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
- Prestigious wine-making villages of Beaumes-de-Venise, Vacqueyras, Gigondas, Chateauneuf-du-Pape
- Superb Provençal markets
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
- Charming accommodation: Hotel Central 3* or similar in Avignon
- Superior accommodation: Hotel Horloge 4* or similar in Avignon
Day 2: Avignon to Venasque | 43km
The bikes are delivered to your hotel at 09:30am (settings, explanations, contract signing, taking a cc pre-authorization).
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
- Standard accommodation: Hotel Les Remparts 2* or similar in Venasque
- Charming accommodation: Hotel la Garrigue 3* or similar in Venasque
- Superior accommodation: Hotel la Garrigue 3* or similar in Venasque
Optional extension from 2025: Venasque – Mormoiron – Malemort du Comtat – Mazan – Venasque | 27km
Add an extra night in Venasque labelled as one of the most beautiful villages and ride through the countryside around Venasque splashed with a never-ending sea of vineyards and orchards, and villages seemingly unchanged in centuries. Meander along quiet roads and find a restaurant in Mormoiron or Mazan, or picnic anywhere along the way.
- Cycling for the day: 27km, ↑300m ↓300m
- Standard accommodation: Hotel Les Remparts 2* or similar in Venasque
- Charming accommodation: Hotel la Garrigue 3* or similar in Venasque
- Superior accommodation: Hotel la Garrigue 3* 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: L’escapade or similar in Bédoin
- Charming accommodation: Le Clos Marceau or similar in Bédoin
- Superior accommodation: Hotel des Pins 3* or similar in Bédoin
Day 4: Bédoin Loop | 27km/40km
Today you can choose from two circular rides, both starting and finishing in the village of Bédoin:
- This route visits two villages. The first is Bédoin, full of colourful houses and the Church of Saint Pierre. Wander through the streets of Bédoin, and climb (by foot) up to the shelf above the church, where the castle once stood. Cycle to Crillon le Brave, perched high above the valley it is home to one of the most prestigious hotels in France, Hôtel Crillon le Brave. Stop for lunch on the hotel terrace overlooking Ventoux. If time allows, take a detour (30mins) to Ventoux Aventure treetop park with its ziplines and lake.
- Cycle through the wine country, exploring villages hidden in the countryside such as Lafare and Suzette. Return with a climb of Col de la Madeleine, featuring panoramic views of the Rhône valley before descending to Bédoin for your overnight stay.
- Cycling for the day: 27km, ↑330m ↓330m or 40km, ↑675m ↓675m
- Standard accommodation: L’escapade or similar in Bédoin
- Charming accommodation: Le Clos Marceau or similar in Bédoin
- Superior 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.
- Cycling for the day: 52km, ↑400m ↓640m
- Standard accommodation: The Wine B&B or similar in Chateauneuf-du-Pape
- Charming accommodation: Le Clos Marceau or similar in Bédoin
- Superior accommodation: Hostellerie Château des Fines Roches or similar in Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Day 6: Châteauneuf-du-Pape loop | 35km/17km
Today, you can choose between two circular rides:
- This route loops to Orange and its Roman theatre. Cycle along small country roads amid vineyards and fields. Pass by a number of wine estates including the renowned estates of Mont Redon and Solitude – ideal for stopping for a tasting.
- 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: 35km, ↑230m ↓230m or 17km, ↑30m ↓30m
- Standard accommodation: The Wine B&B or similar in Chateauneuf-du-Pape
- Charming accommodation: Maria & Andreas BB or similar in Chateauneuf-du-Pape
- Superior accommodation: Hostellerie Château des Fines Roches 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. You can leave the bikes at the hotel, from where they will be picked up.
- Cycling for the day: 42km, ↑130m ↓180m
- Standard accommodation: Hotel Boquier 2* or similar in Avignon
- Charming accommodation: Hotel Central 3* or similar in Avignon
- Superior accommodation: Hotel Cloitre Saint Louis 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)
- L’escapade (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 charming hotels
- Hotel Central 3* (Avignon)
- Hotel La Garrigue 3* (Venasque)
- Le Clos Marceau (Bédoin)
- Maria & Andreas BB (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.
Click to view superior hotels
- Hotel Cloitre Saint Louis (Avignon)
- Hotel la Garrigue 3* (Venasque)
- Hotel des Pins 3* (Bédoin)
- Hostellerie Château des Fines Roches (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.
For more information, please see our blog on the Best time to go to France.
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)
- Digital travel documents
- 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
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
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. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers.
- Bike rental
- Extra nights in Avignon
- Extension with an extra night in Venasque (from 2025)
- Upgraded charming hotels (from 2025) or superior with a supplement
- Half day wine tour
Bike rental
We offer hybrid, gravel and e-bikes on this tour, both come with anti-puncture tyres, repair kit including including an inner tube and pump, helmet, padlock, phone holder, handlebar bag and waterproof rear bag (no rear bag with road bikes, gravel bikes or luxury hybrid bikes).
Hybrid bikes: A lightweight, aerodynamic bike with slightly wider tyres than road bikes, designed to combine comfort and performance on both roads and trails.
- Weight:12 kg
- Disk – equipped with Shimano parts
- Light aluminum frames, and a double-plateau
- Gearing: 30/46 with 11/36 cluster > 18 speed
- Bike frames are UNISEX
E-bikes: Provence is hilly and most villages are on hilltops which means that e-bikes are very handy for getting up to the top.
- Weight: 23,9kg
- 90km of battery autonomy
- Low frame (easy to get on and off)
- Anti-puncture tires (reducing the risk of flats)
- Hydraulic brakes
Luxury hybrid bikes: A lightweight bike equipped with Shimano parts, extremely light aluminium frames and a double pleateau.
- Carbone frame only 9kg, with disc break,
- Shimano 105 Ultegra, Double plateau.
- Gearing : compact crank 2 rings 34×50 with 11×32 rear cogs > 22 speed.
Gravel bikes: Ideally designed for mixed terrain, including paved roads, dirt paths, and gravel trails. They feature wider tires, a more relaxed geometry, and additional gear mounts, making them ideal for long-distance rides and off-road adventures.
- Addict Gravel Disc HMF Carbon Frame 9.3kg 20.5lbs
- Addict Gravel Disc HMF Fork.
- Shimano GRX RX820/610 Disc 24 Speed
Road bikes: A light 9kg bike with carbone frame. (Cannondale 105 or similar)
- Carbone frame only 9kg, with disc break
- Shimano 105 Ultegra, Double plateau.
- Gearing : compact crank 2 rings 34×50 with 11×32 rear cogs > 22 speed
