Provence - Luberon
France Bike Tours
Cycle in France in the amazing Rhône Valley
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length8 days
- Prices from€1355 Rates
- Book This Trip
Overview
This Provence bike tour starts in Avignon. Having been the home of popes and the capital of Christendom during the 14th century, Avignon has long been a treasured cultural center and continues to boast great artistic successes (such as the famed Festival d'Avignon, the largest in all of France). This fortified city has retained much of its papal history and beauty, which is most evident in the immaculate and majestic Palais des Papes. This famous 14th-century Gothic palace (the largest in Europe) is a marvel of white granite and filled with story-telling frescoes.
Leaving Avignon, the landscape becomes a maze of gently rolling hills and sprawling vineyards that bask in the valley's rich sunlight. You will discover many of the places that Peter Mayle described in his famous "A Year in Provence", small charming villages such as Menerbes, Lacoste, Lourmarin or Vaugines.
Continuing your cycling in Provence you will pass through wide farming plains with their typical provencal houses called "Mas", stony plateaus where lavender and sage grow with the limestone and golden cliffs as backdrops!
Highlights
- Palais des Papes
- The charming villages of Menerbes, Lacoste, Lourmarin, and Vaugines
- Castle of Le chateau d'Ansouis
- Village of Roussillon
- The village of Fontaine de Vaucluse
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Avignon
Day 2: Avignon - Fontaine de Vaucluse, 26 or 35 mi. (42 or 57 km)
Day 3: Fontaine de Vaucluse - Apt, 28 mi. (44 km)
Day 4: Day of rest; optional cycling, 16, 25 or 40 mi. (25, 40 or 64 km)
Day 5: Apt - Lourmarin, 27 mi. (43 km)
Day 6: Day of rest; optional cycling, 32 mi. (51 km)
Day 7: Lourmarin - Cavaillon, 27 mi. (43 km), Train to Avignon, 20 min.
Day 8: Departure from AvignonAll distances are approximate. Regarding the difference in heights that are indicated, the total value is the sum of the difference during the day.
Day 1: Arrival in Avignon
Individual arrival in Avignon followed by a free afternoon in the city. In the evening, an introductory meeting and distribution of additional tour materials will take place. Meeting is possible every day from 3 - 5:30 pm (except on Sunday). In the event of late arrival on weeknights, the meeting is possible the next day in the morning at 9 am. Do note that the office is closed on Sundays so arrival on Sundays will have the meeting on Monday morning at 9 am sharp. If you are planning on a Saturday arrival, be sure that you are able to arrive in time for a meeting that day!During the check-in at the hotel in Avignon:
Clients receive tour packet including a map indicating how to reach Provence Bike. The receptionist will phone our local partner so that the time of welcome meeting can then be fixed.
Day 2: Avignon - Fontaine de Vaucluse, 26 or 35 mi. (42 or 57 km), +/- 280 meters or +/- 600 meters of climbing.
Today, two itineraries are suggested and you can choose between the shorter or longer route. Riding toward the East you will leave Avignon behind. First, you will see farming plains with lots of fruit trees, then the landscape changes as you come near the "Plateau des Monts de Vaucluse". Then you will see small villages on top of cliffs with their old castles in the middle. You will soon reach the famous "Fontaine de Vaucluse" and its village on the edge of the river. Night in "Fontaine de Vaucluse". A hotel without a swimming pool.Day 3: Fontaine de Vaucluse - Apt, 28 mi. (44 km), +/- 702 meters of climbing
The route today leads toward Luberon. (Villages such as Oppède le Vieux, Ménerbes, Lacoste and Bonnieux were often described in Peter Mayle's famous "A Year in Provence"). In this region, you too will discover these "jewels" nestled on the bottom of the hills. Many typical Provencal cafés will tempt you! Via a country road, the day finishes close to Apt to spend the evening in a hotel with a swimming pool. Altitude difference for today is ± 240m.Day 4: Day off with optional cycling
Different itineraries are suggested:
a) Discovery of Roussillon and its surroundings, about 15 mi. (25 km) and +/- 300 meters of climbing
The village of Roussillon is built on a rock atop a plateau surrounded by golden cliffs. All the houses are colored with the natural ochre and is a wonderful sight for the eyes - the soft colors give a real unity to the village from where the view is absolutely fantastic.
b) Roussillon and Gordes villages, 25 mi. (40 km) and +/- 533 meters of climbing
Gordes is a village with houses made of stones and a great castle. Beautiful view over the Luberon and the "vallée du Rhône" toward Avignon. From here, you'll go to Roussillon. This tour gives you the opportunity to see a windmill.
c) The "Colorado Provencal" and the forgotten villages, 40 mi. (64 km) and +/- 918 meters of climbing (for the more experienced riders)
A large detour to discover the Colorado ochre and its chimneys red, yellow or white. Next you'll cycle along small roads through quiet villages where children play in the streets. Possibility to taste honey and nougat.Day 5: Apt - Lourmarin, 27 mi. (43 km), +/- 701 meters of climbing.
Today's journey will take you to the protected area of the Luberon. Depending on the season, you'll be astonished by the beautiful colors of the blue rosemary, the red poppy, and the white flowers on the cherry trees. En route, you can admire the different shapes of the stone houses known as Bories. Next will be a trek down the southern side of the Luberon with a soft landscape reminiscent of Tuscany where you'll come across pretty villages such as Lourmarin. The night will be spent in or close to Lourmarin; the hotel has a swimming pool. The altitude difference for today is about 500m.Day 6: Lourmarin, day of rest or cycling, 32 mi. (51 km), +/- 680 meters of climbing
This loop will give you the opportunity to go all the way down to the southeast of the "Grand Luberon". On the way, you'll see several old castles, testimony of a rich past in Provence. A must-see is the famous castle of Le chateau d'Ansouis. Night spent in Lourmarin.Day 7: Lourmarin - Cavaillon, 27 mi. (43 km), +/- 357 meters of climbing. train to Avignon
The La Durance River flows down south of Luberon before joining the Rhône, south of Avignon. Via small roads, you will then cycle either on the riverside or on the farming plains side where you'll encounter lots of farming gardens, such as the famous "Cavaillon melons". In view will become the small part of the Luberon that is 700m higher and which offers great vistas of its bright white cliffs. The cycling portion of the tour will end at the Caviallon train station (S.N.C.F.) from where you'll take the train (with your bike) to Avignon.Day 8: Departure from Avignon
This Provence bike tour will end in Avignon 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.
Map
Accommodation
Option A: 5 nights in 3 star, 2 night in 4 star hotels
Option B: 3 nights in 3 star hotels, 4 nights in 4 star hotels
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Hotel accommodation for 7 nights
- Breakfasts & most 3-course dinners (see Not Included)
- VTC lightweight 24 gear hybrid bicycle equipped with luggage rack, rear pannier bag, front pannier, water bottle, and lock
- Accessories including odometer, repair kit, road book, preloaded GPS, handlebar bags (one set per booking)
- Helmet rental (must be reserved in advance)
- Luggage transportation
- Train transfer Day 7 Cavaillon to Avignon
- Local tourist tax
What’s Not Included
- Dinners on days 1, 7, and 8
- Lunches
- Drinks
- Bicycle protection
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
Starts any day from April 1 to October 22, 2023
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
2023
Option A
April & October $ 2282 £ 1192 $ 2,018 € 1355 kr 207742 ₪ 5562 ¥ 227984 Mex$ 25238 NZ$ 2487 NOK 16176 zł 5968 S$ 2006 kr 16032 $ 1,473 Single room supplement $ 472 £ 246 $ 417 € 280 kr 42928 ₪ 1149 ¥ 47111 Mex$ 5215 NZ$ 514 NOK 3343 zł 1233 S$ 414 kr 3313 $ 304 Solo traveler supplement On request May, June, August, September $ 2444 £ 1277 $ 2,161 € 1451 kr 222461 ₪ 5957 ¥ 244137 Mex$ 27026 NZ$ 2663 NOK 17322 zł 6391 S$ 2148 kr 17168 $ 1,577 Single room supplement $ 568 £ 297 $ 502 € 337 kr 51667 ₪ 1383 ¥ 56702 Mex$ 6277 NZ$ 619 NOK 4023 zł 1484 S$ 499 kr 3987 $ 366 Solo traveler supplement On request July $ 2660 £ 1390 $ 2,351 € 1579 kr 242085 ₪ 6482 ¥ 265673 Mex$ 29411 NZ$ 2898 NOK 18850 zł 6955 S$ 2337 kr 18682 $ 1,716 Single room supplement $ 778 £ 407 $ 688 € 462 kr 70832 ₪ 1897 ¥ 77733 Mex$ 8605 NZ$ 848 NOK 5515 zł 2035 S$ 684 kr 5466 $ 502 Solo traveler supplement On request Option B
April & October $ 2382 £ 1244 $ 2,105 € 1414 kr 216788 ₪ 5805 ¥ 237911 Mex$ 26337 NZ$ 2595 NOK 16880 zł 6228 S$ 2093 kr 16730 $ 1,537 Single room supplement $ 564 £ 295 $ 499 € 335 kr 51361 ₪ 1375 ¥ 56365 Mex$ 6240 NZ$ 615 NOK 3999 zł 1476 S$ 496 kr 3964 $ 364 Solo traveler supplement On request May, June, August, September $ 2592 £ 1354 $ 2,292 € 1539 kr 235952 ₪ 6318 ¥ 258943 Mex$ 28666 NZ$ 2825 NOK 18372 zł 6779 S$ 2278 kr 18209 $ 1,673 Single room supplement $ 707 £ 370 $ 625 € 420 kr 64392 ₪ 1724 ¥ 70667 Mex$ 7823 NZ$ 771 NOK 5014 zł 1850 S$ 622 kr 4969 $ 456 Solo traveler supplement On request July On request Single room supplement On request Solo traveler supplement On request Please note that prices are valid when the entire tour is taken during the time frame listed above.
Extra Options
Bike rental options
Electric bike rental $ 185 £ 97 $ 164 € 110 kr 16865 ₪ 452 ¥ 18508 Mex$ 2049 NZ$ 202 NOK 1313 zł 485 S$ 163 kr 1301 $ 120 Tandem Bike rental $ 99 £ 52 $ 88 € 59 kr 9046 ₪ 242 ¥ 9927 Mex$ 1099 NZ$ 108 NOK 704 zł 260 S$ 87 kr 698 $ 64 Recumbent bike On request Extra nights
Available in each city. Please contact us for pricing.
Extra Info
Skill Level — Moderate
This bike tour in France is considered moderate to verging on difficult with rolling hills and several steep climbs of varying altitude differences. The heat in the summer can add to the difficulty level. Daily distances are from 25 to 40 mi. (from 16 to 50 mi. with options). Day 4 & 6 can be used as a day of rest. Regarding difference in heights that are indicated, the total value is the sum of the difference during the day.
Airport Info
Fly to Avignon or Paris.
Local Travel
From Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport, take the TGV to Avignon, 3-4 hours depending on connections.
From Paris city, take the TGV from Paris Lyon station to Avignon.
Climate
Average high/low temperatures in degrees F for the region are: March, 59°/41°, April, 67°/45°; May, 74°/51°; June, 82°/58°; July, 87°/61°; August, 87°/60°; September, 78°/57°; and October; 68°/49°.
Day of Rest
Possible on Day 4 in Apt & Day 6 in Lourmarin
Remarks
Tandem bicycle available upon request. Roadbooks and maps must be returned and end of tour.
Extra Stay
Extra nights in Avignon possible by request.
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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