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Faisons connaissance !

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We love !

  • family bike rides
  • the panoramic views 
  • the country air

The Vélosud is a cycle route that passes through Orthez and takes you from Anglet (64) to Barcarés (66) on pleasant routes. Without excessive gradients, it should be suitable for all cyclists, including the less experienced. The Vélosud uses greenways or low-traffic roads, cycle lanes, cycle paths and other facilities.

A great family cycle ride

Just a few minutes from Pau, it's possible to embark on a beautiful cycle ride through the Coeur de Béarn. Start by cycling along the banks of the Gave de Pau from Laroin to Tarsacq, on the ‘voie verte’, an itinerary dedicated exclusively to cyclists and pedestrians for a safe family outing.  The next section, from Tarsacq to Bellocq, takes in the villages of the Béarn region, the bird sanctuary of Lake Artix-Besingrand-Pardies and the new town of Mourenx. The climb up to the slopes of Lagor will give you a fine view of the Pyrenees and the plain. You'll then descend to Maslacq, Biron and its ‘Barthes’, before skirting the Orthez-Biron leisure centre, a veritable haven of peace.  On leaving Orthez, after Salles-Mongiscard and Berenx, you'll return to the pretty village of Bellocq via its tunnel. You can then continue on to Salies-de-Béarn. 

The entire route is signposted in green with the words ‘V81’.
  • Balade sur la Vélosud
  • Saligue du lac d'Artix Besingrand Pardies
  • Lac d'Artix Besingrand Pardies
  • Balade en famille à la base de loisirs d'Orthez Biron
  • [Translate to English:] Balade sur la Vélosud
  • Détente au bord du lac
  • The supervised sandy beach
  • The Castle of Bellocq

The Vélosud: a cycle route at the foot of the Pyrenees

A new addition to the collection of cycling itineraries, the Vélosud is an exceptional route, linking Anglet in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques to Barcarès in the Pyrénées-Orientales over 570 kilometres and 13 stages. This remarkable route crosses six départements and two regions in the heart of the Pyrenees, offering a striking diversity of landscapes. From the lush green valleys to the plateaux of the foothills, cyclists will be able to enjoy unique panoramas of the majestic Pyrenees mountain range.

This new itinerary stands out for its accessibility and user-friendliness. In fact, the VÉLOSUD offers a ‘gentle slope’ route, bathed in sunshine, which will appeal to beginners and seasoned cyclists alike. Far from the intense physical challenges of routes such as the famous Route des Cols, historically aimed at sports cyclists, the VÉLOSUD is a gentler alternative geared more towards contemplative tourism.

It considerably enhances the Pyrenean offer for cycling enthusiasts, fitting in perfectly with the already extensive catalogue of ‘Pyrénées à vélo’ itineraries. With its crossings, loops, circuits and climbs, this region is becoming an essential destination for cyclists in search of new adventures, cultural discoveries and moments of escape in the heart of nature.

Discover the Vélosud itinerary on www.francevelotourisme.com