Royan > Lacanau-Océan
[ Cycle route La Vélodyssée, the Atlantic cycling route ]- 81.8 km
La Vélodyssée reaches the Médoc after a cruise along the Gironde Estuary, famous for the historic Cordouan lighthouse. The Aquitaine country, bordered by long beaches and covered with pine forests, boasts the seaside resorts of Soulac-sur-Mer, Montalivet-les-Bains, Hourtin, Carcans – all welcoming stages connected by cycle trails.
Stages of « Royan > Lacanau-Océan »
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Royan / Soulac-sur-Mer
[8.6 km]
Upon entering the Gironde, a new world reveals itself to travellers on La Vélodyssée. La pointe de Grave also marks the end of the Médoc, a landscape of great variety, depending on whether you cross the west coast or the estuary and the vineyards. Pleasant cycle lanes wind their way from Verdon to Soulac.
Difficulty: family
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Soulac-sur-Mer / Montalivet-les-Bains
At the charming Soulac-sur-Mer, with its lively streets and pretty seaside villas, we take the trail towards Montalivet. To the north of this stage of La Vélodyssée, the sea entices you in for a cooling dip; to the south there is a more forested area which is most pleasant in fine weather.
Difficulty: family View details -
Montalivet-les-Bains / Naujac-sur-Mer
From Montalivet to Naujac (apart from a large chicane and a gentle bend) you can ride on autopilot on this part of La Vélodyssée as you breathe in the scent of the pine trees – there is very little chance of getting lost here: head directly south through the Flamand national forest.
Difficulty: family View details -
Naujac-sur-Mer / Hourtin-Plage
The Côte d’Argent truly is the kingdom of cycle lanes. La Vélodyssée follows the central path to meet Hourtin via the forest. The surrounding area offers numerous choices of where you can stop for a refreshing splash in one of the vast lakes, one of which is Hourtin - the largest in France!
Difficulty: family View details -
Hourtin-Plage / Lacanau-Océan
Still in the forest and still on cycle paths. The natural reserves encountered throughout the route demonstrate that these large spaces are populated, rich in wildlife and a lot more diverse that we may first think…
Difficulty: expert View details
