Cycling accommodation in Bordeaux, the Dordogne and Aquitaine

Agen - Citotel Stim'Otel

In the heart of Agen on the Canal de Garonne bike route

The Stim'Otel is an accueil velo hotel in the centre of Agen and is easily reached from the Canal de Garonne bike path, as well as from the station if you are arriving from Toulouse or Bordeaux by rail. It has modern, clean rooms, plus an inhouse restaurant that also serves buffet breakfasts each morning. It's ideal, affordable base for an overnight stay, and wlel-placed for exploring the Old Town after you've parked your bike nd had a shower. Free wifi. French, English and Spanish spoken.

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Aïnhoa - Hotel Ithurria

A typical Basque welcome on the Santiago de Compostela route

Hotel Ithurria is a family -owned and operated hotel-restaurant, now in the hands of its third generation. The hotel (and its restaurant) has stayed close to its Basque-Bearn origins, offering high-quality local hospitality and scrumptious food based on local ingredients (they also grow a lot of produce in their garden). As a mark of its quality, the hotel is now a member of the Chateaux et Hotels Collection of hotels, though still independently owned and operated. There are beautiful gardens and an outdoor swimming pool to enjoy, plus a sauna and fitness room. Free wifi. The owners guarantee us there is plenty of safe and secure bike parking. French, English and Spanish spoken.

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Aramits – Lae de Haut

Flexible B&B and self-catered accommodation in the Pyrenees

Lae de Haut is the perfect cycling base, just a few kilometres from Arette, where stage 10 of the Tour de France passed through on Bastille Day 2015. This is the gateway to the western cols that regularly feature on the Tour de France route, including Aubisque, Marie Blanque, La Pierre St Martin, Soulor and d’Osquich. The roads here are mostly French Cycling Federation-approved, with signs marking distances to col and gradients. There are also signposted circular routes for mountain biking just 200m from the door (you can see them from the bedrooms). Margaret and John are used to welcoming cyclists and are keen to welcome more riders through Freewheeling France. BBQ area; outdoor pool. Free wifi. French and English spoken.

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Arcachon - Hôtel de la Plage

Relax on the terrace at this 3-star hotel after a ride around the bay

Arcachon is a popular and thriving seaside town that echoes a bygone area in its architecture. The Hotel de la Plage is in the centre of town and close to the beach, so perfect for exploring by foot or cycle. It's close to the La Vélodyssée bike route and cycle tour companies use it as an overnight stop on the Atlantic Coast route. Onsite bar. 24-hour reception. Bikes can be hired through the the hotel. Free wifi. English and French spoken.

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Arcachon - Hôtel Du Delta

2-star hotel with Arcachon an easy ride away

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Atlantic Coast - Margaret's House (Soulac-sur-Mer)

Sun, sand, surf and cycling on the Atlantic coast

Soulac-sur-Mer is locataed at the northern tip of the Medoc peninsula, near where the ferry crosses to Royan. If you're on an Atlantic Coast biking trip, or simply exploring the vines of the Medoc, there's a good chance you'll be passing by here. Choose whichever accommodation suits you and your group – B&B or self-catering apartments or, for larger groups, the rental of an entire house. On the Atlantic Coast La Velodyssee path, you're right on sandy beaches and in the centre of town. In Soulac itself there's a bike shop with hire (bikes plus trailers) for all ages. Local cycle trips can be arranged through Margaret, plus she has maps and other advice to hand. Free wifi.

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Aubas - Le Four a Sel (Dordogne)

3 self-catering gites + B&B 2km from Lascaux Caves, 24km from Sarlat

Le Four a Sel Holiday Homes – and Irish Times 'travel pick' – is a riverside property offering double, triple and family rooms in their B&B, as well as 3 self-catering gites. The setting is peaceful and stunning with fabulous views. Just 2km away are the world famous Lascaux Caves (featured on the 2017 Tour de France route) as well as riverside cafes and amenities in Montignac. This is an excellent base from which to discover the area’s prehistoric caves and sites, castles, gardens and villages. You can walk or cycle for baguettes and croissants, while the local restaurant/bar serves a 4-course lunch for just €13. They offer cycling maps and can arrange for a bike hire company to deliver bikes to you. Cycle on roads and well-marked cycle paths, with routes for all ages and abilities. Climb into the hills and be rewarded with breathtaking views of the Dordogne river and valley. Cool off afterwards in the swimming pool, enjoy unlimited fishing, picnics or a BBQ beside the river, an outdoor playground, football, badminton and boules – all on your doorstep. Free wifi. Owners David and Brenda live onsite, and are on hand to share their local knowledge of the area.

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Aubisque - Green Bike Pyrenees (Laruns)

Perfectly located in the Ossau Valley for great Pyrenean climbs

We wished we'd nown about this place when we went to the Vuelta in 2016 when we were looking for cycling accommodation in Laruns. The Green Bike Pyrenees chalet is – as the name suggests – a dedicated biking base. Located in the Ossau Valley, it has three mythical cols from the Tour de France on the door step: the Col d’Aubisque, Soulor, and Marie Blanque. Other cols like Tourmalet, Pourtalet and La Pierre St Martin are within reach. The owners Mireille and Nick are involved in cycling at different levels, so they understand your needs and can cater for them. You just cycle and they will handle the rest (including booking you a sauna or sports massage at the local spa for when you get in!) Bikes can be safely stored in a lockable garage, plus there are cleaning facilities, a workshop with work stand, and spares. English, French, Spanish spoken.

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Bayonne - Le Grand Hôtel

Comfortable four-star hotel for a relaxing stop on the Atlantic Coast

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Bergerac - Campanile Bergerac

Budget hotel option with restaurant on the city's outskirts

Campanile Bergerac is a clean and reliable option just over 1km from the Bergerac city centre and 4km from the airport, just off the road to Bordeaux. Terrace, small garden. Contemporary-style rooms you'd expect of a modern budget hotel. All rooms are en suite rooms. Tea, coffee and biscuits provided in all rooms. Onsite restaurant with regional cuisine and local wines plus an all-you-can eat cheese and dessert buffet. Room service option. Buffet breakfast. Dedicated bike shed (Tour de France teams stayed here for the Bergerac stage of the 2014 Tour, though they had a fancy bus and team cars for their bikes and kit!) French and English spoken. Free wifi.

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Bergerac - Hotel de France

Good-value city centre hotel with outdoor pool and private garage

Friendly 3-star hotel in the centre of Bergerac and close to all amenities. We have had good reports from cyclists who have stayed here. A short ride from the Dordogne River, it has 20 air-conditioned rooms. There is secure bike parking in the hotel's private garage. Rooms have views of the pool/courtyars area or of the city centre. Buffet breakfasts. Heated outdoor pool plus garden area. Free wifi. English, French, Spanish and Italian spoken.

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Beyrie-Sur-Joyeuse - Gite Jauberria (east of Biarritz)

A cyclist-run base in the Basque countryside 60km east of Biarritz

Jauberria is a 100-year-old restored Basque farm cottage – with bags of character – in a quiet location in the foothills of the Pyrenees (but within striking distance of Biarritz 60km away). This is the far-western edge of the Pyrenees and an area often ignored by cycilsts in the clamour to get to the more famous cols to the east. With owners Dave and Kris living next door, there's help and support nearby. Dave is a keen cyclist and can share his favourite local routes and advise which climbs are best for your ability (there are loads of route options). He also has a full range of maps, including MTB trails, to share. Dave says the roads around here are of a generally high standard for road cycling and that most of the local cols have their altitudes and gradients marked for cyclists (the Col d’Iraty, 1,350m is nearby). The cottage itself comfortably sleeps 6 people and is perfect for a family or a group of friends sharing, with a large family bathroom upstairs and shower/toilet on the ground floor. The cottage has its own garden and terrace with lovely, far-reaching views.

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Biarritz - Hotel Kemaris

Bike-friendly hotel on the La Vélodyssée Atlantic Coast bike route

Hotel Kemaris was recommended to me by a cyclist who was riding the Atlantic Coast bike path, La Vélodyssée. "It is very central," he wrote, "and hotel staff put our cycles in a locked storeroom inside the hotel."  The hotel is only 200m from the beach (some rooms have terrrace balconies). Buffet breakfast with local produce served daily (there's the option to have the full buffet or an 'express' version). Free wifi. Hotel combines local Basque architecture with modern touches. Groups welcome (discounts available). English, French and Spanish spoken. Good local knowledge and advice on off here.

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Biarritz - Pierre & Vacances Premium Haguna

Clean apartment hotel in a central location

A cool surf vibe awaits at this centrally located apartment hotel, close enough to the Grand Plage to be sat on the sand in 5 minutes whilst still being surrounded by local restaurants. Freewheeling France has stayed here, using it as the launch pad for a gentle 80km spin around this wonderful coastal resort. There is a dedicated bike storage room, though the staff didn't blink an eye when we decided to take our bike up the lift and to our room. Perfect for families with comfy sofa beds, a small playground in the garden and a kids' toy and book corner in reception. All the kitchen equipment you'll need for a stay, including fridge, small oven, coffee machine, toaster and kettle. Free and fast wifi.
** We've stayed here – read our review **

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Biscarrosse - Hôtel la Forestière

Small, good value 3-star hotel with its own pool

Hôtel la Forestière is used by small cycle tour companies on La Vélodyssée Atlantic Coast cycle route, so the staff here are used to welcoming riders. 800m from the beach. There is a heated swimming pool and free wifi. French and English spoken. Onsite restaurant. There are also a couple of golf courses nearby if you fancy a break from the sand. It's a hard life!

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Bordeaux - Le Saint James Bouliac

Magical bike-friendly retreat in the hills overlooking Bordeaux

If you're after a truly magical vineyard stay in Bordeaux, then this could be the place for you. Granted, it's not cheap, but Le Saint James offers a wonderful Bordeaux food and wine experience. The hotel is set in the lovely village of Bouilac, a short detour from the towpath that leads to the Roger Lapebie bike path and the Canal de Garonne bike route. It comes with its own boutique vineyard, proudly overseen by Richard Bernard, a former winner of the French Sommelier of the Year competition. There's a Michelin-star restaurant, a courtyard that's ideal for sundowners, and a pool with table service. House bikes are available for bimbles down into Bordeaux. This is an ideal base for a start/end-of-trip celebration or to mark a special occasion during your cycling holiday in France. We've stayed here - read our review!

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Bordeaux Gare Saint Jean (train station) – Ibis Styles

Affordable, cheerful hotel close to the Bordeaux railway station

We stayed here at the end of our La Velo Francette trip after we'd caught a late train back from Caen via Paris. It had been a long day and we arrived very late. The hotel is a very short ride from the station and it's close to restaurants and cafes that are open late. The staff at the 24-hour reception were really friendly, and welcomed two weary cyclists by checking us in efficiently and locking our bikes safely in the conference room just off the reception area. The Ibis Styles brand is one notch up from the chain's 'Budget' brand. The room was clean, the shower was hot, the beds comfortable, and breakfast was from an all-you-can eat buffet with cereals, toast, fruits and fresh juices. Our room was quiet despite the proximity to the station and a tram line out the front. The official website has a best-price guarantee for this hotel (and all others that fall under the usually reliable Accor Hotels brand in France).

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Bordeaux to Sauveterre bike path - l'îlot Vignes B&B

A warm welcome awaits in the vineyards east of Bordeaux

If you're riding the Roger Lapebie bike path, which runs from Bordeaux to Sauveterre before joining the Canal de Garonne route to Toulouse, then the beautiful stone l'îlot Vignes B&B is a small (approx 4km) diversion. Pierre-Yves and Laure's place is also perfect for exploring the peaceful vineyard routes to the east and south-east of the Bordeaux city centre. It's in Rauzan, a pretty town surrounded by vineyards and its own chateau, and within easy reach of Saint-Emilion, and the riverside Ste-Foy-la-Grande (with one of France's best Saturday markets). There are five lovely rooms, with the B&B able to sleep up to 15 guests in total. So it's perfect for solo riders through to families and small club or touring groups. Pierre-Yves has 12 years' experience in French restaurants, so the optional table d'hotes (evening meal) is something to look forward to after a day's riding (or relaxing by the pool!) Pierre-Yves also works with a local bike company and can have bikes delivered to the door for you – perfect for families. French and English spoken.

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Bordeaux – Grand Hotel Francais

Bike-friendly hotel staffed by cyclists in central Bordeaux

Elegant city centre hotel that has been lovingly restored. It has a luggage room for bikes and cyclists on staff who are keen to share their local bike knowledge with guests. The Grand Hotel Francais, set in a quiet but central street, was bought by the Frenchman Jean Auriacombe back in 1987. He spent a year restoring it and returning the building to its pre-war glory. The hotel is now run by Jean's son, Frederic, and his wife, Sandrine. It has been listed in the Michelin guide since its re-opening. Close to cafes, bars and restaurants in the UNESCO-listed city centre. Free wifi and complimentary breakfasts. The hotel also carries the French eco label for environementally friendly hotels. French, English and Spanish spoken. 

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Bordeaux – Ibis Bordeaux Aéroport

A short ride from Bordeaux's Merignac international airport

Clean and reliable hotel located a 5-minute ride from Merignac international airport, 9km west of Bordeaux city centre. 24-hour reception. Free wifi. Buffet breakfast available from 4.30am for early flights. Onsite bar and restaurant serving traditional French food and local Bordeaux wines. Management advises bikes can be stored in rooms overnight. French, English, Spanish and German spoken.

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