Provence - Van Gogh
France Bike Tours
Bike in Provence - A Painter’s Paradise!!
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length8 days
- Prices from€1312 Rates
- Book This Trip
Overview
This bike tour in Provence takes you through an amazing region in France. The never-ending beauty and colors of the Provence region that have been artistically depicted on so many canvases (Monet, Matisse, Cézanne and of course, van Gogh) continues to inspire.
Starting in Avignon, the route gently follows the flow of the Rhône River to historic Arles. Here, Van Gogh painted and sketched over 300 drawings and paintings.
Highlights
- Arles, the city of Van Gogh
- The sandy beaches of Stes-Maries-de-la-Mer
- The beautiful blue waters of the Mediterranean
- Parc de Camargue, which 500 years agos served as a gypsy campground
- White Camargue horses that freely roam the land of dunes
- Black bulls and pink flamingos
For other bicycle tours in Provence, check out our full list of bike tours in France.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Avignon
Day 2: Avignon - Barbentane, 43 mi. (69 km)
Day 3: Barbentane - Arles, 32 mi. (51 km)
Day 4: Arles - Les Saintes Maries de la Mer, 36 mi. (59 km)
Day 5: Les Saintes Maries de la Mer, day of rest
Day 6: Les Saintes Maries de la Mer - Fontvieille, 42 mi. (68 km)
Day 7: Fontvieille - Avignon, 30 mi. (48 km)
Day 8: Departure from AvignonAll distances are approximate.
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, you will receive a 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 - Barbentane, 43 mi. (69 km) +/- 625 meters of climbing
Leaving Avignon behind, you will cross the Gard vineyards via typical small Mediterranean villages to the famous Roman aqueduct "Pont du Gard". This aqueduct dominates the river from 50m high. Swimming possible. Before going to the hotel, you will visit the Provencal village of Barbentane.DAY 3: Barbentane - Arles, 30 mi. (51 km). =/- 278 meters of climbing
Crossing the town of Tarascon, you'll discover one of the most beautiful French medieval castles and the famous "Souleiado" factory where Provencal fabrics are made. Along the way, you'll come across Daudet's Windmill as well as Montmajour Abbey. Next will be the town of Arles filled with monuments and small animated streets where one should surely enjoy a drink at one of the many terrace cafés. Night in Arles.DAY 4: Arles - Les Saintes Maries de la Mer, 35 mi. (57 km) +/- 121 meters of climbing
Leaving Arles, you will slowly enter into the Camargue landscape with swamps, lagoons, and rice fields. Crossing the Rhône by boat, you will arrive in Les Saintes Maries de la Mer where you'll spend two nights.DAY 5: Les Saintes Maries de la Mer, day of rest
Numerous activities are possible, including horseback riding, boating, canoeing, 4-wheel driving, sightseeing in the village or to the ornithological park.DAY 6: Les Saintes Maries de la Mer - Fontvieille, 42 mi. (68 km) +/- 219 meters of climbing
Through the Digue à la Mer dike, which is forbidden to cars, you'll cycle up north towards the small Alpilles massif. Here you'll be greeted by a charming landscape with vestiges of the old Roman setting. Night in Fontvieille, a nice little village at the foot of the Alpilles. Hotel with swimming pool.DAY 7: Fontvieille - Avignon, 30 mi. (48 km) +/- 413 meters of climbing
You'll start today crossing the Alpilles from south to north and pass through the famous villages of Baux de Provence and Saint Rémy de Provence. Then through scenic fields back to Avignon.DAY 8: Departure from Avignon
Your Provence tour will end with individual departure from Avignon following breakfast.Looking for more? View all our featured bike trips, specials, and news or look at our full list of bike tours in Europe.
Hotels & Bikes
Two options possible:
Comfort: swimming pools (except in Avignon and Arles).
• 7 nights in 3 star hotels
Superior: swimming pools (except in Avignon). In Arles, spa is available.
• 5 nights in 3 star
• 2 nights in 4 starBicycles
Hybrid bicycle
The rental bikes are 24 gear Cannondale hybrid with Shimano components
- Standard pedals
- Bottle cage
- Mineral water bottle
- Lock
- Rear rack
- Pannier (20 l)
- Odometer
- Lights
- Klickfix
- Pump
- Repair kit including spare tube
On request, the following can also be provided for free:
- Pedals with toe clips
- SPD pedals
- LOOK pedal
- Mounting and removal of personal saddle
- Mounting and removal of personal pedals
- Helmet
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Hotel accommodation for 7 nights
- Breakfasts
- Dinners on days 2, 4, and 6
- VTC Hybrid Course lightweight (13 kg) 24 gear hybrid bicycle equipped with luggage rack, rear pannier bag, water bottle, and lock
- Accessories including odometer, repair kit with pump, road book, handlebar bags (one set per booking)
- Helmet rental (must be reserved in advance)
- Luggage transfer between the hours of 9:30 am and 5 pm. It cannot be guaranteed that luggage will arrive before 5 pm. If you need your luggage at a specific time, please specify at time of booking. Supplement will apply
- Local taxes
What’s Not Included
- Remaining meals
- Lunches
- Drinks
- Excursions
- GPS is not possible for this tour
- Bicycle protection
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
Daily arrivals from April 1 to October 25, 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 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
Comfort Superior Apr, May, June, Sept. and Oct $ 2063 £ 1194 $ 1,943 € 1312 ₪ 4948 NZ$ 2254 NOK 14661 kr 15156 $ 1,459 $ 2263 £ 1310 $ 2,132 € 1439 ₪ 5427 NZ$ 2472 NOK 16080 kr 16623 $ 1,601 Single supplement $ 519 £ 300 $ 489 € 330 ₪ 1245 NZ$ 567 NOK 3688 kr 3812 $ 367 $ 541 £ 313 $ 510 € 344 ₪ 1297 NZ$ 591 NOK 3844 kr 3974 $ 383 Solo traveler supplement $ 857 £ 496 $ 807 € 545 ₪ 2055 NZ$ 936 NOK 6090 kr 6296 $ 606 $ 879 £ 509 $ 828 € 559 ₪ 2108 NZ$ 960 NOK 6247 kr 6457 $ 622 July and August $ 2164 £ 1252 $ 2,038 € 1376 ₪ 5189 NZ$ 2364 NOK 15376 kr 15895 $ 1,530 $ 2363 £ 1368 $ 2,226 € 1503 ₪ 5668 NZ$ 2582 NOK 16796 kr 17362 $ 1,672 Single supplement $ 615 £ 356 $ 579 € 391 ₪ 1475 NZ$ 672 NOK 4369 kr 4517 $ 435 $ 638 £ 370 $ 601 € 406 ₪ 1531 NZ$ 697 NOK 4537 kr 4690 $ 452 Solo traveler supplement $ 953 £ 552 $ 898 € 606 ₪ 2285 NZ$ 1041 NOK 6772 kr 7000 $ 674 $ 976 £ 565 $ 920 € 621 ₪ 2342 NZ$ 1067 NOK 6939 kr 7174 $ 691 Extra Options
Bike rental options
Electric bike rental $ 173 £ 100 $ 163 € 110 ₪ 415 NZ$ 189 NOK 1229 kr 1271 $ 122 Tandem bike rental $ 93 £ 54 $ 87 € 59 ₪ 223 NZ$ 101 NOK 659 kr 682 $ 66 Recumbent bike On request Extra nights
Available in each accommodation of the tour. Prices on request.
Extra Info
Skill Level — Moderate
This Provence bike tour is a self-guided hotel tour classified as moderate with flat land intermingled with rolling hills and some steep climbs. Average of 30 miles per day, with Day 5 serving as a day of rest on the Mediterranean in St.-Maries-de-la-Mer. Sometimes off road cycling is suggested in the itinerary but the paths are relatively short and easy. The dike "Digue a la Mer" consists of approximately 9 miles of dirt path that can be affected by weather conditions.
Airport Info
Fly to Avignon or Paris.
Local Travel
All trains depart the CDG train station located directly beneath terminal 2. To get to Gare de Lyon, you must first catch the B line which departs every 15-20 minutes and then change to the RER A line at Chatelet – Les Halles.The whole journey takes 42 minutes. Trains run between 5 am and midnight and different tickets are available depending on your requirements. Intercity trains such as TGV and TER do not operate direct services, utilizing these services is overly complex between these 2 destinations and not recommended.
Climate
The Provence region has Mediterranean climate with the months of May, June, September, and October being more mild. July and August are typically the hottest months.
Day of Rest
Day 5 can be used as a day of rest
Remarks
Tandem bicycle available upon request.
Covid-19 Info
Country Entry Requirements
Due to the changing requirements for entry, it is imperative that you stay up to date on requirements set by the country/countries that you are visiting. Please visit our Travel Restrictions Tool page and the country/countries government webpage for this information.
Extra Stay
Extra nights possible by request in Avignon.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Provence Bike.
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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Tripsite Customer Reviews
Arvo Luik
7 years ago
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7 years ago
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