TRIP FINDER
This Provence Bike trip has it all - Roman Ruins, memories of Van Gogh, a multitiude of shade-ridden villages and beautiful countryside full of orchards and vineyards...
2020 per person price
| CLASSIC TOUR | 1690 € |
| CLASSIC + TOUR | 2190 € |
| DELUXE TOUR | 3050 € |
* Price based on double room occupancy - please contact us for details on single room supplements
| CLASSIC PACKAGE | |
| 1 Night Hotel du Musée in Arles | www.hoteldumusee.com |
| 2 NIghts Hotel le Colombier in Remoulins | www.hotel-restaurant-remoulins.fr |
| 1 Night Hotel du Soleil in St Remy de Provence | www.hotelsoleil.com |
| 2 Nights Hotel la Bergerie in Joucas - Superior room | www.hotel-luberon-provence.com |
| 2 Nights Hotel du Siècle in Mazan | www.le-siecle.com |
| CLASSIC + PACKAGE | |
| 1 Night Hotel Calendal in Arles | www.lecalendal.com |
| 2 Nights Hotel La Belle Vie in Saint Hilaire | www.labellevie-hotel.com |
| 1 Night Hotel le Gounod in St Remy de Provence | www.hotel-gounod.com |
| 2 Nights Hotel la Bergerie in Joucas | www.hotel-luberon-provence.com |
| 2 Nights Chateau de Mazan in Mazan - Classic room | www.chateaudemazan.com |
| DELUXE PACKAGE | |
| 1 Night Hotel Particulier in Arles | www.hotel-particulier.com |
| 2 Nights Le Vieux Castillon in Castillon | www.vieuxcastillon.com |
| 1 Night Hotel le Saint Remy in Saint Remy | www.le-saint-remy.fr |
| 2 Nights Hostellerie Phebus in Joucas | www.lephebus.com |
| 2 Nights Château de Mazan in Mazan - Superior room | chateaudemazan.com |
Upon your arrival in the wonderful Roman town of Arles, you will have time to settle in to your hotel and then perhaps start on some explorations by foot, helped by the self guided walking tour we provide. Visit the spectacular Roman amphitheater where Provencal style bull fights are still regularly held (the bull is not killed), or sit in one of the many popular cafes of the Place du Forum, for an end of the day pastis, like a local. Arles is also where Van Gogh lived from 1853 to 1890 and where he painted many of his most well-known works. At then end of the afternoon you will meet with our trip manager, who will check the fitting of your bikes, and go over your trip package with you. Dinner this evening is included, in one of our favourite local restaurants.
You leave Arles after breakfast this morning, heading northwards along the easygoing terrain of the Rhone River plains, pedaling along quiet and tiny roads. You ride into the town of Tarascon (with the castle of Roi-Rene) and cross the Rhone River into the town of Beaucaire on the opposite bank. Stop there for a break to admire the pretty medieval manor houses, and perhaps to find some lunch. The ride continues northwards through the vineyards and small hamlets east of Nimes, passing through Remoulins on the Gard River, before heading into the beautiful countryside surrounding your final destination, in the small village of Saint Hilaire d’Ozilhan. You may decide to visit one of the local wineries for a tasting, before your dinner this evening, included. (Please note, the Deluxe itinerary stays in the neighbouring village of Castillon-du-Gard).
Today you have a beautiful loop ride through the garrigues and pine forests of the Cevennes region to the west. The route takes you through St Quentin la Poterie, a charming Provencal village, with a history of pottery making and that has become home to many artists today. Continue on to the town of Uzes, with its picturesque Place aux Herbes, its restored Renaissance facades, and perhaps climb up the steps to enjoy the view from the impressive Ducal Palace. Your return ride takes you past incredible Pont du Gard, an exceptionally well-preserved 2000-year old Roman aqueduct (and UNESCO Heritage site). The three arched tiers of this aqueduct-bridge, above the Gardon River, and nestled amongst olive trees and wild rosemary, are quite beautiful, and have become one of the most-photographed sites in Provence.
You leave Saint Hilaire, heading to the small Provencal town of Aramon, where at one time the powerful and beautiful Diane de Poitiers (mistress to the King of France) ruled as seigneur. The village had one of the most important ports of the Rhone in history, and its bridge is where you will cross over the Rhone River. Then detour slightly northwards to ride through the village of Barbentane, where you can take a moment to visit the beautiful Italian Renaissance-style chateau (still inhabited by the Marquess of Barbentane), and perhaps stop for some lunch. Your ride takes you around the Montagnette hill, but if you wish, take the option up into the “Montagnette”, with its typical Provencal flora and fauna, to see the Abbey Saint Michel de Frigolet, and perhaps buy a gift in the shop, still run by the monks. Finish along orchard-dotted plains into St Remy de Provence. Your dinner this evening is included.
You leave St Remy this morning, and head eastwards. You are aiming for the town of Cavaillon, known for the local melons of the same name, smaller and juicer than a cantaloupe, and coveted by the locals. This is where you will cross over the Durance River. You may decide to detour into the centre of town for lunch or refreshment, before continuing on through small villages and quiet roads along the plains of the Luberon. You'll ride through the tiny village of Oppede le Vieux and also Menerbes (stop for a taste of wine and to visit the winery's odd corkscrew museum if you wish). Today’s ride is fairly easygoing, with a final small rise into Joucas at the end of the day. Reward yourself with a cool drink in the centre of the tiny charming village before your dinner, included this evening.
Your ride today is a great one: a little rolling, but quite beautiful, and taking in the classic sights of the Luberon. The loop route includes many of the Luberon villages originally made famous in Peter Mayle’s book, A Year in Provence, allowing lots of exploration. You’ll pedal through Roussillon, with its ochre cliffs, mined for the rich pigments, Bonnieux, with its shady squares, twisting streets and panoramic view, and also Lacoste, with the ruins of the castle of the Marquis de Sade. Each village has its own personality and charm. There is an option to detour to the lively town of Apt, accorded a special label for gourmets. At the end of your ride, you can decide to pedal down (but don’t forget you have to come back up!) into the valley to visit the Cistercian Abbey of Senanque, perhaps in time to see the monks during vespers, and to admire the lavender fields.
After a leisurely breakfast, your route continues northwards, heading into the plains south of the impressive Mont Ventoux. Along the way you ride through Isle Sur la Sorgue. This compact town, built on the islands of five branches of the Sorgue River, is most well-known today for its huge weekend antique markets. During the week as well, it is worth taking the time to visit the many antique shops and boutiques. There is a detour option to see the small town of Fontaine de Vaucluse if you like, with its watermill and spring. Afterwards, you continue northwards through lovely towns and villages, vineyards, and forested countryside. You'll ride through the small village of St Didier, and on towards the tiny but beautiful town of Mazan, with the Mont Ventoux as a spectacular backdrop. Dinner included tonight.
Your final ride today is beautiful, taking you through several picturesque villages, such as Bedoin, Flassan, and Ville sur Auzon, each worth some meandering, and always with the impressive Mont Ventoux as your imposing backdrop. You will pedal along lovely quiet roads, and through some of the oldest vineyards in all of France. We recommend the detour into the town of Beaumes de Venise; not only is the town quite charming, but if you feel like it, after finding some lunch, you can stop for a tasting of their wonderful sweet white wines, or some of the Cotes de Rhone reds. If you prefer, take some time to explore at the shop of the local olive mill to taste the fruity artisanal olive oils. The ride finishes back on the flats to return you to Mazan for your final evening.
After a final breakfast, we will transfer you back to the train station in Avignon for your further travels. Bon Voyage!
