Day 6: From Sunflowers to Vineyards

🚴 Bikepacking Day 6: From Sunflowers to Vineyards – Châteauneuf-sur-Charente to Bordeaux (166km)
From quiet gravel roads to scenic greenways and historic wine villages—today was something special. I started in Châteauneuf-sur-Charente and followed the EuroVelo 3 south, riding on an old railway path called La Galop Chopine. Peaceful, shaded, and full of surprises like antique lampposts and sleepy stone villages.

The landscape changed—sunflower fields slowly gave way to vineyards, and I knew I was nearing Bordeaux. Before reaching the city, I passed through the legendary village of Saint-Émilion, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its wine and ancient limestone church.

After 166km, I arrived in Bordeaux, tired but happy, and rewarded myself with foie gras, entrecôte, and a glass of red wine. Tomorrow I ride toward the Atlantic Ocean.

➡️ Subscribe to follow my 2600 km solo ride from Paris to Lisbon via EuroVelo 3 and 1 – filled with cycling, food, wine, and unexpected beauty.

#bikepacking #eurovelo3 #cyclingfrance #saintemilion #bordeaux #cycletravel #solocyclist #cyclingadventure #foiegras #bikepackingfrance #elvarorn76 #gravelbike #laGalopChopine #cyclingwinecountry

Welcome to day six of me cycling from Paris to Lizabon. I’m following this amazing old railway brits of history. This morning I woke up in shed and rolled south again. Not long after, I found myself colliding along the incredible cycle path loo. Built on the old railway line that once connected Port Barb to Clarak, it’s part of a bigger network of converted railways now serving cyclists and workers. Peaceful, shaded, and rich of rural charm. Somewhere along the peaceful stretch, I stopped for a picnic. right in front of an old lamp post. These used to hold the oil for street lamps before electricity like stepping into a forgotten era. What is this cheese called Tommy de Pyrenees [Music] here? As I continued south along the Euro Villa 3, I passed through Sleepy Village that felt frozen in time. [Music] The sunflower began to fade and gave way to endless rows of vineyards. That could only mean one thing. I was getting closer to Porto, but first the route took me to St. Emilion. I’m following Euro 3 and this is what I’m following. A jewel in the world of wine. Pierced on a limestone hill, it’s not just wine village. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its medieval architecture, underground church carved from one single stone, and centuries of wine- makingaking tradition. Some of the oldest wineards here date back to Roman times. It was tempting to stop longer, but Porto was calling. [Music] From there, I rejoined yet another converted railway path, rolling through tunnel, past an old railway station, now turned into a small railway museum, and finally onto the riverside path that carried me straight into Bordeaux. [Music] After 166 kilometers through the vineyard country, I was spent. [Music] [Applause] That’s a nice bridge. [Applause] I checked into my hotel and treated myself to a proper Porto dinner. Fo, enter, and of course, glass of local red wine. The perfect end to a long, beautiful day in the settle. I’m excited. The Atlantic coast is just around the corner. More on that in the next