Visit Bordeaux by bike

Bordeaux is a dynamic, forward-looking, and environmentally friendly city. It boasts numerous cycle paths and green spaces. The town hall even offers a bicycle rental service: Vcubs. The Bordeaux region is crisscrossed by cycle paths, particularly through the vineyards. The Vélodyssée, a legendary cycling route, passes through Bordeaux. Suffice it to say, a visit to Bordeaux by bike is a must!

Opening photo: © GoodLuz | AdobeStock

A cycling tour of Bordeaux's coolest neighborhoods

A bike ride through the city of Bordeaux will allow you to appreciate the atmosphere of its neighborhoods and take the time to admire their unique architecture. Here are our favorites:

• The Saint-Michel district, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site ;
• The Darwin eco-district, the eco-district ;
• The Chartrons district, where you can admire works of street art.

Tour of the Bordeaux bridges by bike

The Tour des Ponts is a pleasant 7-kilometer walk along the banks of the Garonne River. Between the Pont de Pierre, the oldest in Bordeaux, and the ultra-modern Pont Chaban Delmas, you will pass by the city's most important historical monuments, including:

• The Stone Bridge, built by Napoleon;
• The Porte de Bourgogne, which has marked the entrance to the city since the 18th century ;
• The Cailheau Gate, from the 15th century ;
• The Water Mirror, on the Place de la Bourse ;
• The National Opera...

A heritage rally or a treasure hunt

The heritage rally, like the treasure hunt, are two unusual ways to visit the city as a family. The treasure hunt will be a big hit with children. They'll have to find clues and solve puzzles, and fun characters will guide them through this unique treasure hunt ! The heritage rally is more suited to older children. It's a comic strip, with puns, that takes you through the city's most unknown alleyways. You can do this activity either by bike or on foot.

Cycle paths in Bordeaux's parks and gardens

There are many green spaces in Bordeaux. They are well distributed, both in the city center and on the outskirts. We've selected three for their very different atmospheres:

• The River Park is a former private garden. It is a romantic and intimate park, set around the ruins of a castle.
• Bourran Park is a landscaped green space, with large lawns, dotted with remarkable and ancient trees.
• The Parc Bordelais is a charming oak forest, with lakes where ducks and swans splash around.

A nature walk in Bordeaux-Lac

For a change, we suggest a nature outing without leaving Bordeaux! Just 10 kilometers from the city center, Bordeaux-Lac is a truly exotic natural site. The forest surrounding the lake is crisscrossed with cycle paths. The lake offers a wide variety of water and nautical activities. You can also simply relax on its sandy beach, shaded by pine trees. This is a new face of Bordeaux, in its simplicity and naturalness!

The Canal of the Two Seas

The Canal des Deux Mers crosses France from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. In Gironde, it runs along the Garonne River. It is bordered by a Green Route, accessible on foot or by bike. Leaving the Médoc vineyards and its wine-growing hillsides, it enters Bordeaux. It's a bucolic and refreshing stroll along the canal's shaded banks.

The Vélodyssée from Bordeaux to Biarritz

The Vélodyssée is a European cycle route. It crosses the Gironde and can be reached in Bordeaux near Margaux in the west or La Sauve-Majeur in the east. It will take you to Biarritz. Along the route, everything is provided for the well-being of cyclists: refreshment points, rentals, accessory and repair shops, etc.

The vineyards of Bordeaux

Bordeaux is surrounded by diverse wine-growing regions. Wine tourism is highly developed, and each château strives to innovate to help you discover its vineyards and appreciate its production. In the Bordeaux region, we recommend Château du Payre. This ancient estate has a unique feature: five generations of women have succeeded each other, bringing a unique touch of femininity to this wine.

Bordeaux at night

And finally, we'll reveal an unusual side of the city during a nighttime stroll. As night falls, Bordeaux's monuments light up to dazzle you. The banks of the Garonne are particularly resplendent at night. The Water Mirror reflects the Palais de la Bourse. It's truly beautiful! We'll take you on one last tour of Bordeaux by night!

How to organize your stay without a car in Bordeaux?

Cycling also means being an eco-citizen! This eco-friendly alternative is very practical in a city where traffic jams make car travel difficult. To support it, the Eco-Citizen House is an educational space dedicated to soft mobility. You'll find tips, good deals, and itineraries, among other things.

The town hall is also investing in this approach. It has set up a self-service bike rental system: the Vcub. 1,700 bikes are available at 153 stations, and with nearly 700 kilometers of cycle paths throughout the city, you'll find one on almost every street corner! No more excuses; all you have to do is hop on your bike.

We hope we have inspired you to visit Bordeaux by bike and we wish you wonderful discoveries.

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