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 $ 1532 £ 799 $ 1,365 € 913 kr 139795 ₪ 3800 ¥ 155461 Mex$ 17187 NZ$ 1677 NOK 10954 zł 4018 S$ 1358 kr 10873 $ 999 $ 1783 £ 930 $ 1,589 € 1063 kr 162762 ₪ 4425 ¥ 181002 Mex$ 20010 NZ$ 1952 NOK 12754 zł 4678 S$ 1581 kr 12659 $ 1,163 $ 1850 £ 965 $ 1,649 € 1103 kr 168887 ₪ 4591 ¥ 187813 Mex$ 20763 NZ$ 2026 NOK 13234 zł 4854 S$ 1640 kr 13136 $ 1,207 $ 2052 £ 1070 $ 1,828 € 1223 kr 187261 ₪ 5091 ¥ 208246 Mex$ 23022 NZ$ 2246 NOK 14674 zł 5382 S$ 1819 kr 14565 $ 1,338 Single $ 2303 £ 1201 $ 2,052 € 1373 kr 210228 ₪ 5715 ¥ 233788 Mex$ 25846 NZ$ 2522 NOK 16473 zł 6042 S$ 2042 kr 16351 $ 1,502 $ 2555 £ 1332 $ 2,276 € 1523 kr 233195 ₪ 6340 ¥ 259329 Mex$ 28670 NZ$ 2797 NOK 18273 zł 6703 S$ 2265 kr 18137 $ 1,666 $ 2622 £ 1367 $ 2,336 € 1563 kr 239320 ₪ 6506 ¥ 266140 Mex$ 29423 NZ$ 2871 NOK 18753 zł 6879 S$ 2324 kr 18614 $ 1,710 $ 3075 £ 1604 $ 2,740 € 1833 kr 280661 ₪ 7630 ¥ 312114 Mex$ 34505 NZ$ 3367 NOK 21992 zł 8067 S$ 2726 kr 21829 $ 2,006 Seaview room in Hyeres
Season 1 Season 2 Season 3 Season 4 Double/twin $ 1616 £ 842 $ 1,439 € 963 kr 147450 ₪ 4009 ¥ 163975 Mex$ 18128 NZ$ 1769 NOK 11554 zł 4238 S$ 1432 kr 11468 $ 1,054 $ 1951 £ 1017 $ 1,738 € 1163 kr 178074 ₪ 4841 ¥ 198030 Mex$ 21893 NZ$ 2136 NOK 13954 zł 5118 S$ 1730 kr 13850 $ 1,272 $ 2018 £ 1052 $ 1,798 € 1203 kr 184198 ₪ 5008 ¥ 204841 Mex$ 22646 NZ$ 2210 NOK 14434 zł 5294 S$ 1789 kr 14327 $ 1,316 $ 2220 £ 1157 $ 1,977 € 1323 kr 202572 ₪ 5507 ¥ 225274 Mex$ 24905 NZ$ 2430 NOK 15873 zł 5822 S$ 1968 kr 15756 $ 1,448 Single $ 2471 £ 1289 $ 2,202 € 1473 kr 225540 ₪ 6131 ¥ 250815 Mex$ 27728 NZ$ 2706 NOK 17673 zł 6482 S$ 2191 kr 17542 $ 1,612 $ 3075 £ 1604 $ 2,740 € 1833 kr 280661 ₪ 7630 ¥ 312114 Mex$ 34505 NZ$ 3367 NOK 21992 zł 8067 S$ 2726 kr 21829 $ 2,006 $ 3142 £ 1639 $ 2,799 € 1873 kr 286786 ₪ 7797 ¥ 318925 Mex$ 35258 NZ$ 3440 NOK 22472 zł 8243 S$ 2785 kr 22306 $ 2,049 $ 3595 £ 1875 $ 3,203 € 2143 kr 328127 ₪ 8920 ¥ 364899 Mex$ 40341 NZ$ 3936 NOK 25712 zł 9431 S$ 3187 kr 25521 $ 2,345 Extra Options
Electric bike rental $ 134 £ 70 $ 120 € 80 kr 12249 ₪ 333 ¥ 13622 Mex$ 1506 NZ$ 147 NOK 960 zł 352 S$ 119 kr 953 $ 88 City bike tour in Nice (Tuesdays and Fridays) $ 64 £ 33 $ 57 € 38 kr 5818 ₪ 158 ¥ 6470 Mex$ 715 NZ$ 70 NOK 456 zł 167 S$ 57 kr 453 $ 42 Extra night in Nice Season 1 Season 2, 3 & 4 Double/twin $ 159 £ 83 $ 142 € 95 kr 14546 ₪ 395 ¥ 16176 Mex$ 1788 NZ$ 174 NOK 1140 zł 418 S$ 141 kr 1131 $ 104 $ 200 £ 104 $ 178 € 119 kr 18221 ₪ 495 ¥ 20263 Mex$ 2240 NZ$ 219 NOK 1428 zł 524 S$ 177 kr 1417 $ 130 Single $ 277 £ 144 $ 247 € 165 kr 25264 ₪ 687 ¥ 28095 Mex$ 3106 NZ$ 303 NOK 1980 zł 726 S$ 245 kr 1965 $ 181 $ 344 £ 179 $ 306 € 205 kr 31389 ₪ 853 ¥ 34906 Mex$ 3859 NZ$ 377 NOK 2460 zł 902 S$ 305 kr 2441 $ 224 Extra night in Hyères Season 1 & 2 Season 3 Season 4 Double/twin $ 109 £ 57 $ 97 € 65 kr 9953 ₪ 271 ¥ 11068 Mex$ 1224 NZ$ 119 NOK 780 zł 286 S$ 97 kr 774 $ 71 $ 143 £ 74 $ 127 € 85 kr 13015 ₪ 354 ¥ 14473 Mex$ 1600 NZ$ 156 NOK 1020 zł 374 S$ 126 kr 1012 $ 93 $ 176 £ 92 $ 157 € 105 kr 16077 ₪ 437 ¥ 17879 Mex$ 1977 NZ$ 193 NOK 1260 zł 462 S$ 156 kr 1250 $ 115 Single $ 176 £ 92 $ 157 € 105 kr 16077 ₪ 437 ¥ 17879 Mex$ 1977 NZ$ 193 NOK 1260 zł 462 S$ 156 kr 1250 $ 115 $ 226 £ 118 $ 202 € 135 kr 20671 ₪ 562 ¥ 22987 Mex$ 2541 NZ$ 248 NOK 1620 zł 594 S$ 201 kr 1608 $ 148 $ 277 £ 144 $ 247 € 165 kr 25264 ₪ 687 ¥ 28095 Mex$ 3106 NZ$ 303 NOK 1980 zł 726 S$ 245 kr 1965 $ 181 Extra night in Hyères Seaview Season 1 & 2 Season 3 Season 4 Double/twin $ 126 £ 66 $ 112 € 75 kr 11484 ₪ 312 ¥ 12771 Mex$ 1412 NZ$ 138 NOK 900 zł 330 S$ 112 kr 893 $ 82 $ 164 £ 86 $ 146 € 98 kr 15005 ₪ 408 ¥ 16687 Mex$ 1845 NZ$ 180 NOK 1176 zł 431 S$ 146 kr 1167 $ 107 $ 210 £ 109 $ 187 € 125 kr 19139 ₪ 520 ¥ 21284 Mex$ 2353 NZ$ 230 NOK 1500 zł 550 S$ 186 kr 1489 $ 137 Single $ 226 £ 118 $ 202 € 135 kr 20671 ₪ 562 ¥ 22987 Mex$ 2541 NZ$ 248 NOK 1620 zł 594 S$ 201 kr 1608 $ 148 $ 295 £ 154 $ 263 € 176 kr 26948 ₪ 733 ¥ 29968 Mex$ 3313 NZ$ 323 NOK 2112 zł 775 S$ 262 kr 2096 $ 193 $ 369 £ 192 $ 329 € 220 kr 33685 ₪ 916 ¥ 37461 Mex$ 4141 NZ$ 404 NOK 2640 zł 968 S$ 327 kr 2620 $ 241 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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