Classic or Luxury Famous Villages of Provence

Day 1: Arrival in Avignon
Day 2: Avignon - Châteauneuf-du-Pape - St Laurent des Arbres - Avignon, 42 mi. (68 km) +/-310m elevation
Day 3: Avignon - Isle sur la Sorgue, 12 mi. (20 km) optional loop Isle - Pernes les Fontaines - Venasque - Isle sur la Sorgue, 25 mi. (40km) +/-650m elevation
Day 4: Isle sur la Sorgue - Gordes - Roussillon - Isle sur la Sorgue, 38 mi. (61km) +575m/-575m elevation
Day 5: Isle sur la Sorgue - Eygalières - St Remy de Provence, 23 mi. (37km) +/-200m elevation
Day 6: St Remy - Fontvieille - Les Baux - St Remy, 26 mi. (42km) +400m/-400m elevation
Day 7: Transfer to Avignon, depature

All distances are approximate.

Day 1: Arrival in Avignon
Our local representative will meet you today or tomorrow at your hotel in Avignon for a detailed welcome & orientation meeting followed by a bike fitting session (dependent on your arrival time). Avignon is one of Europe’s most culturally rich towns, all packed within its 14th-century ramparts and recognized for its beauty and rich history. Take the afternoon to walk this walled city! Highlights include the Place du Palais, next to the Place de L'Horloge, & the ruined bridge of Le Pont Saint-Benezet over the River Rhone. There are lots of museums to visit and many cafes and restaurants for fabulous food and drink.

Sample hotels:
Classic - Hotel Central (3*)
Luxury - Hotel D'Europe (5*)

Day 2: Avignon - Châteauneuf-du-Pape - St Laurent des Arbres - Avignon, 42 mi. (68 km) +/-310m elevation
Leaving Avignon and heading north, you’ll cycle through farmers' fields on small country lanes, passing old farmhouses and orchards of all kinds. Heading northward, the landscapes slope gently upwards and you enter the famous Côtes-du-Rhone wine-making village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Here you can have nice bistro lunch on a sunny terrasse, and why not stop for a wine tasting at one of the many renowned wineries before looping back through the countryside and the Isle de Barthelasse to Avignon, where you will spend your second night.

Sample hotels:
Classic - Hotel Central (3*)
Luxury - Hotel D'Europe (5*)

Day 3: Avignon - Isle sur la Sorgue Sorgue, 12 mi. (20 km) optional loop Isle - Pernes les Fontaines - Venasque - Isle sur la Sorgue, 25 mi. (40km) +/-650m elevation
From Avignon, you'll take a little-known cycle path following a river and out of the city. A short climb takes you up to the village of Jonquerettes before heading back down to the valley and reaching the pretty town of l’Isle sur la Sorgue. This veritable island of a village is carved into a circle by the waters of the Sorgue, with quaint quayside antique shops and a labyrinth of narrow roads in the center. A picnic lunch in l’Isle on the grass by the quays is recommended. From the comforts of your island town, you can add a loop ride through the Pays des Sorgue, its back roads lined with cypresses and old farmhouses. You'll reach Pernes-les-Fontaines with its 40 fountains, its Romanesque church, & mansion. Continuing along tiny country roads you'll reach medieval Venasque, labeled as one of the most beautiful villages in France. From Venasque, you'll pedal towards lost hamlets through cherry orchards and Muscat vineyards, all the way down to Isle. Isle sur la Sorgue is also called the Provencal Venice with its many water wheels and canals where you will spend the next two nights.

Sample hotels:
Classic - Hotel Cantosorgue (2*)
Luxury - Grand Hotel Henri (4*)

Day 4: Isle sur la Sorgue - Gordes - Roussillon - Isle sur la Sorgue, 38 mi. (61km) +575m/-575m elevation
“Wow” is probably the best way to sum up the day’s ride: a never-ending barrage of scenery and gorgeous perched medieval villages. The effort put forth during your climbs will be rewarded by visits to villages classed among the most beautiful in France: Gordes and Roussillon. After visiting both Gordes and Roussillon there are two options for you today. The easier of the two returns to l’Isle sur la Sorgue via a pleasant and peaceful cycle-only path laden over a former railway line, passing former rail stations. To add some extra hilltop-villages to the mix, we’ve included an optional return via the villages of Bonnieux, Lacoste, Ménerbes, & Oppède le Vieux, all spectacular in their own right. 

Sample hotels:
Classic - Hotel Cantosorgue (2*)
Luxury - Grand Hotel Henri (4*)

Day 5: Isle sur la Sorgue - Eygalières - St Remy de Provence, 23 mi. (37km) +/-200m elevation
You'll take scenic side roads lined with pear and apple orchards from Isle sur la Sorgue, as you descend toward the town of Cavaillon. There is a bit of traffic to cross Cavaillon, but shortly after crossing the Durance River, the tiny back roads return and the countryside is once more laden with quaint villages until you reach the village of Eygalières,. Here you can have lunch and explore the cobbled streets as well as the old stone ruins that crown the village. Beyond Eygalières, you ride along a scenic but somewhat rocky track, tucked in below the imposing limestone ridge of the Alpilles. If you'd like, you can stop at a family-run wine estate for a tasting (not included) before reaching the artsy town of St Rémy.

Sample hotels:
Classic - Hotel Gounod (3*)
Luxury - Le Vallon de Valrugues & Spa (5*)

Day 6: St Remy - Fontvieille - Les Baux - St Remy, 26 mi. (42km) +400m/-400m elevation
If you are in town on a Wednesday, you should not miss the big market in the morning, strolling through the market stalls just like locals do! Today you can either relax and explore Saint Remy or do a loop ride through the countryside and visit Les Baux de Provence. Leaving St. Rémy, visit Saint Paul de Mausole, where Van Gogh spent the last year of his life and did some of his best work. Adjacent to the monastery is Glanum, a Roman archaeological site, its massive limestone ruins are a testament to over 2000 years of history. The route continues along the winding streets of the Alpilles mountains through landscapes of pine trees and wildflowers until reaching Les Baux de Provence, a town perched vertiginously atop a rocky crag, crowned by the ruins of its feudal castle. Take your time to explore Les Baux, its castle, & Les Carrieres de Lumieres, an ancient converted quarry displaying different artworks on the stone walls (entrance not included). You'll return to St. Rémy for your second night. 

Sample hotels:
Classic - Hotel Gounod (3*)
Luxury - Le Vallon de Valrugues & Spa (5*)

Day 7: Transfer to Avignon, depature
Why not extend your stay by cycling to the Roman city of Arles and to the flatlands of Camargue? Your cycling tour ends after breakfast and a private taxi transfer will take you to Avignon center or TGV station. We can arrange additional transfers upon request with a supplement.

This bike tour in France features two levels of accommodations: Classic and Luxury.

The standard Classic accommodations feature very nice 2 and 3-star hotels with private facilities.
The upscale Luxury accommodations feature incredible 4 and 5-star hotels with private facilities

A sample hotel list can be found in the day-to-day itinerary.

Bicycles

Standard Hybrid (included)

Trek (or equivalent) with UNISEX frames

• 27-speed
• Aluminum frame
• Equipped with Shimano parts
• Robust tires
• Upright handlebars & flat pedals

Included with the bike rental is a helmet, security vest, pump, bike computer, 1 front pannier, 1 side pannier, 1 water bottle holder, 1 lock, 1 tube, & 1 repair kit per two bikes.

Upgrade Hybrid

Cannondale C3 Alloy (or equivalent) with UNISEX frames

• 11-speed
• Aluminum frame (only 9kg)
• Equipped with Shimano parts
• Robust tires
• Upright handlebars & flat pedals

Included with the bike rental is a helmet, security vest, pump, bike computer, 1 front pannier, 1 side pannier, 1 water bottle holder, 1 lock, 1 tube, & 1 repair kit per two bikes.

Ebike

SCOTT (or equivalent)

• Various levels of assistance
• 90km of battery autonomy
• Low frame entry
• Robust tires
• Hydraulic brakes

Included with the bike rental is an informative meeting with a specialized mechanic, assistance during your tour in case of any problems, helmet, security vest, pump, bike computer, 1 front pannier, 1 side pannier, 1 lock, 1 tube, & 1 repair kit per two bikes.

Please note: During the informative meeting, you are required to supply a credit card which will be pre-authorized for €800 which is used as a guarantee until the return of the bike.

Road Bike

Cannondale Synapse 105 (or equivalent)

• 22-speed
• Carbon frame
• Equipped with Shimano parts
• Flat pedals*
  • *You are welcome to bring your own clip-in pedals, shoes, & tools to fasten the pedals. Otherwise, flat pedals are provided.

Included with the bike rental is a helmet, security vest, pump, bike computer, 1 phone support on handlebar, 1 water bottle holder, 1 lock, 1 tube, & 1 repair kit per two bikes.