The Provence tour itinerary

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7

Day 1

the Sorgue at Fontaine de Vaucluse

Transfers are from Avignon TGV station; other transfers (eg Nîmes airport) can be made by arrangement. We arrive at our hotel near the market town of Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, where bikes are fitted and adjusted to your individual requirements. Spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool, or take a short trip into the village, which is famous for its antiques and bric-a-brac market and stores. Early arrivals may wish to ride to the Fontaine de Vaucluse to see the famous resurgent spring of the river Sorgue.

In the evening, after a briefing on the week’s ride, we will sit down to the first of many gourmet meals, washed down with one of the excellent wines from the slopes of Mont Ventoux, whose imposing profile dominates the region.

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Day 2

arriving for a wine tasting at Châteauneuf-du-Pâpe

An easy start to our week’s touring as we cruise along tiny lanes in the shadow of Mont Ventoux towards Orange. First stop is the highlight of the trip for wine-lovers - a tasting at a vineyard of the celebrated Châteauneuf-du-Pâpe. Then it's a short hop to Orange for lunch. Here we will see some superb examples of triumphal Roman architecture, including the Theatre Antique, built around 10AD, and the wonderfully-preserved 22m high arch on the Via Agrippa.

We then make our way across the River Rhone to Tavel, famous for its rosé wines (according to the placard as you enter the village, the best in France!) where we find our hotel. A pool awaits at the hotel, and you can stroll the lanes in the village, or maybe visit a village cellar for more wine degustation before dinner.

Total distance: 46km / option 71km

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Day 3

the “Tour Fenestrelle” of the
cathedral at Uzès

Today we set out through fields of vines as we climb gently onto the plateau of the Fôret de Malmont, followed by a spectacular descent as we arrive at Saint Victor-de-la-Coste, where we can take a well earned coffee stop before climbing on foot to the ruined château. This fort belonged to the powerful Sabran family, themselves vassals to the Count of Toulouse. The Sabrans were, by one of their descendants who married the Count of Provence, tied to the Kings and Queens of France and much of Europe; the history of the château is entwined with that of France in the turbulent early medieval period. The views are unforgettable, stretching across to Mont Ventoux to the east and the Black mountains to the west.

Back on the bikes, we trace our way through a landscape of vineyards and cherry trees, then after climbing a low ridge (with a fantastic picnic spot!), descend to St-Quentin-la-Poterie, which as the name suggests is a historic centre for ceramics, with artisan workshops selling their beautiful work direct to the public.

Our final stretch of the day brings us into the magnificent medieval city of Uzès. Boasting a beautiful cathedral with its "Tour Fenestrelle" or windowed tower, and the Chateau of the Duchy of Uzès, there is a wealth of medieval sites to visit in the town, as well as plenty of boutiques to satisfy any shopping urges! Our hotel is in the heart of the ancient quarter nestling under the cathedral.

Total distance: 50km

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Day 4

Pont du Gard — the stunning Roman aqueduct

Today we have a circular route bringing us back to Uzès, so that we can make the most of this beautiful town (and the morning market is a great source for the makings of a picnic lunch !) The main destination of the day is the Pont du Gard, an aqueduct built by the Romans as part of a system to carry water from Uzès to Nîmes. It is an awe-inspiring feat of engineering, and its harmony with its setting over the River Gard is remarkable. Rather than cycling the whole way to the bridge, we can complete the final part of the journey by canoe, taking in the splendour of the Gard gorges - and the Pont itself - from the water.

Canoeing on the River Gard

We will have lunch within sight of the bridge, before making our along back roads to Uzès through the garrigue, the rugged, beautiful country of the départment of Gard, taking in the scent of wild thyme and basil, and maybe spotting a wild boar in the undergrowth or a red kite wheeling overhead.

Total distance: 28km (+ canoe trip to Pont du Gard 9km)

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Day 5

the immaculately-preserved Roman Amphitheatre at Arles

Heading south from Uzès and skirting the city of Nimes, there is more dramatic, rugged scenery before we sweep out into the plains which reach to the Camargue and the Mediterranean. On the way we cross the Pont St-Nicholas, From here it is easy cycling to Bellegarde, with its 13th Century castle keep, and the 12th Century priory of Saint Vincent de Broussan. After lunch in the small town of St Gilles, we will ride through the northern fringes of the Camargue, where we can see a wealth of birdlife from viewing towers on the Etang de Vaccarès. We then cross the Rhone to our hotel in the heart of ancient Arles.

We arrive early in the afternoon, so there should be plenty of time before dinner to have a look around the immaculately-preserved Roman Amphitheatre - or next door's equally-impressive Roman Theatre. Or maybe even the 15th century St-Trophîme Cathedral, with its shaded cloister. Elsewhere in Arles is the Van Gogh museum, indicative of the time the artist spent in the town and the surrounding countryside.

Total distance: 56km

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Day 6

Relaxing in the company of new friends

Our last day of riding takes us east towards the Alpilles massif. Although there are no high peaks, the jagged ridge gives the impression of being higher than it is. Riding out of Arles along tiny back roads - where meeting a car is an event in itself - we tackle a short stiff climb to the hill-top village of Les Baux. The bottom-gear effort is richly rewarded by the sublime views and the town itself, which is dramatically perched on a rocky outcrop.

Then it is on via a stunning twisty descent to the pretty little town of St-Rémy-de-Provence for lunch. St Rémy, the birthplace of Nostradamus, is also celebrated as the subject for many of Van Gogh's paintings and drawings. After lunch, we can stroll round the Roman arch and monuments known as les Antiques, or visit the hospital of St-Paul-de-la-Mauseole, the sanitorium where Van Gogh committed himself after his argument with his best friend Paul Gauguin.

Back in the saddle and on to our final stop near Tarascon on the outskirts of Avignon. The hotel is set at the western tip of the Alpilles massif, and with an enormous swimming pool to wash off the dust of the trail, is the perfect place to wind down before the final dinner of our week.

Total distance: 44km

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Day 7

After breakfast, taking the opportunity to exchange phone numbers and e-mail addresses with newly-made friends, take the opportunity stroll into the village or along the banks of the river, before we depart on our onward journeys.

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Provence Tour Overview

Villages of the Luberon Tour Overview

Overview Of Our Tours