Departmental intervention

The development of cycle tracks is carried out on former Voies Ferrées d'Intérêt Local (VFIL), disused SNCF railway lines or secondary roads.

Created under the Conseil Général, their construction is entirely financed by the département, which is eligible to receive funding from the State, the Region and from Europe. The Conseil Général is entirely responsible for maintenance.   

Departmental funding is also allocated to the ONF, to communes and communautés de communes for the creation and maintenance of cycle tracks, in state-owned forests, in particular.

For further information, see the section entitled "Infrastructure". 

Suggested routes

- The Tour of the Bay in the shade of pine trees, alongside beaches and through small picturesque villages. Note that the Biganos - Le Teich cycle track was opened at the beginning of 2008 to form a complete cycle network around the Bay of Arcachon.

- The famous Roger Lapébie cycle track which passes the foot of the abbey, through the tunnel and is a very pleasant route in summer.

- The Mios-Bazas circuit beneath the pine trees at the heart of the Landes of Gascony Regional Nature Park; one of the most characterful routes in Gironde, boasting 62 km of new surfacing.

- Last but not least: the multi-use trail and the cycle tracks of Médoc, Blaye-Etauliers and Bordeaux-Lacanau...

Essential information

Bike and mountain bike hire points are open to all and are located in various towns and cities in Gironde, both on the coast and further inland...

The map of cycle tracks in Gironde can be obtained from the Maison du Tourisme de la Gironde by telephoning 05 56 52 61 40 and is also available online at www.tourisme-gironde.fr

For further information, contact the Direction des Infrastructures: Bureau des Etudes Générales on 05 56 99 33 33, extension 3097 or the Direction Environnement et Tourisme, Service de l'Aménagement Environnemental et Touristique des Territoires on 05 56 99 33 33, extension 3196.