Essential Europe Travel

Day 1

Arrival at the railway station or at the airport. Transfer by taxi to "the Château de Grand Branet", a 3-star guesthouse  where you will receive a guidebook outlining your tour. The owners will welcome you to their 17thC residence, which was refurbished in the19th century and is set in the heart of their winegrowing estate. Dinner in the company of your hosts.

Day 2

You will start your biking through the heart of this winegrowing area, arriving in the Côtes de Bordeaux Saint-Macaire region. Your ride brings you through the bastide town of Cadillac and its castle, as well as the former residence of the painter Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec at Château Malromé and that of the writer François Mauriac at Domaine de Malagar. You finish in the old merchant town of Saint-Macaire. A beautiful collection of both medieval and Renaissance vestiges, be sure to see the 14th century painted murals in the St. Sauveur church, and to meander through the arcaded main square before your dinner.

Day 3

We cross over onto the left bank of the Garonne River this morning to then follow the twisting roads of the world-famous Sauternes vineyards, including the jewel in its crown : Château Yquem. The itinerary goes on to Budos, then through the valleys carved out by the River Ciron, to Leogats and Nouaillan. You then carry on to Balizac where you enter the Landes de Gascogne Regional Nature Park, before reaching Saint-Symphorien.

Day 4

You will be riding westwards along a lovely little forest road offering great variety. Heading towards Louchats, the pine forest becomes denser and the scent of pine resin richer. Leave your bicycle at the site of the lagoons of Gât-Mort and discover the water beneath the carpet of fern. For your picnic the lakes of Hostens offer plenty of shade by the shore, perfect for an afternoon nap. The bike path will then take you, between pine trees and heather, on small roads to your home for the night.

Day 5

Cycle gently along the bike path to Mios, following a little road as the pine forest gradually thins. Crossing over the railway line takes you to Le Teich, where the Park meets the sea. Enter the ornithological park to take a break! The landscape opens out to the light of the Bay of Arcachon as you take the coastal path with the salt from the bay under your wheels and follow the scent of the sea air to Gujan-Mestras. Pay a visit to the nationally-renowned site of the Dune du Pyla, where you can leave your bike and climb to the top of the highest dune of Europe. The view from the top is breathtaking. Arrival at your last hotel in Arcachon for an evening on the seafront or at the casino.

Day 6

You can choose to stay one or two more days in this last hotel in order to visit more deeply the Bay of Arcachon and take advantage of the Ocean. You can have daily cycling tours to visit both sides of the bay.
Extra day example:  "Across the Bay to Cap Ferret"

Take the boat across the Bay of Arcachon to reach Cap Ferret and ride throughout the other side of the Bay. Leave your bicycle to walk up to the top of the lighthouse. Bike a little further to reach the very pretty oyster village of l'Herbe, the reservoirs as well as the Tapper's Shack. Do not miss the last departure of the boat to cross back the bay and return to your hotel!