| Start & End |
Bordeaux, France |
| Trip Length |
6 days | 5 nights |
| Rider Type |
2 | Learn More» |
| Daily Rides |
Options from 12 - 300 miles |
| Beyond Biking |
Historical Site Visit, Cultural Tour, Wine Tasting, Shopping |
| Trip Options |
Make It Private or Choose Your Own Date |
Pomerol, Medoc and St. Emilion - longer abstract identities relegated to the wine cellar - on this magnificent French bike trip, these icons spring to life amongst the character and class of Bordeaux, France. Spend your days savoring the varied treasures this terroir has to offer; from leisurely bicycle rides among ancient vines and quiet strolls along cobblestone streets, to quaint hotels and delightful cuisine, your Bordeaux biking trip is custom-fit for you. Whether you are a true gourmand or a wine lover, a leisurely cyclist or a history buff, Trek Travel can cater to your passions in unforgettable Bordeaux.
Trip Wow’s
- Enjoy the company of Patrick—winemaker, historian, friend and simply a charming Frenchman, his passion is intoxicating!
- Become a wine connoisseur at our St. Emilion Wine School. If only school was always this much fun!
- Take an afternoon off from riding and meander the cobblestone streets of St. Emilion or Blaye.
- Relish the history found beneath the medieval village of St. Emilion on our private tour.
- Enjoy tasting wines on the Medoc—from some of the most reputable Chateaux to some of the hidden gems.
Day 1 – 3 | St. Emilion
Stay at Palais Cardinal
Bicycle past battle sites from the Hundred Years War and through the meticulously manicured St. Emilion vineyards | Enjoy a private tasting at a small local vineyard | Discover the medieval village of St. Emilion, a UNESCO World Heritage site | Enjoy a private tour of St. Emilion’s underground sites including the monolithic church | Attend Wine School and learn the steps of wine tasting
Day 4 & 5 | Blaye & Médoc
Stay at Hotel de la Citadelle de Blaye
Bike along the estuary to the historic town of Blaye | Linger amongst the ramparts of the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Citadel of Blaye | Cycle through the vineyards of the Médoc | Visit some of the Medoc’s famous Chåteaux including Chåteau Lynch Bages
Palais Cardinal | St. Emilion, France
A quaint property, Palais Cardinal is an intimate hotel, located steps away from St. Emilion’s cobblestone streets. Be sure to make time to enjoy its relaxing pool or simply benefit from its proximity to the main square of this stunning medieval village filled with savory bistros, wine shops, historic sites and beautiful scenery.
Hotel de la Citadelle de Blaye | Blaye, France
Hotel de la Citadelle is located within the stone walls of the old citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage site, that was built in 1689 by Vauban on a rock beside the river. It is one of three strategic sites that prevented enemies from arriving in Bordeaux during the Religious Wars, but now it stands as a reminder of a long lost history. Enjoy the calming nature of the hotel and cuisine that honors the gastronomic tradition of the South-West.
What’s Included in the Trip Price
- 5 nights of accommodation
- Daily breakfast, 3 lunches, 3 social hours, 3 dinners, and all snacks and drinks for each day
- The knowledge, support, and camaraderie of experienced guides
- Daily route support
- The use of a Trek Madone™ 5.2 carbon road bike, or Trek Madone™ 5.1 Women’s Specific Design carbon road bike (limited selection), or Trek 7.5 FX™ hybrid bike
- The use of Trek bike helmets and other gear and equipment to make your ride comfortable
- Trek Travel water bottles
- Private tours
- Entrance fees to all group events/activities
- All luggage transfers
- All transportation during the trip, including private coaches
- Comprehensive trip literature and complimentary Trek merchandise
- All gratuities for special events, local guides, transfers, hotels, and restaurants
- $300 Discount on a 5 or 6 series Trek Madone purchase at your local Trek retailer
Not Included
- Airfare to and from the trip
- Transportation to the trip pick-up location
- Lodging before and after the trip
- Gratuities for Trek Travel guides
- Personal items purchased during the trip
- Some meals are not included in each destination, which allows you the opportunity to explore regional cuisine on your own. Your guides are happy to make recommendations should you so desire.
What is the weather going to be like?
The Bordeaux region enjoys a warm climate. September brings temperatures in the 70s to low 80s. Rain is always a possibility, so be prepared with the proper rain gear in order to best enjoy your vacation.
What are the daily rides like?
| Rider Type | 2 |
Average Daily Mileage | 20 |
| Terrain | undulating |
Average Daily Elevation | 365 |
On all of our vacations, Trek Travel strives to find quiet, paved secondary roads or bike paths to experience a region; busy roads are avoided as much as possible. Bordeaux is best suited for our Type 2 Riders. Our Trek Travel guides can also easily accommodate Type 1 Riders, who seek less mileage or fewer uphills, with a boost in the van. Those who wish to ride every mile but are concerned about their physical ability may want to try our electric bike option–you still get a workout but can climb alongside even the strongest rider.Type 2&3 Riders will enjoy the extra mileage the avid route options offer. The terrain is highlighted by mostly flat terrain, with some rolling hills and quiet winding roads lined with vineyards. There are some short steep climbs near St. Emilion. See Itinerary for specific daily ride distance and elevation options.
What are the options for a non-rider travel companion?
On most Trek Travel trips, we offer non-riding options for riders who want to take the afternoon off, or travel companions who want to spend little or no time in the saddle. Some of these options may need to be scheduled before your trip–please contact one of our Trip Consultants for more information. Expenses and/or related transportation to these activities may not be included in the trip price. See Included In The Trip Price for more information.
Some non-riding options on this trip are:
- Private wine-tastings in various Chateaux
- Private wine school in St. Emilion
- Private guided tour of Europe's largest underground, monolithic church
- Shopping in both St. Emilion and Blaye
General FAQs
Didn’t find what you were looking for? Check out our General FAQs section. You will find answers to all the most common questions that don’t necessarily pertain to a specific trip.
Make Bordeaux Your Own:
Trek Travel can customize a trip for groups ranging from 14 to 20+ guests. Tweak an existing itinerary or create a new one! When you build your own Custom bike trip with Trek Travel, each and every moment is artfully crafted to a blueprint of your choosing; it’s personalized and tailored to fit your schedule, interests, curiosities, wants, needs and budget.
So what do you need to do to get started? Check out our ’Trips to enthuse’ for ideas, contact us, then tell us who, where and when—it’s that easy. Let the planning begin.
Wow’s From Our Guests & More Photos
When we asked our guests what their favorite WOW’s were from their Bordeaux cycling vacations, here is what they said…
One of my worst fears was that the others in the group would be better cyclists than me. Within ten minutes my fears were put at ease. Both Ken and Philippe taught me while I was cycling on the road and made learning exciting and fun. —Vida
Riding through the vineyards, seeing castles, chateaus, and awesome views. Great support on the roads. Good selection of roads traveled to minimize traffic issues. Wonderful scenery. Overall, fantastic.—Dennis
The accommodations and location...all of the restaurants were great. Great job!—Becky
Biking to the Atlantic and having champagne & OJ! Dancing together spontaneously. Nice selection of local bistros.—Barbara
Great bikes, easy biking. The other guests were a lot of fun (remember laughter at summer camp?!). Patrick was great!—Kirk
Wine school and St. Emilion. (Were a WOW!)—Leslie
