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:

• The official route of the Scandibérique :  it heads towards Langon and takes a detour through the Pays d’Albret. 
• The CycloTransEurope route : taking a more direct route, it heads towards Bazas and then due south.

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.