Follow the Velodyssey Cycle Path from La Rochelle through Charente Maritime and Aquitaine to Arcachon Bay near Bordeaux. Easy riding on idyllic, beach-side cycle paths punctuated with stays in pleasant seaside towns characterizes this highly enjoyable cycling holiday.
The holiday starts with 2 nights in the harbour town of La Rochelle (the White City). From here you’ll enjoy a loop ride around the beautiful island of Ré, connected to the mainland via a 1.8 mile bridge.
Cap Ferret with Dune du Pyla in the distance.
Heading south you enjoy wonderful coastal views and visit historic towns such as the ancient shipbuilding town of Rochefort and Royan with its lovely covered market.
After crossing the mouth of the impressive Gironde Estuary you spend the next three days following an idyllic cycle path through pine forests just inland from wide sandy beaches washed by atlantic surf. One of the beauties of this route is being able to turn off the path for some beach-time whenever the mood takes you. The dappled light and fresh scent of the pine forest mixed with the salty air and distant boom of the atlantic rollers provides a pleasant and memorable accompaniment to your journey.
The laid-back, surfer town of Lacanau Océan is a pleasant overnight stop and you’ll love the charming fishing villages of the Cap Ferret. The bustling town of Arcachon on the beautiful bay is a fitting finale to such a pleasant route and if you like you can opt for an extra day to visit the impressive Dune du Pyla a little further south.
The vast majority of the ride is on dedicated cycle paths with some short sections on shared lanes. It is mostly flat and any inclines are gentle and short. As such, this holiday is a good choice for families and newcomers to cycling holidays.