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Cyclists in Bordeaux on the banks of the Garonne

The guest guide

Our bike routes around Bordeaux

Six outings that we truly recommend: two loops starting from the house and four point-to-point routes to combine with the train. Each is described step by step, with its GPX track to download before setting off.

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Loop · 01

Map © OpenStreetMap contributors · GPX bike track

Bordeaux and its two banks

An urban loop starting from the house: the Chartrons, the Bassins à flot, the right bank via Darwin, then the return via the Pont de Pierre and the Place de la Bourse.

23.2 km
distance
1 hr 48 min
indicative time
8 m D+
positive elevation
52% cycle lanes
cycleway share

Departure from Pénates → Return to Pénates

Download the GPX track

19 steps · recommended order

  1. 1
    Quinconces
    Monumental square on the banks of the Garonne
  2. 2
    Jardin public
    Historical park in the heart of Bordeaux
  3. 3
    Palais Gallien
    Remains of the Roman amphitheater
  4. 4
    Rue Notre-Dame
    Antique shops and facades of Chartrons
  5. 5
    Quais des Chartrons
    Cycle walk on the Garonne
  6. 6
    Cité du Vin
    Cultural stop in Bacalan
  7. 7
    Halles de Bacalan
    Gourmet market at the foot of the Bassins
  8. 8
    Tour des Bassins à flot
    Port loop via the quays
  9. 9
    Musée Mer Marine
    Maritime collection at Bassins à flot
  10. 10
    Bassins des Lumières
    Underwater base and immersive exhibitions
  11. 11
    Pont Chaban-Delmas
    Cycle crossing to the right bank
  12. 12
    Parc aux Angéliques
    Landscape walk on the right bank
  13. 13
    Jardin botanique
    Bastide botanical garden
  14. 14
    Darwin
    Alternative ecosystem at Quai des Queyries
  15. 15
    Place Stalingrad
    Entrance gate to the Bastide
  16. 16
    Pont de Pierre
    Historic crossing to the left bank
  17. 17
    Flèche Saint-Michel
    Iconic bell tower
  18. 18
    Porte Cailhau
    Medieval door facing the Garonne
  19. 19
    Place de la Bourse
    Last stop before returning

Loading the GPS track…

Loop · 02

Map © OpenStreetMap contributors · GPX bike track

The great wines of Pessac-Léognan

A loop south of Bordeaux which connects the Cité Frugès of Le Corbusier, the Priory of Cayac and a dozen classified growths, up to the stop at Smith Haut Lafitte.

51.5 km
distance
3 hr 44 min
indicative time
29 m D+
positive elevation
37% cycle lanes
cycleway share

Departure from Pénates → Return to Pénates

Download the GPX track

12 steps · recommended order

  1. 1
    Château Haut-Brion
    Historic Grand Cru
  2. 2
    Château Pape Clément
    Graves Classified Growth
  3. 3
    Cité Frugès — Le Corbusier
    Modern architecture in Pessac
  4. 4
    Prieuré de Cayac
    Beautiful heritage stopover in Gradignan
  5. 5
    Domaine de Chevalier
    Great reference of the appellation
  6. 6
    Château Malartic-Lagravière
    Classified growth, wine stop
  7. 7
    Larrivet Haut-Brion
    Vineyards and cellars in Léognan
  8. 8
    Château Haut-Bailly
    A signature from Léognan
  9. 9
    Château La Louvière
    One of the most beautiful in the sector
  10. 10
    Smith Haut Lafitte / Caudalie
    The most comfortable stop on the route
  11. 11
    Château Carbonnieux
    Red and white, classified grand cru
  12. 12
    Château Olivier
    Very photogenic site

Practical information:

La Cité Frugès — Le Corbusier is a laboratory of modern architecture: modular houses, polychromy and five points of modern architecture. Listed as a UNESCO world heritage site as the architectural work of Le Corbusier, it can also be discovered with a series of audio podcasts.

Learn more and listen to audio podcasts →

For the wine estates, it is recommended to book a visit a few days in advance.

Our favorites in order, not to be missed:

  1. 1. Château Pape Clément — For its great wines, its extraordinary gardens and its thousand-year-old olive trees, with the museum dedicated to Pope Clement. Book a tour ↗
  2. 2. Château Olivier — Medieval castle surrounded by a moat, preserved natural site and classified grands crus: a visit between heritage, nature and tasting. Book a tour ↗
  3. 3. Château Larrivet Haut-Brion — A creative estate between vines, cellars and the Millésimé Garden, for a contemporary and sensory discovery of wine. Book a tour ↗

Loading the GPS track…

Loop · 03

Map © OpenStreetMap contributors · GPX bike track

The vineyards of Margaux

A day in the Médoc, from Labarde to Cantenac, passing thirteen châteaux: Margaux, Palmer, d'Issan, Giscours and several classified growths on the same route.

62.2 km
distance
4 hr 27 min
indicative time
13 m D+
positive elevation
20% cycle lanes
cycleway share

Departure from Pénates → Return to Pénates

Download the GPX track

13 wine estates · recommended order

  1. 1
    Château Dauzac
    Classified growth · stop at Labarde
  2. 2
    Château Siran
    Historic estate of Labarde
  3. 3
    Château d’Issan
    Third Grand Cru Classé
  4. 4
    Château Prieuré-Lichine
    Fourth Grand Cru Classé
  5. 5
    Château Kirwan
    Third Grand Cru Classé
  6. 6
    Château Rauzan-Ségla
    Second Grand Cru Classé
  7. 7
    Château Palmer
    Third Grand Cru Classé
  8. 8
    Château Margaux
    Premier Grand Cru Classé · emblematic stopover
  9. 9
    Château Malescot Saint-Exupéry
    Third Grand Cru Classé
  10. 10
    Château Lascombes
    Second Grand Cru Classé
  11. 11
    Château Cantenac Brown
    Scottish architecture
  12. 12
    Château Brane-Cantenac
    Second Grand Cru Classé
  13. 13
    Château Giscours
    Park and vineyard in Labarde

Practical information:

Shorten the journey with the train from the Bouscat Sainte-Germaine stop, 4 km from Les Pénates, to Margaux: around 20 km saved.

For the return, go to Macau then take the train to Bouscat Sainte-Germaine: around 15 km saved.

For lunch in Margaux, stop at the Au Marquis de Terme restaurant, located in the heart of the vineyard. Discover Au Marquis de Terme ↗

Book your visits a few days in advance and check available slots before leaving.

Our favorites in order, not to be missed:

  1. 1. Château Siran — One-hour discovery tour, wine collections, cellars, panoramic terrace and tasting of three wines. Book a tour ↗
  2. 2. Château Giscours — Grand Cru Classé de Margaux, with visit to the land and production, tasting and remarkable natural setting. Book a tour ↗
  3. 3. Château Kirwan — Visit to the heart of the vines, the vat room and the cellars, extended by a tasting of two Margaux wines. Book a tour ↗
  4. 4. Château Prieuré-Lichine — Historical and sensory visit to understand the production of a Margaux Grand Cru, followed by a tasting of two or three wines. Book a tour ↗

Loading the GPS track…

Crossing · 04

Map © OpenStreetMap contributors · GPX bike track

The vines of Saint-Émilion

A wine crossing from Libourne to Saint-Émilion, which connects Pomerol, the Grands Crus Classés and the heart of the city before arriving at the station.

31.3 km
distance
2 hr 35 min
indicative time
115 m D+
positive elevation
1% cycle lanes
cycleway share

Libourne station → Saint-Émilion station

Download the GPX track

16 wine estates · 1 point of interest

  1. 1
    Château Pétrus
    Pomerol · legendary estate near Saint-Émilion
  2. 2
    Château Cheval Blanc
    Premier Grand Cru Classé A
  3. 3
    Château Figeac
    Premier Grand Cru Classé A
  4. 4
    Château La Dominique
    Grand Cru Classé · artistic stopover
  5. 5
    Château Grand Corbin
    Northern Grand Cru Classé
  6. 6
    Château Tour Pourret
    Saint-Émilion Grand Cru · friendly visit
  7. 7
    Château Angélus
    Premier Grand Cru Classé A
  8. 8
    Château Beau-Séjour-Bécot
    Premier Grand Cru Classé B
  9. 9
    Château Villemaurine
    Grand Cru Classé · underground quarries
  10. 10
    Office de Tourisme de Saint-Émilion
    Visits, heritage and advice · Place des Créneaux
  11. 11
    Château Canon
    Premier Grand Cru Classé B
  12. 12
    Château Soutard
    Grand Cru Classé · castle and gardens
  13. 13
    Château Ausone
    Premier Grand Cru Classé A
  14. 14
    Château Troplong Mondot
    Panorama of the vineyard
  15. 15
    Château Pavie
    Premier Grand Cru Classé A
  16. 16
    Château La Croizille
    Grand Cru Classé · contemporary cellar
  17. 17
    Château de Candale
    Saint-Émilion Grand Cru · vineyard and table

Practical information:

For the wine estates, book your visit a few days in advance and check the available times before leaving.

Our favorites in order, not to be missed:

  1. 1. Château Soutard — Visit between history and modernity, from the vineyard to the Grand Cru Classé, with tasting and possibility of a stopover at the restaurant. Book a tour ↗
  2. 2. Château La Croizille — Discover two neighboring Grands Crus Classés, their traditional and contemporary cellars, then extend the experience with a tasting or a picnic. Book a tour ↗
  3. 3. Château de Candale — At Château de Candale, discover the vineyard and its wines, then continue the stop at L’Atelier de Candale, their restaurant. Book a tour ↗
  4. 4. Château Villemaurine — Explore the clay-limestone plateau, the cellars and the underground quarries, before a guided tasting of two or three wines. Book a tour ↗

Loading the GPS track…

Crossing · 05

Map © OpenStreetMap contributors · GPX bike track

Sauternes, from Barsac to Langon

From the great sweet wines of Barsac to the hillsides of Sauternes, to the fortified castle of Roquetaillade, with a return by train from Langon.

41.3 km
distance
2 hr 56 min
indicative time
≈ 250 m D+
positive elevation
local roads and shared lanes
cycling profile

Barsac station → Langon station

Download the GPX track

13 steps · optimized order

  1. 1
    Église Saint-Vincent de Barsac
    Heritage stop in the heart of the village
  2. 2
    Château Coutet
    Barsac Premier Grand Cru Classé
  3. 3
    Château de Myrat
    Grand Cru Classé, Chartreuse and Park
  4. 4
    Château Climens
    Barsac Premier Cru
  5. 5
    Château Haut-Bergeron
    Preignac historic estate
  6. 6
    Château d’Yquem
    Superior Premier Cru
  7. 7
    Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey
    Premier Grand Cru Classé
  8. 8
    Château de Rayne-Vigneau
    Premier Grand Cru Classé
  9. 9
    Château La Tour Blanche
    Premier Grand Cru Classé · estate committed to the environment
  10. 10
    Château d’Arche
    On the heights of Sauternes
  11. 11
    Château Filhot
    Second Grand Cru Classé
  12. 12
    Château Guiraud
    Premier Grand Cru Classé
  13. 13
    Château de Roquetaillade
    Medieval jewel in Mazères

Practical information:

For the wine estates, book your visit a few days in advance and check the available times before leaving.

Our favorites in order, not to be missed:

  1. 1. Château Climens — Discover biodynamics, the herbal tea room and the cellars, before a tasting of three emblematic wines from the estate. Book a tour ↗
  2. 2. Château La Tour Blanche — Explore this Premier Grand Cru Classé committed to the environment, then taste its wines in the heart of the vineyard. Book a tour ↗
  3. 3. Château de Rayne-Vigneau — Explore a terroir dotted with precious stones, visit the cellars and taste three wines from the property. Book a tour ↗
  4. 4. Château Guiraud — Discover a Premier Grand Cru Classé pioneer of biodiversity, between vines, winery and sensory tasting. Book a tour ↗

Loading the GPS track…

Crossing · 06

Map © OpenStreetMap contributors · GPX bike track

The Arcachon Basin, from Biganos to Arcachon

A coastal route between oyster huts, forest and panoramas: the port of Biganos, the Teich reserve, the seven ports of Gujan-Mestras, the Dune du Pilat and the Corniche.

49.6 km
distance
3 hr 55 min
indicative time
98 m D+
positive elevation
32% cycle lanes
cycleway share

Facture-Biganos station → Arcachon station

Download the GPX track

14 steps · recommended order

  1. 1
    Port de Biganos
    Port de la Leyre · first stop
  2. 2
    Réserve ornithologique du Teich
    Nature stop on the banks of the Basin
  3. 3
    Port de la Mole
    First of the seven ports of Gujan-Mestras
  4. 4
    Port de la Barbotière
    Oyster port
  5. 5
    Port du Canal
    Oyster port
  6. 6
    Port de Larros
    Oyster port and Oyster House
  7. 7
    Port de Gujan
    Historic oyster port
  8. 8
    Cabane Chez Bidart
    Tasting at the Port of Meyran
  9. 9
    Port de Meyran
    Bassin Cabins
  10. 10
    Port de La Hume
    The seventh port of Gujan-Mestras
  11. 11
    Dune du Pilat
    The great natural stop on the route
  12. 12
    La Corniche
    Pyla Belvedere facing the Banc d’Arguin
  13. 13
    Le Moulleau — jetée
    Seaside area and panorama
  14. 14
    Arcachon — Jetée Thiers
    Waterfront view

Gain 12 km by skipping the port of Biganos and start directly at Teich station.

Your bike under cover, your legs at rest

Make Les Pénates your base camp for one night or several days, then set off on your bike in the morning.

Book your cycling trip