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THE VINEYARDS OF BORDEAUX
Cycling through Gironde: Entre-Deux-Mers
  Mention
Bordeaux and you will spark thoughts all around the world of good wine. As
you travel through the vineyards by bike on carefully chosen routes you
will experience much more of the Gironde. Unique castles will catch your
eye, rivers meander their way across beautiful countryside, the unspoilt
Natural Park, oyster beds and the Atlantic coast add a multitude of
dimensions to your journey.
This is an easy-going, hotel-based on-road cycle tour exploring the delights of the Gironde region. Best known for the vineyards that produce Bordeaux wines, this area that stretches south of the Dordogne and west to the Atlantic also harbours shady
forests, the Gironne River, quaint rural villages and enormous
sand dunes on the coast. Apart from the rolling nature of some of the vineyards, the ride is generally flattish and covers modest daily distances. There will be plenty of time for relaxing, looking around and perhaps having a few long lunches. All in all it is a leisurely tour for enjoying the ample delights of rural France - and especially the great Bordeaux cru.
Our first night is spent in Capian in a hotel that is part of a wine estate where you can taste the produce with your first evening meal. Next morning hop on to the saddle and venture out through the Bastide towns of Cadillac and Chateau Malrome (where Toulouse Lautrec lived) and into vineyards of Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux and Cotes de Bordeaux to St Macaire. Here is a mediaeval cité with wine 'caves' to explore and superb views of the Gironne. Crossing the Gironne we head toward the Landes Natural Park, following the River Ciron, but not before exploring the vineyards of Sauternes, most renowned of which is Chateau d’yquem. Day four takes us into the forest and a day of easy cycling among the pines with a fabulous picnic spot by the lake. Later look forward to your evening meal that will be served by Monsieur Bourrissoux on his terrace shaded by vines and cooled by a fountain. Riding on, the forest thins and the smell of the sea gets stronger as we reach a bird sanctuary by the Bay of Arcachon. Following the coast and detour for a climb to the top of Europe's highest sand dune. It is worth it for the views. Arcachon is a sophisticated, chic resort, built on a lagoon west of Bordeaux. Its fine, sandy beach is bordered by a tamarisk-shaded promenade, with views across to the beaches of Cap Ferret.
There are two full days to explore from Arcachon, time to try the cycle track that leads around the bay visiting the villages in this nature reserve and quiet sandy beaches. Also not to be missed is a ferry to whisk you and your bike across the bay to Cap Ferret where the wealthy Bordelais play and to the oyster village of L'Herbe. This is the centre of France's oyster production and from these beds come the best you can get; if you have never tried them this is your chance.
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Accommodation
7
nights/8 days -
Our first night is spent in Capian in a 3* logis. You will be welcomed into this 17th-century residence. This establishment was refurbished in the 19th century and sits in its own winegrowing area. You will have a chance to sample their wine with dinner. Your charming 3* hotel on night 2 is situated in the medieval town of
Saint-Macaire. In Origne you spend the night in a charming guesthouse which is located in the centre of the village. On night 4 in
Le Barp you stay in a 2* hotel, Mr Bourrissoux the owner will make you more than welcome, you may even have dinner on the terrace. The final 3 nights are spent in
Arcachon at a 3* hotel which is only 80m from the beach.
Terrain
Almost flat terrain with just a little rolling countryside through some of the vineyards making the cycling very enjoyable
Sherpa
Notes Bike Hire
21
speed hybrid bike with aluminium frame, lock, saddle bag, repair
kit, helmet and bottle holder. Accommodation and Meals
Dinner, bed and breakfast for 5 nights. B&B for 2 nights. (Wine and coffee with dinners on 5 nights) Start and End of Tour
The nearest airport or railway station is Bordeaux a taxi from Bordeaux airport or train station to Capian is included. The trip ends in Arcachon. (A train or taxi back to the airport/station is not included.)
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vacations
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