Famous Villages of Provence Road Bike Tour
France Bike Tours
Cycling Provence!
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length8 days
- Prices from€1320 Rates
- Book This Trip
Overview
This Provence bike tour starts in Avignon with afternoon sightseeing possible with an early arrival and a welcome meeting in the evening. From Avignon, you’ll cycle through the vineyards of the Gard (Châteauneuf du Pape, Lirac, etc.) and see the Pont du Gard (Roman aqueduct).
This tour is slightly different from the usual Famous Villages of Provence tour in that it covers longer distances.
Highlights
- Vineyards of côtes du Rhône (Vacqueyras, Beaumes de Venise, etc.),
- The Dentelles de Montmirail, the foothills of the highest peak in Provence, Mont Ventoux
- Cycling through villages such as Lacoste and Cavaillon.
- The Provencal village of Arles
- Castle ruins in Les Baux de Provence
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Avignon
Day 2: Avignon - Orange, 68 mi./110 km (option to Uzès, 54 mi./87 km) 1136 meters
Day 3: Orange - Bedoin, 27 mi. /41 km, 421 meters (option to Mont Ventoux, 35 mi./57 km), 1900 meters
Day 4: Bedoin - Fontain de Vaucluse - Gordes - Roussillon, 49 mi./78 km, 1200 meters or Bedoin - Murs - Roussillon, 34 mi./55 km, 873 meters
Day 5: Roussillon - Fontvieille, 53 mi./85 km, 933 meters
Day 6: Fontvieille - Arles - Baux de Provence, 22 mi./33 km, 314 meters or option loop in Camargue +26 mi./41 km, 113 meters
Day 7: Baux de Provence - Avignon, 38 mi./61 km, 404meters
Day 8: Departure from AvignonDistances are approximate.
DAY 1: Arrival in Avignon
Individual arrival in Avignon and a free afternoon to explore this great city - followed by a welcome meeting in the evening. The tour and equipment will be explained. The meeting will take place every day from 3 - 5:30 pm (except on Sunday.) In case of late arrival or in case of a Sunday arrival, the meeting will take place the next day at Provence Bike Shop at 9 am sharp. If you arrive on Saturday, you must be on time as the store is closed on Sunday. When you check in to hotel, you will receive a tour packet, luggage tags, with a map indicating how to reach the Provence Bike shop. Reception at the hotel will inform the shop that you have arrived. At this time, you can then decide the fixed time of your welcome briefing.DAY 2: Avignon - Orange, 68 mi./110 km (option to Uzès, 54 mi./87 km) 1136 meters
This day is about the vineyards of "côtes du Rhône, Lirac....Other highlights, the Pont du Gard, and the city of Orange itself with its majestic Roman monuments.DAY 3: Orange - Bedoin, 27 mi. /41 km, 430 meters (+ option to Mont Ventoux, + 35 mi./57 km), 1900 meters
Today, you will ride past the vineyards of Côtes du Rhône. You'll be amazed at the small villages at the foot of the small mountain chain "Dentelles de Montmirail". Here, you have the option of Mont Ventoux cycling, a mountain known as the "Giant of Provence" (1910 m).DAY 4: Bedoin - Fontaine de Vaucluse - Gordes - Roussillon, 49 mi./78 km, 1200 meters or Bedoin - Murs - Roussillon, 34 mi./55 km, 873 meters
At the foot of a golden cliff flows one of the most important springs in Europe: the Fontaine de Vaucluse, one of the many incredible places you will visit today. This site is famous for its breathtaking natural atmosphere. Further on, two villages are worth a visit: Gordes and Roussillon. Gordes has attractive stone houses and nicely paved, arched streets. Surrounding the villages are numerous “bories” (huts made out of dry stone) that will amaze you with their various shapes. Roussillon, a unique little village, sits on a small hill colored with red ocher. The house walls are stained with ocher, from red to yellow, contrasting nicely with the dark green of the pine trees. At the top of the village, a viewpoint offers a spectacular view over the plains, Gordes, and the small villages around.DAY 5: Roussillon - Fontvieille, 53 mi./85 km, 933 meters
The delightful villages in the north of the Luberon chain such as Lacoste, Ménerbes, and Bonnieux will all await your acquaintance. Eventually, you will reach the heart of the Natural Regional Park of the Luberon. The nice road of Destet will take you to the small villages at the foot of the Alpilles chain, including Maussane les Alpilles and Fontvieille.DAY 6: Fontvieille - Arles - Baux de Provence, 22 mi./33 km, 314 meters + option: loop in Camargue +26 mi./41 km, 113 meters
Today, you will travel to Arles, an ancient Roman capital that was a large religious center during the Middle Ages. The city has brilliant houses surrounding its arenas, which are perhaps the city's most captivating feature. Every Saturday morning, the city streets transform into a bustling open market. In the heart of the old center, you may relax at numerous refreshing outdoor cafés. Onward to the village of Les Baux de Provence, with its charming houses all strung together. Les Baux de Provence sits cozily on a rock where the vistas are magnificent: groves of olive trees flow across the plains, cypress trees stretch toward the sky, fields overflowing with beautiful flowers, small villages pepper the landscape, and of course, there are the endless blue waters of the sea to marvel at. There is an optional biking loop in Camarque that runs to Vaccarès pond.DAY 7: Baux de Provence - Avignon, 38 mi./61 km, 404 meters
Biking in Provence heading north, you will reach St. Rémy de Provence. But first, you should not forget to stop to enjoy “l’elixir du Révérand Pére Gaucher” (a liquor) in the Abbey of St Michel de Frigolet. It is situated on the “Montagnette”, a small mountain (highest point 170 m). In St. Rémy de Provence, you will come across 2 well-preserved Roman monuments: the Mausoleum and Municipal Arch. St. Rémy de Provence was once a rich Glanum city, abandoned at the end of the 3rd century and now only ruins remain. As you cycle back to Avignon, you will ride into the foothills of the Alpilles Mountain range. The landscape is made up of small hills with chalky ridges that love to soak under the sun, and where you can easily see why painters such as Vincent van Gogh found their inspiration. Today you will return the rental bicycle, tour material, and accessories.DAY 8: Departure from Avignon
Your Provence bike tour will end with individual departure following breakfast.Looking for more? View all our featured bicycle tours, specials, and news or look at our full list of bike tours in Europe.
Accommodation
Option A
5 nights in 3 star hotel with dinners included
2 nights in 3 star hotel with only breakfast included
All dinners are included except for the 2 nights at the B&B in Avignon.
Option B:
5 nights in 3 star hotel with dinner included
2 nights in 4 star hotel with breakfast only
All dinners are included except for the 2 nights at the B&B in Avignon. Some hotels/B&B’s have a pool so don’t forget to pack your bathing suit!Inclusions
What’s Included
- Hotel accommodations for 7 nights
- 7 breakfasts
- 5 dinners
- Sport Aluminum road bike (bikes are not equipped with rear rack)
- Welcome beverage
- Luggage transfer (Please note: it is not possible to guarantee luggage delivery to next hotel before 5 pm. If you need luggage at specific, earlier time in Avignon at end of tour, please request at time of booking. Supplement will apply.)
- Preloaded GPS rental, route descriptions & maps (one set per booking up to 4 ppl)
- Tourist tax
What’s Not Included
- Individual arrival to Avignon
- Upgrade to Carbon Road bike rental (please see pricing for options)
- 3 dinners (days 1, 7, and 8)
- Bicycle protection
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
April 1 to October 25, 2022
Arrivals after 6 pm on Saturdays are not possible. If you arrive on Sunday, the bike distribution and welcome meeting will take place on Monday.
Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
Option A, comfort Option B, superior April and October $ 2231 £ 1153 $ 1,978 € 1320 kr 202373 ₪ 5442 ¥ 221705 Mex$ 24380 NZ$ 2429 NOK 15813 zł 5841 S$ 1954 kr 15721 $ 1,436 $ 2361 £ 1221 $ 2,094 € 1397 kr 214179 ₪ 5759 ¥ 234638 Mex$ 25802 NZ$ 2571 NOK 16735 zł 6182 S$ 2068 kr 16638 $ 1,520 Single supplement: $ 406 £ 210 $ 360 € 240 kr 36795 ₪ 989 ¥ 40310 Mex$ 4433 NZ$ 442 NOK 2875 zł 1062 S$ 355 kr 2858 $ 261 $ 524 £ 271 $ 465 € 310 kr 47527 ₪ 1278 ¥ 52067 Mex$ 5726 NZ$ 571 NOK 3714 zł 1372 S$ 459 kr 3692 $ 337 Supplement, single traveler: $ 826 £ 427 $ 733 € 489 kr 74970 ₪ 2016 ¥ 82132 Mex$ 9032 NZ$ 900 NOK 5858 zł 2164 S$ 724 kr 5824 $ 532 $ 957 £ 495 $ 848 € 566 kr 86775 ₪ 2333 ¥ 95064 Mex$ 10454 NZ$ 1042 NOK 6780 zł 2505 S$ 838 kr 6741 $ 616 May, June, August, and Sept. $ 2297 £ 1188 $ 2,037 € 1359 kr 208353 ₪ 5603 ¥ 228255 Mex$ 25100 NZ$ 2501 NOK 16280 zł 6014 S$ 2012 kr 16185 $ 1,479 $ 2507 £ 1296 $ 2,223 € 1483 kr 227364 ₪ 6114 ¥ 249082 Mex$ 27390 NZ$ 2729 NOK 17766 zł 6562 S$ 2195 kr 17662 $ 1,614 Single supplement $ 443 £ 229 $ 393 € 262 kr 40168 ₪ 1080 ¥ 44005 Mex$ 4839 NZ$ 482 NOK 3139 zł 1159 S$ 388 kr 3120 $ 285 $ 647 £ 335 $ 574 € 383 kr 58719 ₪ 1579 ¥ 64328 Mex$ 7074 NZ$ 705 NOK 4588 zł 1695 S$ 567 kr 4561 $ 417 Supplement, single traveler $ 876 £ 453 $ 776 € 518 kr 79416 ₪ 2136 ¥ 87002 Mex$ 9567 NZ$ 953 NOK 6205 zł 2292 S$ 767 kr 6169 $ 564 $ 1078 £ 558 $ 956 € 638 kr 97814 ₪ 2630 ¥ 107157 Mex$ 11784 NZ$ 1174 NOK 7643 zł 2823 S$ 945 kr 7598 $ 694 July 1 to July 25 (Festival d' Avignon) $ 2363 £ 1222 $ 2,095 € 1398 kr 214332 ₪ 5764 ¥ 234805 Mex$ 25820 NZ$ 2573 NOK 16747 zł 6186 S$ 2070 kr 16650 $ 1,521 $ 2730 £ 1411 $ 2,420 € 1615 kr 247601 ₪ 6658 ¥ 271252 Mex$ 29828 NZ$ 2972 NOK 19347 zł 7146 S$ 2391 kr 19234 $ 1,758 Single supplement: $ 554 £ 287 $ 492 € 328 kr 50287 ₪ 1352 ¥ 55090 Mex$ 6058 NZ$ 604 NOK 3929 zł 1451 S$ 486 kr 3906 $ 357 $ 916 £ 474 $ 812 € 542 kr 83096 ₪ 2235 ¥ 91033 Mex$ 10010 NZ$ 997 NOK 6493 zł 2398 S$ 802 kr 6455 $ 590 Supplement, single traveler: $ 985 £ 509 $ 874 € 583 kr 89382 ₪ 2404 ¥ 97920 Mex$ 10768 NZ$ 1073 NOK 6984 zł 2580 S$ 863 kr 6943 $ 634 $ 1347 £ 696 $ 1,194 € 797 kr 122191 ₪ 3286 ¥ 133863 Mex$ 14720 NZ$ 1467 NOK 9548 zł 3527 S$ 1180 kr 9492 $ 867 July 26 to July 31 $ 2363 £ 1222 $ 2,095 € 1398 kr 214332 ₪ 5764 ¥ 234805 Mex$ 25820 NZ$ 2573 NOK 16747 zł 6186 S$ 2070 kr 16650 $ 1,521 $ 2507 £ 1296 $ 2,223 € 1483 kr 227364 ₪ 6114 ¥ 249082 Mex$ 27390 NZ$ 2729 NOK 17766 zł 6562 S$ 2195 kr 17662 $ 1,614 Single supplement: $ 554 £ 287 $ 492 € 328 kr 50287 ₪ 1352 ¥ 55090 Mex$ 6058 NZ$ 604 NOK 3929 zł 1451 S$ 486 kr 3906 $ 357 $ 690 £ 357 $ 611 € 408 kr 62552 ₪ 1682 ¥ 68527 Mex$ 7536 NZ$ 751 NOK 4888 zł 1805 S$ 604 kr 4859 $ 444 Supplement, single traveler: $ 985 £ 509 $ 874 € 583 kr 89382 ₪ 2404 ¥ 97920 Mex$ 10768 NZ$ 1073 NOK 6984 zł 2580 S$ 863 kr 6943 $ 634 $ 1121 £ 579 $ 994 € 663 kr 101647 ₪ 2733 ¥ 111356 Mex$ 12245 NZ$ 1220 NOK 7942 zł 2934 S$ 982 kr 7896 $ 722 Extra Options
Road bike rental options:
Upgrade to Sport Carbon Road Bike (no rack): $ 59 £ 31 $ 52 € 35 kr 5366 ₪ 144 ¥ 5879 Mex$ 646 NZ$ 64 NOK 419 zł 155 S$ 52 kr 417 $ 38
Extra Info
Skill Level — Moderate–Difficult
This Provence bike tour is classified as a moderate to somewhat difficult self-guided hotel tour, designed for road-bikers. Some days will get hilly, and there are a few short but steep climbs - except Mount Ventoux which is a long steep climb! However, remember you can always walk your bike if need be. Daily distances range from 22 to 65 miles. Please see the day to day for elevation information.
Airport Info
Fly to Paris, Marseilles, or Avignon.
Local Travel
From Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport, take the TGV to Avignon, 3-4 hours depending on connections.
From Paris city, you can take the TGV from Paris Lyon station to Avignon.
Please be aware there are two train stations in Avignon. One is the Centre train station which is 5 minutes walking distance from tour hotel and the TGV train station (about 15 minutes from the center of by taxi or you can take a local train from TGV station to the center
Centre train station in Avignon (5 minutes on foot from the hotels).
TGV train station (about 15 minutes from the town center by taxi). There are 35 trains between the Avignon TGV station and the city train station from 5:58 am to 11:00 pm (5 minutes transfer only).Climate
Average high temp in °F for Avignon is 59 for Mar, 67 Apr, 74 May, 82 Jun, 87 Jul, 87 Aug, 78 Sep, 68 Oct & 56 Nov.
Remarks
Road bike rental is available.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Transhumance.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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