Bordeaux / Sainte-Hélène

During a stay in the city of Bordeaux, nothing could be easier than setting off early in the morning and cycling to the sea via the Bordeaux–Lacanau bike path. Very well known and popular with local cyclists—who sometimes nickname Lacanau-Océan “Bordeaux Beach”—this route presents no difficulty. So pack a towel and a swimsuit on your rack, head for the ocean, and stay there for the weekend. This slightly long and straight route has no elevation and rewards you with the Atlantic Ocean!

The Route

From Place des Quinconces, follow the Garonne before heading toward Bordeaux-Lac, then ride alongside the ring road for 3 km and continue through the urban outskirts. After 10 km, just past Eysines, the greenway begins to wind through the Landes forest, then passes through Saint-Médard-en-Jalles (a pleasant possible stop) before a long straight stretch through the forest to Saint-Hélène.

Also worth discovering

• Bordeaux: numerous museums, the Cité du Vin, the Bassins à Flots, the Jacques Chaban-Delmas lift bridge, Place de la Bourse, Place des Quinconces, lively riverfront quays, the water mirror…

• Saint-Médard-en-Jalles: bar-restaurant at the former train station, many parks and gardens, built heritage, and the banks of the Jalle.