Highlights of Provence

Self-guided Lifestyle Cycling Tour from $1,342 NZD

Show currencies in:

USD GBP EUR AUD NZD

* Prices may vary with exchange rates and the terms of your credit card.
8 Days
  • 2012
  • Best time to travel: May - June / September - October
  • Availability Guide:
  • Current date selected
  • Plenty
  • Limited
  • Closed or too close to departure (Call Us for options)

Sunshine, lavender fields, olive groves, vineyards, Roman fortresses and medieval towns — vive la Provence!

This sun-soaked cycle tour takes you through Van Gogh’s magical landscapes, from Orange to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence to Avignon.

Many artists have been inspired by the magical Mediterranean quality of light, and the aroma of maquis shrubland and lavender will surround you on your journey.

There are beautiful towns and architecture to see, plus plenty of time to savour wines from famous vineyards en route.

Orange to Orange

Marseilles International and TGV
  • Lifestyle
  • Grade
  • Departures every Saturday from 19 March to 06 November
  • EUR210 single room surcharge
  • EUR210 half board
  • EUR85 bike hire
  • EUR6 helmet hire per week
  • This tour is invoiced in EUR
Print page

image title

Highlights of Provence Fitness and Preparation

You'll enjoy a moderate cycling challenge, with daily distances ranging up to 56 km per day. All your luggage and transfers in and out of the region will be taken care of. You'll stay in carefully chosen, comfortable hotels. Allons-y — let's go!

Easy Tours

Easy tours are specifically designed to allow you to experience a new activity and culture in a relaxed environment. If you’re after a peaceful holiday with a light introductory focus on one or more activities then easy torus are a great option. Routes chosen will be easy and often ridden entirely at your own pace, suitable for families.

Fitness Required

An average level of fitness is required, exercising at least once a week prior to the tour.

Full Itinerary

DAY 1

Arrival Day: Marseilles to Orange

No cycling

From Marseilles, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Orange, a large town known for its Roman ruins. A welcome drink and a tour information evening will follow. You'll also receive your bike fitting, so you'll be ready to go in the morning!

Meals: None

DAY 2

Orange to Mont Ventoux to Orange

Cycling: 53 km

In the early morning you'll be driven to the top of Mont Ventoux (1909 m); the highest mountain in Provence and THE mountain for bikers! We will take an amazing cruise down the hill and picnic in the nearby lavender fields. The Gorges de la Nesque are a beautiful hydrological area in a wild canyon where fantastic rocks overhang and the road winds through tunnels and beside belvederes. We arrive to some wine tasting in the Côte du Ventoux region.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 3

Orange to Uzès

Cycling: 56 km

Before we leave Orange, we will visit the beautifully preserved Roman Theatre. From Orange, we will pass lovely landscapes full of orchards, vineyards and rolling hills. We cross the famous Côte du Rhône and head to Saint-Laurent. From here we continue on to the charming medieval village of Uzès, where you may choose to visit its famous marketplace.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 4

Uzès to Pont du Gard to Avignon

Cycling: 48 km

Quiet roads will take you to the spectacular site of the Pont du Gard, considered one of the wonders of the ancient world. This Roman aqueduct was built to carry water across the river Gardon to the city of Nîmes. There are multiple lavender fields along the way as we continue east to Avignon.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 5

Avignon to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence

Cycling: 36 km

You will have time to visit the Roman monuments and the Palace of the Popes in Avignon. We will then travel on quiet roads to one of the most beautiful villages in the region: Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. The town is known for the sweet pervading fragrance of wild herbs. Vincent Van Gogh lived here, and Nostradamus was born here. The wines from Les Baux are also worthy or note, having been granted their own appellation status in the late 80s. You can enjoy the end of the day in the romantic streets of Saint-Rémy or relax by the swimming pool.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 6

Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and Les Baux

Cycling: 51 km

Today you will cycle from Saint-Rémy-de-Provence to Les Baux and back. The remarkable pilgrimage site of Les Baux was built on a 200 m high outcrop in the shadow of the Alpilles Mountains, and is dominated by a ruined fortress. This was was Van Gogh's stamping ground, and it was here he got the inspiration for many of his paintings.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 7

St Rémy-de-Provence to Arles

Cycling: 47 km

Today, we head South towards the Mediterranean Sea and the town of Arles, perched on the side of the Rhône. Arles has a well-preserved amphitheatre and countless medieval and Roman monuments.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8

Departure Day: Arles to Marseilles

No cycling

Enjoy a hearty breakfast — your last in Provence. You have time to pack your bike before your transfer to Marseilles.

Meals: Breakfast

Hi, I'm Nathalie. Talk to me today about your France cycling escape.

Nathalie_236x184

+64 3 982 9933

Email: reservations@globaladventureguide.com

Tour Inclusions and Exclusions:

Tour includes:

  • 7 nights accommodation in 2-3 star Hotels
  • Daily breakfast
  • Detailed travel documents
  • luggage transfer between hotels
  • Transfer back to Arles

Tour excludes:

  • International Flights and/or Travel Visas (where applicable) or Travel Insurance
  • Lunches and Dinners
  •  Bike hire

  •  Drinks & snack bars

  •  Tips