extension on the Baïse orthe Lot.From the Canal des 2 Mers, join the Canal duMidi for an extension towards Carcassonne toSète.Gliding along the Canal de GaronneLicence-free habitable boats, smallpower boats, rowboats, canoeing, standup paddle... The Canal de Garonne isdiscovered in many ways. Admire itsshores bordered by beautiful plane trees,its hauling path and its picturesquebridges. For a weekend or a week, theCanal de Garonne offers a network of193 km of inland waterways, withrestored banks, modernised locks andwell-managed jetties and piers.www.nouvelle-aquitaine-tourisme.comSMART GUIDE ROUTES 21
