Low-carbon holiday - Lacanau

Treat yourself to a break in harmony with nature in Médoc Atlantique, in the heart of the Médoc Regional Natural Park! On the programme for your weekend: a bike ride from Lacanau to Carcans, taking in lakes, the ocean and nature reserves, while enjoying the Médoc way of life.
Day 1
Between lake and ocean

Distance: 17-20 km

9.30am:

Meet at Bordeaux Saint-Jean station to catch bus 421 to Lacanau-Océan.

11.15am:

Arrival in Lacanau Océan. Once you arrive, just opposite the bus stop, hire bikes from our partner Cycle Central Garage.

Option 2 for getting to Lacanau: If you want to bring your own bikes, you can take the Bordeaux cycle path to Lacanau – 66.5 km – 4.5 hours.

12:00:

Go to the Lacanau Tourist Office to get a map of the cycle paths and do the ‘lion's loop’ by bike. Discover Lacanau lake - 17.3 km - 1h30 in total.

13:00:

Meet at the restaurant La Conche at the beach of Grande Escoure.

14:30:

Rent some paddles from the Lacanau Guyenne sailing club and explore Lacanau lake. If it's windy, try your hand at catamaran sailing or windsurfing!

16:30:

Get back on your bike and complete the ‘boucle du lion’ circuit to return to Lacanau.

17:30:

Head to the Yelloh! Village Les Grands Pins to settle in.

7pm

: For your evening, head to the Sunset Bar, a beach bar where you can savour a drink and sample their dishes or tapas, with your feet in the sand, to admire a Canaulais sunset.

Day 2
From Lacanau to Carcans, as close as possible to nature

Distance: 27 km

On the second day, continue to explore the destination by bike, riding to Carcans Plage and then Carcans Maubuisson on the cycle paths. During this 27 km ride, you can also discover the Étang de Cousseau nature reserve.

9.30 am:

Departure from Lacanau Océan.

10.30 a.m.:

Arrival at Carcans Plage – Take time to enjoy a coffee and a stroll along the beach avenue.

11.30am/12pm:

Arrival in Carcans-Maubuisson. Stroll through this seaside resort and discover the largest natural freshwater lake in France! With its 2 km of supervised beaches, Lake Carcans is ideal for swimming and cooling off after a morning's sport.

For lunch, we recommend Ocean's Bowls, which offers Franco-Vietnamese cuisine made with fresh vegetables and fruit, aromatic herbs and marinades. For dessert, don't hesitate to have an artisanal ice cream at the Salon de la Glace in Maubuisson, one of the best ice cream parlours in the area!

14:00: Departure from Carcans Maubuisson.

14:30: Arrival at the Étang de Cousseau Nature Reserve.

Park your bikes at point 17 on the cycle route map and visit the nature reserve on foot. You will discover the local flora and fauna, and you can also go up to the nature reserve's lookout point to get a breathtaking view of the Cousseau Pond, its marshes and its forest. A must-see in Lacanau!

4pm: Departure from the Étang de Cousseau Nature Reserve.

5pm: Return to Lacanau Océan.

If you have time, feel free to take advantage of the campsite's swimming pool or wellness area.

7pm:

For this evening, we recommend a drink at the panoramic bar of the Café Maritime with its breathtaking view of the ocean. You can also have dinner at the restaurant afterwards. The chef offers French cuisine with refined and creative flavours.

Day 3
Enjoy the ocean

9.30am

On your last day, to connect with nature and the ocean, you can try surfing with the Cheeky Family. A surf school located south of Lacanau, a true haven of conviviality and relaxation. After your surfing lesson, which is suitable for all levels, enjoy the unique setting of this inn and have lunch at their guinguette, which offers homemade dishes.

2:30 p.m.

Depending on what time you want to leave, return your bikes to Cycle Central Garage and take the bus to Bordeaux (check the bus timetable at the Tourist Offices)