Explore Provence at your own pace, with a Self-guided biking holiday with Detours in France.
The south of France’s Provence region is a cyclist’s dream. Lavender-scented lanes, olive groves, vineyards, gentle hills and dramatic climbs all combine for an unforgettable ride. Provence is a real treat for all cyclists; at every turn in the quiet alleys, new landscapes are revealed: vineyards, olive groves, impressive gorges and lavender fields.
When you travel self-guided you get the best of both worlds: beautifully pre-arranged logistics (hand-picked accommodation, high-quality bike rental, fantastically researched routes, luggage transfers, dense regional information to help in your explorations) plus the total freedom on the bike at your own pace. It is up to you to choose the level of comfort, the dates you want, and then to linger as much or a s little at each spot along the way, knowing that our itineraries are giving you the best the region has to offer on a Biking Tour.
With Detours in France (via their “Self-guided – Biking” collection) you can plan a customized cycling adventure covering Provence on your own timeline.
A typical Detours self-guided biking tour in Provence includes stunning bike routes on well thought put itineraries that link together scenic villages, vineyards, gorges, hilltop outlooks and Provençal countryside roads.
Bike rental is provided and bikes are hand delivered to your first hotel: Modern touring or hybrid bikes are included (or upgrade to an e-bike), equipped with panniers, pump, lock, etc. Our “Challenge” tours, with more biking and some decent climbs integrated into the routes, have excellent lightweight carbon road bikes as the default.
Provence is a large area, and there is a lot to see. The hardest thing about your independent Cycling Holiday just might be deciding which region you want to explore! The area south east of Avignon includes Arles: this fantastic Roman town, sitting on the banks of the Gard River, and not far from the coast with the Mediterranean salt marshes and Natural Conservancy regions, is jam-packed with history: from Roman times (the Arles Roman Amphitheatre is astounding, and still used for events today) through the Middle Ages, and Renaissance.
A little to the north, through the lush vineyards by Nimes, one of the iconic sites of the region and not to be missed is the Roman Pont du Gard, near medieval Uzes. This spectacular three tiered aqueduct is probably one of the most photographed sites of Provence.
St Remy de Provence, just to the south of Avignon, is nestles against the Alpilles range, and is the start or end of many of our Provence Biking itineraries. From here you can do a loop ride up into the hills, past olive groves and olive mills, wineries, and enjoy the scenery from the panoramas of Les Baux de Provence. We also recommend a stop at the Carrieres de
l’Image – an incredible sound and light show in old bauxite quarries.
The Luberon is another are you may decide to explore on a Provence Cycling tour. For many, this region with its hilltop villages, was brought to life when Peter Mayle published his mostly autobiographical memoirs, A Year in Provence. We have you pedal along the valley floor, saving your energy for each climb up to a village: Roussillon with its ochre cliffs, Bonnieux with authentic shady squares, Lacoste, with the Marquis de Sade’s castle ruins, and Gordes – one of France’s official “Prettiest Villages”.
Enjoy the area’s culinary culture as you bike through Menerbes: at a wine tasting, or in the little boutique specializing in truffle products, or stopping at the nearby olive mill.
Our Winelovers Provence Biking tour, as the name suggests, takes you into the famous wine region sof the southern Cotes deRhone. Starting in the Pope’s vacation village of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, your bike tour takes you through pretty villages like Sablet, Gigondas, and Vaqueyras where you can taste both whites and reds from the region, as well as Beaumes de Venise – more famous for its spectacular sweet dessert wines.
Many of our Provence Cycling itineraries include Vaison la Romaine, with its ancient Roman Theatre, and castle ruins, this town has fantastic little boutiques showcasing the region’s foods, colourful pottery, Provencal fabric prints, and excellent restaurants and cafes.
Because your biking trip is self-guided, you set your daily pace, choosing whether to ride shorter or longer, explore side trails or rest. The stunning scenery everywhere will blow you away and it’s scenery like these that inspired artists such as Vincent van Gogh.
For the adventurous / more serious cyclists, a truly memorable climb of the famous Mont Ventoux is not to be missed. You can retrace the wheels of many Tour de France cyclists!
Stunning, natural landscapes are everywhere : gorges, salt-marshes (in the Camargue), lavender fields (especially in late spring/early summer) and quiet country lanes.
All of this fabulous cycling means you will have earned your end-of-day relaxation at your local hotel. Take time to enjoy a glass of wine and then taste the delicious Provençal food – perfect after a day in the saddle.
If you’ve ever dreamed of cycling through the countryside of southern France, stopping in sun-washed villages, tasting local wines, inhaling the scent of lavender fields and olive trees — a self-guided biking tour of Provence with Detours in France offers a compelling mix of freedom and support. Whether you’re after a moderate ride through the Luberon, or ready to test yourself on a climb like Mont Ventoux, this region delivers. The roads, the light, the food and the pace all conspire to let you ride Provence rather than just visit it.
