The best road cycling routes around Budos

The Abbey of La Sauve-Majeure, founded in 1079, a masterpiece of Romanesque art, is today part of the Way of St. James and a UNESCO World Heritage site. This is stated on the france-voyage website, and continues: "This former Benedictine abbey, dear to pilgrims and classified as a Historic Monument, has managed to preserve beautiful remains in its ruined church, including the remarkable carved capitals in the choir. The wonderfully preserved details of the chiselled capitals feature biblical, fantastical, or plant-based motifs. Original sin, Daniel in the lions' den, the life of Samson, the temptation of Christ, the sacrifice of Abraham, the martyrdom of Saint John, or the fight between mythical creatures can be admired as sculptural elements in the Abbey of La Sauve-Majeure."

Well-lit tunnel on the cycle path

Picnic area by the Ciron or small bakery with coffee in front of Villandraut castle, magnificent spot for photos and a break ✌️

In 1079, the Benedictine abbot Gérard de Corbie and about ten monks and knights founded Notre-Dame de La Sauve-Majeure in the large forest (in Latin Silva Major) of the Entre-deux-Mers. The support of the dukes of Aquitaine and the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela favored a rapid boom. At its peak in the 12th and 13th centuries, the abbey had about a hundred monks. The Hundred Years' War precipitated its decline.

Beautiful passage with a train relic recalling the history of the place, formerly a railway.

At the Creon station, several information panels about the history of the railway line are offered, and wagons and engines that operated on this line can be seen.

Budos Castle is the work of Raymond Guilhem de Budos, nephew of Pope Clement V. Largely supported by his uncle, he rebuilt the old family castle in 1306, adopting the architectural features of the neighboring Château de Villandraut, as evidenced by the following document from King Edward I, written from Wynten on March 9, 1306, to the Seneschal of Gascony[4]: "The Knight of Budos, nephew of Clement V, Sovereign Pontiff, has begged us to allow him to crenellate his house in Budos, to surround it with walls, towers, moats, and finally to fortify it. Out of respect for the Sovereign Pontiff, and because a fortress of this nature will protect not only our possessions in this part of Guienne, but also the subjects of the Pope's nephew, we grant the aforementioned Raymond permission to fortify his castle and we grant it to him, his heirs, and successors in perpetuity, and we undertake not to disturb him in any way in this possession." In 1422-23, the King of England took possession of the castle and placed Pons, Lord of Castillon, in charge. Around 1433, Henry VI granted the lands and the castle to the Duke of Gloucester. In 1446-47, Budos was given to Gaston IV of Foix-Béarn, Count of Foix, following the death of the Earl of Gloucester. After the conquest of Guyenne, the Budos family, which had supported the cause of France, regained possession of its lordships in Guyenne. Purchased from the Budos family by Raymond de La Roque in 1571, Budos Castle suffered a severe assault in 1652 during the Fronde Wars. Lasserre ransacked, pillaged, and burned its archives. The Budos lordship remained in the La Roque family until the Revolution, which nearly destroyed it. It was sold as national property and used as a quarry to build dikes on the Ciron. In 1841, the Gironde Historical Monuments Commission was informed of this by Léo Drouyn. In 1860, it became the property of Léon de Brivazac, son of Delphine Catherine de La Roque de Budos (born at the castle in 1789). Five descendants (including Savary de Beauregard) entrusted it to the Adichats association, which brings together young people to enhance and preserve what can be preserved. The castle was registered as a historic monument in 1988

The cycle path along the old railway line is beautiful and comfortable to ride, and it's a truly relaxing experience.