Best CyclingTrip

Stage 12/15 · La Vélodyssée: the great family-friendly Atlantic crossing

Stage 12: Arcachon Bay → Mimizan

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Start point

Arcachon

End point

Mimizan

Distance

75 km

Elevation gain

100 m D+

Duration

1 day

Difficulty

Easy

The straightest stage of the whole Vélodyssée: after skirting the bay to the south (La Teste-de-Buch), the route heads into the Landes pine forest and largely stays there. Few villages, a near-flat, dead-straight alignment, and a very different mood from the rest of the route — some riders love the forest quiet, others find it monotonous over the distance.

Biscarrosse-Plage, a short detour off-route, lets you reach the ocean partway through if you want to break up the forest cover.

Check your water supplies before setting off: resupply points are more spread out than on the coast, as the Landes forest is sparsely built-up over long stretches.

Distances shown are indicative; the exact route can vary depending on which forest tracks are open (managed by the ONF forestry service) at the time.

Where to stay near Mimizan

A selection of well-located places to stay so you can start the ride fresh.

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Rent a bike nearby

Don't want to travel with your own bike? These rental shops serve the area.

Rent a car

Handy for reaching isolated passes or carrying gear to the start point.

No partner rental company near Mimizan yet — check back soon.