Cycling: Luberon & Alpilles full circle
8 days / 7 nights
Provence - Leisure cycling - E-bike tours - Self-guided - E-bike
Without guide - Luggage transfer
Last updated: 14/12/2021
~1165 $ [1020 €] per pers.
Large areas of natural beauty, villages filled with history, loved for its art de vivre, its cuisine, its vineyards and traditions: Provence. Leave the main roads behind and discover olive groves, vineyards and awe-inspiring landscapes.
A trip through time and traditions. Along the banks of the Rhône River, the lofty Gothic Popes’ Palace in Avignon, …to Greek and Roman Arles where local tradition lives on with Bull fights conducted in the Roman amphitheater… In the Alpilles: vineyards and olive groves, Saint Rémy de Provence, the adopted home of Van Gogh… Les Baux de Provence, a village with a spectacular perch in the hills, set atop a rocky outcrop crowned with a ruined castle overlooking the plains to the south…once renowned for its court, famed for its high level of ornateness, culture and chivalry. The Luberon's many treasures… L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue with its antique shops hosts colourful aznd lively antique markets... Rousillon stands on a hilltop in the heart of "ochre country" and boasts houses in every shade of burnt orange, dusty pink, and russet red that take on a particulklar brilliance at sunset… Gordes called « le plus beau village de France » is a town of silk painters, weavers, and potters with houses built of golden stone that rise to the Renaissance château crowning the top…
Your day by day program
Arrival on your own in the medieval town of Avignon.
Dinner on your own and night in Avignon
It’s an itinerary between the Durance and the Rhône River, through a mosaic of orchards, through authentic villages with traditions that remain strong. From Avignon you pedal towards the pretty town of Barbentane, behind which lays the thyme-laden Montagnette mountain – more a hill than a mountain – on top of which stands the magnificent St. Michel de Frigolet Abbey, awaiting your visit. You descend to the village of Graveson, with its century-old plane trees and its Café de l’Univers, then Maillane, and finally Fontvieille.
Dinner on your own and night in Fontvieille.
About 41km
First on the day’s agenda is a visit of the town of Maussane, known for its sublime olive oils. And from Maussane there’s work to be done: a climb through the heart of the Alpilles Mountains, passed the famed olive groves, and to the perched village of Les Baux. Climbing beyond the village the views of the plains are stunning, and worth a long pause to contemplate. A leisurely descent takes you back to the plains, where you return to Fontvieille via the town of St. Etienne du Grès.
Dinner on your own and night in Fontvieille.
About 39 km
It’s a short and easy morning ride. Following the contours of the Alpilles mountains, on narrow and forgotten roads, you reach the ruins of a Roman aqueduct. From there you have a short climb before a picturesque and leisurely descent to Arles, where you can explore its lively streets and imposing Roman ruins. Ride back to Fontvieille.
Dinner on your own and night in Fontvieille.
About 27 km
Heading clockwise around the Alpilles mountains you follow the plains to the artists’ town of St. Rémy, best known for its most celebrated inhabitant – Vincent Van Gogh. Passing tiny villages you cross the Durance River and enter the department of the Vaucluse. After riding through the village of Caumont, a scenic route takes you through the orchard-laden plains to the village of Isle sur la Sorgue, your next place of stay.
Dinner and night in Isle sur la Sorgue.
About 55 km
“Wow” is probably the best way to sum up the day’s ride: a never ending barrage of eye-candy and gorgeous perched medieval villages. The effort put forth during your climbs will be rewarded by visits of villages classed among the most beautiful in France, including Gordes and Roussillon. Today is the longest ride of the six, so make sure to get an early start to take advantage of all the sites along the way. We recommend lunch in Roussillon, either a picnic set beside the ochre quarry, overlooking the village, or a quaint restaurant in town…
Dinner on your own and night in Isle sur la Sorgue.
About 55 km
From the comforts of your island town, you’ll head along tiny country roads and get your legs warmed-up while cycling through the towns of Velleron, and then Pernes and its fountains and St. Didier, before climbing to the hilltop village of Venasque. From Venasque, a succession of hidden perched villages in the Monts du Vaucluse lead you back to l’Isle sur la Sorgue. There is quite a bit of climbing today but your efforts will be rewarded by beautiful vistas and leisurely descents…
Dinner on your own and night in Isle sur la Sorgue.
About 42 km
End of the trip after breakfast.
Departure board
Daily from March 1st to November 15th
Technical information
- At the 1st hotel in Avignon, day 1
- In Isle sur la Sorgue after breakfast, day 8
- 7 nights double occupancy with private facilities in ***/**** hotels and guest houses
- 2 people minimum
- Level 2: EASY to MODERATE - 27km to 60km per day on small roads and tracks. You’re in good shape, used to regular and sustained exercise. You will cycle less than 60 km a day, with moderate but steady climbs along the way.
- Luggage transfers days 2 to 7 - Vehicule up to 4 pax.
- High season supplement 01/04 > 15/10 : 70€
- Single room supplement : 475€
- E-Bike supplement : 100€
- 7 nights double occupancy with private facilities in ***/**** hotels and guest houses - STANDARD
- 7 breakfasts (continental)
- 1 dinner on day 5
- Luggage transfers days 2 to 7
- 6 days of hybrid bike rental. E-bike available on request.
- Our Road Book with detailed cycling itineraries, and integrated maps.
- 7/7 urgent phone
- Transportation to Avignon / from Isle sur la Sorgue
- Lunches & dinners not noted in the itinerary
- Drinks, entrance fees into museums, insurance, items of personal nature
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