Self-Guided Cycling Through Bordeaux and Its Prestigious Vineyards, France

Things to know

• What’s included?

  Included:

  • • 7-day self-guided Bordeaux cycling wine tour
    • Accommodation for 6 nights in 3 and 4-star hotels as well as charming guesthouses
    • 6 breakfasts and 2 dinners
    • Travel book (maps and tourist information)
    • Luggage transfers
    • One taxi transfer (either from Bordeaux airport/train station to the hotel in Pauillac on Day 1 or from the hotel in Bordeaux to Pauillac on the last day)
    • Boat crossing on the Gironde estuary
    • Support every day of the week (between 7:30am and 8pm)

  Add-ons (add at checkout):

  • • Bike rental (touring bike, e-bike, gravel bike) & bike insurance
    • GPS app — an optional smartphone navigation tool (in English or French, with visual and audio guidance) that complements the travel book and is strongly recommended
    • Single occupancy room

  Not included:

  • • Flights to France
    • Lunches and most dinners
    • Drinks
    • Helmet — leave a note at checkout if required
    • Bikes — rental available
    • Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout
• How fit do I need to be?

  This self-guided Bordeaux cycling wine tour is easy and beginner-friendly—you can find day-by-day distances in the itinerary. Additionally, your guides offer e-bike rental, which will make the tour even easier!

  As this is a self-guided adventure, you can move at your own pace and stop whenever you want. This is not a race, it’s all about taking in the gorgeous views and enjoying the journey!

  For more bike adventures in France, click here!

• What do I need to bring?

  Each traveler may bring one piece of luggage up to 23 kg (this cannot be split into two smaller bags) and one small handbag or daypack up to 15 liters, such as a purse or compact city backpack. Please note that additional bags or suitcases may incur extra fees, as space during transfers is limited. Extra luggage can be charged up to €30 per item, per transfer, depending on group size, number of extra bags, and the specific tour.

  Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

  • • Day pack large enough to carry everything you might need throughout the day (around a 25-40L bag)
    • Helmet — leave a note at checkout if required
    • Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
    • Comfortable cycling clothing
    • Lightweight shoes
    • Spare clothes for layering
    • Waterproof rain jacket
    • Sunhat
    • Emergency kit
    • Spare phone battery
    • Swimsuit
    • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
    • Headlamp or flashlight
    • Sunglasses
    • Camera — optional (but recommended)

  Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

  Please note that your luggage may still be on its way by the time you reach your accommodation—it’s best to take spare clothes with you each day in your bike pannier.

• Can I rent a bike?

  Indeed you can! Skip the hassle of bringing your own bike with you and simply rent one with your guides. You can choose between three types of bikes, add your preferred one(s) upon checkout:

  • • Touring bike
    • E-bike
    • Gravel bike

  Bike insurance is available as well, you can add it at checkout.

• What is a self-guided tour?

  Self-guided tours are perfect for those who enjoy exploring on their own terms—at their own pace, and with the company they choose. By joining this self-guided Bordeaux cycling tour we take care of:

  • • Lodging
    • All breakfasts & 2 dinners
    • Travel book
    • Luggage transfers
    • One taxi transfers
    • Boat crossing
    • Support every day of the week

  Rather than joining a guided group, you’ll navigate the tour yourself, using resources provided by the tour operator. For a hassle-free journey with everything arranged for you in advance, there’s no better option!

  As a self-guided tour is built around your preferred travel dates, your guide will take care of arranging accommodations and details after you book. Note that exact accommodations and dates might shift slightly, so don’t make any travel arrangements until the details of your adventure are confirmed.

• How do luggage transfers work?

  One of the best things about this self-guided Bordeaux cycling wine tour is that your luggage will be transferred for you—you travel light and enjoy the day’s cycling!

  Every morning, you’ll leave your luggage at the reception desk of your accommodation before departure. After a day of cycling, you’ll get to your accommodation and either pick it up at the reception desk or it will have already been delivered to your room. Please note that if you arrive a bit earlier on some days, your luggage may not already be there.

  Keep your luggage to one suitcase/travel bag (maximum 23 kg) and one carry-on.

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and pricing

  • • For this self-guided Bordeaux cycling wine tour, there is no minimum people required—even a solo traveler can sign up for this adventure!
    • There’s no limit to the group size! Your guiding company can seamlessly organize this journey for a group of any size, no matter how large. Please note that there is a solo traveller surcharge automatically applied if booking for one person.
    • The price for this tour is based on twin-share rooms, but a single occupancy room can be arranged at an additional fee. You can add it to your booking at checkout. Solo travelers are welcome to join, but securing a single occupancy room for themselves is mandatory—you’ll be able to add it to your booking at checkout.

  Self-guided Bordeaux cycling wine tours can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the Bordeaux cycling wine tour on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

  If your group has cyclists under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Getting there and meeting location

  The starting point of your Bordeaux cycling wine tour is Pauillac, France. To get there, most people fly into Bordeaux Airport (BOD). From there, you can take a shuttle service, public transport, or rent a car to reach Pauillac—it will take you anywhere between 1 to 2 hours.

  Day 1 is all about arrival (no cycling), so feel free to arrive whenever suits you, but we always recommend arriving on time so you can have a stroll around the town and rest before your adventure begins. Note that one taxi transfer is included in the price of the tour—either from Bordeaux airport/train station to the hotel in Pauillac or on the last day from the hotel in Bordeaux to Pauillac (if you arrive by car).

• Safety measures and insurance

  We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

  Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  Deposits
  You can secure one of the set dates with a 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.

  Cancellations
  Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:

  Basic

  • • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a 70% refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, there is no refund.

  Flexible

  • • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 30-59 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-29 days before the trip, there is no refund.

  Super Flexible

  • • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 30 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-29 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.