La Vélodyssée - Family trip from Arcachon to Biarritz

Cross by bike the unavoidable resorts on the Landes coast and the traditional lively villages.

Highlights

A secure and signposted route
The Dune du Pilat , an exceptional natural monument
The Great Lakes, amazing landscapes, exceptional diversity
Mimizan-Plage, the Pearl of the Silver Coast
The coastline of the Basque Country

The Atlantic Coast by La Vélodyssée

Gather the family and embark on an amazing adventure!

From the magnificent Bassin d’Arcachon to the Basque Country, take an easy bike route. With your family, on the famous bike paths of the Landes, you take part on your own Vélodyssée!

Smoothly, you ride along the ocean and its sunny beaches stretching over 230 kilometers. The Dune of Pilat offers you a rather unique panorama on your route. A few gourmet breaks allow you to refuel. The locals offer you many opportunities to discover their local products.

On La Vélodyssée you weave between lakes and forests, and cross must-see seaside resorts. Enjoy a swim and an ice cream, this is what the holidays are for! Some villages and traditional bustling ports are also the occasion of more authentic encounters.

La Vélodyssée

La Velodysseé is a cycle route that crosses Brittany and runs along the Atlantic to the Basque Coast on a stimulant and wild course.

Find some pictures of this route in video:

 


Warning


The stage between Arcachon and Biscarosse is closed since the fires of summer 2022. The partial reopening is planned for the summer of 2023 subject to validation by the Vélodyssée following the progress of the renovation work.
For this section, we propose an alternative: a shuttle with your bikes for an additional fee (from 30 euros per person) is proposed from your accommodation in Arcachon to the one in Biscarrosse. Please contact us for a commercial proposal.

Carte itinéraire à vélo La Vélodyssée en famille d'Arcachon à Biarritz
Niveau EasyEasy
Day 1

ARCACHON

Check-in at your hotel in the afternoon. Enjoy the end of the day for a walk in Arcachon.

Orientation by phone with us

On receipt of your travel documents (and bikes if you’ve opted for rental), we take the time to talk to you over the phone to explain all the important points and answer any questions you may have.

Day 2

From ARCACHON to BISCARROSSE-PLAGE 34km 203m Niveau Facile

From Arcachon, you reach the Ocean. After a few kilometers, an excursion to the top of the Dune du Pilat is a must! A unique site, of great enchantment, which offers a beautiful panorama. You go back by bike to begin the beautiful and great crossing of the Landes forest. A gap in the forest announces the arrival to Biscarrosse-Plage.

Day 3

From BISCARROSSE-PLAGE to PARENTIS EN BORN 25km 154m Niveau Facile

Today you leave the ocean to visit the Great Lakes territory, a promise of tranquility that will delight nature lovers. A passage through the Biscarrosse Aquapark will also delight children before reaching Biscarrosse, capital of the hydroplanes, then the small town of Parentis en Born.

Day 4

From PARENTIS EN BORN to MIMIZAN-PLAGE 33km 164m Niveau Loisir

Your route continues through the forest of Sainte-Eulalie before embracing the ocean again. The latter will reveal its most beautiful side upon your arrival on the family resort of Mimizan-Plage, also called the Pearl of the Silver Coast.

Day 5

From MIMIZAN-PLAGE to LINXE 47km 177m Niveau Loisir

After the warm atmosphere of Mimizan Plage, find the calm of the forest, its quietness and its scents. You will be conquered by the feeling of being the master of these serene spaces. As soon as you arrive in Contis, the only lighthouse in the moors will reveal itself to you, streaked with black and white. After a few kilometers, a stop at the beach of Cap de l’Homy is needed, to enjoy a breathtaking view of the ocean and also appreciate the wild beauty of the Landes coast.

Day 6

From LINXE to HOSSEGOR 40km 123m Niveau Loisir

The Vélodyssée is now surfing on the emblematic seaside resorts of the coastal route. You can distinguish: Seignosse the wild, Hossegor the bourgeoisie or even Capbreton (with some extra kilometers), the family friendly and lively city where you will also have the opportunity to discover the unique fishing port of the Landes.

Day 7

From HOSSEGOR to BIARRITZ 40km 97m Niveau Loisir

You gradually enter the Basque Country and discover Bayonne, City of Art and History, which invites you to discover its unique heritage. You then follow the river Adour, the Basque mountains in the background, to reach through the forest of Chiberta the beaches of Anglet. Your arrival in Biarritz opens the horizon on the golf of Cantabria and signals the end of your stay.

Day 8

BIARRITZ

End of stay after your breakfast.

Comfort range in a familial room

The price is based on one family room for 4 people, 2 adults and 2 kids., please contact us if you need another type of rooms. Free for young children (0-2 years) with a baby bed in the room.
Accommodation example

Starting from 1079€/adult in Self Guided option | See detailed prices

Essential Range

You want to enjoy your itinerary without anything fancy. Our ”essential” range offers a simple accommodation for a good night’s rest in a simple hotel, guesthouse, rest house or hostel.


Quote on request | Contact us

Privilege Range

Opt for total comfort in charming 3 and 4 star hotels which offer all the services you need and a special welcome for you and your bikes.


Quote on request | Contact us

Price includes

  • Accommodation: 7 nights in a Family 4 participants room
  • 7 breakfasts
  • Luggage transfer
  • Phone assistance 24/7
  • Access to our exclusive travel application to follow your route, inform you about places of interest, restaurants, facilitate your assistance in case of emergency, find all your travel documents and our practical advice.
  • Application fee
  • Taxes
  • The itinerary trackable on the following supports:
    • Loan of a Bicycle GPS uploaded with full itinerary of the trip
    • Topo maps
    • Cycling practical guide including restaurant recommendations for lunch & dinner
  • Additional services included:
    • Day 1 : Welcome by telephone with our team on the day of your arrival.
  • Price does not include

    • bike rental (see option)
    • Breakfast on day 1
    • Lunches
    • Dinners not included in "Price includes"
    • Drinks, visits & other personal expenses

    Close assistance
    • One of our guides greets you by phone on your first day. He present you all the needed documents for the trip (hotel vouchers, maps of the area,GPS, practical guide)
    • Phone assistance, you can reach the Abicyclette team 7 days a week
    • A Luggage transfer service from 09:00 and with a delivery before 18:00 (one luggage and one bagback per person maximum)

    Follow your itinerary anyway you like – modern, practical, traditional

    GPS for cycling trips

    • We loan you a GPS so that you can easily follow your itinerary without having to look for your way around (bike support included)
    • A practical cycling guide with all the useful information (addresses, highlights for the day, topo maps, and touristic information)

     


    You can also

     

    On our guided tours (for groups on demand), we accompany you every step of the way
    • One of our state qualified instructor and professional cycling guide accompanies you every step of the way
    • Full board (all meals covered unless asked otherwise)
    • A picnic buffet set up for lunch with a wide choice of fresh and local produce

    We offer a high-end bike rental service. Our bikes are suited for road and gravel road long-distance cycling. Fully equipped and highly reliable, they are faithful travel companions.


    Hiking Bike (man)

    ARCADE ESCAPE

    28″ wheels
    Two frame sizes
    21 gears
    Aluminium frame
    Luggage rack

    The lightweight, practical and comfortable travel bike.

    Supplied equipment per bike

    • One luggage carrier bag (capacity 20L per bag)
    • Lock
    • A handlebar bag
    • A repair kit (pump, light tools, puncture kit)

    Hiking Bike (woman)

    ARCADE ESCAPE

    28″ wheels
    Two frame sizes
    21 gears
    Aluminium frame
    Luggage rack

    The lightweight, practical and comfortable travel bike.

    Supplied equipment per bike

    • One luggage carrier bag (capacity 20L per bag)
    • Lock
    • A handlebar bag
    • A repair kit (pump, light tools, puncture kit)

    Ebike

    Several models of ebikes available with :

    28″ wheels
    At least 3 levels of assistance
    Minimum range of 50 km
    Maximum range 90-100 km
    7 gears at least
    Central motor in the bottom bracket
    Aluminium frame
    Luggage rack

    A great alternative to travel more kilometers a day and support your efforts.

    Supplied equipment per bike

    • One luggage carrier bag (capacity 20L per bag)
    • Lock
    • A handlebar bag
    • A repair kit (pump, light tools, puncture kit)

    Children Bike

    6 gears
    20″ or 24″ wheels
    Aluminium frame
    Mountain bike or Hybrid bike model

    Recommended for children from 6-7 years old for a maximum height of 145 cm.

     

     

     

    Children trailer

    Two places
    Maximum charge : 40 kg
    Note: this model is not convertible into a stroller.

     

    Getting here

    Departure city : ARCACHON

    Coming by car

    • at 6h from PARIS
    • at 1h from BORDEAUX
    • at 5h from LYON

    Parking*

    • Parking Indigo Centre-Ville Gare – ARCACHON

    Coming by train

    • Arcachon train station - 3h from Paris
    • Bordeaux train station - 2h30 from Paris

    Coming by plane

    • Bordeaux airport

    Arrival city : BIARRITZ

    Coming by car

    • at 7h from PARIS
    • at 2h15 from BORDEAUX
    • at 7h from LYON

    Coming by train

    • Biarritz train station - 4h from Paris

    Coming by plane

    • Biarritz airport

    *Parking: Since many of our clients travel by train or plane, we do not include parking in our packages. In addition, many accommodations don’t have the capacity to park a vehicle for the duration of your cycling vacation. So if you’re planning to arrive by car, we suggest you check parking options when you make your reservation. If you reserve a parking space at the first or last accommodation of your stay, you must pay the accommodation provider on site.

    * Abicyclette Voyages accompanies you on demand, including transportation solutions.

    How to get back to the starting point

    • By train from Biarritz to Arcachon in 2H30
    • Return by car in 2h00 to your starting point
    • Private shuttle: see detailed fares or contact us

    Recommended equipment

    Bike

    • Hybrid Bike or Touring Bike or Gravel Bike
    • 18 to 30-speed transmission
    • 26- to 29-inch wheels
    • Tires: 35 to 42 section, reinforced against punctures
    • Disc brakes recommended
    • 2 bottle cages
    • Bell
    • Front and rear lighting

    Clothing and equipment

    • Helmet (supplied with bike rental unless otherwise specified locally)
    • 1 bike mount for smartphone to use the mobile route planner application
    • Suitable cycling clothing:
      • bib, shorts or tights: elastic and breathable, to facilitate movement and wick away perspiration
      • Breathable T-shirts, synthetic or merino wool
      • Breathable windbreaker
    • Thermal or fleece jacket
    • Waterproof jacket
    • 1 pair of sunglasses
    • 1 pair of cycling shoes
    • 1 backpack or 1 or 2 carrier bags
    • 1 or 2 water bottles (supplied with bike rental in France)
    • 1 lock (supplied with bike rental)
    • Technical details, recommended by the team for optimum comfort:
      • 1 pair of gloves or mittens, depending on season and destination
      • Padded bib (chamois)
      • High-visibility vest or fluorescent belt
      • Neck warmer and cap

    Bike maintenance

    • Emergency repair kit: 2 or 3 inner tubes, patches, pump, tire levers, multi-tools
    • Maintenance kit: rag, oil, brake pads

    Other

    • A suitcase for your belongings carried in the vehicle (limited to one per person)
    • Street clothes
    • 1 pair of evening shoes
    • Fleece jacket for the evening
    • Toiletry bag
    • Telephone and charger

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