Cycling the Best of Provence
Bike - Self-Guided Tour
Overview
With its stunning country roads that wind through perched villages, vineyards, olive groves, forests, and lavender fields Provence has become a paradise for bicycle touring. Our tour will take you to the renowned areas of the Alpilles rich in natural beauty, history, and culinary delights. Enjoy the slow pace and quality of life that defines the south of France as you pedal from one charming village to the next. We've selected strategic locations to cycle in with different cycling options each day, including more difficult rides. After a wonderful day cycling, youi'll have plenty of opportunities for sight-seeing, shopping, or relaxing on a sunny café terrace.
Highlights
- Avignon the City of the Popes
- Roman Acqueduct of Pont-du-Gard
- Les Alpilles
- Les-Baux-de-Provence and Arles
- St. Rémy-de-Provence
- Tarascon and Eygalieres
Daily itinerary
Day 1 Day 1 - Arrive in Avignon
Highlights: the City of the Popes, the palaces and the bridge.
Arrive in Avignon, which is easily accessible from Paris by TGV, to enjoy the City of Pope, ground-zero for the Catholic Schism during the Middle Ages. Visit its well-preserved ramparts, the Palace of the Pope, and famous bridge.
Meet our representative for an orientation talk and bike fitting at the hotel, a historical luxurious property in the center of Old Avignon.
Accomodation: Hôtel Gambis or similar.
Day 2 Day 2 - Ride from Avignon to Uzès
Highlights: Stunning Pont du Gard, Uzès
Today's route will head out of Avignon through forests and vineyards to visit the spectacular Roman aqueduct Pont du Gard, which dominates the river at over 165 feet high. You will cycle on to Uzès, a beautiful Provencal village with a rich history and beautifully tree-lined streets.
Dinner included tonight
Daily distance: 53km (33 miles)
Elevation gain: +647 m (2123ft)
Terrain type: rolling hills
Accomodation: : L’Hostellerie Provençale or similar.
Day 3 Day 3 - Loop ride from Uzès
Highlights: More spectacular villages and stunning landscapes, Uzès' market
The ride today will head north of Uzès where you will find plenty of colorful vegetation and quiet roads. It's one of our favorite rides through small charming villages such as Vallabrix and Saint Quentin la Poterie, a dream spot for ceramic enthusiasts, where you will find lots of shops and a museum.
If you come here on a Saturday, you will get to experience the colorful market of Uzès, an experience of its own.
Daily distance: 40 km (25 miles)
Elevation gain: +461 m (1512 ft)
Terrain type: rolling hills
Accomodation: : L’Hostellerie Provençale or similar.
Day 4 Day 4 - Pedal from Uzès to Arles
Highlights: Ledenon, the fortification of Meynes, Arles and its Roman Heritage, Vincent van Gogh
Before arriving to Arles, head in the direction of Collias today, where you will witness the marvelous confluence of the Gardon and Alson rivers. Visit Ledenon, famous for its wine production, and the village of Meynes, a historical village that preserved its fortifications.
Once at Arles, don't miss the extraordinarily well-preserved Roman arena, the Roman Theater, and the town museums, with one completely devoted to the art of Vincent van Gogh.
Daily distance: 59 km (37 miles)
Elevation gain: +299 m (981 ft)
Terrain type: mostly flat
Accomodation: : Hotel Spa Le Calendal or similar.
Day 5 Day 5 - Ride from Arles to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Highlights: Les-Baux-de-Provence, Gallo-Roman ruins, Abbey of Montmajour
The ride is not too long today, so you can spend some time in the morning visiting Arles and the many sites to see in this old Roman town.
On your way to Saint-Rémy, you will pass by the Abbey of Montmajour, a stunning view with its eight centuries of architectural history. But not much can prepare you for your first glimpse of the impenetrable fortress of Les Baux. Perched on a high, rocky crag, the Lords of Baux ruled the entire valley at their will for about 600 years. It takes a short steep climb to get there, but you'll be rewarded along the way with a beautiful route that winds into the Alpilles hills through pine forests, amazing rock formations, and old Roman quarries.
There's no better place to end your ride today than the town of St. Rémy, where Van Gogh made over 150 paintings, and filled with lovely cafés, restaurants, monuments and museums.
Daily distance: 29km (18 miles)
Elevation gain: +340m (1115 ft)
Terrain type: rolling hills
Accomodation: Hôtel Gounod or similar.
Day 6 Day 6 - Loop ride from Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Highlights: Eygalières, small country roads, Les Alpilles
Today you can take a rest day and start the morning relaxed, finish visiting what you missed in Saint-Rémy yesterday.
Alternatively, you can then take a scenic loop ride to Eygaliéres and the Alpilles through vineyards and olive groves with the chance to visit and taste the wine and olive oil of the region.
The ride can be modified to be shorter cutting out hills (round trip to Eygalieres).
Daily distance: 44 km (27 miles)
Elevation gain: +483 m (1585 ft)
Terrain type: hilly
Accomodation: Hôtel Gounod or similar.
Day 7 Day 7 - Ride from Saint-Rémy-de-Provence to Avignon
Highlights: Abbey of Saint Michel de Frigolet, Avignon
You will head out in the direction of Avignon passing by the villages of Graveson and Barbentane where you can have lunch and visit the Abbey of Saint Michel de Frigolet from the 10th century.
Upon arriving in Avignon, you can tour the city exploring its historical sites and experience the cultural richness of Provence represented everywhere in this city.
Daily distance: 44 km (27 miles)
Elevation gain: +280 m (918 ft)
Terrain type: mostly flat
Accomodation: Hôtel Gambis or similar.
Day 8 Day 8 - The Tour ends in Avignon - Au revoir!
Highlights: End of tour, au revoir!
The tour ends today after breakfast.
Take your time enjoying your last breakfast before departing for your next destination or for your flight back home.
Au revoir!
PLEASE NOTE : The final itinerary, including hotels and/or activities described here, are subject to changes according to availability.
Difficulty description
Stages up to 59 km (37 miles) per day with maximum 650 meters (1970 feet) of climbing on asphalt. Lots of country roads through vineyards are shared with light vehicle traffic, perfectly manageable by most riders. This tour usually appeals to novice and intermediate bicyclists.
Visit our Tour difficulty level page to learn more about terrain levels and how we determine day and tour levels.
Map
What's included
- 7 nights accommodation
- All breakfasts
- 1 dinner
- Use of a quality Hybrid bicycle (other options available for an additional fee)
- Bike fitting and briefing in English by our professional staff at tour start
- Access to smartphone app with tracks and digital roadbook
- Luggage transfers
- Water bottle & drawstring backpack
Optional activities
Dates and availability
This tour is available between March 1 and October 31
This tour can start everyday.
Tour Code: frbs1508
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Partner Tours Collective
Since we cannot directly operate self-guided tours everywhere, we use our vast network in the continent to curate and offer tours operated by select local partners that we know and trust. These tours are similar in quality to those we operate directly – for example, they usually begin with an in-person briefing and bike fitting (with English-speaking local staff); bicycles are provided in optimal condition; the roadbook and navigation instructions, as well as lodging are of similar quality, as well as the routes and inclusions.
Prices
Low season: €1710
2025 dates: March, April, May, June, September, October
High season: €1885
2025 dates: July, August
* 2025 prices: per person, based on double occupancy; minimum 2 participants per departure
Single supplement: €515 (in double room for single use)
Solo traveler departures: are also available (only one person on the departure), with a supplemental fee of €2,520. This fee includes the cost of the single/double room supplement, as well as a GPS unit with the pre-loaded routes. Please inquire.
Lodging upgrades & extra nights are available: please inquire
Bike rental
Our bikes are maintained and delivered in optimal working condition.
The prices below are per bike for the duration of the tour, including delivery to starting point and collection from ending point.
Bike Upgrade Options:
Road bike: €190
Gravel bike: €190
E-bike: €190
For more information on bikes available for this tour, please see France Bikes
Trip planning
Starting point
Arrival city is Avignon, which accessible via train from Paris Gare de Lyon (2hrs 45min) or Paris CDG airport (3 hours).
Taxi from rail station to hotel is approximately 15 euros.
- We suggest flying into/from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), but you can also prefer Orly Airport (ORY) or Marseille Provence Airport (MRS).
Ending point
Departure city is Avignon, which accessible via train from Paris Gare de Lyon (2hrs 45min) or Paris CDG airport (3 hours).
Taxi from rail station to hotel is approximately 15 euros.
- We suggest flying into/from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), but you can also prefer Orly Airport (ORY) or Marseille Provence Airport (MRS).
Photo gallery
Customer reviews
Click to read past traveler reviews
Excellent pre tour communication, well designed route and good bicycles. My favorite was the countryside of Provence.
- Bryan K. (USA, 2023)
Sara in customer service was great. (We cycled through) wonderful parts of Provence. Our favorites - the ride from Arles to St Remy -- including the two of Paradou, the people, the food, nice hotels. Will happily use Cycle Europe again.
-Johann Van Z. (Southe Africa, 2022)
Exceptional experience in every way possible!
- Sam. B (USA, 2022)
Wonderful trip, we loved seeing the countryside and biking into storybook towns. The food at the Uzes hotel was the best we had in our 2 week stay in France.
- Frank M. (USA, 2022)
Very enjoyable...riding through the small medieval villages. Hope to do a trip again with your company next year.
- Harry H. (Canada, 2019)
