Cycling France

Cycling France:
Riding our bikes through the heart of Provence, we visit ancient vineyards, hilltop villages and discover the landscapes that inspired Vincent Van Gogh to paint here. We cycle past the ancient ‘bories’ (stone houses) in Luberon, the Roman remains in Orange and St-Rémy-de-Provence, maybe stopping to visit the region’s elegant Romanesque abbeys. Making frequent stops to enjoy mouth-watering Provençal cuisine and local wines.

Cycling France: Tour Highlights:
Orange – Discover the 1st century AD Roman treasures, from the Arc de Triomphe to the superb Roman theatre
Dentelles de Montmirail – Cycle beneath the towering rock formations; Alpine foothills rising up from the edge of the Rhône valley
Food and wine – Visit Châteauneuf du Pape, sample the wines and some of the region’s gastronomic highlights along the way
St-Rémy-de-Provence – Wander the streets of this delightful market town at the foot of the Alpilles mountain range and one time home to Vincent Van Gogh
Cycle the Luberon – Visit the beautiful 8th century village of Gordes

Why Book this tour Cycling in France:
Unlike many other operators, we include the hire of your bike in the overall cost of the holiday: you don’t need to bring your own or pay extra to hire one locally. We also provide a support vehicle, spare parts and take care of day to day bike maintenance. All you need bring is your own helmet

Cycling France Cycling Information
On this tour we cycle 238 km over six days (an average of 40 km per day) with further more challenging optional rides available. One of the more challenging options is the classic Tour de France climb of Mont Ventoux. We use quiet, undulating roads although there will be several steeper sections. Maps are provided to cycle individually or in groups while the tour leader drives the support vehicle, except on circular routes when the tour leader will cycle with the group. We have graded the route as moderate.

Climate
France
Across France, from April – August, weather conditions are generally warm and pleasant with moderate rainfall; Autumn temperatures are a bit lower and the winter months (though colder) remain mild. The summer months on the Mediterranean Coast in the south tend to be warmer than the rest of France and have less rainfall, and also more mild winters; freezing conditions are nearly unheard of. The mountainous areas of the Alps, Juros and Pyrenees can be quite different. During summer the morning and evening temperatures are considerably cooler and it becomes much colder in winter with heavy snowfall. Western France, along the English Channel, there can be very strong winds and frequent rain during the winter months Nov – Apr. Wine harvesting takes place in late August/early September.

Cycling France: Day 1: Join tour Avignon train station
We join our tour at Avignon TGV train station and then take a short drive to the pleasant Provençal town of Orange. Steeped in history dating from the early 1st century AD, there are many treasures to see, including the recently restored Arc de Triomphe to the still used Roman theatre.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room Available
Included Meals: None

Cycling France: Day 2: Optional Ride to Châteauneuf du Pape, circular route back to Orange
Having had a chance to familiarise ourselves with our bikes, we start by exploring the area around Orange. There is the opportunity to cycle south of the town through world famous vineyards to the small village of Chateuneuf du Pape. There will be ample time to sample some of the regions’ famous wines and explore the ruins of the chateau which was built as a summer residence for the Popes of Avignon. After lunch we can return to Orange following the course of the mighty Rhone taking a break in the village of Caderouse, where ramparts encircle the village. Today provides for a gentle introductory ride, but alternatively you can just follow the local back roads through small, quiet villages. Later this afternoon you may like to visit the large and well preserved Roman theatre and triumphal arch.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 33 kilometres, optional longer rides available
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room Available
Included Meals: Breakfast

Cycling France: Day 3: Cycle through stunning countryside and vineyards; ride to Carpentras
We leave Orange, cycling east through the interesting village of Cameret-sur-Aigues and vineyards to Séguret at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail. Séguret is an open balcony on the Rhône Valley, sat beneath the medieval castle remains surrounded by vineyards which produce a very respectable Côte du Rhône. Inhabited since prehistoric times and enriched in Gallo-Romano times, today’s village was built in the 10th century and belonged to the Papacy before becoming part of France revolution in 1793. Continuing on our way towards Carpentras we pass through the villages of Gigondas and then Vacqueras, birthplace of the troubadour poet Raimbaud. Along this section of the ride there are some excellent views of the limestone pinnacles and the opportunity to try some of the best Grenache wines produced in the foothills of the Dentelles. This is one place where you can view the lavender fields if travelling in July (Optional longer rides available).
Our total cycling distance today is approximately 47 kilometres.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room Available
Included Meals: Breakfast

Cycling France: Day 4: Free day or optional circular cycle route via Gordes back to Carpentras
With two nights in Carpentras you may wish to take the opportunity to take a day off from cycling in which case, there are plenty of things to do and see in this historic and attractive town. The town is situated in an area where, in the 14th and 15th centuries, Jewish communities were protected, benefitting from the presence of the Popes in Avignon who granted them the freedom to worship and live peacefully, having been banished from the Kingdom of France. The Synagogue was built in 1367 and is one of the oldest in France. The Hotel Dieu in the town is an 18th century hospital with a well-preserved collection of apothecary jars, decorated walls and ceilings. Antique lovers will enjoy the Rue de Porte Mazan and the town’s glass-covered shopping street. A short bus ride away is the city of Avignon and the amazing Palace of the Popes. For those that would prefer to ride, options include the strenuous climb up Mont Ventoux, or riding east of Carpentras to find some of the Luberon’s prettiest villages. Three of them have made it into the list of the ‘Les plus beaux villages’ (most beautiful villages) of France, an association of 144 villages selected on the quality of their architecture, environment and patrimony. Riding through the lavender-hued vale, passing the simple Cistercian abbey of Senanque we continue south-east to arrive at Gordes where there may be time to experience the local street market. On the flanks of the Vaucluse plateau, just across the Luberon barrier, Gordes is a typical Provençal A maze of intricate lanes leads up to St Firmin’s church and to the massive hulk of a Renaissance château perched on the top of the village (Optional longer rides available).
Our total cycling distance today is approximately 48 kilometres
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room Available
Included Meals: Breakfast

Cycling France: Day 5: Crossing the river into the Bouche du Rhône; ride to St Rémy-de-Provence
For those who cycled on day 4 and would like a day off today, it is possible to leave your luggage with the support vehicle as usual and use public buses to visit Avignon, travelling to St Rémy-de-Provence after the visit. The cycling route takes us southeast through the market gardens of the Vaucluse and Bouche du Rhône regions following lanes across flat farmland and through delightful old villages. It is possible to make a short detour to the Grottes de Thouzon en route. These caves offer an easy walk along a horizontal gallery via the fossil bed of an underground river where you can discover the delicate beauty of the only natural cave developed for tourism in Provence. Our route crosses the Durance River to Noves, a typical village with two 14th century gateways and a 12th century church. Our destination for today is St Rémy-de-Provence the birthplace of Nostradamus and one time home to Van. (Optional longer rides available)
Our total cycling distance today is approximately 48 kilometres
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room Available
Included Meals: Breakfast

Cycling France: Day 6: Free day or optional circular cycle route via Les Baux back to St Rémy-de-Provence
Riding west we cycle around the base of the Alpilles, passing Mas-Blanc-des-Alpilles, the smallest village in the department and surrounded by former agricultural land now used for market gardening and fruit trees. Close by we can visit the Barbegal Mill, a sixteen wheel water powered device constructed in the 3rd or 4th century. We continue cycling through olive groves, to visit Les Baux-de-Provence, another of France’s most beautiful. Perched on a rocky spur, the village overlooks some staggeringly beautiful countryside. We finish with a delightful descent back into St Rémy-de-Provence. (Optional longer rides available)
Our total cycling distance today is approximately 41 kilometres
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room Available
Included Meals: Breakfast

Cycling France: Day 7: Free day or optional circular cycle route via Barbantane back to St. Remy-de-Provence
Our cycle route today heads north of St Rémy-de-Provence through the herb scented, fragile landscape of La Montagnette to the village of Barbentane. Along the way we pass
through Maillane, birthplace of the writer Frederic Mistral. Close to the hotel, Glanum is an archaeological site where excavations have taken place since 1921, unearthing a city from between 4th century BC and 3rd century AD. This site retains vestiges of its outstanding town planning and religious monuments. Another non cycling option offers the opportunity to visit Arles by public bus. Once a metropolis of Roman Gaul, Arles became a symbol of ardent Christianity as can be seen through the arena, the Alyscamps burial grounds, the amphitheatre and the Roman baths of Constantin. (Optional longer rides available.)
Our total cycling distance today is approximately 43 kilometres
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room Available
Included Meals: Breakfast

Cycling France: Day 8: Tour ends Avignon train station
After breakfast we drive from St-Rémy-de-Provence to the TGV train station in Avignon where the tour ends.
Included Meals: Breakfast

Cycling In France: Pricing due to currency fluctuations and seasonal changes please inquire for the best possible price.

Cycling France What’s included:

Bike Details
Your included bike is a 21 gear Trek T10 Navigator hybrid and will be the correct frame size for your height. A 16-litre pannier and water bottle holder are included as well as the facility to fit your own pedals or saddle if you wish to bring them. A support vehicle carries the luggage from point to point and is driven by the tour leader. Maps are provided to cycle individually or as a group. We provide spare parts and take care of the day to day maintenance. All you need to bring is your own helmet.

Cycling France What’s NOT included:
Equipment
We strongly advise that you bring your own helmet with you, as helmets cannot be provided locally. Cycle glasses (to protect against dust, insects, pollen, sun etc) , cycle gloves (padded for more comfort) and a water bottle or water delivery system (eg camelback or platypus). You may choose to bring your own gel seat cover for added comfort.
International flights
Any extra local transport (subways, taxis, buses) unless covered by the included passes
Baggage handling & luggage forwarding

Accommodation changes and upgrade are available for all our Cycling Tour, make an inquiry now