Biking in Provence
Itinerary
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Day 1 Avignon
Travel to Avignon, easily reachable from Marseille and Lyon airports by train and shuttle bus in under 2 hours. If possible we recommend arriving with plenty of time to explore this charming city! With a walled medieval centre, towered over by the magnificent Papal Palace, and the unique 11th century Pont d’Avignon (or bridge of Saint-Bénézet) that was never completed, the city is the perfect place to wile away an afternoon.
If you are hiring bikes our local partner will meet you for a fitting this evening or tomorrow morning. -
Day 2 Cycle to l'Isle sur la Sorgue
Leave cosmopolitan Avignon behind and begin your journey into the Provençal countryside. Pedal through the suburbs of Avignon on cycle paths and quiet roads to reach the village of Le Thor dominated by its 12th century Romanesque Notre-Dame-du-Lac church. From here it’s possible to take an optional detour to visit the Grottes de Thouzon cave system and marvel at how nature has sculpted the underground limestone.
After rolling into L’Isle-Sur-La-Sorgue, renowned for it’s antique markets, why not indulge in a refreshing sorbet while dipping a toe in the Sorgue River? Spend the afternoon wandering between the antique shops, boutiques and eateries lining the town’s winding streets.Distance: 29 km
Ascent/descent: +106/-75m -
Day 3 Cycle to Gordes
Today’s ride winds its way through the vineyard and olive grove dotted countryside between L’Isle Sur La Sorgue and the hilltop village of Gordes. Stop en route in the village of Fontaine de Vaucluse—the site of the largest spring in France, and source of the Sorgue River. Enjoy a cool drink on a shady café terrace, walk along the banks of the river and gaze into the emerald waters that spring from the base of the imposing limestone cliffs before hopping back into the saddle and tackling the rolling terrain between Fontaine de Vaucluse and Gordes.
The uphill approach to Gordes is rewarded with unrivalled views onto the village—the buildings of Gordes look almost draped over their hilltop home as they extend down to the valley floor below. Why not spend the afternoon relaxing poolside before sampling the local cuisine?Distance: 23 km
Ascent/descent: 448/-156m -
Day 4 Cycle to Mont Ventoux
Hop back into the saddle for a challenging but rewarding day of pedalling punctuated by regional highlights. Soon after leaving Gordes you’ll pass the Abbaye Senanque—this 12th century Cistercian monastery has been home to monks for over 900 years. If you’re travelling during lavender season you’ll see why the abbey has become a regional icon—rows upon rows of lavender planted in fields around the stone abbey. After the ascent to Col Des Trois Termes enjoy descending through a spectacular limestone gorge leading to the lovely hilltop village of Venasque overlooking the vineyards below. Soon you’ll be cruising between vineyards of the Cote de Rhone to arrive in Bedoin—renowned among road cyclists and Tour de France fans for it’s position at the base of legendary Mont Ventoux.
Distance: 27 km
Ascent/descent: 601/-627m -
Day 5 Cycle to Chateauneuf du pape
Leave the hills behind today for an easier ride through towns and villages of vineyard blanketed countryside to reach the wine-connoisseurs mecca of Chateauneuf du Pape. There are plenty of picnic spots and opportunities to lunch along the route as you wind your way across the rich AOC-vine growing plains to reach Chateauneuf du Pape.
After a delicious dinner, accompanied by local wine, why not take an evening stroll up to the chateau viewpoint to watch the sunset over the Provençal hills?Distance: 41 km
Ascent/descent: +224/-445m -
Day 6 End of the trip
After breakfast we have arranged an onward travel transfer to Avignon’s TGV train station. Avignon has good train links across France; Marseille and Lyon airports are reachable in under 2 hours.
Period & budget
When to travel?
The best period for travelling is during the following months:
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Terms and conditions
Booking conditions
Invoice procedure
Cancellation policy
Cancellation by You
If, for any reason, you need to cancel your trip, the amounts you have paid will be refunded, subject to the following deductions:
You must notify us of your decision to cancel in writing, using any method that provides acknowledgment of receipt. The cancellation date will be determined based on the date we receive your written notice.
In case of cancellation, for any reason, the following cancellation fees will apply:
- More than 31 days before departure: 30% of the total trip cost (excluding insurance)
- 30 to 21 days before departure: 40% of the total trip cost (excluding insurance)
- 20 to 14 days before departure: 50% of the total trip cost (excluding insurance)
- 13 to 7 days before departure: 75% of the total trip cost (excluding insurance)
- Less than 7 days before departure: 100% of the total trip cost (excluding insurance)
Special Cases
Regardless of the cancellation or contract modification date, the following fees are added to the above scale:
- Non-refundable fixed ground fees: Any firm bookings made early (such as certain mountain huts) will be charged in case of cancellation.
- Insurance and registration fees: Whatever the insurance policy chosen, the cost of insurance and registration fees are non-refundable.
Cancellation by Us
Altaï France may cancel a trip free of charge in the following cases:
- If the minimum number of participants required to run the trip is not met.
- In case of exceptional and unavoidable circumstances, especially related to mountain conditions and customer safety.
In such cases, Altaï France will propose alternative solutions. If no suitable alternative is available, any unused services will be refunded. No additional compensation can be claimed.
You will be informed of any cancellation as soon as possible, and no later than:
- 30 days before departure for self-guided or exclusive trips
- 20 days before departure for trips longer than 6 days requiring a minimum number of participants
- 7 days before departure for trips lasting 2 to 6 days
- 48 hours before departure for trips shorter than 2 days
If Altaï France is forced to cancel all or part of the trip due to circumstances that compromise customer safety (e.g., poor mountain weather), the unused services will be refunded. No additional compensation will be provided.
For safety reasons and to ensure a consistent group level as described, the guide and organizers reserve the right to terminate your participation if your technical level or physical condition does not meet the requirements. In such a case, no refund or compensation will be provided.
Changes to travel contract
Pricing
Contract transfer
Insurance
Practical info
My local agent
Quentin
- Natif de l'arrière pays provençal, j'arpente depuis mon plus jeune âge les alpes du sud et les massifs provençaux en rando et vélo. C'est avec plaisir que je partagerai mes coups de coeur afin que vous puissiez profiter au mieux de votre séjour à nos côtés.