If you take the ferry from Mondorf, the journey is more pleasant and offers a change of scenery.
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Alternative route Eurovelo3, recommended by CTE
At Nideggen, a diversion to the castle offers a breathtaking view of the Rur valley. Then a verdant sequence between forests and open meadows.
Körnelimünster, a former abbey town and place of pilgrimage, has preserved its medieval historic centre with half-timbered houses and quarry stone.
You can reach Aix-la-Chapelle via a route on shared roads or via the Vennbahn – click on the “variant lanes” pictogram.
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Itinerary recommended by CTE. Partially follows Eurovelo3
Variant of the stage « Nideggen – Aix-la-Chapelle (Aachen) »
A route that’s a little longer than the one along shared roads, but more rural, safer and more peaceful.
The Vennbahn is a 125-kilometre cycle route that passes through three countries : Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg.
Cologne is a very touristy, dynamic and cosmopolitan city. As well as its impressive Gothic cathedral, numerous Romanesque churches and colourful houses with pointed gables, the city boasts buildings with bold contemporary architecture, including the three crane-shaped towers in the Kraushaüser district.
From Cologne to Bonn, the route follows the meandering course of the Rhine, where the ecologically valuable flood meadows are increasingly threatened by urban sprawl.
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< Cologne (Köln)
Bonn >
Itinerary Eurovelo3, recommended by CTE
Itinerary Tab :
Variant of the stage « Cologne (Köln) – Bonn »
If you take the ferry from Mondorf, the journey is more pleasant and offers a change of scenery.
Bourriot-Bergonce is a village with a distinctive atmosphere, characterised by a cluster of houses set amidst an open clearing, typical of the Landes region’s airiaux.
A few kilometres to the south-west, the 13th-century chapel of Lugaut is well worth a visit, just as it is for pilgrims on the Way of St James. Please note : the section of the old unpaved railway line can only be used by mountain bikes.
Taking the direct route, you reach Saint-Gor, where you turn off towards Roquefort, a small town.
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< Bourriot-Bergonce
Roquefort >
Alternative itinerary, recommended by CTE
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Saint-Gor : a Landes-style bullring with semi-permanent stands.
Nearby :
Retjons : the chapel of Lugaut and its 13th-century frescoes, a stop on the Way of St James
From Le Nizan Gare, there are two routes available:
< La Brède
Mont-de-Marsan >
Itinerary recommended by CTE. Partially follows Eurovelo3
→ click on map to go to a stage
De Tours à la Côte Basque par l'Eurovélo3
The 11 stages of the section « Les Landes de Gascogne »
La Brède is the birthplace of the famous philosopher and winegrower Montesquieu, author of ‘The Spirit of Laws’; his Renaissance-style fortified château is surrounded by wide moats and a beautiful English-style park.
A tour around La Brède is possible to discover wine châteaux producing organic wine, a practice that is still relatively undeveloped in the Bordeaux appellations.
This section offers a transition between the famous vineyards of Graves and the wooded areas of the Landes de Gascogne, which can be reached via the beautiful departmental cycle path that starts at the old railway station. Head south through deciduous clearings that quickly give way to pine forests.
In the Landes de Gascogne Regional Nature Park, the Hostens nature reserve offers swimming, water sports and nature walks to explore the rich ecology of its ponds, wet heathlands, peat bogs and oak forests… The pine forest, weakened by fires, borders this beautiful cycle path which runs towards Saint-Symphorien via Le Tuzan.
From Hostens, you can reach the Arcachon Bay by taking the cycle path towards Mios.
At Le Nizan Gare, there are two routes available:
You cycle along a lovely greenway through pine trees, surrounded by the scent of pine resin, heather and the Gironde countryside.
Be sure to visit the Roquetaillade site, 3 km from the course – there are a few hills, but it’s well worth the detour! The medieval castle and the newer castle, the chapel and the grounds.
The Scandibérique route joins Castets-et-Castillon, the starting point of the Garonne Canal.
As you walk along the banks of the Garonne, you’ll come across the medieval town of Saint-Macaire. Don’t miss the Place du Mercadiou, the murals in the Church of Saint-Sauveur and the gates of the town walls.
A 3-kilometre detour through the vineyard-covered hills leads to the Malagar estate, which was dear to François Mauriac.
Where to stop for a break? Swimming at the Fontet nautical base or have a picnic on the Esplanade du Tertre in Meilhan-sur-Garonne, where the view is breathtaking. However, the climb is steep, so it’s best to park your bike at the harbour master’s office and take the stairs.
The village of Couthures-sur-Garonne, which faces flooding from the Garonne, and the town of Marmande, renowned for its market halls and the remarkable gardens of its cloister, are well worth a detour from the Canal.
The village of Mas d’Agenais is a must-see stop along the canal : the collegiate church and its famous Rembrandt, the grain market, and the wash house.
South of Buzet-sur-Baïse, you leave the canal behind and continue into the Albret region. A complete change of scenery is guaranteed in Vianne, a fortified market town where the ramparts, the Romanesque church and the central square have withstood the test of time.
Make the most of the markets to discover Damazan’s delicious little strawberries, a variety of tomatoes, homemade duck preserves and Buzet wine.
This stage offers some lovely opportunities for rest and exploration : a stroll along the banks of the Baïse in Lavardac, a fortified mill on the banks of the Gélise in Barbaste, an old dam bridge over the Osse in Fréchou and an insight into the history of the industry that developed around cork oak harvesting at the Cork and Cork Stopper Museum in Mézin.
From Cauderoue, there are two options : either a route through the Landes forest along well-shaded paths, or another route through the Gascony countryside along small roads.
In Barbaste, connection with the Baïse Valley Cycle Route, -V82.
The greenway from Mézin to Sos has not yet been developed. It is advisable to have good tyres as the surface consists of stones and gravel and is difficult to ride on in wet weather. It follows the River Gélise, which is part of the European Natura 2000 network. Otters, European pond turtles and marsh copper are protected there.
Nearby lie the villages of Poudenas, dominated by its 13th-century castle, and Sos, where medieval ruins can still be seen.
Take care: after Sos, the route follows a busy road for about two kilometres. It then turns off towards Saint-Pé-Saint-Simon, and then Gabarret, along quiet, pleasant country lanes with a few steep climbs.
The greenway, which runs along the route of a former railway line between Gabarret and Mont-de-Marsan, becomes a little more rideable from Barbotan-les-Thermes onwards. Work is currently underway to lay a more suitable surface. It is well shaded and very pleasant in summer.
Bartbotan-les-Thermes is renowned for its healing black mud and hot springs. The building housing the thermal baths is reminiscent of old tobacco drying sheds.
The small bastide of Mauvezin d’Armagnac, also known as the “bastide-rue”, still boasts some beautiful half-timbered houses.
On the cycle path, just past the road to Mauvezin, a footpath leads to the Géou Chapel, an unusual chapel dedicated to the memory of cyclists.
Labastide-d’Armagnac evokes a sense of tranquillity. No wonder it is one of the first and few French towns to have joined the “Cittaslow” movement!
Do feel free to enjoy local produce, but in moderation: Armagnac, a strong digestif, is now also available as a lighter aperitif known as floc de Gascogne.
It only takes a few turns of the pedals to reach the remarkable Chapel of Notre Dame des cyclistes!
The Marsan and Armagnac Greenway, a green corridor, offers cyclists shelter from the heat of the sun but is laid out in a very rustic style.
In Villeneuve-de-Marsan, don’t miss the market and its covered market hall, which hosts one of the last “fatty” markets of the winter season – a fair bringing together sellers of geese and ducks and producers of all the products made from them! Not really recommended for vegetarians!
The bullring, built in the Hispano-Moorish style of the 1930s, is also well worth a visit. It does not host bullfights in which the animals are killed, but rather Landes cow races.
The route continues along the Marsan Greenway, which is perfectly maintained and takes you effortlessly to the centre of Mont-de-Marsan.
The route is full of tourist attractions: paddle down the Ciron in Villandraut, admire the collegiate church in Uzeste or take a detour through the vineyards of Sauternes.
In Bazas, there is a link to the Tour de Gironde cycle route, which leads to the Canal de la Garonne and then on to La Réole. Click on “link lanes”.
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< Saint-Symphorien
Bazas >
Alternative itinerary, recommended by CTE
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Saint-Léger de Balson : 12th–16th-century church, Saint-Clair fountain
Villandraut : the castle – a 14th-century fortified palace, and the 19th-century St Martin’s Church
Uzeste : Uzeste Collegiate Church (Clement’s tomb), 15th- and 16th-century houses, the Amusicien l’Estaminet theatre (performance venue, home to the Lubat theatre company, hosting jazz and improvised music festivals)
Link of the stage « Saint-Symphorien – Bazas »
This stage takes you to the Garonne side canal at Castillon-de-Castets. The route initially follows small roads lined with meadows, woods, fields and market gardens. Between Cazats and Savignac, there is slightly more traffic, but then you reach the peaceful, shaded towpath.
Near the trail, why not explore the Cistercian Abbey of Sainte-Marie du Rivet, the Pont d’Or bridge in Pondaurat and the ancient medieval streets of La Réole?
Alternative to the stage « Saint-Symphorien – Bazas »
At Le Nizan Gare, there are two routes available:
You cycle along a lovely greenway through pine trees, surrounded by the scent of pine resin, heather and the Gironde countryside.
Be sure to visit the Roquetaillade site, 3 km from the course – there are a few hills, but it’s well worth the detour! The medieval castle and the newer castle, the chapel and the grounds.
This stage takes you to the Garonne side canal at Castillon-de-Castets. The route initially follows small roads lined with meadows, woods, fields and market gardens. Between Cazats and Savignac, there is slightly more traffic, but then you reach the peaceful, shaded towpath.
Near the trail, why not explore the Cistercian Abbey of Sainte-Marie du Rivet, the Pont d’Or bridge in Pondaurat and the ancient medieval streets of La Réole?
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Perched above the Estampon valley, Roquefort is a former castelnau, a powerful 14th-century stronghold built around Pénecadet Castle.
Leaving the wooded area via Sarbazan, you enter the region of the bastides of Armagnac, a famous wine-growing area that straddles the border with the neighbouring department of Gers.
In the Douze Valley, the Templar Tower marks the entrance to Saint-Justin, a fortified town dating from 1280, built around its central square. Beneath the arcades of the charming Place des Tilleuls, it is lovely to enjoy the shade for a break where time seems to stand still. In this peaceful atmosphere, a few kilometres away lies Labastide-d’Armagnac.
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< Roquefort
Labastide-d’Armagnac >
Alternative itinerary Eurovelo3, not recommended by CTE
Mustsee Tab :
Saint Justin:
Alternative to the stage « Roquefort – Labastide-d’Armagnac »
The greenway, which runs along the route of a former railway line between Gabarret and Mont-de-Marsan, becomes a little more rideable from Barbotan-les-Thermes onwards. Work is currently underway to lay a more suitable surface. It is well shaded and very pleasant in summer.
Bartbotan-les-Thermes is renowned for its healing black mud and hot springs. The building housing the thermal baths is reminiscent of old tobacco drying sheds.
The small bastide of Mauvezin d’Armagnac, also known as the “bastide-rue”, still boasts some beautiful half-timbered houses.
On the cycle path, just past the road to Mauvezin, a footpath leads to the Géou Chapel, an unusual chapel dedicated to the memory of cyclists.
The route continues first along the greenway, then along quiet forest tracks.
There are more pine trees here than people, with an average of 5 inhabitants per square kilometre2 – one of the lowest population densities in France – but it is not uncommon to come across walkers heading for Santiago de Compostela along the way.
A detour via Giscos offers the chance to admire a typical example of a farmstead in its airial, a clearing characteristic of the agro-pastoral way of life of yesteryear.
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< Captieux
Bourriot-Bergonce >
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Nearby :
Part of the charm of the greenways lies in venturing off the beaten track; do take a detour to Bazas, an ancient fortified town whose imposing cathedral is listed as a World Heritage Site on the Routes of Santiago de Compostela.
Stroll through the narrow streets lined with half-timbered houses, and enjoy a break in the Jardin du Chapître, which backs onto the cathedral and offers a lovely view of the Beuve valley and the ramparts.
A greenway, shaded by deciduous trees and pines, leads us to Captieux.
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< Bazas
Captieux >
Alternative itinerary, recommended by CTE
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Markets : Saturday morning in Bazas
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