Cycling: Luberon & Alpilles full circle

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.