Day 1
Arrival to Biarritz. Already Napoleon III. and his Empress Eugénie had a palace built in this wonderfully situated city. Biarritz has its own charm. After we have checked-in at the hotel, we have the first Basque dinner.
Day 2 Biarritz – Bayonne 51 km
the cycle path “Vélodysee”, we follow this unique Atlantic coast with magnificent views of the sea and its surf. We have a picknick at the beach with the possibility to swim. Before we reach our destination for today, we visit the capital of the French Basque region: Bayonne. The port city at the foot of the Pyrenees was the chocolate capital of France in the 19th century. The cathedral of Bayonne is especially beautiful. During the city tour, Bayonne shows its eventful history. Our historic tour ends with the tasting of the famous ham of Bayonne at the ham manufacturer.
Day 3 Biarritz – La Rhune rack railway 25 km
Biarritz is also known as the queen of the Basque region. After a guided tour of the historic streets and past the Belle Époque Villas, a small culinary delight will come! We visit the Chocolate Museum, where we immerse ourselves in the mysterious and appetizing world of chocolate – of course with a tasting! Then we cycle to the Biarritz lighthouse, which is 73m above sea level. 248 steps are waiting to be climbed, but it’s worthwhile the breathtaking panoramic views. From here, the cycle tour takes us to the highest point of the La Rhune coast which is nearby. We drive to the top with the rack railway and get off at 905m to enjoy a fantastic view with a 360° panoramic view of the Atlantic coast and the Pyrenees countryside.
Day 4 Biarritz – Hendaye 40 km
Fantastic coastal impressions are provided by the Atlantic cycle path “Vélodyssée” starting in Biarritz to Hendaye. On the way, we stop in the famous seaside village of Saint-Jean-de-Luz before arriving in Ciboure. Ciboure is worthwhile for a longer stay. It is planned to visit the lighthouse of André Pavloski, the Fort Socoa and the monastery “Le cloitre des Recollets” and its fountain, donated by Cardinal Mazarin. A special visit is the Villa Art Déco Leihorra – a classified Art Deco-style villa built in 1926 and a jewel on the Atlantic coast! Our tour leads us towards the Spanish border. Today, our cycle tour ends in Hendaye with a walk through the sophisticated seaside resort.
Day 5 Ainhoa – Saint Jean Pied le Port 48 km
We start today’s cycling day with a visit to one of the most beautiful villages in France: Ainhoa. A few kilometers from Espelette and its famous “Piment”, Ainhoa’s history goes back to the 13th century. Located on the Way of St. James, our path may cross the wild horses that live here, the “pottocks”. Of course, a taste of the here growing Piment d’Espelette should not be missed. We follow the winding roads of the Nive to Saint Jean Pied de Port. We stop at the citadel, which dominates the view of the still very unspoilt little town at the beginning of the “Camino Frances”. Gothic and Romanesque architecture is worth a longer stop before continuing to Irouléguy, the smallest wine area in France, just a few kilometers away. Since 1120, the monks of the abbey cultivate Abbaye de Roncevaux wine.
Day 6 Sainte Marie – Jurançon – Pau 41 km
Transfer to the province of Béarn and leisurely cycling along the wine route of the wine-growing region of Jurançon. Vineyards, picturesque wine villages and castles are located on the cycle course, which initially ends on a winegrower with a wine tasting. Cheers! We continue towards Pau which is a former royal city and the capital of the province Béarn. We cycle the famous Pyrenees Avenue, an avenue that is 1.8 km long and which allows a majestic view of the Pyrenees chain. We reach the castle of Pau, the birthplace of King Henry IV. The castle offers a medieval fortress, a Renaissance palace as well as a royal residence and is one of the most visited national museums in France.
Day 7 Cycle tour Piemont Pyrenees 42 km
Transfer to the rose garden “Saint Vincent” at the foot of the Pyrenees and visit of this beautiful garden with over 800 species of roses, picturesquely created with the Alpine panorama of the Pyrenees in the background. From here it goes through the so-called Piedmont of the Pyrenees with almost no gradients, but mainly downhill towards Pau.
On the way, there are small streams and mountain villages in the typical Basque style. A visit of a sheep farm with attached dairy is planned. Of course, here we can enjoy the fresh sheep’s cheese.
Day 8
Departure or possibility to extend for swimming at the Atlantic coast or to stop at Lourdes which is nearby.
Option: Transfer back to the airport or train station of Bordeaux or Biarritz.
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