Wine cycling in Medoc & Saint-Emilion

You arrive at Bordeaux train station or airport and receive taxi transfer to Le Pian-Médoc (specify your arrival location and time when booking). The bicycle is delivered to the hotel along with information about the area and a roadbook describing your route. Overnight at a 3* hotel with breakfast.

Alternatively, you spend the first night in Pauillac at a 4* hotel with breakfast (optional).

La Route des Châteaux
The road from Le Pian-Médoc is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in the area. You begin by cycling through the vineyards of Margaux and Haut-Médoc, past some of the most famous châteaux. Prestigious wine and spirits producers line the route and every village and every château gives wine lovers something dreamy to behold. Feel free to stop in small river ports like Saint-Julien and imagine how the old barges once transported wine barrels along the river.
25–40 km, 60 m ascent

La Route des grands Crus
If you start in Pauillac, you'll experience the home territory of three of the five Premier Grands Crus Classés and no fewer than 15 Médoc châteaux. On the way to Margaux you'll encounter impressive architecture and a series of other jewels in this prestigious wine region. The tour passes the famous Lafite Rothschild, Latour and Mouton Rothschild, all Premier Grands Crus Classés, as well as Château Pichon Longueville, Pontet-Canet and Lynch-Bages.
40-50 km, 100 m ascent

Both tours end with overnight stay, dinner and breakfast at charming accommodation in Moulis or Margaux.

The route takes you to Lamarque where you board a ferry to cross the Gironde estuary. You reach the magnificent citadel of Blaye before continuing along the river shore. Mighty and impressive, the citadel spreads over 33 hectares in the center of the town and offers a magnificent view over the Gironde.
You then pass through the vineyards of the Côtes de Blaye AOC Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur appellations. To finish, you cycle towards Bourg-sur-Gironde along the flourishing Corniche Fleurie, where palm trees, pink oleanders and oaks testify to a mild climate where both people and grapes thrive. Bourg-sur-Gironde is a must for those who appreciate beautiful architecture. The village clings to a cliff, surrounded by walls, and is one of the most beautiful and best preserved by the estuary.
Dinner, overnight stay and breakfast at charming guesthouse in Bourg-sur-Gironde, Saint-Gervais or Saint-André-de-Cubzac.

On the way to Saint-Émilion's world-famous wine markets, you pass two other well-known appellations: Fronsac and Pomerol. Fronsac is the most historic wine region in Bordeaux – wine from here was already being drunk at the court of Louis XIV. Pomerol, neighbor to Saint-Émilion, spreads over a small plateau north of Libourne. A small area with an enormous reputation – here some of France's most appreciated wines are produced, including the famous Petrus. The tour takes you straight into the heart of Pomerol's and Saint-Émilion's finest wines, with châteaux like Château Angélus, Château Petrus and Château Cheval Blanc.
Where the Dordogne and Isle rivers converge, the great terroirs of Saint-Émilion, Pomerol and Fronsac spread out in a rolling landscape of hills and plateaus - a dream landscape for cycling. The vines stretch as far as the eye can see and form a beautiful mosaic. You discover magnificent estates, often located in the middle of vineyards and inhabited by the winemakers and their families.

This loop within the Saint-Émilion appellation takes you through the eastern part of the area, between vineyards and picturesque villages. The route offers historic buildings and magnificent views. You can cycle to Castillon-la-Bataille and return along the Dordogne shore.

After passing Branne by the Dordogne, you reach the Roger Lapébie cycle path – an ideal stretch through scenic landscapes with several rest stops. You follow this pleasant path towards Créon, a bastide town typical of the region. Along the way you pass a rich architectural heritage consisting of medieval towns, manor houses, fortified mills, monasteries and Romanesque churches. The path takes you all the way to the majestic Place de la Bourse in the heart of Bordeaux. Here you get a fine view of the quays, the Garonne and the stone bridge that you cross shortly before arrival. Enjoy this magnificent city before spending your last night at a comfortable hotel.

The trip ends after breakfast. If you wish, you can book extra nights in the city for further exploration or relaxation.