History and viticulture
The southwest region of France is known around the world for its long tradition of wine production. This is evidenced by the names of our stopover towns - Cognac, Bordeaux, Sauternes and Saint-Émilion - where the cocktail hour will present many delightful dilemmas. It is also famous for its architectural heritage, which includes several UNESCO sites! You will enjoy a magnificent view from atop the ramparts of Angoulême. You will also appreciate the size of the Citadel of Blaye, a 38-hectare military complex along the shore of the Gironde River, dating back to the era of Louis XIV. In Bordeaux, you will come across many historic honey-coloured limestone buildings, especially in the Port of the Moon sector. Lastly, in Saint-Émilion, steep, narrow streets will take you through this charming town skillfully carved like an amphitheatre into a limestone hill. In Nouvelle-Aquitaine, with its fine stonework and exquisite wine, the past is an indication of the future and the present is synonymous with pleasure.
Trip length: 12 days / 11 nights
Level of difficulty:
2+ 
General Conditions
Options for serving you better
Delayed departure or return, single occupancy, travel insurance, bike rental (for several destinations) and much more: ask our consultants!
From day to day
Short route: 284 km • Long route: 542 km
Day 1: Arrival in Bordeaux and transfer to Angoulême (1.5 hrs).
Day 2: Free day or looped route via Ruelle-sur-Touvre, Brie, La Rochefoucauld, Chazelles, Dirac (63 km).
Day 3: Angoulême, Sireuil, Vibrac, Bassac, Jarnac, Saint-Brice, Cognac (57 km).
Day 4: Free day or looped route via St-Laurent-de-Cognac, St-Sauvant, St-Brie-des-Bois, Burie, Richemont. Looped route via Chaniers, Saintes (45 or 67 km).
Day 5: Cognac, Celles, Jarnac-Champagne, Jonzac, Étauliers, Le Pontet, Blaye (77 km).
Day 6: Free day or looped route via Villeneuve, Bourg, Tauriac, St-Urbain, Berson (47 km).
Day 7: Ferry from Blaye to Lamarque. Lamarque, Arcins, Moulis-en-Médoc, Soussans, Margaux, Macau, Bordeaux (55 km).
Day 8: Free day.
Day 9: Bordeaux, Villeneuve-d’Ornon, La Brède, St-Selve, St-Michel-de-Rieufret, Illats, Barsac. Looped route via Pujols-sur-Ciron, Sauternes, Yquem (43 or 59 km).
Day 10: Barsac, Cérons, Targon, Faleyras, Branne, Saint-Jean-de-Blaignac, Sainte-Terre, Saint-Pey-d’Armens, Saint-Émilion (52 km).
Day 11: Free day or looped route via Pomerol, Gougon, Montagne, Villefranche-de-Lonchat, Belvès-de-Castillon (65 km).
Day 12: Transfer to Bordeaux airport and flight back to Montréal.
Elevation Profile
Day 1: Arrival in Bordeaux and transfer to Angoulême (1.5 hrs).
Day 2: Free day or looped route via Ruelle-sur-Touvre, Brie, La Rochefoucauld, Chazelles, Dirac (63 km).
Day 3: Angoulême, Sireuil, Vibrac, Bassac, Jarnac, Saint-Brice, Cognac (57 km).
Day 4: Free day or looped route via St-Laurent-de-Cognac, St-Sauvant, St-Brie-des-Bois, Burie, Richemont. Looped route via Chaniers, Saintes (45 or 67 km).
Day 5: Cognac, Celles, Jarnac-Champagne, Jonzac, Étauliers, Le Pontet, Blaye (77 km).
Day 6: Free day or looped route via Villeneuve, Bourg, Tauriac, St-Urbain, Berson (47 km).
Day 7: Ferry from Blaye to Lamarque. Lamarque, Arcins, Moulis-en-Médoc, Soussans, Margaux, Macau, Bordeaux (55 km).
Day 8: Free day.
Day 9: Bordeaux, Villeneuve-d’Ornon, La Brède, St-Selve, St-Michel-de-Rieufret, Illats, Barsac. Looped route via Pujols-sur-Ciron, Sauternes, Yquem (43 or 59 km).
Day 10: Barsac, Cérons, Targon, Faleyras, Branne, Saint-Jean-de-Blaignac, Sainte-Terre, Saint-Pey-d’Armens, Saint-Émilion (52 km).
Day 11: Free day or looped route via Pomerol, Gougon, Montagne, Villefranche-de-Lonchat, Belvès-de-Castillon (65 km).
Day 12: Transfer to Bordeaux airport and flight back to Montréal.
Elevation Profile
The package includes:
- round-trip air transportation for passenger, baggage and bicycle with Air Transat;- transfer between airport and hotel;
- 11 nights in two- to four-star hotels (double occupancy);
- 11 breakfasts and 3 evening meals;
- ferry transfer on day 7;
- baggage transportation (one bag per person, 20-kg maximum);
- mechanical assistance and access to a relief vehicle;
- GPX data and daily route plans;
- taxes;
- protection from the Compensation Fund for Customers of Travel Agents (CFCTA) $ 3.50 per $ 1,000 starting November 1, 2021.
Equipment (e.g., bicycle) is not included.
From 12 to 20 cyclists, accompanied by our guide.
Single occupancy: supplement of $1020
Departure/Arrival : Montréal-Trudeau/Bordeaux > Bordeaux/Montréal-Trudeau
Price of land portion of trip (taxes included): $3045
Package excluding air transportation for passenger and bicycle.