“We had a blast! Bordeaux was the best trip I have ever taken and from start to finish the DuVine experience was exactly that.... Divine! The guides were the most informed, interesting, supportive, passionate, and all around brilliant people and guides.”
Bordeaux Bicycle Tour Itinerary
Bordeaux Bicycle Tour Itinerary
Day One: Coubeyrac
After your guides greet you at the Libourne train station with a light lunch, it’ll be a short drive into the country to your first hotel. Rouse your palate with the region’s finest sparkling wine as we toast your arrival at Château de Sanse, in peaceful Gensac. After a bike fitting, safety talk, and map review, we’ll spin alongside the Dordogne River on a loop ride through Pessac-sur-Dordogne. We’ll stop for a visit with our friend Roger, who has turned his old watermill and bakery into a fascinating winery. He will explain his passion for wine as well as how to properly taste Bordeaux wines. Back at the château, relax by the pool or take in the fabulous terrace views of the Gensac vineyards. After an invigorating day of indulging your senses, a typical bordelaise homemade dinner in the Château Carbonneau's own dining room will be prepared for you by your hosts.
After your guides greet you at the Libourne train station with a light lunch, it’ll be a short drive into the country to your first hotel. Rouse your palate with the region’s finest sparkling wine as we toast your arrival at Château de Sanse, in peaceful Gensac. After a bike fitting, safety talk, and map review, we’ll spin alongside the Dordogne River on a loop ride through Pessac-sur-Dordogne. We’ll stop for a visit with our friend Roger, who has turned his old watermill and bakery into a fascinating winery. He will explain his passion for wine as well as how to properly taste Bordeaux wines. Back at the château, relax by the pool or take in the fabulous terrace views of the Gensac vineyards. After an invigorating day of indulging your senses, a typical bordelaise homemade dinner in the Château Carbonneau's own dining room will be prepared for you by your hosts.
Meal: Light lunch / Dinner
Destinations visited: Gensac, Pessac-sur-Dordogne
Distance cycled: 15 kms / 9 miles
Destinations visited: Gensac, Pessac-sur-Dordogne
Distance cycled: 15 kms / 9 miles
Day Two: Crossing over the Dordogne to St. Emilion
Today’s ride takes us down a long descent to cruise again alongside the Dordogne River. Pass by kiwi trees and fishermen looking for a catch on this calm, meandering river. After crossing over the river via historic Castillon-la-Bataille, we will arrive at the medieval city of St. Emilion. This breathtaking destination is home to an astounding monolithic church that was carved by Benedictine monks out of a single slab of stone - truly a remarkable sight! Upon arrival, we will taste the famous St. Emilion wines at one of our favorite estates. Lunch is at the café of your choice in the main square, where there are ample options. You are then enrolled at the “wine school” in town, where you will really developyour inner sommelier. End the afternoon with a café au lait and one of the town’s trademark macaroons, or stroll and shop along the cobbled streets. We will continue our ride past famous Grand Cru Classé chateaux as we make our way to Château Grand Barrail Hotel and Spa, an exquisite example of the art of warm hospitality, which you will experience in full form at dinner here tonight.
Today’s ride takes us down a long descent to cruise again alongside the Dordogne River. Pass by kiwi trees and fishermen looking for a catch on this calm, meandering river. After crossing over the river via historic Castillon-la-Bataille, we will arrive at the medieval city of St. Emilion. This breathtaking destination is home to an astounding monolithic church that was carved by Benedictine monks out of a single slab of stone - truly a remarkable sight! Upon arrival, we will taste the famous St. Emilion wines at one of our favorite estates. Lunch is at the café of your choice in the main square, where there are ample options. You are then enrolled at the “wine school” in town, where you will really developyour inner sommelier. End the afternoon with a café au lait and one of the town’s trademark macaroons, or stroll and shop along the cobbled streets. We will continue our ride past famous Grand Cru Classé chateaux as we make our way to Château Grand Barrail Hotel and Spa, an exquisite example of the art of warm hospitality, which you will experience in full form at dinner here tonight.
Meals: Breakfast / Dinner
Destinations visited: Flaujageus, St. Magne, St. Christophe, Castillon & St. Emilion
Distance cycled: 30 kms / 19 miles
Destinations visited: Flaujageus, St. Magne, St. Christophe, Castillon & St. Emilion
Distance cycled: 30 kms / 19 miles
Day Three: Pomerol & St. Emilion
Delight in a leisurely breakfast, explore the extensive and picturesque grounds of your luxurious château, then climb onto your bike and prepare for a fantastic day of cycling. Famed for its wonderful green stretches and rich vineyards, the region has ideal terrain for biking. We’ll cycle by some of the most important estates in Pomerol and St. Emilion: Cheval Blanc, Château Figeac, Petrus, Ausone, and more. We will taste the wines of Chateau Figeac or Petrus' neighbor to the east, Château Gazin. We’ll relax and pleasure our senses with a gourmet picnic surrounded by historic windmills. We will then cycle back to town where you can spend the day shopping or return to the hotel to be pampered at the spa. The night will be yours to dine at any of the outstanding St.Emilion restaurants, your guide will be happy to reserve a table for you.
Delight in a leisurely breakfast, explore the extensive and picturesque grounds of your luxurious château, then climb onto your bike and prepare for a fantastic day of cycling. Famed for its wonderful green stretches and rich vineyards, the region has ideal terrain for biking. We’ll cycle by some of the most important estates in Pomerol and St. Emilion: Cheval Blanc, Château Figeac, Petrus, Ausone, and more. We will taste the wines of Chateau Figeac or Petrus' neighbor to the east, Château Gazin. We’ll relax and pleasure our senses with a gourmet picnic surrounded by historic windmills. We will then cycle back to town where you can spend the day shopping or return to the hotel to be pampered at the spa. The night will be yours to dine at any of the outstanding St.Emilion restaurants, your guide will be happy to reserve a table for you.
Meals: Breakfast / Gourmet Picnic
Destinations visited: Pomerol, Bertin, Montagne & St. Emilion
Distance cycled: 21 kms / 13 miles
Destinations visited: Pomerol, Bertin, Montagne & St. Emilion
Distance cycled: 21 kms / 13 miles
Day Four: Off to the Grand Cru Vineyards of the Medoc!
After a sumptuous breakfast, it’s back to the bikes with a chance to say goodbye to St. Emilion and Pomerol. We’ll wind our way through the villages and vineyards of the Paysage Bordelais down to the banks of the Dordogne river and to the Gironde estuary. The Bordeaux region straddles the Gironde estuary that is formed where the Garonne and Dordogne rivers converged. It is the largest in Europe, and exerts a major influence on the vineyards of the Medoc with the sandy alluvial soil. The English made Bordeaux what it is today due to their huge appreciation for French wines and their desire to import the wines, easy to do because of its location. Between the secret wine towns of Bourg and Blaye we’ll pause for lunch before boarding a ferry that will take us across the Gironde. We’ll arrive in the cradle of Cabernet Sauvignon, the Medoc, and bike to our haven for the night, the luxurious Cordeillan Bages. You’ll enjoy a wine tasting at the hotel’s own Lynch Bages winery after a comprehensive visit to their impressive cellars that combine traditional techniques with modern day technology. Tonight you will enjoy a casual meal at the Brasserie in the old town of Bages.
After a sumptuous breakfast, it’s back to the bikes with a chance to say goodbye to St. Emilion and Pomerol. We’ll wind our way through the villages and vineyards of the Paysage Bordelais down to the banks of the Dordogne river and to the Gironde estuary. The Bordeaux region straddles the Gironde estuary that is formed where the Garonne and Dordogne rivers converged. It is the largest in Europe, and exerts a major influence on the vineyards of the Medoc with the sandy alluvial soil. The English made Bordeaux what it is today due to their huge appreciation for French wines and their desire to import the wines, easy to do because of its location. Between the secret wine towns of Bourg and Blaye we’ll pause for lunch before boarding a ferry that will take us across the Gironde. We’ll arrive in the cradle of Cabernet Sauvignon, the Medoc, and bike to our haven for the night, the luxurious Cordeillan Bages. You’ll enjoy a wine tasting at the hotel’s own Lynch Bages winery after a comprehensive visit to their impressive cellars that combine traditional techniques with modern day technology. Tonight you will enjoy a casual meal at the Brasserie in the old town of Bages.
Meals: Breakfast / Dinner
Destinations visited: St André-de-Cubzac, Bourg, Blaye, Lamarque, Beychevelle, Pauillac
Distance cycled: 60 kms / 37 miles
Destinations visited: St André-de-Cubzac, Bourg, Blaye, Lamarque, Beychevelle, Pauillac
Distance cycled: 60 kms / 37 miles
Day Five: Margaux Loop Ride
Delight in a leisurely breakfast, explore the extensive and picturesque grounds of your luxurious Château, then climb onto your bike and prepare for a fantastic day of cycling. Famed for its wonderful green expanses and rich vineyards, the region boasts ideal terrain for biking. We’ll cycle by some of the most important estates in Bordeaux: Chateaux Palmer, Margaux, Latour, Beychevelle, Pichon Longueville, and more. We will stop to taste the wines and enjoy a gourmet lunch en route. These lovely estates are the perfect places to see the process of winemaking in the middle of the harvest period. We will then cycle back to the hotel where you can spend the rest of the day golfing, resting, or being pampered at the spa. The night will be yours to celebrate with a very special farewell dinner at the two Michelin star restaurant Cordeillan Bages with Chef Jean-Luc Rocha. The quality of his work earned him the coveted title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France in 2007. A pure product of the modern school of French cuisine, he is always eager to try something new whilst setting very high standards. His expertise combines technique with tradition. Bon appetite!
Meals: Breakfast / Gourmet Picnic / Dinner
Destinations visited: Margaux, Beychevelle, Pichon Longville, Pauillac
Distance cycled: 30 miles
Day Six: The Medoc - Bordeaux
After breakfast, feel free to enjoy a final stroll around the grounds before we drive back to Bordeaux, where you can say goodbye to the esteemed region however you see fit.
After breakfast, feel free to enjoy a final stroll around the grounds before we drive back to Bordeaux, where you can say goodbye to the esteemed region however you see fit.
Meal: Breakfast
Accomplished: Total Satisfaction!
Accomplished: Total Satisfaction!
TRIP TOTAL:
166 km / 104 MILES, averaging 33 km / 20 miles per day. Optional longer rides available each day.
166 km / 104 MILES, averaging 33 km / 20 miles per day. Optional longer rides available each day.
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Suzanne Grinberg, New York, New York
