Home > Cycling with Bacchus: An Epicurean Bike Trip Around Bordeaux

Cycling with Bacchus: An Epicurean Bike Trip Around Bordeaux

Cet itinéraire vous permettra de découvrir le Bordelais 2
Cycling holidays in the Bordeaux vineyard area Discover wine cellar and wine tasting in Bordeaux wine producing area
Cet itinéraire vous permettra de découvrir le Bordelais

Cycling with Bacchus: An Epicurean Bike Trip Around Bordeaux

  • Level
  • PriceFrom 1,225 euros
  • DAY6 nights / 7 days

More info: Receive detailed hotel list, bike specs, and route description

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Description

This seven-day bicycle tour allows you to experience Bordeaux’s world-famous wine country.

Each daily ride is short and easy, making this a suitable bike tour for all riding levels. In between wine tastings and snapping pictures of medieval castles, you’ll lodge in historic villages – Margaux, Virsac, Saint-Emilion – while pushing the limits of epicurean bliss with local gourmet dinners. And because it’s a self-guided bike tour, we’ll handle all the logistics – accommodations, luggage transfers, route maps – so as to limit your concerns to “Which wine pairs best with my favorite energy bar?” and “Will this wine bottle fit in my saddle bag?”

 

For travel and cycling tips to Bordeaux, visit our "Travel and cycling tips" section.

Itinerary

D1Arrival in Bordeaux and Transfer to Pauillac in Médoc

 

Whether arriving by train or plane, upon arriving in Bordeaux you’ll be taxied to your three-star hotel in Pauillac, home of three of the five first vintages of the Médoc. After settling in, the hotel staff will outfit you with bikes, maps and all other pertinent information for your tour. If needed, you can call your guide at any time. At night you’ll feast on local French cuisine while sharpening your toast-giving skills with some of the region’s famous red wines.

D2 Pauillac – Margaux along “La Route des Grands Crus” 52 km/33 miles, 190 meters/625 ft of climbing

 

Pauillac is a "Bordeaux appellation" that houses some of the most prestigious chateaux in the world. En route to Moulis, you will discover estates listed in the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855 and other jewels. You’ll see the renowned Lafite RothschildLatour, and Mouton Rothschild, "1ers Grands Crus Classés" (their wines have been officially designated some of the world's best vintages). If that’s not enough excellent wine for you, you’ll be entranced by Chateaux Pichon Longueville (second "cru classé"), Pontet Canet, and Lynch Bages (5th "cru classé"). The villages of PauillacSaint-JulienMoulis, and Margaux are all worth a visit. Be sure to stop and admire the classical façade of the entrance to Château Margaux and peek at their prestigious vines!

D3Margaux – Larmarque + ferry crossing to Blaye. Cycle to Virsac. 42 km/26 miles, 240 meters/785 ft of climbing

 

Today you’ll cross the Gironde Estuary via ferry into Blaye. The Citadel of Blaye, the town’s most famous architectural landmark, enjoys status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Perhaps equally as famous, but for different reasons, are the neighboring Côtes de Blaye vineyards. Just like yesterday, you will have plenty of chances to clink and drink. From here you’ll continue south along the Gironde, following the scenic “Route de la Corniche Fleurie” into Virsac. This timeless village, full of ancient architecture, will serve as home for the night.

D4Virsac – Saint-Emilion 40 km/25 miles, 260 meters/850 ft of climbing

 

You’ll exit Virsac, pedaling southeast into Fronsac, an area that’s as distinct for its hills as it is for its wines. The vineyards that terrace down Fronsac’s limestone bluffs have long produced history’s grape of choice, sating the thirsts of CharlemagneCardinal de Richelieu and King Louis XIV. From here you’ll bicycle into Pomerol, the Bordeaux region’s smallest wine producing area. Despite its limited size, Pomerol enjoys all-star status with wine aficionados, especially for its Château Petrus, one of the planet’s most highly regarded vintages. The day concludes in Saint-Emilion, perhaps the Bordeaux region’s most quintessential wine village. You’ll spend two nights here, giving you plenty of time to explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

D5Loop around Saint-Emilion 2 options: 17 km/11 miles, 130 meters/425 ft of climbing or 34 km/21 miles, 160 meters/525 feet of climbing

 

Today’s loop will allow you to fully experience Saint-Emilion and its surrounding villages and vineyards. Most of the wine estates you’ll visit are smaller in scope, combining rural charm with pastoral elegance. Before bending back to Saint-Emilion you’ll wheel through Castillon-la-Bataille, site of the famous battle between France and England in 1453 that ended the 100 Years’ War.

The day’s short ride will give you plenty of time to wander through Saint-Emilion’s narrow cobblestone streets and fully absorb its Old World splendor. Wine shops outnumber cafés, it seems — both are excellent places to pause. Beneath Saint-Emilion lies the world’s largest monolithic cathedral, a must-see that requires you to descend underground for a visit!

D6Saint-Emilion – Bordeaux 54 km/34 miles, 280 meters/920 ft of climbing

 

Bicycle through the village of Branne before turning west along the Dordogne River and merging on to the “Roger Lapébie Bike Path.” Named after the winner of the 1937 Tour de France, this 58-kilometer green path was originally a rail line. Many of the old train buildings have since been converted into cafes, wine bars, and bike stations, making the trail a biking nirvana. After passing through the village of Créon, you’ll eventually pedal into the heart of Bordeaux, stopping at the front steps of the Place de la Bourse — one of France’s true architectural masterpieces. Your downtown hotel will allow for immediate access to Bordeaux’s many attractions.

D7Departure

 

After breakfast, you may depart on your own timetable.

Booking & Prices

  • Option A
  • 6 nights in 3-star hotels and guesthouses of charm

  • 1,225 euros per person in April and October. Single supplement is 430 euros
  • 1,255 euros per person in May, June and September. Single supplement is 440 euros
  • 1,285 euros per person in July and August. Single supplement is 450 euros
  • Option A+
  • 6 nights in 3-star and 4-star hotels and guesthouses of charm

  • 1,265 euros per person in April and October. Single supplement is 495 euros
  • 1,290 euros per person in May, June and September. Single supplement is 510 euros
  • 1,325 euros per person in July and August. Single supplement is 520 euros

These prices include:

  • 6 nights' accommodation
  • Daily breakfast
  • 2 dinners (drinks are not included)
  • Luggage transfers
  • Transfer from Bordeaux (airport or train station) to your first place of stay on Day 1
  • Ferry crossing of the Estuary (with bikes)
  • Marked maps and/or cue sheets and route notes
  • Smartphone app. (Android and iPhone) with downloadable directions/roadbook (no data is necessary) - Cell phone holder not provided (bring your own).
  • Tourist information
  • Assistance if necessary (you will be provided with our local rep’s mobile number)
  • All tax and service charges

These prices do not include:

  • Expenses of a personal nature
  • Travel Insurance
  • Bicycle rentals. Hybrid bikes are available at the rate of 120 euros per bike. E-bikes are available at the rate of 220 euros per bike.

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