The Canal des 2 Mers: From Bordeaux to Royan
Day 1
40 km
Bordeaux → Margaux
You leave Bordeaux along the Garonne’s leafy quays, pedaling on bike paths shaded by plane trees. The city soon fades behind you, replaced by the first vineyards of the Médoc. Car sounds give way to birdsong and the quiet crunch of tires on vineyard paths.
Passing through Blanquefort, you ride into renowned appellations like Ludon-Médoc, Macau, and Margaux. Prestigious châteaux line the way, framed by meticulously tended vines. As evening falls, you settle in amid the vineyards—peaceful, golden-stoned, and filled with the scent of oak barrels.
Day 2
50 km
Margaux → Blaye
In the morning, you reach Lamarque and hop on the ferry with your bike to cross to Blaye—a short yet charming ride across the estuary, with wooded shores all around.
Blaye greets you with its UNESCO-listed Vauban citadel. Take time to explore the ramparts before continuing your journey along the right bank of the estuary. The path winds through wetlands, open fields, and quiet villages like Plassac and Saint-Seurin-de-Cursac. The light here feels different—softer, more expansive.
Spend the night in or around Blaye, facing the water. Time slows down in this serene riverside setting.
Day 3
50 km
Blaye → Royan
The final day takes you from estuary to ocean. You follow a gentle route through vineyards, woodlands, and quiet country roads. At Saint-Ciers-sur-Gironde, the scenery features fishing huts on stilts and low cliffs—hallmarks of this riverbank.
The air grows saltier, pine trees come into view. As you near Royan, the estuary broadens like an inland sea. You arrive from the heights, overlooking beaches and retro villas. The bold concrete lines of Royan’s Notre-Dame church mark your destination.