Bike tour on the wine roads
6 days/ 5 nights, Avignon/Avignon
2020 depart daily: March to November
Hybrid bike from: $1205pp twin share (s/sup $348) March & Nov
Hybrid bike from: $1280pp twin share (s/sup $387) Apr-Oct
E-bike supplement will apply
Easy to moderate cycling 30 km to 45km per day on small roads and tracks. accessible to all person who cycles during the year.
Far from the crowds, come and discover the natural wonders of la Provence: olive groves, fruit trees and wine! During your stay you’ll go from the beauty and history of Avignon, to the orchards of Provence, the base of the Mont Ventoux and onto the heart of Chateauneuf du Pape and its world-famous Côtes-du-Rhône wines… Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Beaumes de Venise, Séguret.
Highlights:
- visit Avigon
- An off the beaten track cycling experience in Provence
- The medieval city of Avignon
- The prestigious wine-making villages of Beaume de Venise, Gigondas, Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Tavel
- A wine trail to unveil the secrets of the Vacqueyras wines
- Cycling through the vineyards and the orchards
- The majestic Dentelles de Montmirail and Mt Ventoux mountains
Day 01 Avignon
Independent arrival in Avignon, city of the popes: the largest gothic palace in Europe, built in the 14th century during the reign of the papacy. Stroll in the old city walls, still intact after 700 years, forming a complete circle around the centre of town. If you arrive in the morning, you can also visit the covered market (except on Mondays). Dinner is at leisure and overnight in the heart of Avignon.
Day 02 Avignon-Venasque (about 43km)
From Avignon, you take a little known cycle path, following a river and out of the city. A short climb takes you up to the village of Jonquerettes before heading back down to the valley and reaching the pretty town of l’Isle sur la Sorgue. We recommend a lunch in l’Isle, either a picnic on the grass by the quays or perhaps a quaint restaurant in town. From here you head into the heart of the countryside, and make your way up to Venasque, listed as “one of the most beautiful villages in France”.
Day 03 Venasque-Bédoin (about 30km or 70km via the Nesque Gorge)
Picturesque countryside follows you all day long, towards the foot of Mont Ventoux, through an endless stream of vineyards, olive groves, truffle oak and cherry orchards. Along seldom-used country roads, you pedal off the beaten-track and through the hidden villages of Méthamis, Villes-sur-Auzon, and Flassan. The sportier riders can take a detour to see the plunging cliffs of the Nesque Gorge: a narrow and winding road that hovers above the canyon, with stunning views and lots of picnic opportunities. Continuing along the foot of Mont Ventoux, you enter the town of Bédoin, famed Tour de France village and with a quaint local market on Mondays only. Dinner is at leisure.
Day 04 Bédoin- Chateauneuf-du-Pape (about 45km)
Today is a longer bike ride but worth the effort. Travelling through the prestigious winemaking villages in the southern Rhône Valley – most notably Vacqueyras (reds) and Beaumes de Venise (sweet Muscat white) – you’ll have the chance to bathe in a sea of vines with lots of wine tasting opportunities along the way. Option in Vacqueyras: a walking wine trail through the vineyards of Vacqueyras (8km easy walking). You hit the plains before climbing slightly to Chateauneuf du Pape, the ruins of its castle standing proudly atop parcels of old gnarled vines, and covered by their blanket of smooth red stones. Dinner is at leisure.
Day 05 Chateauneuf du Pape – Tavel-Avignon (about 45km)
You pedal back towards the Rhone River, first through a succession of quaint villages. Through farmers’ fields and small country roads, you’ll pass old farmhouses and orchards of all kinds. Heading westward the landscapes slope gently upwards. You are led to France’s most reputed vineyards destined for rosé wine: the village of Tavel. The prestigious appellation is the only rosé wine to be found on the wine lists of every Michelin 3* restaurant in France. The wineries around Tavel are worth a visit, offering a friendly welcome and their palate of rosés and only rosés as no other wines are allowed under their appellation rules. You continue east through the Barthelasse Island, two branches of the Rhône framing a paradise of country lanes and orchards of all kind, to end in Avignon.
Day 06 Avignon
Your tour comes to an end after breakfast. Own arrangements for departure.
Inclusions: twin share in 2*/3* hotels or guest house, breakfast daily, luggage transfer from day 2 to day 5, hybrid bike, carbon or E-bike rental for 4 days, road book with detailed itineraries and integrated map, assistance throughout, service charges and taxes.
Exclusions: arrival & departure transfer, meals, drinks, entrance fees, insurance and city taxes.
Hotels: Avignon- hotel Saint Roch, Vénasque- hotel les Remparts, Bédoin–Escapade, Chateauneuf du Pape- Wine B&B
The hybrid bike comes with: helmet, security vest, pump, one inner tube and repair kit per two bikes, bike computer, front pannier, two side panniers, water bottle holder, one lock per two bikes.
E-bike: When booking you can choose the option E-bike with a supplement. Provence is hilly and most of the prettiest villages are “hilltop”, meaning you have to climb to get there. Our E-bikes become a wonderful compromise: while still doing exercise – you still have to pedal to get these things going after all – you can access the hilliest and most breathtaking of what Provence has to offer without being a great cyclist. You can also accompany a more athletic spouse or friend on one of our holidays. With the purchase of the option E-bike we include a briefing from a specialized mechanic, who will show you how to use and get the most out of your rides. During the briefing a credit card pre-authorization of 800€ will be asked of you as a guarantee. We offer assistance meaning that if you have any problems whatsoever with your E-bike, our mechanic will come and repair it at no charge.
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