Overview
Enjoy a relaxed self-guided Provence Cycling Break from Avignon to Arles. In just four days you will explore the Alpilles and part of the Camargue, a real mix between exceptional natural landscapes, ancient history and some of the most beautiful provençal villages.
A few pedal strokes are enough to transport you from the city of the Popes to the heart of the Alpilles, where the landscape alternates between rocky bars and hills lined and scented with thyme and rosemary. Cycle on the small roads between olive trees, vineyards and cypress trees with the smells of the scrubland, passing by the artistry village of St Remy de Provence, Maussane & one of the most beautiful villages in France, Les Baux de Provence. Stroll on the colourful market in St Remy, the town where Van Gogh lived, and Arles, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before heading into the heart of the Camargue Regional Natural Park, the meeting point between the salty sea and the softness of the continental waters. Take a deep breath of fresh air amongst the wild white horses, bulls and countless migratory birds, including majestic flamingos. Pedal on perfectly flat routes between rice fields and marshes.
- Discover one of Provence’s most famous mountain ranges: Les Alpilles
- Follow in the footsteps of the artist Vincent Van Gogh and stay in St Remy, the birthplace of Nostradamus
- Olive oil and wine tasting opportunities along the route
- The Roman ruins in Arles
- The wild flora & fauna of the Camargue
Click to view map
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Avignon
Arrive in Avignon, and spend this first day visiting the medieval city classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located on the banks of the Rhône, Avignon holds many treasures: the Palais des Papes, the famous Saint Bénezet bridge, its churches and museums, small friendly squares and secret alleys.
- Overnight in Avignon (standard option: Hotel Boquier or similar // charming option: Hotel Central or similar // spa option: Hotel Horloge or similar)
Day 2: Avignon to St Remy de Provence | 35km
You have to be at the bike store in Avignon to pick up the bikes at 9am (settings, explanations, contract signing, taking a credit card pre-authorisation). The bike store is closed on Sundays, but if you want to start your trip on Sunday, the pick-up has to be on Saturday between 5 and 6pm.
Today you will leave the historic city centre in the direction of the Montagnette massif with the smell of scrubland, where olive trees, almond trees and pine forests grow. The monastery of Saint Michel de Frigolet is unveiled – an ideal place to picnic. Let yourself be lulled by the song of cicadas before descending to the charming village of Graveson, the place with hundred-year-old plane trees and its “café of the Universe”. The painter Auguste Chabaud of the Fauves movement lived there, and his amazing works are exhibited in a small museum. You cross Maillane, known for Frederic Mistral, before reaching Saint Rémy de Provence, a city of artists where Van Gogh spent the last year of his life. Stay overnight in Saint Rémy de Provence.
- Cycling for the day: 35km ↑250m ↓200m
- Overnight in St Remy (standard option: Hotel Le Chalet Fleuri or similar // charming option: Le Castellet des Alpilles or similar // spa option: Hotel du Soleil or similar)
Day 3: St Remy to Arles | 50km
A beautiful stage awaits you on your way to Arles. First, you will ride along the winding streets of the Alpilles through landscapes of pines and wildflowers and the marvellous Romanesque chapel of Saint-Gabriel to Fontvieille. You will enter the olive and wine estate of the elegant Château d’Estoublon, where olive and wine tastings are available (not included). Your route continues to Le Baux de Provence, ranked among the most beautiful villages in France. This medieval village is perched vertiginously on top of a rock, crowned by the ruins of its feudal castle. Take your time to explore the village before descending to the plain, passing through the ruins of a 2,000-year-old aqueduct, and reaching Arles. Discover the impressive architectural remains, such as the ancient theatre or the amphitheatre, and take the opportunity to visit the Ancient Museum and the Van Gogh Foundation (entrances not included). You will stay overnight in Arles.
- Cycling for the day: 50km ↑250m ↓300m
- Overnight in Arles (Hotel Acacias or similar // charming option: Hotel du Forum or similar // spa option: Hotel Spa Le Calendal or similar)
Day 4: Arles Loop | 46km
A last sporty day awaits you, a beautiful loop crossing part of the Camargue Regional Natural Park, rich in fauna and flora with its atypical landscapes. It is where flamingos rub shoulders with black bulls and white horses around them. It is an absolute pleasure to cycle on perfectly flat expanses between rice fields and salt marshes. Extend your itinerary by 10km to visit La Capelière (price 4€ pp), the starting point of the Reserve, offering a hiking trail and four observers overlooking the marshes. Then loop back to Arles for your final night. The bikes will be picked up from the hotel at 6pm.
- Cycling for the day: 46km (+10 km incl. La Capelière)
- Overnight in Arles (Hotel Acacias or similar // charming option: Hotel du Forum or similar // spa option: Hotel Spa Le Calendal or similar)
Day 5: Departure
The trip ends after breakfast. Departure, or you can extend your stay in Arles.
What to expect
Accommodation
The standard accommodation is in 2-star hotels in private en-suite double/twin rooms. We have carefully hand-picked all places and regularly monitor their quality. We have tried to choose accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour. Optional hotel upgrade is possible – a charming option with 3-star hotels and B&B in Avignon and a spa option with upgraded 3-star hotels with spa & wellness facilities (excl. in Avignon). Some accommodations have a swimming pool. Please note that an additional supplement may be applied in July during the Theatre Festival in Avignon and the Photo Festival in Arles.
Click to view default hotels
- Hotel Boquier (Avignon)
- Hotel Le Chalet Fleuri (St Remy)
- Hotel Acacias (Arles)
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 (Avignon)
- Le Castellet des Alpilles (St Remy)
- Hotel du Forum (Arles)
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 wellness & spa hotels
- Hotel Horloge (Avignon)
- Hotel du Soleil (St Remy)
- Hotel Spa Le Calendal (Arles)
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.
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. Dinner is included on Days 2 & 3 in the wellness & spa option.
Local Markets
- Avignon: Les Halles indoor covered market every morning except Monday
- St Remy: big market on Wednesday morning and a small one on Saturday morning
- Arles: Wednesday and Saturday mornings
Difficulty and terrain
This holiday is appropriate for cyclists with an average level of fitness used to regular exercise, and who can handle cycling uphill. Easy to moderate cycling up to 50km per day on small roads and tracks with moderate climbs along the way through hilly terrain but with an e-bike accessible to all persons. In Camargue, the roads are flat (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. Your holiday information pack will include more detailed information on route navigation.
When to go
This trip is available on any date from the beginning of March until mid-November. The tour can be arranged year-round only in the option wellness and spa hotels.
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, Paris, Montpellier, Toulon, and Nimes.
By train or bus
- Arrival: from the nearest international airport in Marseilles, it takes 2h to reach Avignon. From Paris, it is a 3h journey by train.
- Departure: from Arles, you can travel by train to your next destination.
Inclusions
Included
- 4 nights of double occupancy with private facilities in hotels
- 4 breakfasts
- Luggage transfers Days 2 & 3 (1 piece per person up to 20 kg)
- Travel kit with roadbook and integrated maps (1 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
- A supplement applies to members of a group who require a single room
- 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. NB! For the bike rental, you need to pre-authorise your credit card as a guarantee
- Extra nights
- Upgraded charming hotels and spa hotels with a supplement – prices per person in double/twin rooms available in the booking form; single rooms to be quoted on request
- The standard and charming options are arranged from the beginning of March until mid-November. In January – February and from mid-November – December, the tour is arranged only in the wellness & spa hotels option and the booking form displays the prices for this option in that period.
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 25 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: anti-puncture tires – repair kit – an inner tube for 3 bikes, – pump – helmet – anti-theft – 1 x handlebar bag – 2 x waterproof rear panniers.
E-bikes: Provence is hilly, and most of the prettiest villages are perched, which means you have to climb to get there. The E-bike becomes a magnificent compromise: while pedalling, you can access a perched village without being a big cyclist. 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 (Bosch battery 500Wh), a low frame (Frame Cannondale Mavaro), puncture-proof tyres (reducing the risk of punctures), hydraulic brakes (Shimano M365 hydraulic disc, 180/160mm, guaranteeing the highest level of safety). Equipment: anti-puncture tires – repair kit – an inner tube for 3 bikes, pump tips – pump – helmet – anti-theft – 1 x handlebar bag – 2 x waterproof rear panniers – bike charger. During the bike delivery, you will be asked for a pre-authorisation of your credit card as a guarantee.
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