Famous Villages of Provence Road Bike Tour
France Bike Tours
Cycling Provence!
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length8 days
- Prices from€1320 Rates
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 $ 2204 £ 1153 $ 1,968 € 1320 kr 202388 ₪ 5511 ¥ 227070 Mex$ 24653 NZ$ 2423 NOK 15883 zł 5817 S$ 1961 kr 15756 $ 1,440 $ 2333 £ 1220 $ 2,083 € 1397 kr 214194 ₪ 5833 ¥ 240316 Mex$ 26091 NZ$ 2564 NOK 16809 zł 6156 S$ 2076 kr 16675 $ 1,524 Single supplement: $ 401 £ 210 $ 358 € 240 kr 36798 ₪ 1002 ¥ 41285 Mex$ 4482 NZ$ 441 NOK 2888 zł 1058 S$ 357 kr 2865 $ 262 $ 518 £ 271 $ 462 € 310 kr 47530 ₪ 1294 ¥ 53327 Mex$ 5790 NZ$ 569 NOK 3730 zł 1366 S$ 461 kr 3700 $ 338 Supplement, single traveler: $ 817 £ 427 $ 729 € 489 kr 74975 ₪ 2042 ¥ 84119 Mex$ 9133 NZ$ 898 NOK 5884 zł 2155 S$ 727 kr 5837 $ 533 $ 945 £ 494 $ 844 € 566 kr 86781 ₪ 2363 ¥ 97365 Mex$ 10571 NZ$ 1039 NOK 6810 zł 2494 S$ 841 kr 6756 $ 617 May, June, August, and Sept. $ 2269 £ 1187 $ 2,026 € 1359 kr 208367 ₪ 5674 ¥ 233779 Mex$ 25381 NZ$ 2495 NOK 16352 zł 5989 S$ 2019 kr 16221 $ 1,482 $ 2476 £ 1295 $ 2,211 € 1483 kr 227380 ₪ 6192 ¥ 255110 Mex$ 27697 NZ$ 2722 NOK 17844 zł 6535 S$ 2204 kr 17702 $ 1,618 Single supplement $ 437 £ 229 $ 391 € 262 kr 40171 ₪ 1094 ¥ 45070 Mex$ 4893 NZ$ 481 NOK 3152 zł 1155 S$ 389 kr 3127 $ 286 $ 640 £ 334 $ 571 € 383 kr 58723 ₪ 1599 ¥ 65885 Mex$ 7153 NZ$ 703 NOK 4608 zł 1688 S$ 569 kr 4572 $ 418 Supplement, single traveler $ 865 £ 452 $ 772 € 518 kr 79422 ₪ 2163 ¥ 89108 Mex$ 9674 NZ$ 951 NOK 6233 zł 2283 S$ 770 kr 6183 $ 565 $ 1065 £ 557 $ 951 € 638 kr 97821 ₪ 2664 ¥ 109750 Mex$ 11916 NZ$ 1171 NOK 7677 zł 2812 S$ 948 kr 7615 $ 696 July 1 to July 25 (Festival d' Avignon) $ 2334 £ 1221 $ 2,084 € 1398 kr 214347 ₪ 5837 ¥ 240488 Mex$ 26110 NZ$ 2566 NOK 16821 zł 6161 S$ 2077 kr 16687 $ 1,525 $ 2697 £ 1410 $ 2,408 € 1615 kr 247618 ₪ 6743 ¥ 277817 Mex$ 30163 NZ$ 2965 NOK 19432 zł 7117 S$ 2400 kr 19277 $ 1,762 Single supplement: $ 548 £ 286 $ 489 € 328 kr 50290 ₪ 1369 ¥ 56423 Mex$ 6126 NZ$ 602 NOK 3947 zł 1445 S$ 487 kr 3915 $ 358 $ 905 £ 473 $ 808 € 542 kr 83102 ₪ 2263 ¥ 93236 Mex$ 10123 NZ$ 995 NOK 6521 zł 2389 S$ 805 kr 6469 $ 591 Supplement, single traveler: $ 973 £ 509 $ 869 € 583 kr 89388 ₪ 2434 ¥ 100289 Mex$ 10888 NZ$ 1070 NOK 7015 zł 2569 S$ 866 kr 6959 $ 636 $ 1331 £ 696 $ 1,188 € 797 kr 122199 ₪ 3327 ¥ 137102 Mex$ 14885 NZ$ 1463 NOK 9590 zł 3512 S$ 1184 kr 9513 $ 869 July 26 to July 31 $ 2334 £ 1221 $ 2,084 € 1398 kr 214347 ₪ 5837 ¥ 240488 Mex$ 26110 NZ$ 2566 NOK 16821 zł 6161 S$ 2077 kr 16687 $ 1,525 $ 2476 £ 1295 $ 2,211 € 1483 kr 227380 ₪ 6192 ¥ 255110 Mex$ 27697 NZ$ 2722 NOK 17844 zł 6535 S$ 2204 kr 17702 $ 1,618 Single supplement: $ 548 £ 286 $ 489 € 328 kr 50290 ₪ 1369 ¥ 56423 Mex$ 6126 NZ$ 602 NOK 3947 zł 1445 S$ 487 kr 3915 $ 358 $ 681 £ 356 $ 608 € 408 kr 62556 ₪ 1703 ¥ 70185 Mex$ 7620 NZ$ 749 NOK 4909 zł 1798 S$ 606 kr 4870 $ 445 Supplement, single traveler: $ 973 £ 509 $ 869 € 583 kr 89388 ₪ 2434 ¥ 100289 Mex$ 10888 NZ$ 1070 NOK 7015 zł 2569 S$ 866 kr 6959 $ 636 $ 1107 £ 579 $ 989 € 663 kr 101654 ₪ 2768 ¥ 114051 Mex$ 12383 NZ$ 1217 NOK 7977 zł 2922 S$ 985 kr 7914 $ 723 Extra Options
Road bike rental options:
Upgrade to Sport Carbon Road Bike (no rack): $ 58 £ 31 $ 52 € 35 kr 5366 ₪ 146 ¥ 6021 Mex$ 654 NZ$ 64 NOK 421 zł 154 S$ 52 kr 418 $ 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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