This gentle bicycle tour weaves its way through the picturesque Van Gogh landscapes of Provence and into the wild heart of the Camargue. Pedal at your own pace along quiet backroads through sweeping plains, olive groves and vineyards, and discover the towns of Avignon, Saint Rémy, Arles - the provencal “Rome” - and Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer en route.
This is classic Provence in every sense, with its traditional stone farmhouses, Romanesque chapels, and quaint medieval villages perched atop hillsides. Under the limestone ridges of the Alpilles mountains, and in the valleys of aromatic herbs and thyme, this cycling holiday offers the chance to get up close with the details of this beautiful part of France.
The untamed wildness of the Camargue won't fail to delight you, with extended flatlands of rice paddies and salt pans, sparse farmhouses and windswept fields. White horses trot through the marshes, black bulls graze in their farms, and thousands of flamingoes, egrets, and herons fill the skies in their graceful flight. It's not to be missed!
Holiday details
Price
- Classic
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from £2,215 – £2,335 per person
Trip is available from March to November - Luxury
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from £2,960 – £3,340 per person
Trip is available from March to November
Price range due to seasonal variations
Duration
6 nights
Start & Finish
Starts daily from Avignon station or Marseille airport and finishes at Arles station or Marseille airport
Hotels
- Classic
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3 star hotels, a charming guest house and one 5 star hotel
- Luxury
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4 and 5 star hotels and guest houses
Holiday type
Self-guided so you are free to explore at your own pace. More info...
Activity level
Gentle cycling (2) More info...
Electric bikes
Available
Mileage
4 days of cycling with a further day of optional cycling; 17 - 31 miles (28 - 50 km) per day
Terrain
The Camargue is flat whilst Provence can be hilly - although the tour is gentle in distances, if you are concerned you may wish to consider an electric bike
What’s included?
Ensuite accommodation every night with breakfast. The services of our friendly local Hosts. Luggage transfers between hotels. Touring bikes and accessories. 24/7 phone contact number. Adventure Handbook with our local tips. GPS Routes on an App with waterproof phone holder. Guidebook or OS maps. Protection of your funds. Advice, help and guidance planning your trip.
Transfers to/from Marseille airport or Avignon/Arles station, dinner on day 5 and and picnic lunch on day 6. Read About Our Trips for further details
Traffic-free
Quiet lanes and tracks
Options
- Additional nights in Arles, Avignon and Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
Itinerary day-by-day
Classic & Luxury
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1. Day one
Avignon
We will meet you at Marseille airport or Avignon station and transfer you to your hotel in Avignon where you can check in any time from 2 pm. Spend the day exploring this wonderful medieval town on the banks of the Rhône river, which is home to the Pope’s palace, a 12th century bridge, 14th century ramparts, and many museums and churches. The town also hosts a covered market every morning except Mondays.
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2. Day two
Avignon to Saint Rémy de Provence
Today we meet you after breakfast to run through your itinerary and fit you to your bicycle. Then you are off on your bike, pedalling through orchards and along sleepy lanes lined with cypress trees until you reach the quaint town of Barbentane. From here, make your way up the “montagnette” – literally “little mountain” – which affords magnificent views of Provence's plains as well as being home to the monastery of St. Michel de Frigolet, a real gem for architecture fans. Continue on through the charming villages of Graveson and Maillane before reaching Saint Rémy de Provence, an artist's mecca where Van Gogh spent the last year of his life. There is a market in St Remy on Wednesday and Saturday.
21 miles (35 km)
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3. Day three
Circular ride from Saint Rémy de Provence
Set off on a circular route from your hotel in Saint Rémy, around the western part of the Alpilles mountains, visiting the 12th Century Chapel of St Gabriel chapel in St Etienne-du-Gris and the towns of Fontvielle and Maussane. Then your climb awaits; up into the heart of the mountains and to the magnificent perched village of Les Baux (190m over 3.5 km/625 ft over 2.2 miles), hanging vertiginously on its rocky spur. Your climbing efforts are rewarded by a long downhill section back to Saint Remy.
26 miles (42 km)
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4. Day four
Saint Rémy de Provence to Arles
After breakfast, climb into the saddle once again and bike southward to Arles. Today you will get your first glimpse of the famed Camargue region – vast flatlands covered in rice fields, wild white horses and birds soaring overhead. Enroute, enjoy a stop in Maussane or Le Paradou to explore and relax over lunch. In the evening head out to explore the town of Arles. There is a market in Arles on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
31 miles (50 km)
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5. Day five
Arles to Le Sambuc
Today you head out across the Rhône River and enter the heart of the Camargue's landscape of wheat fields, rice paddies, orchards and vineyards, stretching as far as the eye can see. En route, there's the opportunity to stop off for a spot of wine tasting at the Domaine de Valériole estate, between the hamlets of Gageron and Villeneuve. Continuing along your route, you'll also glimpse the bull and horse farms that line the huge marshlands of the Vaccarès. Herons and ducks soar in the soothing blue sky and at the Mas de Capeliere an interesting path shows the different natural environments of the Carmargue. Your accommodation is a hotel of the highest standards: a traditional Provencal farmhouse on a working horse and bull farm, complete with an arena. Dinner is included tonight.
20 miles (33 km)
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6. Day six
Le Sambuc to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
Be sure to pick up your picnic lunch before heading out for your final day of cycling. The route winds its way through a vast expanse of lagoons, rice paddies and marshlands until you enter the heart of the Camargue Nature Park where the salt crystals on the cracked earth shine like diamonds in the Mediterranean sun. Bike on a path along the sea wall, where you might be lucky enough to catch sight of one of the thousands of flamingos that nest in the region. Soon you'll spot the bell tower of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer on the horizon. This charming town of white-washed homes is known for its gypsy spirit - the story goes that its patron saint Sara arrived here upon a raft 2000 years ago from Palestine, and her remains lie in the ancient church that dwarfs the rest of the town.
21 miles (35 km)
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7. Day seven
Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer to Arles
Spend the morning exploring Saintes-Marie-de-la-Mer at your leisure (perhaps visiting the local market if it happens to be a Friday). After lunch, we will transfer you and your luggage either to Arles for the train or to Marseille for the airport at a time that suits you.