Cycle Provence

Our tour starts today at Marseille Airport (MRS). Our group transfer will depart the airport at 4pm - if you'd like to join the transfer, the latest your flight can arrive is 3.30pm. We'll travel by taxi to the historic city of Avignon. On arrival, we'll have an introductory briefing and go out to the medieval city, famous for its circle of ramparts, impressive Papal Palaces and the Pont d'Avignon. If your flight arrives earlier in the day and you don't want to wait for the transfer, you can take the shuttle bus from the airport to Vitrolles, from where there are frequent trains to Avignon. Our hotel is 600 metres from the train station. If you plan to drive to the start of the trip, please ask us for parking details.

Today's cycling route takes us across the majestic Rhone River, allowing us to fully experience the freedom of riding our bicycles. We'll pause for a coffee break before crossing the river once more, soaking in the breathtaking panoramic vistas of the internationally acclaimed Chateauneuf du Pape vineyards. As we climb into the village itself, we'll immerse ourselves in its charm and allure. Finally, we'll make our way back to Avignon, following the scenic Via Rhona cycling trail. Our total cycling distance today is approximately 45 kilometres/28 miles with a total ascent of 160 metres/530 feet.

This morning, we'll leave Avignon behind and head south through Barbentane and the enchanting Abbey of St Martin de Frigolet. We'll continue until we reach St Rémy-de-Provence, a town teeming with captivating sites and a rich history. Arriving around lunchtime, we'll have the chance to immerse ourselves in the town's charm and indulge in the local cuisine. St Rémy-de-Provence is a treasure trove for art and history lovers - it's home to a pre-Roman Celtic shrine and remarkable Roman antiques and was also the birthplace of Nostradamus and the former residence of Vincent Van Gogh. There are plenty of optional activities to dive into this afternoon, including a visit to the ancient Glanum ruins and a visit to St Paul de Massane, the psychiatric hospital that Van Gough spent time at - our tour leader will explain the options in full. Following a few hours of free time to explore, we begin our return journey, taking advantage of a cycle route that leads us through scenic fruit orchards, ultimately guiding us back to Avignon. Our total cycling distance today is approximately 58 kilometres/36 miles with a total ascent of 260 metres/853 feet.

Today you have the option to explore more of Avignon at your own pace or take on another bike ride. If you'd like to see more of Avignon, you could delve into the city's history with a visit to the Papal Palaces or take in some art at the Calvet Museum. If you prefer contemporary art, the Lamber Collection is the place for you or if you'd like to simply watch local life pass by, head to one of the covered markets. For those wanting a more active day, there's the option to embark on a longer and more demanding cycling route. The ride covers 68 kilometres/42 miles (with an ascent of 498 metres/1,634 feet) and leads to the awe-inspiring Pont du Gard aqueduct.

Having spent four nights in Avignon, it's time to venture into a new setting as we make our way to Pernes-les-Fontaines. Today is a gentler day to save our legs for tomorrow. Our planned stop for lunch is the city of L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, renowned for its abundance of antique stores and charming eateries. After a break for lunch, we'll continue our journey towards Pernes-les-Fontaines, following the recently opened cycle route known as the Via Venaissia. Pernes-les-Fontaines is a medieval village that at one time had 40 fountains - hence the name - and still has a ruined castle and city wall. There is also a cycle museum because Pernes-les-Fontaines is the birthplace of Paul de Vivie, the man who revolutionised cycling with the invention of a two-speed derailleur in 1905. Our total cycling distance today is 40 kilometres/24 miles with 220 metres of ascent.

Today is free to relax and explore Pernes but for those wanting a challenge, there is the option to take on a challenging ride to Gordes. Gordes is one of 'Les Plus Beaux Villages de France' (The Most Beautiful Villages of France), an honour given to just 176 of the country's 30,000 villages, and in 2024, it was crowned the most beautiful of all. It's affectionately known as the Balcony of the Vaucluse Plateau thanks to its sweeping views over the majestic Luberon barrier. Ascending through a picturesque canyon, you'll be rewarded with wonderful views upon reaching this quintessential Provencal gem. A maze of intricate lanes leads up to St Firmin's church and to the massive hulk of a Renaissance château perched on the top of the village. On the way back, we'll stop at the Fontaine de Vaucluse and maybe have an ice cream on the way. For those not wanting to cycle to Gordes, but still wanting to visit this gem, alternative transport can be arranged, at a cost of approximately €80 per vehicle. Our total cycling distance today is 61 kilometres/37.9 miles with 600 metres/1,969 feet of ascent.

Our cycling route today gives us a taste of Provencal life, taking us through the lovely villages and vines at the southern foot of Mont Ventoux before we reach one of the vineyards in Mormoiron. Here, we'll enjoy a guided visit to learn about the production process and taste some of the local wines. After our tasting, we'll have a picnic lunch on the terrace of the chateau in the shades of the plane trees, the perfect way to round off our tour. In the early afternoon, we'll cycle back to our accommodation in Pernes where we'll have the opportunity to enjoy any sites that we've missed so far. The day ends with a traditional Provencal dinner at our hotel to say farewell. Our total cycling distance today is approximately 41 kilometres/25.5 miles with 320 metres of ascent.

Departing Pernes after breakfast, we'll drive to Marseille Airport (MRS), a journey of around one hour and 15 minutes, where our trip ends. We aim to arrive around 9am and the earliest your flight can depart is 11am.