A week of cycling in Landes, France, that will leave you breathless!

In the morning, head into the town of Biscarosse for the traditional market. Enjoy a picnic, then climb on your bike for a day of riding! Indeed, you have a long day of pedalling ahead of you! You cover 20 km of trails before reaching the small port of Piaou on the lake in Parentis-en-Born, where you can take a break to refresh and have a pleasant lunch.

Then, get back on your ride and head towards Mimizan-Plage, a seaside resort that’s dynamic and lively all summer long. Because you’ll have a 31-km journey to your day’s final destination, take a break near the centre of Mimizan. It can be an opportunity to take a ride in an outrigger boat on Aureilhan Lake with All Water. 

You’ll then be ready to complete the final segment of your day’s journey and it’ll be the toughest part because the dune path connecting Mimizan-Bourg to Mimizan-Plage (the town centre to the beach) has lots of ups and downs. But don’t worry, you still have less than 10 km to go.

You made it! Catch your breath, this segment was the longest and most difficult of your trip! You need a well-deserved rest on the terrace of one of the town’s restaurants. 

🛏️ For the night, several Accueil Vélo accommodations are available

After a generous breakfast, start your day by pedalling to Léon. One stop you don’t want to miss on the way: the nature preserve at the étang de Léon (Lake Léon). To explore this natural treasure, take a tour with Canoë Surfing on the La Palue river for two hours of adventure!

Want to have lunch by the sea? You’ll have to travel another 8 km to Moliets-et-Maa. If you have a big appetite, head instead straight to Léon for the ‘ferme auberge’ (farm inn) at Maison Tenoy to savour a meal that couldn’t be more typical of the fantastic cuisine of Landes. Be careful while crossing through Léon: you’ll be sharing the route with cars.

In the afternoon, stopping for a beginner’s golf lesson is a must. One of the most renowned in Europe, the Moliets golf course even offers a panoramic view of the ocean from the green! Not far from the ocean, La Vélodyssée plunges into the Landes forest. Travel a few kilometres to reach Messanges. You can even sprint the final stretch and find out which of your friends is the most competitive!

🛏️ 5 campsites with the Accueil Vélo label await you in Messanges*, make your choice! After you have settled comfortably, head to the Central Beach of Messanges for dinner at Snack de la Plage. The menu of arranged rums at the La Hitillère, in the town of Messanges, invites you to enjoy some great tastings for the rest of the evening.

*♻️ Camping le Vieux Port is European Ecolabel certified

This is the last segment of your odyssey of cycling in Landes, but it will not disappoint. Get up early to explore Capbreton as the sun rises. Why not visit the town a way a little out of the ordinary? No need to exert yourself, this way of getting around takes no effort at all. What is it? Segways! Take a picnic with you and cycle 10 km to Labenne. Robinson Park, the largest ropes course in the Aquitaine region, will give you a nice, sporty afternoon.

Then, get back on La Vélodyssée and head to the capital of Basque Country: Bayonne! Be careful, the route between Boucau and Bayonne is on the road! When you arrive in Bayonne, you will find lots of culture and entertainment. Down narrow streets, along the Nive river, or under the city’s arcades, you’ll find many gourmet shops and restaurants that will pique your curiosity. After sharing some tapas, continue your night of partying by doing a pub crawl through ‘Petit Bayonne,’ a neighbourhood known for its legendary party scene.