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Tour de Bordeaux France: Cycling Tour Bordeaux
Duration
7 days
Site savings
$36
From
$3,473 USD
Enjoy relaxed cycling through the vines of this legendary region, the holy grail of wine connoisseurs around the world. Follow the Dordogne River to taste the wines of St-Emilion, Margaux and Sauternes. The itinerary has been tailored for easy cycling, small groups, and for you to experience the best food and wine of this rightly famous region. Not only do you get to sample some of the worlds best wines directly from the cellar door and cycle amongst the gentle hills of Bordeaux in the warm glow of the European summer sun, but Bordeaux also offers unforgettable accommodations, incredible food and the most delightful French countryside villages you can imagine. It really is a rolling postcard.
- CategoryCultural & Historical
- TypeFully Guided
- Duration7 days
- Culture LevelFamiliar
- Skill Level2 - Novice
- Activity Level2 - Moderate
- Elevation1 - Easy
- TerrainAgricultural
- Distance155.3 miles
- Avg. Daily Distance31.1 miles
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Tour de Vines
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Quick Stats
- Duration7 days
- Main DestinationBordeaux and Dordogne
- Distance155.3 miles
- Avg. Daily Distance31.1 miles
- Elevation1 - Easy
- TerrainAgricultural
Route Map (click to view larger image)
Itinerary Details
- Day 1Arrival
- Day 2Moncaret
Heading east, the route takes you through the Montagne wine districts, passing through typical wine villages, until you descend off the plateau towards the river Dordogne. You will arrive in Moncaret, where a super crisp white wine is produced. As a diversion from all the grapes, you will visit the ruins of a Roman villa which overlooks the village; the excavations have uncovered some fascinating details about daily Roman life in the provinces of Gaul. The rest of the day’s ride follows the Dordogne until you arrive at the hotel, the Chateau de Sanse. Take time for a swim in the heated pool, or relax on the terrace overlooking a verdant valley with a cold beer or a glass of the local appellation, before an al fresco dinner of gourmet food.
- 28.6 miles
- Chateau de Sanse
- Breakfast and Dinner
- Day 3A circular day in Sanse
Tuesday is a circular day, so you will be returning to the Chateau de Sanse this evening. Today's cycling takes you to the Bastide (fortified village from the Hundred Years War) of Pellegrue; although the fortifications are now gone, the central square with its covered market remains, and is a great stop for an early coffee break. You are now getting to the edge of the wine making region, and the vines start to be replaced by the source of another delicacy – plum trees!
Prunes, in particular the succulent, often Armagnac-soaked varieties known as Pruneau d’Argen are a specialty of the region, and find their way into chocolares and other delicious treats. There will be a stop at a producer to taste! Next on the route, and a great place for lunch, is the market town of Duras standing on a hill topped by its medieval fortress. On the ride back to Sanse,l pop in to an organic wine producer in the Bordeaux Sainte-Foy appellation to get an idea of the work that goes on in the vineyard, and of course to try the results!- 31.1 miles
- Chateau de Sanse
- Breakfast and Dinner
- Day 4Sanse to Saint-Emilion
An easy day starting with an easy cycle along the riverbanks of the Dordogne. After crossing the river at Castillon-la-Bataille, scene of the final defeat of the English in the Hundred Years War, you will arrive in the Libournais. A gentle climb through the Cotes-de-Castillon vineyards will see you into the ancient ramparts of St-Emilion. In addition to its fabulous wines, St-Emilion is one of the prettiest towns in South-West France. Within its ancient walls can be found the Chateau du Roi and, notably, the Eglise Monolithe – a church, dating from the 8th Century which was carved from a single block of rock.
Spend the afternoon exploring St-Emilion and sleep here tonight!
- 28.6 miles
- Accommodation at Saint-Emilion
- Breakfast and Dinner
- Day 5Saint-Emilion Vineyards
- Day 6Entre-Deux-Mers and Bordeaux
Today you will head into the Entre-Deux-Mers wine region – although literally translated the name means ‘between two seas’ the seas in question are in fact the rivers Dordogne and Garonne. After crossing the Dordogne, follow the Roger LaPebie Cycleway, which is a converted railway track. This of course means that hills are not a problem, and navigation is a cinch! The first stop is the Abbaye de Sauve-Majeure. Classified a World Heritage Site in 1998 by UNESCO, the abbey was founded in 1079 and was once home to 300 monks.
For the afternoon, rejoin the La Pebie cycleway, and make your way into Bordeaux itself to complete the week’s cycling tour. Bordeaux has no shortage of attractions, from the beautifully restored 18th century Customs Houses lining the river to the sophisticated shopping along Rue Ste- Catherine. The final dinner together will be at one of the many gourmet restaurants on which the city prides itself.- Hotel in Bordeaux
- Breakfast and Dinner
- Day 7Departure