"We had a fabulous time. We are talking to all our friends about how well the entire trip, arrangements, accommodations, your service, etc. went!"
-S. Schmidt, Provence

This is a self guided cycling tour, but you are not alone! Learn more!
self guided cycling tours

Provence Multisports

award winning tour 2009BEST TRIP OF 2009 - AWARDED BY NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ADVENTURE! See Link...

This Provence multi sport tour is a great way to discover Provence - and NOT like any other tour! This itinerary starts in Avignon and visits the culturally rich countryside from Avignon, to the Alpilles and into the Luberon. An “off the beaten path” active trip, you will cycle through the vineyards and forests of the region, hop on a canoe and paddle down the Gardon river, hike through the Provençal mountains, lavender fields and olive-yards, ride a high quality mountain bike on the trails of the Luberon and you have the option to do a cooking class too … This tour combines several activities to provide you with a unique way to discover this beautiful part of France! Enjoy! Blog posts to read about Provence:

5 Towns to Visit in Provence | Santons of Provence | Cassis Wines | Lavender in June in Provence
| 5 Things You Didn't Know About Provence | 5 Reasons to Cycle Provence in Spring |


Tour Details


Maps & Profiles

NOTE: Please click on the profile image to see the complete profile in true relief; the thumbnail version below is automatically made small and this distorts the actual relief of the terrain.

Day-2 Day-3 Day-4 Day-5

PROVENCE_Multisport_Avignon-Uzès

PROVENCE_Multisport_Uzès-Canoe-St Remy

PROVENCE_Multisport_Hiking Loop St Remy

PROVENCE_Multisport_St Remy-Fontaines de Vaucluse
Day-6 Day-7    

PROVENCE_Multisport_Fontaines de Vaucluse mountain bike

PROVENCE_Multisport_Fontaines de Vaucluse-Bedoin

    

PROVENCE_Trip map_Multisport

Itinerary

Click on a day to see that days itinerary.

DAY 1 DAY 2

pont du gard cycling tour provenceDay 2 this first active day is by bike, a route that moves out of Villeneuve-les-Avignon through the Gard forests and vineyards and to visit the famous roman aqueduct Pont du Gard which dominates the river at over 165 feet high. Swimming is possible in the river. You will cycle on to Uzes, a beautiful Provencal village with plane tree lined streets. 52 km route. Night in Uzes in a very charming 3 star hotel, Les Entraigues, with swimming pool. Dinner on your own. Night in Uzes. (B) Adventurers: an option to do Via Ferrata is possible today! Via Ferrata (see Wikipedia)is like rock climbing with the help of steps and security line on fixed cables. To add this option, you must book at least 1 month in advance, price is 90 euros/person - guided activity with local professional.

Hostellerie Provencale

3

Uzes

Very charming and typical small hotel of Provence

DAY 3

canoe provence gard riverDay 3 Today, you will hop on a canoe and paddle down the Gardon river, through the Gorges du Gardon! You will start with a short and flat warm up bike ride from your hotel to Collias for the canoe put in (12km). Your bikes are transferred to meet you at the pull out at the Pont du Gard. You then cycle on from there to St Remy de Provence and your excellent hotel in this charming town. There is no experience required to canoe this stretch on your own, just know how to swim! The water is flat. The canoe is trip is about 2 hours over 8 km. The cycling that follows is 38 km and is mostly flat to rolling. Another 3 hours maximum should cover that. In all, a complete and rewarding day! Dinner included.(B,D)

Le Mas des Carassins

3

St Remy de Provence

An oasis of calm and cool, located a few minutes walk from the center of Saint-Remy, once home to Va...

DAY 4

Day 4 Put your hiking shoes on and get on the GR 6 trail that will lead you to the nearby hills above St Remy known as the Alpilles. This hike will take you along to the Citadel of Les Baux de Provence. After your visit of the village we suggest you walk to the Val d’Enfer and its rock formations, then make your way back to Saint Remy. Dinner included, night in St Remy, same hotel. 20 km hiking with hills at Les Baux. (B,D)

Le Mas des Carassins

3

St Remy de Provence

An oasis of calm and cool, located a few minutes walk from the center of Saint-Remy, once home to Va...

DAY 5

Day 5 After breakfast, you cycle on to Fontaine de Vaucluse where you spend the night. On the way to Fontaine de Vaucluse, you have the possibility to cycle on to Isle sur la Sorgue, which is a short 10km trip from Fontaine. Isle sur la Sorgue is a charming town located on the river Sorgue, that is very worth visiting! 48 km. Night in a charming hotel with dinner out on your own. OPTION: Cooking Class. If you book the cooking class for today, it starts at 9:30 am. The class starts with a garden visit and then cooking all morning which finishes at lunch to enjoy your work. After the class we transfer you to Fontaine de Vaucluse. (B)

Hotel des Sources

3

Fontaine de Vaucluse

Bordering the Luberon, in the heart of Fountain de Vaucluse, this hotel gives a warm welcome. Charm...

DAY 6

Day 6 For your day, we have planned for you to do a nice 'balade' on mountain bikes. You will ride a short distance on paved roads to meet the trail and after you will have a nice quiet trail to follow that makes a loop and brings you back to the road. The trail is a mix of wide trail and sand/gravel to sections of single track. None of it is technical or requires advance mountain bike skill. Return to the same hotel in Fontaine de Vaucluse, dinner on your own. Approximately 30 km cycling and 3 hours. (B)

Hotel des Sources

3

Fontaine de Vaucluse

Bordering the Luberon, in the heart of Fountain de Vaucluse, this hotel gives a warm welcome. Charm...

DAY 7

Day 7 Today, ride to Bedoin at the foot of Mont Ventoux. You will ride on typical narrow little country side road from Provence and Luberon. Enjoy nice panoramic views and roads in the middle of limestone cliffs. Approaching the Mont Ventoux, you will ride in the vineyards of Provence wine. Very charming 3 star hotel with swimming pool; dinner included. 42.7km cycling. (B,D)

Hotel les Pins

3

Bedoin

Blue, green, white... Mont Ventoux towers skyward watching over the hills and vineyards. At the foot...

DAY 8

Day 8 Departure Day, we will transfer you back to Avignon rail station at 10:00 am where you can get a train to Paris or other destination. (B)



General Tour Information

Provence Multisport Tour - 2009 National Geographic Award Winner!
7 Nights / 8 Days
Dates 2012
April-Oct: This tour starts any weekday except Sunday. Note; in July-Aug, some hiking and mountain bike routes are closed to prevent fires; so alternatives will be offered.

Level - Level 2, moderate. This is neither a challenging tour nor an easy tour, but it does require experience/skill in different activities and overall good fitness. Participants must know how to swim, be able to hike 20 km, and bike on varied terrain on either hybrid or mountain bike.

UPGRADES: This tour can be upgraded see notes in the Whats Inlcuded tab and rate tab.

Book a Hotel in Provence
What is self-guided touring?

Details - Arrival city is Avignon, which accessible via train from Paris Gare de Lyon (2hrs 45min) or Paris CDG airport (3 hours). Taxi from rail station to hotel is approx. 15 euros. Departure from Avignon; same return travel time to Paris.


Misc Info - Triple rooms are rarely available as double plus single, but quads are not available. Pedals with or without straps available for the hybrid. Clients can bring their own Clipless pedals to be changed over.
NOT recommended for Children under 12 years of age. >

Optional Services:

Travel insurance, Paris museum & metro passes, Paris day tours, Lido shows, and other services. Cell phone rental and luggage storage services.

Note: prices subject to change based upon currency fluctuations. See Booking Terms and Conditions.

What's Included

gps and road book for cycling tours in france

The Trip Includes
 7 nights lodging: in 3 and 4 star hotels (most with swimming pool), all buffet breakfasts, 3 dinners , daily bag transfer, arrival orientation, road book with detailed maps and directions, GPS - 1 per 2 persons, site/visit information, emergency support, all bike rentals and equipment rentals. We also provide travel planning to add Paris hotels, car rentals, France hotels, trains, airport transfers, trains, and more.

To learn more about the road books and GPS units we included, visit this link: GPS & Road Book Details

For hotels included in this tour, please see the Itinerary tab; each hotel is shown for each day.

COOKING CLASS: an option to take a cooking class on Day 5 is available for 150 euros/person based on minimum 2 persons, or 115 euros/person with a minimum of 4.

UPGRADED Hotel version - an upgraded hotel version is available for supplement (see price tab); the hotels on this version are: La Mirande, Chateau d'Arpaillargues, Hotel de l'Image, Hotel du Poete, Hostellerie Crillon le Brave.
Additional Nights: TBD - please inquire

Tour Rates


Price

- Upgraded Deluxe

Upgraded Double Occupancy

2134 €/person

Upgraded Single Occupancy

3230 €/person

- Standard

Standard Double Occupancy

1411 €/person *

Standard Single Occupancy

1820 €/person. *

GUIDED OPTION: This trip is available as a guided trip from 4 person. - contact us for a quote.

*NOTE: a supplement of 65 euros/person is required for travel in July. Supplement of the Upgraded version regarding to the date of departure
***Bike Rentals are included in this tour, please see the Bike Rental tab for all details about the bikes we offer.

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Photos & Videos

Virtual Tour

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Bike Info

Bike Rentals:
bike rental discover france cycling tours Scott Sportster P3/P4 & P40 hybrid rentals - the best rental bike available in the region!
Bike Equipment: Scott Sportster P3/P4 or P40 hybrid; see details on this page including a virtual photo tour, specs and all information.

Rental Rate: included in tour price; for the duration of the tour. This includes all the gear shown as well as bike delivery, set up, and bike return. Every bike is given an inspection by our mechanics in the bike shop before they go out again. Pedals with or without straps available. Clients can bring their own Clipless pedals to be changed over.



Scott Sportster P3/P4 & P40 hybrids; see link for full details and picture. Helmets and add on materials included in the rental rate of 105 euros.

Pedals with or without straps available. Clients can bring their own Clipless pedals to be changed over. Carbon road bikes available as well as children trailers.



You are important to us; so we make you thoroughly prepared and include:
Pre-trip travel documents: you will receive extensive information as a customer prior to your departure, see below. Upon confirmation of your tour we will send you some general information about preparations including passport info, training tips, and reading lists, cell phone rental, travel insurance, and more!

Upon final payment, we will send to you a complete list of documentation by email including Hotel List, contact numbers, itineraries, a packing list, regional information about sites, culture, regional specialities, important towns and historical sites, general France travel information, bike travel tips, vouchers, train travel tips, language phrases, holiday info, tour details, culture and customs tips, and much, much more!

Other Tours: Travel for this region
Provence Biking Tours
Provence Walking Tours


Bicycle Tour Regions
Alsace Burgundy Dordogne/SW Loire Valley Rhone-Alpes
Brittany Champagne Languedoc Normandy Provence