To the Atlantic Ocean

To Lacanau-Océan

1 -3 July

A fabulous trackside garden out of Bordeaux

The developments out by the lake also affected our exit from Bordeaux, as the whole of the cycleway was closed for a number of kilometres and we had to follow deviation signs to get out. All went fairly well until the very last notice which directed us to the motorway. We knew THAT was wrong. Luckily a local also noticed what was wrong, when he saw us looking lost at the crossroads, and he motioned us to come over the road, turned the notice the right way round, and went on his way!

From there on the route was fairly straightforward, with a good surface and excellent markings. It followed another old train track, with the same features as before – long straight sections and very graduated inclines and descents. It was labelled like a road – the D801. We could easily have reached Lacanau Ocean in a day (about 60km) but there are only resort camping grounds there, so we stopped at Le Moutchic, slightly before the coast, which still seemed pretty resort-like but reasonably priced, good facilities and a good site. And right on the cycle path. We stayed there for two nights, ‘commuting’ in to Lacanau Ocean, the town where we reached the Atlantic Ocean, after more than 800km of riding. We found a bar called Chez L’Australien and had a Foster’s!

Chez L'Australien

We had iced Perrier here, it was so hot!

Villa Zénith

Villa Zénith

For our last night in the area we stopped at what is one of only a very few back-packers in France, called Villa Zenith. We had a 6 bedded-room to ourselves and access to a kitchen, garden, small social room and facilities, including charging our gear.  It gave us a good start up the coast the next morning and was yet another alternative accommodation.

First day

Second day...