A weekend in Gironde

You only have 2 or even 3 days? Would you like to get the best out of your experience in Gironde, depending on who you are and with whom you travel? Here are some ideas, not exhaustive, for the organization of a weekend in Gironde. As a couple, in Bordeaux, by bike, by the sea, what do you prefer?

Romantic weekend in Gironde

Saint-Emilion is a destination conducive to a fantastic romantic weekend. Small picturesque medieval village, you will fall in love with each of its alleys. Steep because built on a limestone promontory 200m high, it offers a magnificent view of the surrounding countryside. Located only 45 minutes from Bordeaux, by staying there you do not exclude the possibility of granting a day to the wine capital. Also take the opportunity to visit a wine chateau, many of them offer guided tours and tastings, as well as bottle purchases at preferential rates. But Saint-Emilion is also home to many hidden riches... such as the catacombs and the Hermitage cave, the monolithic church, the Roy tower and the serene Cordeliers cloister. Don't forget to taste macaroons, which are the gastronomic specialty of the village (in addition to wine, of course!).

Photos @Guide Bordeaux Gironde

Take advantage of your stopover in Saint-Emilion to explore the pretty cities of Entre-deux-mers: Créon, Sauve-Majeure, Targon, Sauveterre-de-Guyenne, Branne, Cadillac, La Réole, Monségur… Here is a map tourist to download.

The Bordeaux Gironde Guide recommends:

Visit the city of Saint-Emilion with an original mode of transport, in Tuktuk! 100% electric, they are ideal for exploring the city and the driver's explanations are invaluable for understanding the architectural heritage in a personalized and fun way! Tuk Tour event's sells its tickets at Espace Villemaurine or at the tourist office.

Bordeaux in 2 days, the essentials

What to visit in Bordeaux in a weekend? There is so much to see, the choice will be Cornelian! Here are some ideas to study, inventory way:

• A stroll on the quays
• A stop at the reflecting pool and a detour to the Saint-Pierre district
• A stroll on the brands platform
• A visit to Cap Science or the nearby Cité des Vins
  
• A bike ride between the two bridges
  
• From window shopping to the chic boutiques of the Golden Triangle, the Grand Theater district.
• The discovery of a unique urban ecosystem: Darwin
• A visit to the Peyberland Tower and its square
  
• Visit of the Chartrons district
  
• A stroll through the city gardens, starting with the Public Garden.
• A boat trip on the Garonne
• Visit to the Museum of Bordeaux
  
• A food tour to combine pleasure and gastronomy
  

Photos @Guide Bordeaux Gironde

Some addresses to stay in Bordeaux:

• La Chartreuse-Bordeaux, a guest house with 4 bedrooms with terrace
• Appartment Stewardship, Appartment rue Ausone, An apartment for rent rue Minvielle
  
• Burdigala Homes Apartments for Rent
• Invitation to travel, a set of guest suites & apartments in a mansion from the first half of the 18th century
  
• It's a blue house, a guest room
• A hotel near the center of Bordeaux, the B&B Center Gare Saint-Jean hotel

The Gironde by bike

If you are well equipped, the Gironde is a fantastic playground for cycling. Over two or three days, you can cover a large portion of territory! Take the greenways, cycle paths for more comfort, here are routes to discover:

Depart from the tip of Soulac-sur-Mer and go to the Dune du Pilat, to ride on the Vélodyssée. This cycle route on a European scale makes it possible to do sports, while enjoying the beauties of the landscape and the heritage attractions on the road.

Choose a route that goes with your search for difficulty or the number of kilometers you want to travel on the Gironde à Vélo route. A ready-made loop circuit with 90% of traffic in spaces without cars. Consult the interactive map

The Garonne à Vélo canal, if you want to reach Toulouse by bike, or if you come from the pink city, take the Garonne Canal! It will take you from Bordeaux to pretty villages in Entre-deux-mers, then you will switch to Lot-et-Garonne and finally Haute Garonne. An interesting page to prepare for this journey.

There are 6 large sections of cycle paths in Gironde and 15 greenways. Click to read our article on this and choose the route you like the most!

Photos @Guide Bordeaux Gironde

Weekend by the ocean in Gironde

The Gironde is one of the most beautiful and attractive seaside resorts in France.

Will you be spending 2 days in Arcachon? The Basin, as it is called, is as pretty as it is teeming with activity in summer. Take a stroll on the port, take a stroll on the beautiful beaches, take a boat to Bird Island for a unique getaway. Taste succulent seafood and observe the work of fishermen who sell their treasures at the Auction, stroll through the winter town and look up at the magnificent villas dotted around the wooded pine hills. Take a break at Parc Mauresque, or go for a picnic to watch the sunset… Arcachon offers a multitude of options for a weekend!

The Bordeaux Gironde Guide shares its good addresses:

• Meet at the Epicerie du Moulleau to stock up on delicious food and prepare a perfect picnic
• For a cruise on the Arcachon basin, trust Catabas catamarans
  
• Holidays are an opportunity to play sports! Rent a bike if you haven't brought your own, or take a ride with a rosalie, this funny multi-wheeled bike that carries many passengers and where everyone can pedal
  
• Can you navigate? Rent a Dubourdieu boat at the port of Arcachon and spend an unforgettable vacation
  
• Not the boat license? No problem, rent a boat without a license! Arcachon Marine supports you in the choice that best corresponds to the experience you want to live!

Do you like beautiful waves? On the way to the 15 kilometers of Lacanau-Océan beaches. The more athletic will appreciate this renowned surf spot, with a very festive atmosphere in summer. In Lacanau, we like to start the day with a little coffee on the seafront, then we install our towel or we go swimming, surfing or fishing. You can go shopping in the shops of the town and there are many accommodations for all traveler compositions, from the campsite to the apartment for rent via the spa... Take a walk in the pine forest, in the shade intoxicating smell needles. Take the bike path for a few hours of sport or simply navigate between the entities of the city, Lacanau Ocean, Lacanau city and join Lacanau lake where nautical activities await you: windsurfing, canoeing…

Some good activities to explore:

• Long 'Aventure rents canoes, stand up paddle, catamarans and other boats, to enjoy the joys of Lacanau lake. Go explore the islands on the lake…
• What a pretty boat! Robinson's strolls, it's a very original moment aboard a real pinasse, typical Gascon boat, an excursion to do on Lacanau lake
  
• Paintball, Laser Quest, Family fun in the pine forest with Les 3 bandits!
  
• It's time to choose your mount and take on the pine forest, the bike path, the sand or just the road, on two wheels! Rent your bikes and pedelecs at Aloha Bike
• For tree lovers, the tree climbing adventure park of the People of the Hills is just a few kilometers from Lacanau, at Le Porge
• In Carcans, just further north, take advantage of the holidays to learn to water ski, sensations 100% guaranteed with Aventura Gliss
  

For lovers of picturesque places, head for Lège-Cap-Ferret, for a weekend, this is paradise. It is an almost island, on one side the Atlantic Ocean and on the other the calm waters of the basin. Along this stretch of land, spread out 10 villages to discover at your own pace, calmly... Take a seat on the rudimentary terrace of an oyster farmer in an oyster hut. Climb to the top of the Cape lighthouse to appreciate a grand view of the basin and measure its extent. Take a ride on a little train or rent an electric bike to enjoy all the ferret without getting tired! Eat an ice cream and embark on a boat, for a crossing to Arcachon... Kayak or canoe at Pointe aux chevaux, or simply contemplate the view of Bird Island.

You now have all the cards in hand to enjoy a wonderful weekend in Gironde, what do you prefer? Other ideas to draw on the Blog of the Bordeaux Gironde Guide

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