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 $ 2199 £ 1152 $ 1,974 € 1320 kr 202376 ₪ 5383 ¥ 221239 Mex$ 24534 NZ$ 2422 NOK 15867 zł 5834 S$ 1956 kr 15691 $ 1,445 $ 2327 £ 1219 $ 2,090 € 1397 kr 214181 ₪ 5698 ¥ 234145 Mex$ 25965 NZ$ 2564 NOK 16792 zł 6174 S$ 2070 kr 16606 $ 1,529 Single supplement: $ 400 £ 209 $ 359 € 240 kr 36796 ₪ 979 ¥ 40225 Mex$ 4461 NZ$ 440 NOK 2885 zł 1061 S$ 356 kr 2853 $ 263 $ 516 £ 271 $ 464 € 310 kr 47528 ₪ 1264 ¥ 51958 Mex$ 5762 NZ$ 569 NOK 3726 zł 1370 S$ 459 kr 3685 $ 339 Supplement, single traveler: $ 815 £ 427 $ 731 € 489 kr 74971 ₪ 1994 ¥ 81959 Mex$ 9089 NZ$ 897 NOK 5878 zł 2161 S$ 725 kr 5813 $ 535 $ 943 £ 494 $ 847 € 566 kr 86776 ₪ 2308 ¥ 94865 Mex$ 10520 NZ$ 1039 NOK 6803 zł 2501 S$ 839 kr 6728 $ 619 May, June, August, and Sept. $ 2264 £ 1186 $ 2,033 € 1359 kr 208355 ₪ 5543 ¥ 227776 Mex$ 25259 NZ$ 2494 NOK 16335 zł 6006 S$ 2014 kr 16154 $ 1,487 $ 2470 £ 1294 $ 2,218 € 1483 kr 227366 ₪ 6048 ¥ 248559 Mex$ 27563 NZ$ 2721 NOK 17826 zł 6554 S$ 2197 kr 17628 $ 1,623 Single supplement $ 436 £ 229 $ 392 € 262 kr 40169 ₪ 1069 ¥ 43913 Mex$ 4870 NZ$ 481 NOK 3149 zł 1158 S$ 388 kr 3114 $ 287 $ 638 £ 334 $ 573 € 383 kr 58720 ₪ 1562 ¥ 64193 Mex$ 7118 NZ$ 703 NOK 4604 zł 1693 S$ 568 kr 4553 $ 419 Supplement, single traveler $ 863 £ 452 $ 775 € 518 kr 79417 ₪ 2113 ¥ 86820 Mex$ 9628 NZ$ 951 NOK 6226 zł 2289 S$ 768 kr 6157 $ 567 $ 1063 £ 557 $ 954 € 638 kr 97815 ₪ 2602 ¥ 106932 Mex$ 11858 NZ$ 1171 NOK 7669 zł 2820 S$ 945 kr 7584 $ 698 July 1 to July 25 (Festival d' Avignon) $ 2329 £ 1220 $ 2,091 € 1398 kr 214334 ₪ 5702 ¥ 234313 Mex$ 25983 NZ$ 2565 NOK 16804 zł 6178 S$ 2071 kr 16618 $ 1,530 $ 2690 £ 1410 $ 2,416 € 1615 kr 247604 ₪ 6587 ¥ 270683 Mex$ 30017 NZ$ 2964 NOK 19413 zł 7137 S$ 2393 kr 19197 $ 1,768 Single supplement: $ 546 £ 286 $ 491 € 328 kr 50287 ₪ 1338 ¥ 54975 Mex$ 6096 NZ$ 602 NOK 3943 zł 1450 S$ 486 kr 3899 $ 359 $ 903 £ 473 $ 811 € 542 kr 83097 ₪ 2210 ¥ 90842 Mex$ 10074 NZ$ 995 NOK 6515 zł 2395 S$ 803 kr 6443 $ 593 Supplement, single traveler: $ 971 £ 509 $ 872 € 583 kr 89383 ₪ 2378 ¥ 97714 Mex$ 10836 NZ$ 1070 NOK 7008 zł 2576 S$ 864 kr 6930 $ 638 $ 1328 £ 696 $ 1,192 € 797 kr 122192 ₪ 3250 ¥ 133582 Mex$ 14813 NZ$ 1463 NOK 9580 zł 3522 S$ 1181 kr 9474 $ 872 July 26 to July 31 $ 2329 £ 1220 $ 2,091 € 1398 kr 214334 ₪ 5702 ¥ 234313 Mex$ 25983 NZ$ 2565 NOK 16804 zł 6178 S$ 2071 kr 16618 $ 1,530 $ 2470 £ 1294 $ 2,218 € 1483 kr 227366 ₪ 6048 ¥ 248559 Mex$ 27563 NZ$ 2721 NOK 17826 zł 6554 S$ 2197 kr 17628 $ 1,623 Single supplement: $ 546 £ 286 $ 491 € 328 kr 50287 ₪ 1338 ¥ 54975 Mex$ 6096 NZ$ 602 NOK 3943 zł 1450 S$ 486 kr 3899 $ 359 $ 680 £ 356 $ 610 € 408 kr 62553 ₪ 1664 ¥ 68383 Mex$ 7583 NZ$ 749 NOK 4904 zł 1803 S$ 605 kr 4850 $ 447 Supplement, single traveler: $ 971 £ 509 $ 872 € 583 kr 89383 ₪ 2378 ¥ 97714 Mex$ 10836 NZ$ 1070 NOK 7008 zł 2576 S$ 864 kr 6930 $ 638 $ 1104 £ 579 $ 992 € 663 kr 101648 ₪ 2704 ¥ 111122 Mex$ 12323 NZ$ 1217 NOK 7969 zł 2930 S$ 982 kr 7881 $ 726 Extra Options
Road bike rental options:
Upgrade to Sport Carbon Road Bike (no rack): $ 58 £ 31 $ 52 € 35 kr 5366 ₪ 143 ¥ 5866 Mex$ 651 NZ$ 64 NOK 421 zł 155 S$ 52 kr 416 $ 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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