Avignon to Cassis

Day 1: Arrival in Avignon
Day 2: Avignon - Maussane les Alpîlles, 32 mi. (50 km)
Day 3: Maussane les Alpîlles - Aix, 45 mi. (72 km)
Day 4: Aix, day of rest or roundtrip, 47 mi. (75 km)
Day 5: Aix - Maximin la Sainte Baune, 30 mi. (47 km)
Day 6: Maximin la Sainte Baune - Cassis, 38 or 44 mi. (60 to 70 km)
Day 7: Cassis, day of rest or roundtrip, 19 mi. (30 km)
Day 8: Departure

Distances are approximate.

DAY 1: Arrival in Avignon
Your France bike tour begins with an arrival in Avignon. Check in to your hotel and enjoy some free time in Avignon. A meeting with our representative will be scheduled on this day. Meetings are possible every day between 3 pm and 6 pm. Meetings are not possible on Sundays. If you arrive late during the week, your meeting will be scheduled for the morning of Day 2 at 9 am. The store is closed on Sunday.

DAY 2: Avignon - Maussane les Alpîlles, 32 mi. (50 km), altitude 421 m.
Today's Provence cycling route will take you south via a network of quiet little country roads! You will ride in the middle of orchards and fields of cultivated fruit and vegetables, here and there crossing a little village nestled around its church. Finally, you will reach the Alpilles! They are a picturesque range of limestone hills - only 493m high at their peak – with scenes that are reminiscent of Greece. You will be led there by one of its prettiest routes, discovering superb viewpoints along the way.
Enjoy a night in the foothills.

DAY 3: Maussane les Alpîlles - Aix, 45 mi. (72 km), altitude 611 m. 
This morning you will head in the direction of Aix on peaceful lanes lined with olive trees. In the 1900s, with the availability of these trees and their oil, a family had the idea of using it to make soap… in their back garden! The family business still perpetuates the tradition and you will be able to learn more about the making of the famous “Savon de Marseille” along the way. Once you reach the gates of Aix, take a delicious break to taste the unforgettable local delicacy: the “Calisson”!

DAY 4: Aix, day of rest or roundtrip, 47 mi. (75 km), altitude +/-1132 m.
Today is a rest day in Aix en Provence. It is a beautiful city scattered with old townhouses, streaming fountains, grand avenues, and charming little squares. The heart of the old town is lined with lively pedestrian streets full of little boutiques, cafes, restaurants – a true maze where it is pleasant to get lost. Also recommended are visits to Cezanne’s old workshop, the Cathedral, and the St. Sauveur Cloister!

Cycling option: You can also choose to cycle today, though a reasonable level of fitness is required! The cycling route is a 65 km loop in a very hilly country (difference in height: approximately 750m) that will take you around the Sainte Victoire Mountain, via the (private) Chateau de Vauvernargues, where Pablo Picasso lived and is now buried.

DAY 5: Aix - Maximin la Sainte Baune, 30 mi. (47 km), altitude +/- 680 m. 
Leave the beautiful Aix behind on the “route Cezanne”, as it is known since the painter often set his easel up along it, and it will take you to the foothills of the Montagne Sainte Victoire. The scenery is magnificent and will reveal to you the light and colors that the artist craved for: the striking contrasts between the dazzling white of the limestone cliffs, the sandy red loam, the green of the pine trees and the blue sky. Towards the end of the day, you will reach Maximin la Sainte Baume and its Basilica, the biggest gothic building in the southeast of France. It was built in the exact place where Mary Magdelene’s relic was found and is recognized as the third shrine of the Christian world, after Jerusalem and Saint Peter’s of Rome.

DAY 6: Maximin la Sainte Baune - Cassis, 38 or 44 mi. (60 to 70 km)
This Provence bike tour continues in the countryside as described in Marcel Pagnol’s novels Le Château de ma mère and La Gloire de mon père. His books rendered Provence famous because of the way he sang the praises of the Provencal culture, describing the landscapes that meant so much to him. Of course, time has changed them but the route will lead you through quiet side roads with gorgeous views. At the end of the day, after a 6 km descent, you will finally glimpse Cassis and the sea!
2 options: for both options, there is approximately 20 km of roads with more traffic.
1 – Via the plains. Approximately 60 km of gently rolling hills (including 2 descents, one being 10 km).
2 – Via the Ste Baume Mountain. A reasonable level of fitness is required! Approximately 70 km (with 2 descents, one being 16 breathtaking kilometers), the difference in height: approximately 650m.

DAY 7: Cassis, day of rest or roundtrip, 19 mi. (20 km), altitude +/- 690 m. 
Rest day in Cassis. Enjoy relaxing around in the heart of the village, go swimming, touring in a sea kayak or hiking on the Cap Canaille ridge track or in the rugged rocky Calanques. But the “must-do” of the day is the discovery of the sumptuous views of the Calanques from the sea: clear water, white limestone cliffs plunging into the sea, & miniature fjords. Around here, everything is spectacular and wild. Boat trips (from 45 minutes to 2 hours) will allow you to enjoy this unforgettable experience. (These activities are not included in the price of the holiday). In the evening our representative will come from Avignon to retrieve all equipment.
Cycling option: good fitness level required! A 20 km round trip (difference in height: approximately 394 m with a 15% ascent) that will take you up the Cap Canaille to a breathtaking viewpoint!

DAY 8: Departure
This France bike tour will end following breakfast. Departure from Cassis or extend your cycle tour in France!

If you’re looking for a different flavor, check out our full list of bike tours in Europe or view all our featured bicycle tours, specials, and news.

Option A: 3 nights in 2-star hotels - 1 with swimming pool (2 nights by the sea) and 4 nights in 3-star hotel

Option B: 1 night in 4-star hotel, 6 nights in 3-star hotels (2 nights w/ pool & 2 nights w/ pool and by the sea).

Bicycles

Standard bicycle

The rental bikes are 24 gear Cannondale standard with Shimano components

• Standard pedals
• Bottle cage
• Mineral water bottle
• Lock
• Rear rack
• Pannier (20 l)
• Odometer
• Lights
• Klickfix
• Pump
• Repair kit including spare tube

On request, the following can also be provided for free:

• Pedals with toe clips
• SPD pedals
• LOOK pedal
• Mounting and removal of personal saddle
• Mounting and removal of personal pedals
• Helmet