The Vélosud : from Biarritz to Lourdes in 7 days

Discover Biarritz, the historical capital of surfing in and queen of the seaside resorts of the Atlantic coast. Stroll through the streets of the city and and admire the palace built by Napoleon III for his wife Eugenie, the Rocher de la Vierge, the lighthouse of Biarritz or the Cité de l'Océan. This former fishermen's village, which became a popular holiday resort for European aristocrats in the 19th century, is today a dynamic and welcoming city which will seduce you with its gentle way of life.

Take advantage of this short stage to visit the charming seaside town of Biarritz before hitting the road. Then leave the beaches and surfers behind and head for Bayonne. After a few kilometres along the coast, you will then follow the banks of the Adour river and enter the hinterland. The town of Bayonne, with its colourful shuttered façades, is well worth a visit. Continue along the river and through the wetlands to Urt, a town founded by fishermen around the year 1000.

From Urt, you have two options:
- Follow the main route along the river and cross a bird paradise. The marshes between the canal and the river are home to thousands of our feathered friends, among whom you can cycle peacefully.
- Alternatively, you can opt for a more challenging route through the countryside (25 km and 450 m elevation gain) via the charming village of La Bastide-Clairence. You will enjoy superb views of the Adour valley before descending back to the river.
The routes meet on the Bidouze towpaths. Only the climb up the Côte de Came will require a little effort. You then continue through fields and gently reach the spa town of Salies-de-Béarn via an old railway line.

A short stage today gives you time to visit Salies-de-Béarn and Orthez, two towns with rich histories, each quite different from the other one.

You start the day on the greenway as you leave Salies. Then you follow small country lanes until you reach the Gave de Pau river, which will more or less be your guide for the next few days.

A few more pedal strokes later, you arrive in Orthez. If you arrive early, you can relax on the beach at the Orthez water park.

You leave Orthez along the leisure centre, the ideal place for a quick dip before setting off. The Gave de Pau river will be your guide today. You will quickly leave the town behind and find yourself on small country lanes. The only climb of the day to Lagor is short but steep. You will be rewarded with a descent to the town of Mourenx (the first new town created in France in the 1950s to house thousands of workers). Be careful after the rain, as the path can be slippery! Pau is the largest city in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques. Until the First World War, it was a popular destination among British tourists. Pau was transformed into a spa town, with baths, villas, a casino, etc. When you arrive, don't miss the magnificent view from the Boulevard des Pyrénées.

You have two options today: one is more leisurely, the other more athletic. The main route runs alongside the Gave de Pau river.
The sporty alternative: you cross the Gave de Pau towards Gan, where you can visit the Jurançon wine cellars. After Gan, you climb a small pass (300m elevation gain) before rejoining the Gave de Pau and the pretty village of Nay. This alternative adds 6km to your stage.
The two routes meet just before Nay. In this lively town, you will find several leisure centres and have the opportunity to go kayaking/canoeing/rafting. Then, you continue along small country lanes, with the Gave de Pau river on one side and the Pyrenees on the other. Before arriving in Lourdes, you cross magnificent forests in complete tranquillity.

This then-small village became world-famous in the 19th century when Bernadette Soubirous saw the Virgin Mary in a grotto several times. It became France's largest pilgrimage site, with over 3.5 million visitors annually. Whatever your faith, it's clear that this place attracts many people seeking happiness and recovery.
Lourdes is the final stop on your cycling trip, unless you want to extend your trip by a few more days and cycle to Argelès-Gazost (and from there Hautacam).