Provence Road Bike Tour

Day 1: Arrival in Orange
Day 2: Orange – Vaison-la-Romaine, 38 to 70 mi. (61 to 112 km)
Day 3: Vaison – Mont Ventoux – Vaison, 47 to 68 mi. (75 to 110 km)
Day 4: Vaison – Apt, 56 to 68 mi. (90 to 110 km)
Day 5: Apt – Luberon - Apt, 50 to 65 mi. (80 km to 105 km)
Day 6: Apt – St. Remy, 55 to 64 mi. (88 to 103 km)
Day 7: St. Remy – Orange, 50 to 64 mi. (80 to 103 km)
Day 8: Departure from Orange

* Please note that the Mont Vendoux is closed until May 1st, depending on snow levels. If it is closed, you will cycle around Mont Vendoux (and up to Le chalet Reynard).

DAY 1: Saturday: Arrival in Orange
Individual arrival in Orange, regarded as the gateway to Provence. Celts lived here before the Romans invaded and settled for almost 300 years. For the Romans ‘Arausio’, the old name of Orange, was one of the most important towns in the Provincia Gallia Narbonensis. Of the numerous Roman buildings and monuments originally built, you still can see parts of the city wall, the Arc de Triumph and the Theatre, the stage wall of which the Sun King ,Louis XIV, described as the most beautiful wall in his country.

DAY 2: Sunday: Orange – Vaison-la-Romaine, 38 to 70 mi. (61 to 112 km)
From Orange to Vaison-la-Romaine, the route is predominantly flat. This stage will take you through some of the best vineyards in Provence, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Vacqueyras, Gigondas, Rasteau and Séguret, just the names of which make the hearts of wine lovers flutter. On the way to Vaison-la-Romaine, you will pass the impressive range of the Dentelles de Montmirail.

Vaison-la-Romaine, the French Pompeii, is a city with a rich Roman heritage. One fifth of the Roman town, then called Vasio, has so far been excavated. You can see remains of houses of wealthy Roman citizens, an ancient water canal system, the columned hall of Pompeius, a 2000-year-old bridge and an old theatre. Vaison-la-Romaine also has a beautiful medieval quarter and some magnificent buildings dating from the 16th to 18th centuries.

Option A – 61 km: Orange – Vaison-la-Romaine Minimum altitude: 25 Meter Maximum altitude: 226 Meter Ascent: 522 Hm Descent: 354 Hm
Option B – 83 km: Orange -Buisson – Vaison-la-Romaine Minimum altitude: 25 Meter Maximum altitude: 338 Meter Ascent: 888 Hm Descent: 720 Hm
Option C – 112 km: Orange - Buisson – Valreas - Vaison-la Romaine Minimum altitude: 25 Meter Maximum altitude: 420 Meter

DAY 3: Monday: Vaison – Mont Ventoux – Vaison, 47 to 68 mi. (75 to 110 km)
Today your bicycle tour in France leads you to face the giant of Provence, Mont Ventoux. The 1909 m high mountain rises abruptly from the countryside. In totally deforesting the mountain, the Romans left Mont Ventoux with its characteristic bald appearance. Wind speeds of up to 250 km/h (155 mph) have been measured at the summit. The first road over the mountain was built in 1882.

Option A – 110 km: Vaison-la-Romaine – Sault – Mont Ventoux - Vaison-la-Romaine Minimum altitude: 210 Meter Maximum altitude: 1.900 Meter Ascent: 2.590 Hm Descent: 2.592 Hm
Option B – 104 km: Vaison-la-Romaine – Sault – Chalet Reynard – Bédoin - Vaison-la-Romaine Minimum altitude: 210 Meter Maximum altitude: 1.422 Meter Ascent: 2.198 Hm Descent: 2.200 Hm
Option C: 105 km: Vaison-la-Romaine – Sault – Flassan – Bédoin - Vaison-la-Romaine Cycle tour around Mont Ventoux if the road is closed. About 1.000 less of difference in altitude
Option D: 75 km: Vaison-la-Romaine – Malaucène – Mont Ventoux – Chalet Reynard- Bédoin – Malaucène – Vaison-la-Romain

DAY 4: Tuesday: Vaison – Apt, 56 to 68 mi. (90 to 110 km)
Today you cycle Provence on quiet roads to the city of the candied fruits, Apt. Crossing through the Montagnes de Bluye and d’Albion, you’ll reach the center of lavender cultivation, the village of Sault. Then crossing the Plateau d’Albion, you’ll cycle downhill to Apt, nestled in the valley of Calavon,  situated on the Calavon River, and surrounded by numerous fruit trees. Here, since the 14th century, fruits were picked, blanched and glazed to become candied fruits. The results can be admired in numerous displays in the many pastry shops and of course, don't forget to  sample. Like most towns in Provence, Apt was also a settlement of the Celt-Ligures followed by the Romans. But unlike other towns, in Apt the ruins are invisible – buried 4 to 10 meters below the town.

Option A – 90 km: Vaison-la-Romaine – Sault – Apt Minimum altitude: 210 Meter Maximum altitude: 821 Meter Ascent: 1.391 Hm Descent: 1.374 Hm
Option B – 109 km: Vaison-la-Romaine – Barret - Sault – Apt Minimum altitude: 210 Meter Maximum altitude: 1.228 Meter Ascent: 2.084 Hm Descent: 2.067 Hm

DAY 5: Wednesday: Apt – Luberon - Apt, 50 to 65 mi. (80 km to 105 km)
The route today takes you into the Parc du Luberon and through some of the most beautiful villages in France. From Apt, you cycle on a flat stretch to Céreste before crossing the Luberon for the first time. On the south side of the Luberon, you’ll pass typical small Provencal villages all with their preserved charm. On your way back you pass through the gorge of Lourmarin with its high white rock walls.

Option A – 82 km: Apt – Céreste – La Bastide – Lourmarin - Apt Minimum altitude: 210 Meter Maximum altitude: 695 Meter Ascent: 1.188 Hm Descent: 1.188 Hm
Option B – 106 km: Apt – Céreste – La Bastide – Lourmarin – Bonnieux – Roussillon - Apt Minimum altitude: 210 Meter Maximum altitude: 695 Meter Ascent: 1.469 Hm Descent: 1.469 Hm

DAY 6: Thursday: Apt – St. Remy, 55 to 64 mi. (88 to 103 km)
The day starts with a climb to Bonnieux followed by a 10 km downhill run. On the other side of the Luberons you continue towards the river Durance. Through the flat valley of the Durance you’ll cycle in the direction of the Alpilles, a small but charming mountain range between the Rhône and the Durance. The Alpilles (the small Alps) is fascinating because of its rock formation. About 300,000 olive trees grow in this area, from which one of the best olive oils in France is produced.

St. Rémy – the pleasure of pure provençal life
The old town of St. Remy with its many squares and cafes is an ideal place for strolling around and enjoying the provençal life. Here you find the whole myth of Provence in one place. Two famous people are closely connected with St. Remy: Michel de Nostredame, better known as Nostradamus, was born here in 1503 and in 1889/90 Vincent van Gogh was treated here in the ‘madhouse’ after cutting off part of his ear.

Option A – 88 km: Apt – Bonnieux – Mallemort – Eyuieres - St. Remy Minimum altitude: 57 Meter Maximum altitude: 437 Meter Ascent: 635 Hm Descent: 780 Hm
Option B – 103 km: Apt – Bonnieux – Mallemort – Eyuieres – Paradon - St. Remy Minimum altitude: 23 Meter Maximum altitude: 437 Meter Ascent: 944 Hm Descent: 1.105 Hm

DAY 7: Friday: St. Remy – Orange, 50 to 64 mi. (80 to 103 km)
First you cycle to the idyllically located Abbey St.-Michel-de-Frigolet, nestled in a low range of hills. Then you leave the Provence crossing the Rhône, and continue to Remoulins, where a trip to the famous Pont du Gard is an absolute must. Crossing the foothills of the Cévennes you cycle back to the Rhône and pass through the wine growing regions of Tavel and Lirac.  

Option A – 80 km: St. Remy – Graveson – Remoulins – St-Laurent - Orange Minimum altitude: 8 Meter Maximum altitude: 254 Meter Ascent: 571 Hm Descent: 534 Hm Option B – 103 km: St. Remy – Les Boux – Tarascon - Remoulins – St-Laurent - Orange Minimum altitude: 4 Meter Maximum altitude: 254 Meter Ascent: 775 Hm Descent: 793 Hm

DAY 8: Saturday: Departure from Orange
 Your Provence cycle tour will end after breakfast

You can view all of our bike tours in Europe or look at our featured bike trips, specials, and news.

Accommodations in quality 2 and 3 star hotels.