7D/6N - 2020 The Best of Provence by bike

Day 1 Avignon

Your trip begins in the heart of Avignon, a medieval town on the banks of the might Rhone River, where you can find a covered market every morning, except on Mondays. You have the whole day at leisure for personal discoveries..

Day 2 Avignon-Barbentane-Saint Rémy

Distance 35 km / 22 miles - Elevation + 250m / - 200m

After breakfast, You start your biking itinerary through a mosaic of orchards and cypress trees, and cycle into the quaint village of Barbentane before climbing up on the “Montagnette” – literally “little mountain” – with wide-sweeping views of the plains, and scent of roasting pine needles and aromatic herbs. At the back of the Montagnette lies the monastery of St. Michel de Frigolet. You continue through the charming villages of Graveson and Maillane before reaching Saint Rémy de Provence, an artists' town where Van Gogh spent the last year of his life. Overnight in Saint Rémy.

Day 3 St Rémy-Les Baux de Provence-St Rémy

Distance 42 km / 27 miles - Elevation + 400m / - 400m

St Remy: market on Wednesday & Saturday morning

Leaving St Rémy, you can visit Saint Paul de Mausole. Biking along the winding streets of the Alpilles mountains, in landscapes of pine trees and wildflowers, you reach Les Baux de Provence, a town perched vertiginously atop a rocky crag, crowned by the ruins of its feudal castle among the most beautiful villages of France. Overnight in St Rémy.

St Rémy: market on Wednesday & Saturday morning.

Day 4 St Rémy-Eygalières-Cavaillon-Maubec-Oppède

Distance 44 km / 27.3 miles - Elevation + 300m / - 200m

Your bike trip continues as you head into the plains to the east, towards the lost villages of Eygalières, surrounded by vast olive groves. Through farmlands and endless orchards, you cross the Durance river. On the opposite bank, you are met by Cavaillon, bursting with locally grown fruits and vegetables. Settle into your accommodation for 2 nights, in the heart of the Luberon.

Market on Friday morning in Eygalières

Market on Mondays in Cavaillon

Day 5 Oppède- Bonnieux-Ménerbes-Oppède

Distance about 48km - +700m/-700m

Today’s bike journey takes you through the landscapes of Peter Mayle, where perched villages are joined by small country roads, old Shepherd’s huts, cherry orchards and truffle oak plantations. Reach the tiny perched hamlet of Oppede le vieux , then the village of Ménerbes, with its massive stone homes sitting vertiginously above a ledge and its “wine and truffle museum”. Then, make your way to the village of Bonnieux with its tiny squares and its cobbled steps to the 12^th century church. Finally, ion the way back to Cabrieres , stop by Lacoste, passing by the imposing ruins of the castle of the famous Marquis de Sade. Overnight in Oppède.

Market of local producers on Sundays morning in Maubec- Coustelet.

Day 6 Oppede / Roussillon / Gordes / Isle-sur-la Sorgue

Distance about 50km - +800m/-900m

In the morning, head to Goult, a timeless village untouched by modern tourism. Then, continue to Roussillon, sitting atop the world’s largest ochre deposit. The village homes are painted with ochre pigment: take the time to explore the abandoned ochre quarry, with sands and dunes in every colour. Six km farther is the village of Gordes, its noble grey stone homes winding up in dizzying circles castle to the renaissance that crowns the village. Ride above the valley, through landscapes of pine and cedar forests, you slowly make your way down to l’Isle sur la Sorgue, veritable island of a village, completed encircled by the clear green waters of the Sorgue river. Overnight in Isle sur la Sorgue.

Day 7 L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue

Your trip comes to an end after breakfast. There are trains available to Avignon or Marseille airport.

Inclusions: twin share in 2* or 3* hotels and guest houses with private facilities, 6 breakfasts, luggage transfer from days 2 to day 6,

5 days of hybrid bike rental, Road Book with detailed cycling itineraries and integrated maps, and 7/7 assistance.

Exclusions: Transportation to/from Avignon/Isle sur la Sorgue, lunches & dinners not in the itinerary, drinks, entrance fees into museums, insurance, items of personal nature.

Hotel: Avignon-Hotel Saint Roch, St Rémy-Hotel Canto Cigalo, Oppède le Vieux-Belle de Nuit, Isle sur la Sorgue- Les Nevons (or similar)

On request: Arrival & departure transfer, carbon bike and E-bike available with supplement.

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.