Overview
A week of self-guided cycling along the world-famous Provence Wine Route, staying at charming locally-owned hotels and guesthouses, with your luggage transferred for you. Starting and ending in Avignon, with its UNESCO historic centre, this tour is also accessible by train. Cycle through vine-covered valleys, oak forests and the foothills of Mount Ventoux, as well as some of the region’s most famous wine-making villages of Beaumes-de-Venise, Vacqueyras, Gigondas and Chateauneuf-du-Pape – all making for a viticultural paradise à vélo.
E-bikes are also available on this tour.
Highlights
- The medieval town of Avignon
- Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
- Dentelles de Montmirail mountains
- Mont Ventoux
- Truffle oak plantations, cherry and olive trees orchards
- The prestigious wine-making villages of Beaumes-de-Venise, Vacqueyras, Gigondas, Chateauneuf-du-Pape
- Superb Provençal markets
Click to view map
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Avignon
Your cycling adventure begins in Avignon. If you have time, the beautiful fortified city is a must. Highlights include the Palais des Papes, Place de L’Horloge and the ruined bridge of Le Pont Saint-Benezet over the River Rhone.
- Standard accommodation: Hotel Boquier 2* or similar in Avignon
- Upgraded accommodation: Hotel Central 3* or similar in Avignon
Day 2: Avignon to Venasque | 43km
Your first taste of cycling in this picturesque region takes you from Avignon to L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue , which is also known as the Venice of Provence because of its location amid a maze of canals and several branches of the Sorgue river. The town is most famous for its many antique shops. Enjoy lunch in Isle, or a picnic by the quays before you head into the heart of the countryside, and make your way up to Venasque, officially listed as “one of the most beautiful villages in France”.
- Cycling for the day: 43km, ↑430m ↓200m
- Accommodation: Hotel Les Remparts 2* or similar in Venasque
Day 3: Venasque to Bédoin | 30km
Cycle through the foothills of the Vaucluse, mountains, with a view of Mont Ventoux (1,900m). But don’t worry, as you don’t have to cycle this huge mountain but just enjoy leisurely riding in lower terrain close to the crystal-clear waters of the Sorgue river. Many branches of the river flow through this area and irrigate the land, making it an oasis of cool, green countryside – also ideal terrain for growing grapes. Continuing along the foot of Mont Ventoux you enter the town of Bédoin, a famous Tour de France village with a fantastic market.
Option: Cyclists who are happy to push further can take a detour to visit Nesque Gorge, following a narrow, winding road that hovers above the canyon, with stunning views and lots of picnic opportunities.
Extension idea: stay a second night in Venasque and go for a 27km ride to Mazan and Mormoiron. The countryside around Venasque is peppered with vineyards, orchards and ancient villages.
- Cycling for the day: 30km, ↑450m ↓390m
- Possible detour to Gorges de la Nesque (up to 35km)
- Standard accommodation: Le Clos Marceau or similar in Bédoin
- Upgraded accommodation: Hotel des Pins 3* or similar in Bédoin
Day 4: Bédoin Loop | 45km
Today’s cycling starts and finishes in the village of Bédoin. You can now immerse yourself in Côtes du Ventoux country and enjoy pedalling through traditional villages, all nestled beneath the mighty Mont Ventoux. Wines have been made here since the 1st century AD and have been consumed– and written about – by popes and kings for centuries. The increased altitude in this region give rise to lighter, fruit-driven white, red and rosé wines.
- Walking for the day: 45km, ↑380m ↓620m
- Standard accommodation: Le Clos Marceau or similar in Bédoin
- Upgraded accommodation: Hotel des Pins 3* or similar in Bédoin
Day 5: Bédoin to Chateauneuf-du-Pape | 52km
Today is a longer bike ride, taking you through the most prestigious winemaking villages in the southern Rhône Valley – most notably Vacqueyras (reds) and Beaumes-de-Venise (sweet muscat whites) – with lots of wine-tasting opportunities along the way. Cycle through the regional plains before climbing slightly to Chateauneuf-du-Pape, the ruins of its castle standing proudly atop parcels of old gnarled vines.
- Walking for the day: 52km, ↑400m ↓640m
- Standard accommodation: The Wine B&B or similar in Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
- Upgraded accommodation: La Mere Germaine (restaurant with 1* Michelin) or similar in Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
Day 6: Châteauneuf-du-Pape loop | 17km flat terrain
A short ride around Chateuneuf-du-Pape passing renowned estates, and touring around Île de l’Oiselet before returning to the village. We recommend finding a sunny restaurant terrace and enjoying a day of fine food and local wine.
Optional extra (not possible on Sunday and public holidays and Saturday only for private groups. Price upon request):
You have the possibility to book in advance a half-day, three hour wine tour with a local wine expert, to unveil the secrets of Côtes du Rhône wines. Visit one or two prestigious wine estates in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
- Walking for the day: 17km, ↑0m ↓0m
- Standard accommodation: The Wine B&B or similar in Chateauneuf-du-Pape
- Upgraded accommodation: La Mere Germaine (restaurant with 1* Michelin) or similar in Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Day 7: Châteauneuf-du-Pape to Avignon | 42km
Today’s journey from Chateauneuf-du-Pape to Avignon, takes you first along and then across the Rhône, cycling through typical Provençal villages and along small country roads heading west to Tavel, France’s capital of rosé wines. Cross the Rhône one more time to reach Avignon where you spend your final night.
- Walking for the day: 42km, ↑130m ↓180m
- Standard Accommodation: Hotel Boquier 2* or similar in Avignon
- Upgraded accommodation: Hotel Central 3* or similar in Avignon
Day 8: Departure
End of the trip after breakfast.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation is in 2-star and 3-star hotels and guesthouses in private en-suite double/twin rooms. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. Some accommodations have a swimming pool. Optional hotel upgrades are possible on request. Please note that an additional supplement may be applied in July during the Photo Festival in Arles.
Click to view default hotels
- Hotel Boquier 2*(Avignon)
- Hotel Les Remparts 2*(Venasque)
- Le Clos Marceau (Bédoin)
- The Wine B&B (Chateauneuf-du-Pape)
Hotels are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Click to view upgraded hotels
- Hotel Central 3* (Avignon)
- Hotel des Pins 3* (Bédoin)
- La Mere Germaine (restaurant with 1* Michelin) (Chateauneuf-du-Pape)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
All breakfasts are included. Lunch packs for the next day can be pre-ordered at each accommodation, or you can buy bread, cheeses and meats as well as fresh fruit and vegetables at local markets. For dinner, you can visit one of the restaurants in the villages or order from the a la carte menu in your accommodation.
Local Markets
- Avignon : covered market every morning, except Mondays
- Isle-sur-la-Sorgue: market on Thursday and Sunday morning
- Velleron: market on Wednesday morning
- Pernes-les-Fontaines: market on Saturday morning
- Bédoin: market on Monday morning
- Mormoiron: market on Tuesday morning
- Vacqueyras: market on Thursday morning
Difficulty and terrain
This holiday is appropriate for cyclists with an average fitness level, who are used to regular exercise, and who can handle cycling uphill.
It’s rated as ‘easy to moderate’ – you’ll cycle 17km to 52km daily. With only a short distance to cycle each day, speed is not of the essence, but the culture, food and wines of this region are. Visit vineyards, wineries, wine cellars and restaurants for a true taste of the famous wine region’s reds, whites and rosés. E-bikes are also available (read more about difficulty grades). We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never try to shorten the path through unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available on any date from the beginning of March until mid-November. The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates, and you can start your trip on any date in the season – so please indicate desired beginning date when booking.
Provence is beautiful in the spring months of March, April and May when the blooming of the wildflowers is stunning. The summers of Provence are hot and dry, with temperatures that often exceed 30C and relatively cool nights with temperatures between 20C and 25C.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended arrival airport for this holiday is Marseille. Alternative airports are Nice, Montpellier, Toulon, and Nimes.
By train or bus
Arrival: From the nearest international airport of Marseilles, it takes 2 hours to reach Avignon.
Inclusions
Included
- 7 nights double occupancy with private facilities, in hotels and guesthouses
- 7 breakfasts
- Luggage transfers Days 2 to 7 (one piece per person up to 20kg)
- Travel kit with roadbook and integrated maps (one set per room)
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Flights and airport transfers
- Lunches and dinners
- Tourist tax, if due
- Bike rental
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses such as snacks, drinks, phone calls, extra transfers, tips, etc.
- Entrance fees for attractions and museums
- Any items not specifically mentioned as ‘included’ in the programme
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
- Hybrid bike or e-bike rental. PLEASE NOTE: If you rent an e-bike you need to authorise a refundable guarantee of €800
- Extra nights
- Upgraded charming hotels with a supplement
Bike rental
Hybrid bikes: A lightweight, aerodynamic bike with slightly wider tyres than road bikes, designed to combine comfort and performance on both roads and trails. An ideal bike for touring and riding between 25km and 60km per day. The HYBRID bikes – Trek or equivalent – are top of the range: equipped with Shimano parts, lightweight aluminium frames, and a triple chainring. Pedalling: 28/38/48 with 11/32 groupset > 27 speeds. The bike frames are unisex: where possible, we provide a comfortable women’s saddle for all women riders. Equipment: helmet – safety waistcoat – pump – bike computer – 1 front bag – 1 side bag – 1 water bottle holder – 1 lock per bike – 1 inner tube per bike – 1 repair kit for two bikes
Luxury Hybrid bikes: As an upgrade the top of the line Cannondale C3 Flat is also available. Weighing in at only 9kg and made from 6061 Alloy, with 10° back, 3° rise. Equipped with Shimano parts, extremely light aluminum frames, and a triple-plateau 11 speed gearing. The bike frames are unisex: where possible, we provide a comfortable women’s saddle for all women riders. Equipment: helmet – safety waistcoat – pump – bike computer – 1 front bag – 1 side bag – 1 water bottle holder – 1 lock per bike – 1 inner tube per bike – 1 repair kit for two bikes
E-bikes: How it works: when you start pedalling, the electric motor is activated. You can choose between several levels of electric assistance. Equipped with a battery with a range of 90km, a low frame (easy to get on and off), puncture-proof tyres (reducing the risk of punctures), hydraulic brakes (guaranteeing the highest level of safety). Equipment: helmet – safety waistcoat – bike computer – 1 front map holder – 1 side bag – 1 lock per bike – 1 battery charger. Delivery of the e-bike, with a short briefing by our cycling partner, who will show you how to use the e-bike. During the briefing, you will be asked for a pre-authorisation of €800 by credit card as a guarantee.
Gallery
