French Riviera
France Bike Tours
A sun drenched bike tour along the Côte d’Azur
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length8 days
- Prices from€913 Rates
Overview
A bike tour in the French Riviera? Sounds elegant, charming, romantic, and sunny! Did you know that the Côte d'Azur (Azure Coast) has over 300 days of sun per year? Once the hotspot of the rich and famous, the allure of this captivating region goes far beyond that reputation.
This is an all-around stunning place with an aristocratic history, beautiful architecture, stunning beaches, limestone cliffs, and forests of oak and pine. Its clarity of light, vibrant colors, and temperate climate have inspired famous artists, writers, and thinkers, such as Picasso, Matisse, and F. Scott Fitzgerald. Your tour begins in Hyères - Plages on the peninsula of Giens, providing a relaxed rural start.
Throughout your cycling days, you will discover medieval towns, romantic and small fishing villages, and dreamy bays outlined by the turquoise blue of the sea. You will finish your French Riviera vacation in the fashionable metropolis of Nice, France's 5th largest city. Here, you can enjoy strolling the ochre-colored streets, the Promenade des Anglais, and world-famous beaches.
Highlights
- Old town of Hyères
- Porquerolles Island
- Le Lavandou and the old village of Bormes-les-Mimosas
- Antibes, the cultural heart of the Côte d' Azur
- Nice
- Provençal cuisine
- Sun, sun, and more sun!
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Itinerary
Day 1: Hyères - Plages
Day 2: Roundtrip around Hyères or cycle onward to Pierrefeu, 9 - 38 mi. (15-62 km)
Day 3: Porquerolles Island, 19 mi. (30 km)
Day 4: Roundtrip Le Lavandou, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 5: Train ride Hyères - Nice / Nice (day of rest)
Day 6: Nice, day or rest or city sightseeing by bike, 6 mi. (10 km)
Day 7: Roundtrip to Antibes, 25 to 31 mi. (40 to 50 km)
Day 8: DepartureAll distances are approximate. Due to circumstances beyond control, weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, along the way you may find temporary deviations/detours caused by roadwork, In this case, please follow the directions posted on site.
Day 1: Hyères - Plages
Individual arrival to your first hotel, located in close to the town of Hyères, close to the beach. Hyères-Plage is located 6km from the town of Hyères and consists of a sand beach on the border of pine woods. It is among the numerous seaside resorts located in the vicinity either on the coast or on the offshore islands, collectively called the Hyères.Day 2: Roundtrip around Hyères or cycle onward to Pierrefeu, 9 - 38 mi. (15-62 km)
The medieval old town with its narrow alleys and colorful houses is small, charming, and typically French. A special highlight is the Villa Noailles, built in the 1920s for a French patron of arts, this example of the modern architectural heritage is now an art center of national interest and presents exhibitions, festivals, and workshops. Picasso, Giacometti, and Jean Cocteau all spent time at Villa Noailles. The mansion has an awesome setting, near the highest point of the town, and boasts a Cubist Garden and lovely views all around. If vistas are your thing, you can also visit the medieval ruins of Château d'Hyères which dates to around the 1000s. Nestled on a hilltop, the landscapes here are exceptional and there are special platforms from where you can gaze out over the wooded Maurettes hills to the north. Alternatively, those that want some distance can cycle through the remote hilly hinterland on tiny country roads to the small village of Pierrefeu in the middle of the "Côte de Provence" wine growing area and through endless vineyards back to Hyères. Though known by tourist as a hotspot, Hyères also lies at the center of a rich agricultural area, where fruits and flowers are grown and wine is producedDay 3: Porquerolles Island, 19 mi. (30 km)
Are you ready for paradise? It awaits! At the harbor, La Tour Fondue, you (and your bike) will enjoy a 10-minute boat ride away from the coast to this magical island world with white sand beaches, limestone cliffs, and forests of oak and pine. (Ferry tickets are not included and may be purchased on the spot). 80% of the island is part of the Parc National de Port-Cros, and was once privately owned. The island is car-free, characterized by olive plantations and vineyards, drenched in sun, and infused with romance, your bike is the best way to explore. Well worth visiting are the beach of Notre Dam, Fort Sainte Agathe, built in the 14th century, and the lighthouse. The interior of the island has several paths shaded by Eucalyptus trees that make for a lovely scented hike.Day 4: Roundtrip Le Lavandou, 31 mi. (50 km)
Via well-developed cycle paths, you bike over the old saltworks, past vineyards, and olive groves with the sea as your constant companion to the fishing village of Le Lavandou, at the foot of the Moorish massif. With a little perseverance or by e-bike, you can take a detour inland up to the old village of Bormes-les-Mimosas, built into the hills. The streets are steep, many with built-in steps. and cobblestones. The bright Provencal pastel houses and little squares add to the charm.Day 5: Train ride Hyères - Nice / Nice (day of rest)
Today you will not only change your hotel, but you will also find yourself in a whole new world. From the unspoiled coast, you travel by train (included) to the charming capital of the Côte d’Azur, Nice. Elegant, simple, graceful, city of art and culture, this has always been a hot spot for the world's elite.Day 6: Nice, day of rest or city sightseeing by bike, 6 mi. (10 km)
In the morning you have the opportunity to take part in an interesting city tour by bike (optional) or explore on your own by bike or on foot. The Principality of Monaco is only 25 minutes away by train.Optional city tour by bike
You will enjoy a unique perspective of the city, different from the typical tourist experience. It’s an introduction to "the Best of Nice" on roads that are mostly flat and smooth. There is one hill climb to climb up to Chateau Hill, where you’ll experience breathtaking panoramic views of Nice. The pace of the tour is very relaxed. Daily departures are offered April 15 to October 15 beginning at 10 am.
Duration: 2.5 hours
Price: €38Day 7: Roundtrip to Antibes, 25 to 31 mi. (40 to 50 km)
The famous Promenade des Anglais, one of France's best known and iconic seafronts, takes you along the Mediterranean coast to Antibes. Be sure to visit the Old Town, surrounded by 16th-century ramparts and crisscrossed in a maze of ancient streets. Some call it the cultural heart of the Côte d' Azur. Visit the Musée Picasso, formerly the Grimaldi Castle, where Picasso worked for two months drawing and painting, many of which he left for the city. for its splendid artwork, sculpture terrace, and breathtaking views of the Mediterranean.Day 8: Departure
Official end of tour, but you will not want to depart. Be sure to stock up on Provençal specialties at the famous market, Cours Saleya and drink a café au lait before you start your return journey. Or, extend your tour. Nice and the surroundings have a lot to offer and the sun and beaches beckon.You can view all of our bike tours in Europe or look at our featured bike trips, specials, and news.
Map
Hotels & Bikes
Accommodations
On this tour, you will be accommodated in two hotels. In Hyères, the preferred hotel is Hotel La Potiniere, located next to Port de Plaisance, facing Porquerolles island, featuring its own private beach. Decorated in typical Provençal style the guest rooms are functional, comfortable, and peaceful. Many rooms feature a balcony or terrace with a sea view and free Wi-fi. In Nice, the preferred hotel is Hotel Villa Rivoli, a privately-run villa in a 19th Century Belle Époque Building in the historic center, just a short walk from the beaches and Promenades des Anglais. All rooms feature flatscreen TV and free Wi-fi. Some have a balcony and a view of the garden and the surrounding area. Please note, and this is very important, hotel accommodations are based on availability and the above hotels are provided to you as an example of the level of accommodations used on this tour.
Bicycles
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodation for 7 nights with breakfast (4 nights on the Giens Peninsula & 3 nights in Nice)
- 1 train ride: Hyères – Nice
- 1 transfer from the hotel in Hyères Plage to the train station
- 21-speed hybrid touring bike with an aluminum frame, upright riding position, equipped with comfort gel saddles, mudguards, &Schwalbe Marathon puncture-resistant tires
- Bike accessories: One Ortlieb pannier (20 liters), repair kit, helmet, and lock
- Route book, maps, and tourist information material (one set per room)
- 7-day service hotline
What’s Not Included
- Lunches & dinners
- 1 roundtrip boat ride La Tour Fondue – Porquerolles & back (approx. €30)
- Bike Protection
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
Daily arrivals are possible between March 1 to October 31, 2024
Season 1: March 1 to March 31, 2024
Season 2: October 1 to October 31, 2024
Season 3: April 1 to May 31, 2024
Season 4: June 1 to June 30 | September 1 to September 30, 2024Arrivals during the summer, July and August are not possible.
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
2024
Regular room
Season 1 Season 2 Season 3 Season 4 Double/twin $ 1525 £ 798 $ 1,363 € 913 kr 140015 ₪ 3810 ¥ 157482 Mex$ 17094 NZ$ 1677 NOK 10996 zł 4018 S$ 1357 kr 10847 $ 996 $ 1775 £ 929 $ 1,587 € 1063 kr 163019 ₪ 4437 ¥ 183355 Mex$ 19902 NZ$ 1953 NOK 12803 zł 4678 S$ 1580 kr 12629 $ 1,160 $ 1842 £ 964 $ 1,646 € 1103 kr 169153 ₪ 4603 ¥ 190255 Mex$ 20651 NZ$ 2026 NOK 13284 zł 4854 S$ 1640 kr 13104 $ 1,203 $ 2042 £ 1069 $ 1,826 € 1223 kr 187556 ₪ 5104 ¥ 210953 Mex$ 22898 NZ$ 2247 NOK 14730 zł 5382 S$ 1818 kr 14530 $ 1,334 Single $ 2293 £ 1200 $ 2,049 € 1373 kr 210559 ₪ 5730 ¥ 236827 Mex$ 25706 NZ$ 2522 NOK 16536 zł 6042 S$ 2041 kr 16312 $ 1,498 $ 2543 £ 1331 $ 2,273 € 1523 kr 233563 ₪ 6356 ¥ 262700 Mex$ 28514 NZ$ 2798 NOK 18343 zł 6702 S$ 2264 kr 18094 $ 1,662 $ 2610 £ 1366 $ 2,333 € 1563 kr 239697 ₪ 6523 ¥ 269600 Mex$ 29263 NZ$ 2871 NOK 18824 zł 6878 S$ 2324 kr 18569 $ 1,705 $ 3061 £ 1601 $ 2,736 € 1833 kr 281103 ₪ 7650 ¥ 316171 Mex$ 34318 NZ$ 3367 NOK 22076 zł 8066 S$ 2725 kr 21777 $ 2,000 Seaview room in Hyeres
Season 1 Season 2 Season 3 Season 4 Double/twin $ 1608 £ 841 $ 1,437 € 963 kr 147683 ₪ 4019 ¥ 166106 Mex$ 18030 NZ$ 1769 NOK 11598 zł 4238 S$ 1432 kr 11441 $ 1,051 $ 1942 £ 1016 $ 1,736 € 1163 kr 178354 ₪ 4854 ¥ 200604 Mex$ 21774 NZ$ 2137 NOK 14007 zł 5118 S$ 1729 kr 13817 $ 1,269 $ 2009 £ 1051 $ 1,796 € 1203 kr 184489 ₪ 5021 ¥ 207504 Mex$ 22523 NZ$ 2210 NOK 14489 zł 5294 S$ 1788 kr 14292 $ 1,313 $ 2209 £ 1156 $ 1,975 € 1323 kr 202891 ₪ 5522 ¥ 228202 Mex$ 24770 NZ$ 2430 NOK 15934 zł 5822 S$ 1967 kr 15718 $ 1,443 Single $ 2460 £ 1287 $ 2,199 € 1473 kr 225895 ₪ 6148 ¥ 254076 Mex$ 27578 NZ$ 2706 NOK 17741 zł 6482 S$ 2190 kr 17500 $ 1,607 $ 3061 £ 1601 $ 2,736 € 1833 kr 281103 ₪ 7650 ¥ 316171 Mex$ 34318 NZ$ 3367 NOK 22076 zł 8066 S$ 2725 kr 21777 $ 2,000 $ 3128 £ 1636 $ 2,796 € 1873 kr 287238 ₪ 7817 ¥ 323071 Mex$ 35067 NZ$ 3441 NOK 22558 zł 8243 S$ 2785 kr 22253 $ 2,044 $ 3578 £ 1872 $ 3,199 € 2143 kr 328644 ₪ 8944 ¥ 369643 Mex$ 40122 NZ$ 3937 NOK 25810 zł 9431 S$ 3186 kr 25460 $ 2,338 Extra Options
Electric bike rental $ 134 £ 70 $ 119 € 80 kr 12269 ₪ 334 ¥ 13799 Mex$ 1498 NZ$ 147 NOK 964 zł 352 S$ 119 kr 950 $ 87 City bike tour in Nice (Tuesdays and Fridays) $ 63 £ 33 $ 57 € 38 kr 5828 ₪ 159 ¥ 6555 Mex$ 711 NZ$ 70 NOK 458 zł 167 S$ 56 kr 451 $ 41 Extra night in Nice Season 1 Season 2, 3 & 4 Double/twin $ 159 £ 83 $ 142 € 95 kr 14569 ₪ 396 ¥ 16386 Mex$ 1779 NZ$ 175 NOK 1144 zł 418 S$ 141 kr 1129 $ 104 $ 199 £ 104 $ 178 € 119 kr 18249 ₪ 497 ¥ 20526 Mex$ 2228 NZ$ 219 NOK 1433 zł 524 S$ 177 kr 1414 $ 130 Single $ 276 £ 144 $ 246 € 165 kr 25304 ₪ 689 ¥ 28461 Mex$ 3089 NZ$ 303 NOK 1987 zł 726 S$ 245 kr 1960 $ 180 $ 342 £ 179 $ 306 € 205 kr 31438 ₪ 856 ¥ 35360 Mex$ 3838 NZ$ 377 NOK 2469 zł 902 S$ 305 kr 2436 $ 224 Extra night in Hyères Season 1 & 2 Season 3 Season 4 Double/twin $ 109 £ 57 $ 97 € 65 kr 9968 ₪ 271 ¥ 11212 Mex$ 1217 NZ$ 119 NOK 783 zł 286 S$ 97 kr 772 $ 71 $ 142 £ 74 $ 127 € 85 kr 13035 ₪ 355 ¥ 14662 Mex$ 1591 NZ$ 156 NOK 1024 zł 374 S$ 126 kr 1010 $ 93 $ 175 £ 92 $ 157 € 105 kr 16102 ₪ 438 ¥ 18111 Mex$ 1966 NZ$ 193 NOK 1265 zł 462 S$ 156 kr 1247 $ 115 Single $ 175 £ 92 $ 157 € 105 kr 16102 ₪ 438 ¥ 18111 Mex$ 1966 NZ$ 193 NOK 1265 zł 462 S$ 156 kr 1247 $ 115 $ 225 £ 118 $ 202 € 135 kr 20703 ₪ 563 ¥ 23286 Mex$ 2528 NZ$ 248 NOK 1626 zł 594 S$ 201 kr 1604 $ 147 $ 276 £ 144 $ 246 € 165 kr 25304 ₪ 689 ¥ 28461 Mex$ 3089 NZ$ 303 NOK 1987 zł 726 S$ 245 kr 1960 $ 180 Extra night in Hyères Seaview Season 1 & 2 Season 3 Season 4 Double/twin $ 125 £ 66 $ 112 € 75 kr 11502 ₪ 313 ¥ 12937 Mex$ 1404 NZ$ 138 NOK 903 zł 330 S$ 111 kr 891 $ 82 $ 164 £ 86 $ 146 € 98 kr 15029 ₪ 409 ¥ 16904 Mex$ 1835 NZ$ 180 NOK 1180 zł 431 S$ 146 kr 1164 $ 107 $ 209 £ 109 $ 187 € 125 kr 19170 ₪ 522 ¥ 21561 Mex$ 2340 NZ$ 230 NOK 1505 zł 550 S$ 186 kr 1485 $ 136 Single $ 225 £ 118 $ 202 € 135 kr 20703 ₪ 563 ¥ 23286 Mex$ 2528 NZ$ 248 NOK 1626 zł 594 S$ 201 kr 1604 $ 147 $ 294 £ 154 $ 263 € 176 kr 26991 ₪ 735 ¥ 30358 Mex$ 3295 NZ$ 323 NOK 2120 zł 775 S$ 262 kr 2091 $ 192 $ 367 £ 192 $ 328 € 220 kr 33739 ₪ 918 ¥ 37947 Mex$ 4119 NZ$ 404 NOK 2650 zł 968 S$ 327 kr 2614 $ 240 Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy
This self-guided bike tour in France based in two hotels is rated easy. Every cycling stage takes place on Asphalted cycle paths or side roads with very little traffic. Your daily distance can be adjusted to your level!
Airport Info
Fly to Nice (NCE) or Marseille (MRS)
Local Travel
There are direct TGV train connections between the city of Nice and Toulon and onward to Hyeres (approx. 2 hours) and regional trains as well. Travel time is from 2 1/2 to 3 hours. If you are coming directly from the airport, there are several bus services (some direct) that run to Hyères From Marseille Airport you can travel by bus and train to Hyères which takes approx. 2 1/2 hours with two transfers. Upon arrival to Hyères, please use a taxi service to arrive to your first hotel in Hyères Plage. You will be sent more detailed travel information before your tour.
Climate
Please check local conditions before your arrival. There are many good websites to use to research regional weather including average high/low temperatures, average rainfall, and more. The Côte d’Azur is protected by hills in the west and the Mercantour Alps in the northwest, meaning a mild Mediterranean climate year-round. This is an area known for its amount of sun per year. In March, well before the tourist season begins, the average high temperatures is 60° F. In June, before the peak of the season, the average high is 77° F. September and October are lovely as well with 77° and 70° F as the average high temps.
Day of Rest
This itinerary features one rest day but also roundtrip rides in which you can opt to stay off the bike and stroll the town or beaches.
Remarks
You will be receiving two different bike rentals on this tour. One in Hyères, and the other in Nice.
Important to know
DOCUMENTS
Before you travel, please check the passport and visa requirements of the country/countries you plan to visit. For US citizens, the US Department of State website is a good source of information. The Country Information tab in the International Travel section provides details about passport validity, blank passport pages required, etc.
*Important note: Please check the status of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) as once implemented, will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.
Extra Stay
We are confident that you will want to book extra nights either before or after your tour!
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Rad und Reisen.
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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