Bordeaux & St Emilion by Bike

Overview

Superior wines - Sample the best from globally celebrated vineyards. Beautiful Bordeaux - Uncover a city radiating charm and elegance. Quaint villages - Discover fascinating cultures and traditions en route. Easy cycling - Rest assured the routes are leisurely - no rushing required. Historic significance - Fortified stone villages from the Hundred Years War. 6 nights, 4 dinners, 6 breakfasts, luggage transported, high-quality bicycle, route notes, GPS navigation. Holiday type: Cycling. Grade: Moderate. Terrain: Cycle paths and quiet country lanes past vineyards. Average carbon footprint: 73kg CO₂e per person, excluding travel. Accommodation: One guesthouse; two 3-star hotels. Meals: Breakfast every day, 4 dinners. Bikes: Prices are based on push bikes as detailed in the FAQs, but e-bikes can be requested. Price (excluding flights): From £1,278pp. Between the Dordogne and the Garonne, the two rivers which flow into the broad Gironde Estuary just north of Bordeaux, the misleadingly named Entre-Deux-Mers ('Between Two Seas') area produces world-renowned wines which are the perfect accompaniment to the fine gastronomy of south-west France. Nowadays, tranquillity reigns over this beguiling region, but the fortified stone villages (<bastides>) scattered across the varied, gently undulating landscape are testament to a more turbulent era, when ownership of the land was contested by the French and English during the Hundred Years War. Starting in Bordeaux, capital of the French wine trade, this captivating holiday explores the area to the east - including famous St Emilion - before returning to this elegant, cycle-friendly city for a final night. As you would expect, there are numerous vineyards along each day's route where you can call in for tastings, but, equally, this holiday is about visiting handsome villages with rich, colourful histories. The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on the day of your choice, and are free to add extra nights. Most places of interest (both in Bordeaux and the villages of Entre-Deux-Mers) are closed on at least one day of the week, and sometimes two outside the 'main' season (June to September). If you are interested in visiting a particular place, please check the opening days with us before finalising the dates of your holiday. Arrival in Bordeaux. Night 1: at Quality Hotel Bordeaux Centre or Hotel Bayonne Etche-Ona (where you spend one night). As your first night 's accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of cycling. Bordeaux to Rauzan: 46km. Setting off on your bikes, you leave Bordeaux via the elegant, red-brick Pont de Pierre over the River Garonne and initially head along the east bank. You soon join a dedicated cycle trail that you follow for the rest of the day along the route of a disused railway whose defunct stations have been converted into cafés and restaurants. Perhaps unsurprisingly given the importance of wine here, it is not long - barely 10 kilometres into the route - before you find yourselves amid vineyards. You pass through several villages - some with small museums such as that devoted to 'forgotten' vegetables - and charming, fortified Créon, the capital of the Entre-Deux-Mers region. We recommend making a short detour to La Sauve, whose ruined abbey is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Just a few steps away is a wine-tasting centre where you may want to linger before completing the remaining quarter of your route to your base for the next two nights, either the Ilot-Vignes or the Refuge du Peintre (the latter is a little further beyond it, making a ride of 51km.) Alternatively, you may wish to upgrade to the elegant Domaine Malis Castera (52km from Bordeaux). Choice of routes from Rauzan: 37km or 48km. Circular route from Rauzan via St Emilion: 48km. This first option follows quiet country roads through a stream valley and across a fertile plain where you may spot storks and herons to reach famous St Emilion, a justifiably popular wine town which straddles the tops of two hills. Admire the sweeping views over the Dordogne Valley while you catch your breath, then take your time to explore the ancient ramparts, castle, hermitage of St Emilion, monolithic troglodyte church and the maze of narrow streets and stone stairways linking picturesque small squares. (If you are staying at the Refuge du Peintre, the distance is 40km.) Circular route from Rauzan via Sauveterre: 37km. Full of history, from the Middle Ages to the Second World War, the second option is a very pleasant and varied circuit leading along the final section of the disused railway to Sauveterre-de-Guyenne, a 13th-century <bastide> with four fortified gates and a central square where a bustling market is held on Tuesdays. From here, you explore gently undulating scenery, passing through another charming fortified village, Blasimon, to return to Rauzan. Like those of Blasimon, Rauzan's peaceful streets belie a turbulent past - particularly during the Hundred Years War - upon which you can ponder as you gaze across the surrounding scenery from the top of Rauzan's majestic circular castle keep or admire the stalactites and stalagmites in the village's Célestine Cave, which served as a hideout for two members of the French Resistance. (If you are staying at the Refuge du Peintre, the distance is 40km.) Rauzan to Cadillac: 30km. Today's route takes you past vineyards and small villages, before an exhilarating freewheel into Cadillac offering splendid views along the way. (If you are starting from the Refuge du Peintre you have a slightly longer ride of 35.5km.) In the afternoon, explore the historic streets of the town, visit the château, or relax by the pool in the garden. Your accommodation for your two nights here is the Hotel du Château de la Tour. Circular route from Cadillac: 26km. Today, we suggest a gentle circuit on the south side of the river which allows you to see the famous Sauternes and Graves vineyards, and the picturesque châteaux of the area. The scenery here is quite different to previous days as you explore this fertile plain. Cadillac to Bordeaux: 40km. Your final route begins with a gentle section along the Garonne valley, followed by a few short sharp hills to conquer before continuing with an easy cycle along the old railway line back to Bordeaux. There is plenty of time to explore this elegant city, its broad avenues creating a wonderful sense of space. Of the many grand 18th-century buildings (which have been restored to their former glory in recent years), it is worth seeking out the City Hall, the Grand Theatre and the Stock Exchange. There is a museum of fine art (housing works by Rubens and Delacroix, among others) as well as a museum of contemporary art, plus, as you would expect, a wine museum, where you can end your visit with a tasting or two. For more serious tastings, including some grands crus, be sure not to miss the Max Bordeaux Wine Gallery. Finish the day as the people of Bordeaux do: with a stroll or a cycle ride on the quais running alongside the river. You stay in a pleasant mix of accommodation (see our page about chambres d'hôtes for more information on French guesthouses). In some places we work with more than one hotel, as shown below. All are hand-picked by us and, unless there is a price implication (in which case we will contact you to discuss your options), we will tell you which one we have booked for you on your booking confirmation. Wherever you stay in Bordeaux, it is worth adding an extra night to see more of this vibrant city. Quality Hotel Bordeaux Centre, Bordeaux. This welcoming hotel is ideally located in central Bordeaux, just steps away from a variety of excellent restaurants, cafés, and boutiques, and near many major sites, with easy access to Saint André Cathedral and the elegant Place de la Bourse. It offers modern, comfortable rooms and a daily buffet breakfast. Meal arrangements: breakfast only. Hotel Bayonne Etche-ona, Bordeaux. Comprising two buildings with 18th-century façades, the Hotel Bayonne Etche-Ona offers contemporary bedrooms and enjoys an excellent central location on a pedestrianised street, just a couple of minutes' walk from the principal shopping area. From the hotel, guests can easily stroll up the banks of the Garonne to explore the superb panorama of Port de la Lune. Meal arrangements: breakfast only. L’Ilot-Vignes, Rauzan. 3-star chambres d’hotes. Nestled in splendid isolation in Bordeaux wine country, this charming guesthouse embodies relaxation with its small pool, peaceful terrace, and extensive grounds. The sense of calm extends indoors, where the individually decorated bedrooms are simply, but stylishly furnished. Guests can enjoy authentic French cuisine showcasing the renowned produce of this region. Meal arrangements: dinner & breakfast. Le Refuge du Peintre, Lavagnac. chambres d’hotes. Each named after an influential female figure from French history, the four bedrooms have been decorated with great taste and attention to detail. The name of the guesthouse reflects the fact that the owner's mother loved to paint; numerous pieces of her work decorate the walls. Given the secluded location 6km from Rauzan, dinner - a set menu enjoyed at a table with fellow guests - is included in our arrangements. Meal arrangements: dinner & breakfast. Hotel du Chateau de la Tour, Cadillac. This hotel offers views of Château de Cadillac from its extensive grounds, which include a swimming pool, a shaded terrace and 3 hectares of gardens with 300-year-old cedar trees. The spacious, modern rooms are tastefully finished, and the hotel's restaurant features locally sourced produce. Meal arrangements: dinner & breakfast. All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter. For general information on pricing, see the 'your holiday price explained' page. Currency converter. We can only accept payment in GBP, but you can use this converter to find out how much the holiday equates to in your own currency. Prices (£ per person based on 2 sharing). Cycle price. 6 nights: 01 April 2026 - 31 October 2026. Start any day except Saturday | End by latest date(s) shown above. Electric bikes available: pricing confirmed at time of booking. Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you. Please contact us to find out more about our flight booking service. We can also book connecting travel - see below. Flight options. RECOMMENDED AIRPORT(S): Bordeaux or Bergerac. As an alternative to flying, we can arrange rail travel from London. Travelling from the UK. Select an airport to view flights. Aberdeeen, Belfast International, Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds/Bradford, Liverpool, London City, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton, London Southend, London Stansted, Manchester, Newcastle, Southampton. Travelling from outside the UK. If you are flying from outside Europe, we recommend flying via Paris CDG. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us. Travelling from outside the UK. We have many years' experience catering for customers who live outside the UK, and will be happy to make tailored arrangements to fit with your plans. You have two options: 1) Book your own flights to London, from where we can book flights and onward connecting travel to your hotel. 2) Book your own flights direct to an airport appropriate to your chosen holiday. You can either make your own way from the airport to the hotel, or we'll be happy to book onward connecting travel for you. Please consult with us before booking your flights, so that we can advise you on the suitability of your proposed route and timings. Connecting travel. Prices below are based on 2 people travelling together. If you are travelling solo or as a party of 3 or more and our arrangements include a taxi, please contact us for prices; additional passengers often pay less. Unless otherwise stated, connecting travel by rail or bus tends to be from the city centre station, rather than from its airport, and connections between the two should be paid for locally. Where a price range is given, the price you pay depends on your date of travel. Connecting travel options - flying via Bordeaux. own taxi (0h45) or shuttle bus (1h) Bordeaux airport to hotel. Connecting travel options - flying via Bergerac. rail Bergerac to Bordeaux St Jean (1h30), taxi or tram Bordeaux St Jean to hotel (0h10, pay locally). If you've experienced this holiday first hand, why not write a review? We are keen for as many customers as possible to review their holiday. To make it easier to do so, we include a specific review section on our post-holiday questionnaire, and this is what we publish here, unedited. If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help. You might also find our General FAQs section helpful. What sort of bike is provided? Our chosen bike rental shop will provide you with a hybrid bike with 18, 21 or 24 gears; a waterproof map case on handlebars; panniers/saddlebags; pump; puncture repair kit; and a lock. Electric bikes are available as an upgrade (see price panel), subject to availability, and must be requested at the time of booking. Can I hire a helmet? While we would always recommend that you take your own well-fitting helmet, they can be hired locally for a small fee. Please let us know at the time of booking if you would like to hire a helmet. Do you provide GPS navigation? Yes, we will provide GPX tracks for this holiday prior to departure so that you can follow your route on your smartphone or dedicated GPS device if you wish. (We also provide our tried-and-tested route notes). How does self-guided hotel-to-hotel cycling work? We'll send you route notes 2-3 weeks before your holiday. The route notes not only contain directions to get from hotel to hotel, but also include practical information about places of interest and eateries along each route, plus cultural information about the area. On mornings when you are moving between hotels, you leave your luggage in reception as you leave, and it will be transferred ahead to your next accommodation so that all you need to take with you are a camera, sun cream, drinks, food and waterproofs. For more detailed information, see our cycling holidays in Europe page. Any tips on locking up the bikes? You are responsible for damage to or loss of the rental bike while it is hired to you. Always be careful to lock it up, ideally to an immovable object, and remove all easy-to-steal accessories whenever you leave it unattended. Can I book my flights through Inntravel, and what’s the advantage of doing this? We can book a wide range of routes from the UK with a variety of airlines. As well as being more convenient for you to book all elements of your holiday together, it also means that we'll accept liability for your travel arrangements, so if things go wrong, such as the airline going bust, we'll make suitable alternative arrangements for you. The fee for this service is £35 per person (£15 for children aged 2-11). More information on flights >. Can you book travel arrangements for customers from outside the UK? We can't book flights that originate outside the UK, but if you wanted to book your own flights to London (or elsewhere in the UK), we can make all onward travel arrangements (including flights) from there. Alternatively, if you are booking your own flights to an airport in continental Europe that's appropriate for your holiday, we can book onward rail travel and/or taxis. More information about how we can tailor holidays for customers outside the UK >. I’m travelling alone. Is there anything I need to know? Since our holidays are self-guided, we recommend calling us for a chat about your plans before making a booking, especially if it's the first time you've booked with us. The price panel shows the supplement for a single room and also the single traveller charge (this covers (luggage) transfers and other costs which are usually shared between two people). How do I make a booking? Once you've decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party's details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can't secure the accommodation for the holiday you've requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we'll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you're making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice. More information about the booking process >. Information about accommodation, general practicalities and more >. Booking conditions >. Do I need travel insurance? Yes, it's something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn't seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can incur a five or six-figure bill. Many insurers offer travel insurance (you can find details on our insurance page of a policy that you may like to consider if you are a UK resident), but you do need to make sure that you're covered for medical emergencies - including falling ill with Covid-19 while on holiday - and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports. When you purchase a policy, be sure to check that it covers the activities you'll be doing on holiday and that it is adequate for your own individual needs. Do I need a visa or anything health-related for France? It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the[correct travel documents, with the correct validity]. If you're a UK citizen, you need a full British passport to travel to France, but not a visa (please note, however, that a [new travel authorisation system](</information/visa-information>) is being introduced). If you are a citizen of another country, you'll need to check requirements with the national embassy or your own consulate. Current information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice for UK citizens can be found through the [Travel Health Pro](<https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries>) website. You must make sure you have adequate insurance cover for illness, accidents and repatriation (see the insurance question). You should also apply for a [Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)](<https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/apply-for-a-free-uk-global-health-insurance-card-ghic/>) if your EHIC has expired (if you have a still-valid EHIC, you can use this until it expires). What else do I need to know about travelling to France? The official language is French. The currency is the Euro. French time is GMT/UTC + 1. It uses Daylight Saving Time, so in summer is on BST + 1. How does Brexit affect travel to Europe? For information on the practicalities of travel now that the UK is no longer part of the European Union, visit [www.gov.uk/visit-eu-switzerland-norway-iceland-liechtenstein](<https://www.gov.uk/visit-eu-switzerland-norway-iceland-liechtenstein>). Where can I find general travel advice? The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides up-to-date, [country-by-country travel advice](<https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice>), as well as information on security, local laws, passports and visas for UK citizens. If you live outside the UK, see our [essential travel information](</information/essential-travel-information>) page for a list of relevant websites.

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