France Self Guided Biking / Provence
Discover the light, scents, colors and tastes of Provence through this self-guided bike tour that will take you on an exploration of Provence’s beautiful towns and villages. You stay in charming hotels.
This cycling tour of Provence concentrates all the greatness that the region has to offer.
You will visit the remarkable city of Avignon, taste some great wines such as the famous Chateauneuf du Pape, see some amazing historical villages like Gordes or St Remy de Provence, cycle through lavender fields, olive groves, and visit castles and art museums.
Our bike route is comprised of quiet roads, must-visit sites, charming villages, charming hotels and typical cuisine of the region. The itinerary starts and ends in Avignon, after a ride through the Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct. Avignon is well known for its summer theater festival but you can also enjoy the beauty of the Palais des Papes and the Pont d’Avignon.
Tour Difficulty
- Difficulty: Moderate.
- Road Conditions: Smooth & Paved
- We offer hybrid bikes, road bikes and electric bike rentals
Tour Highlights
- Provencal cuisine
- Vineyards
- Museums and churches
- Unesco World Heritage Site
2024 Price: €1550 Euros pp double occupancy
High Season Supplement for June, Aug & Sept. tours: €115 Euros pp July Tour Supplement: €350 Euros pp
Bike Rental Supplement: Standard carbon road bike rental: €160 euros, Electric bike rental: €170 euros, Tandem bikes available on request.
This tour can also be chartered as a guided tour,
Price Includes:
- 6 nights in 3 and 4 star hotels
- 6 breakfasts
- 1 dinner
- Hybrid Bike Rental
- luggage transfers
- detailed road book
- GPS guidance for your phone
- cell phone support from our French partner (cyclists must be able to change a flat tire)
Price Does Not Include:
International flights, train transportation, lunches, beverages, 6 dinners, entrance to any museums or sites.
* We have both guided and self guided options for this bike tour.
Itinerary
DAY 1 : ARRIVE IN AVIGNON
You can visit Avignon today and take in its many sites. Check in to your hotel and later you will have an orientation with an English speaking staff member who will bring bikes, do set up, and go over the route book. Dinner in Avignon on your own; we will provide some excellent recommendations.
Meals : Breakfast on your own, Lunch on your own, Dinner on your own.
Accommodation : Hotel Cloitre Saint Louis – “Avignon”
DAY 2 : CYCLE TO SAINT PAUL TROIS CHATEAUX VIA CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE
Distance 1 : 48 Miles – 77 Km
Elevation gain 1 : 380 Meters
In the morning, ride through the vineyards of the renowned appellation ‘Cotes du Rhone’ de Chateauneuf-du-Pape, and then continue on to Serignan du Comtat, then Rochegude before reaching St Paul in the lavender country.
Meals : Breakfast included, Lunch on your own, Dinner on your own.
Accommodation : Villa Augusta – “Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux”
DAY 3 : CYCLE TO VAISON LA ROMAINE AND BEDOIN
Distance 1 : 38 Miles – 61 Km
Elevation gain 1 : 805 Meters
Today the ride is somewhat long but over flat to rolling country and will bring you in the village of Visan, then to Vaison la Romaine, built in the Middle Ages and with original Roman ruins of an ancient Roman village. Then to Bedoin where you will stay at the foot of the imposing Mont Ventoux. If you have the legs and desire, you can climb Mont Ventoux from Bedoin – the classic climb! 21 km to the top and min 2 hours round trip for strong riders.
Meals : Breakfast included, Lunch on your own, Dinner on your own.
Accommodation : Hôtel des Pins – “Bedoin”
DAY 4 : ROUSSILLON AND GORDES
Option 1 : 32 Miles – 51 Km Option 2 : 42 Miles – 68 Km
Elevation gain 1 : 710 Meters Elevation gain 2 : 835 Meters
Ride to Gordes (51 km) with an option to ride to Roussillon and back to Gordes (68km). This itinerary will bring you through the village of Fontaine de Vaucluse before climbing to Gordes, your final destination. If you choose to go to Roussillon, you can discover the famous ochre colored soil that is mined and used in pigment to color homes locally and far away.
Meals : Breakfast included, Lunch on your own, Dinner included.
Accommodation : Mas de Carcarille – “Gordes”
DAY 5 : ST REMY VIA CAVAILLON
Distance 1 : 32 Miles – 51 Km
Elevation gain 1 : 210 Meters
Today the itinerary takes you via Coustellet (Lavender museum) and then to melon-town Cavaillon. A short steep walk (or ride) will take you the top of the village of Eygalieres, a panoramic viewpoint from where you see the Durance River valley, Alpilles mountain range and the rock of Les Baux de Provence. Then finish your ride in St Remy de Provence.
Meals : Breakfast included, Lunch on your own, Dinner on your own.
Accommodation : Hotel Sous les Figuiers – “St Rémy de Provence”
DAY 6 : PONT DU GARD TO AVIGNON
Distance 1 : 46 Miles – 74 Km
Elevation gain 1 : 672 Meters
Straight to Avignon is not so far, but to miss the fantastic site of the Pont du Gard would not be doing the Best Of! So, we take you on a route west of Avignon to see the Pont du Gard. Along the way you pass Graveson and Barbentane where you can visit the Abbey of Saint Michel de Frigolet from the 10th century. Arriving in the afternoon in Avignon center, you can visit Avignon after check in to your hotel.
Meals : Breakfast included, Lunch on your own, Dinner on your own.
Accommodation : Hotel Cloitre Saint Louis – “Avignon”
DAY 7 : DEPARTURE DAY
Depart after breakfast on your own time. TGV trains to Paris or Paris CDG airport depart all day long. Extra nights possible, please inquire.
Meals : Breakfast included, Lunch on your own, Dinner on your own.