Bordeaux cycling tour in France – A Guest Blog (Kirsty)

We were looking for a group guided cycling tour in France and found the perfect itinerary.  Tour de Vines’ Bordeaux cycling tour is a fantastic group guided cycling tour that takes in all the major Bordeaux sights, and includes wine tastings, cellar door tours, chateau accommodation, and is fully guided and supported.

Here’s some of the highlights of our 7 day French cycling holiday in Bordeaux, although cycling amongst the rolling scenery of vineyards and gorgeous French villages, was an ongoing highlight to be honest.

Bordeaux Cycling Tour – Day 1

After being picked up at the train station (easy 3 hours from Paris) and taken to our lovely chateau accommodation in Libourne, complete with pool and hill views, we met our fellow riders, fitted our bikes and headed off on a short intro ride.  And what a lovely surprise on a warm sunny day.  We rolled into a gorgeous little winery in the Pomerol region, considered by many to produce the best wines in the Bordeaux region.  We were treated to a private tasting and discussion from the winemaker himself, whose family have been producing wine in Pomerol for centuries.  The evening meal at our Chateau de Roques was also a highlight.

Bordeaux Cycling Tour – Day 2

The cycling tour today takes us down to the fast flowing river Dordogne, passing typical wine villages. A picnic lunch on the outskirts of one of these villages on another sunny day, complete with a French Rose, was delicious.  Salmon, ham, salads, looooads of cheese of course, fresh baguettes and the tastiest strawberries I’ve ever had!  There is a very short but steep climb at the end of the day to our accommodation, but the effort is worth it.  The Chateau de Sanse is stunning, with incredible views, huge rooms, and an amazing pool bathing in the afternoon sun that just had to be sampled.  Again, the evening meal was incredible.  After 2 days I think I have actually put on weight despite cycling all day!!

Bordeaux Cycling Tour – Day 3

A highlight of our tour today was the visit to the majestic ruins of Abbaye de Blasimon, built in the 1300’s (so much history in France!), which was brilliant, but that was pretty much out done by our lunch visit to the village market in Sauveterre de Guyenne, a gorgeous village with an arcaded square with cafes, restaurants and market food, and a great market buzz.  The cycling tour today also used the French rail trail ‘Roger Lapebie Cycleway’ linking Sauveterre to Bordeaux which is such a pleasure to cycle on.

Bordeaux Cycling Tour – Day 4

There is no doubting the highlight today.  St. Emilion is one of the prettiest towns in the region, as well as home to some of the best French wines.  A cycling visit to a prestigious St. Emilion winery and sampling different aged wine was tres superbe!  Lunch in the cobbled streets of St Emilion, perched on a hill overlooking the 8th century Eglise Monolithe.  A warm day made a swim back at our accommodation after our return ride to Isabeau de Naujan a must, complete with a glass of local Rose and again views over the rolling vineyards.

Bordeaux Cycling Tour – Day 5

Today’s ride largely follows the lovely, shaded and easy gradient of Roger LePebie Cycleway, an old rail trail converted into a cycling path.  A highlight was the stop at Abbaye de Sauve-Majuere a World Heritage site founded in 1079, and the stunningly preserved 17th Century Chateau in Cadillac, in whose grounds we picnic for lunch.  There is a climb to our accommodation at Chateau d’Arche but it’s worth it, a beautiful venue and producer of sweet wine in the Sauterne district.  A sweet wine tasting before dinner, and an incredible meal at local restaurant Le Saprien, where gourmet experiences make the cycling worth the effort!

Bordeaux Cycling Tour – Day 6

Our final days’ ride heads into Bordeaux city itself.  But not before another winery visit, this one a larger scale prestigious winery in the Graves region, complete with tour and tastings.  A relatively flat ride along the river Garonne to our accommodation brilliantly located in the heart of Bordeaux (the city is very cycle friendly).  Having completed the riding itinerary, it was time for a celebration and the group meal el fresco style at the Bistrot du Musee, with all the incredible historic buildings as a backdrop, was the perfect way to end our cycling tour in France.

Wonderful friends, incredible scenery, amazing wines and delightful cycling amongst the rolling hills and vineyards of Bordeaux.  What a trip!  Tour de Vines has exclusive places available on the Tour de Bordeaux Vineyards.

PS: We have a reunion planned already.