The Bordeaux Wine Routes
Along the Gironde riverbanks
© Vincent Bengold
Duration
6 days and 5 nights
Niveau
Leisure
Departure date
From April 1st to October 31st
Type de séjour
Freedom trip
Travelling loopLes points forts
- Prestigious vineyards of Pomerol, Pauillac, Margaux...
- Saint-Emilion, part of UNESCO's world heritage
- Bordeaux, capital of wine and buzzing city
Bordeaux, more than a designation
Cycling through some of the most prestigious vineyards in the world
From Bordeaux you cycle down the Garonne then the Dordogne river before to reach some of the most prestigious vineyards. Among the most famous are Pauillac, Margaux, Saint-Emilion…
On small roads it is a journey through vineyards, nature and wine cellars. It is an opportunity to discover more about the culture and making of wines and enjoy a few tastings.
The architectural heritage is as impressive as the wine. You ride between “castles” of all sizes. In the evening you stay insmall towns of character where you can also taste gourmet local cuisine. Saint-Emilion, a renowed city of wine with a beautiful historical architecture, is part of UNESCO’s World Heritage!
The journey continues to Bordeaux, the “Sleeping Beauty”. Since this nickname was given to her, the city has woken up, its streets and cellars are lively and yours to enjoy!
Itinéraire
Leisure From BORDEAUX to SAINT-EMILION 56km 345m 
You leave the regional capital on a bicycle lane that takes you into the Bordeaux countryside to the charming little walled city of Creon. Continue your ride by admiring the site and the Romanesque pillars of the La Sauve-Majeure Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After a few kilometers, you are in the middle of vineyards, as far as the eye can see, that stay with you all the way to Saint Emilion.
From SAINT-EMILION to BLAYE 68km 529m
Leaving Saint-Émilion, you drive through renowned vineyards, dominated by châteaux producing grands crus, to reach Libourne. This town with its trading history can be discovered between the quays along the Dordogne and lively markets. You continue through vineyards to Château du Moulin-Meyney, surrounded by plots of Merlot and Cabernet. Further on, Château Rouet reveals itself at the bend of a path between vines and groves. Following the Canal des 2 Mers, a detour takes you to the Pair-Non-Pair cave, famous for its prehistoric engravings. The route then takes you to Bourg, surrounded by vineyards and overlooking the estuary. Finally, you cycle through the vineyards of the Blayais region before arriving in Blaye and its citadel.
From BLAYE to PAUILLAC 45km 137m
From PAUILLAC to BORDEAUX 60km 221m
Departing from Pauillac, the route takes you through the prestigious vineyards of the Médoc. Your first stop is Château Talbot, surrounded by vines that produce one of Saint-Julien’s great classified growths. Along the way, Château Beychevelle stands out for its elegance and manicured gardens. You will then reach Cussac-Fort-Médoc, where the Vauban fortification bears witness to the local historical heritage. Continuing along the Saint-Jacques cycle route, stop off at the Musée des Arts et Métiers de la Vigne in Médrac to discover the history of wine-growing traditions. Then cross the Jaugas and Bronturon ponds, two soothing natural areas. The route continues on to Château Martinens, then the villages of Arsac and Le Pian-Médoc, bordered by forests and moors such as those of Chopinot and Mirepied. Finally, Blanquefort marks your entry into the Bordeaux metropolis, where Bordeaux awaits you with its quays and UNESCO-listed heritage.
BORDEAUX
End of stay after breakfast in Bordeaux. You can enjoy the morning in Bordeaux to visit the beautiful sites of the city of wine.
Ils ont voyagés avec nous
Informations pratiques
Comfort Range
Our quality standard at Abicyclette. This type of accommodation includes 2 and 3 stars hotels. Depending on the itinerary, you might spend some nights in approved guesthouses. You enjoy a double bedroom with private bathroom and toilet and adapted welcome for you and your bikes.
Starting from 920€/participant 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: 5 nights in a Double room
- 5 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 trip itineraries available 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
- Day 1 : A personalized greeting with our team at the beginning of the trip to receive your travel documents
Price does not include
- Bike rental (see option)
- Breakfast on day 1
- Lunches
- Dinners not included in "Price includes"
- The boat crossing between Blaye and Lamarque (payment on site)
- Drinks, visits & other personal expenses
Homemade and fully tested itineraries
- Routes selected for their cycling and touristic interest entirely tested and away from traffic
- Accomodations selected for their hospitality, atmosphere, services and quality meals
- A flexible organisation to suit you needs and wishes: You choose the date you want to you leave on! We check the availability of each accomodation to make sure it is possible.
Close assistance
- One of our guides greets you on your first day. He will hand out all the needed documents for the trip (hotel vouchers, maps of the area,GPS, practical guide), get you settled on your bikes (for rental bikes).
- Phone assistance, you can reach the Abicyclette team whenever you need
- A Luggage transfer service which respects your hours of rest (we pick them up after 10:00 and deliver them before 16:00)
Follow your itinerary anyway you like – modern, practical, traditional
- We loan you a GPS so that you can easily follow your itinerary without having to look for your way around (bike support included)
- 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.
- A practical cycling guide with all the useful information (addresses, highlights for the day, topo maps, and touristic information)
You can also
- Rent a high end quality bike for real comfort, cycling pleasure and reliability a long trip requires.
- Suscribe to a Cancelation or Multi Risk insurance policy which cover you in case something unexpected comes up.
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.
Our rentals include a "breakage and theft guarantee" for peace of mind when travelling. Information and details from your advisor.
Touring Bike (woman)Equipped with reliable and lightweight components to offer you a carefree stay. Supplied equipment per bike
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Touring Bike (man)Equipped with reliable and lightweight components to offer you a carefree stay. Supplied equipment per bike
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EbikeIt will allow all terrain and distances to be considered serenely, thanks to their natural and progressive assistance as well as their generous autonomy. Supplied equipment per bike
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Children's BikeSupplied equipment per bike
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Child's trailer |  |
Getting here
Departure city : BORDEAUX
Coming by car
- at 5h45 from PARIS
- at 3h30 from NANTES
- at 5h30 from LYON
Parking*
- Parking Paludate – BORDEAUX
- Parking Gare Saint Jean – BORDEAUX
- Parking Grands Hommes – BORDEAUX
- Parking Gambetta – BORDEAUX
- Q-Park Clémenceau Auditorium – BORDEAUX
Coming by train
- Bordeaux train station - 2h15 from Paris
Coming by plane
- Bordeaux airport
Arrival city : BORDEAUX
Coming by car
- at 5h45 from PARIS
- at 3h30 from NANTES
- at 5h30 from LYON
Coming by train
- Bordeaux train station - 2h15 from Paris
Coming by plane
- Bordeaux 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.
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 carrier bag supplied with bike rental)
- 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
Terms of payment and cancellation
The full terms and conditions of sale are available here: https://www.abicyclette-voyages.com/conditions-generales-de-vente/
Booking and payment
- Departure more than 30 days before your booking: payment of a deposit of 30%, excluding insurance, at the time of booking. If you have taken out travel insurance, it must be paid in full at the time of booking to guarantee its validity.
- Departure within 30 days of your booking: payment of the total cost of your stay. Or payment of the balance of the holiday if you have already paid a deposit.
Cancellation of the Contract
You may cancel the Contract at any time before the start of the Tour, subject to payment of a cancellation fee. Any total or partial cancellation will incur the following costs per participant:
| Cancellation period | Fees |
| From the date of Booking to 60 days or more before departure or the 1st day of the programme | 5% of the total cost of the Tour (including options); a minimum of 100 euros including VAT will be charged to the Customer |
| Between 59 and 30 days before departure or on the 1st day of the programme | 10% of the total cost of the Tour (including options); a minimum of 120 euros including VAT will be charged to the Customer
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| Between 29 and 10 days before departure or on the 1st day of the programme | 30% of the total amount of the Tour (including options) a minimum of 150 euros including VAT will be charged to the Customer |
| Entre 9 à 7 jours avant le départ ou le 1er jour du programme | 45% du montant total du Voyage (options incluses) |
| Between 9 and 7 days before departure or on the 1st day of the programme | 75% of the total cost of the trip (including options) |
| Less than 3 days to the day of departure or the 1st day of the programme | 100% of the total cost of the trip (including options) |
| No show on day of departure or 1st day of programme |
Custom made trips
You want a custom made cycling tour, or you’ve spotted one of our trips and would like to adapt it ? Tell us a bit about your project and we’ll help you prepare a trip that suits you best.
Starting from 955€
Book your trip
Expert , 
Aventure
Easy
BORDEAUX
Meeting with our local guide
Before your first ride, we invite you to meet one of our guides, at your place of departure. A time of exchange, a privileged moment to give you our last practical tips, must-see places and experiences, to answer all your questions, take care of your bike fitting to begin your trip.