Provence Cycling

Provence Cycling Itinerary:

• Day 1 Arrive in Villeneuve-les-Avignon, France. Meet our guide for an orientation to the lovely cycling ahead in Provence.

  Our trip begins today in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, France, just 2 miles from Avignon. Regular rail connections from central Paris (Gare de Lyon) and from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Avignon are available. Depending on arrival time, there may be the opportunity to explore lovely Villeneuve-les-Avignon. We meet our guide and fellow trip members at 4:30 p.m. for an orientation and bike fitting. We enjoy our first taste of French cuisine this evening at a charming local restaurant. Dinner included.

• Day 2 Ride to the famous Roman aqueduct, Pont du Gard, and on to Uzès, a beautiful, medieval Provençal village.

  After breakfast we ride out of Villeneuve-lès-Avignon through forests and vineyards to visit the famous Roman aqueduct, Pont du Gard. This impressive monument is located in a spectacular setting at the end of the Gardon Gorges. Built in the first century, this major work of stone was constructed entirely without the use of mortar. It took 15 years to build and employed 800-1000 men. It is considered a major civil engineering feat for its time and is a symbol of the power of the Roman civilization. The water it carried over 30 miles from its source near Uzès, over the impressive arches, to Nîmes allowed the city to flourish. At 160 feet high and 300 yards long, it dominates the Gardon River. It is possible to take a refreshing dip in the river before continuing on to Uzès, a beautiful, medieval Provençal village with plane tree-lined streets. Breakfast and dinner included.

  Cycling: 32 miles; Terrain: Rolling hills with one gradual climb of 400' over ~4 miles. Optional: Up to 25 mile loop, rolling hills.

• Day 3 Our route through the countryside, dotted with lovely stone villages, brings us to the town of Arles, once a major Gallo-Roman city.

  Today we ride to the town of Arles, passing through countryside dotted with lovely small towns and honey-colored stone villages. Our ride takes us first past Collias at the confluence of the Gardon and Alson rivers. We continue past the village of Ledenon, famous for wine production, and then onto Meynes with its old fortified village. Next we ride to Tarascon, named after the fearsome legendary monster, Tarasque, who was tamed by Saint Martha and is still remembered today during an annual summer festival. Here we can visit King Rene's Chateau, completed in 1449, and the Souleiado Museum exhibiting famous Provençal fabrics. In the late afternoon we arrive in Arles which dates back to the 7th century BC and was a major Gallo-Roman city. It sits on a low hill where the Rhône River branches in two on its way to the sea. Dinner is on our own tonight. Breakfast included.

  Cycling: 42 miles; Terrain: Rolling hills then mostly flat. Optional: Up to 25 miles, rolling hills.

• Day 4 Pedal to Les Baux de Provence, one of the most beautiful villages, and on to Saint Rémy de Provence, known for its cultural heritage.

  This morning we take some time to enjoy the winding and narrow medieval streets of Arles and its extraordinarily well-preserved Roman arena and antique theater which are uniquely integrated into the houses and buildings of the town. Arles also has many interesting museums, including one devoted to Vincent van Gogh. Back on our bikes, on the way up to Les Baux de Provence, we pedal past the Abbey of Montmajour, an important pilgrimage site during the Middle Ages. Les Baux de Provence is situated in the heart of the Alpilles on a rocky plateau 800 feet above the surrounding countryside with gorgeous views back to Arles. It is considered one of the most beautiful villages in France. We take some time to visit a couple of its historic monuments, walk the old stone streets, and imagine what it must have been like 2000 years ago! The ride continues through the magnificent Provençal landscape of stony mountains covered in scrubland, oak and pine forests. Fields of olive trees stretch as far as the eye can see, and cypress tree lined avenues lead to lovely country homes and ancient farmhouses. We descend to Saint Rémy de Provence, a town with an exceptional historical and cultural heritage. It has had many notable residents. Nostradamus was born here, and Vincent Van Gogh had one of his most prolific periods of painting when he lived here for a year, producing over 140 of his most well-known works of art. This evening we can stroll through the narrow, winding streets discovering beautiful old fountains, shady squares, and elegant boutiques. Breakfast and dinner included.

  Cycling: 17 miles; Terrain: Mostly flat with gradual climb of ~600' over 4 miles to Les Baux de Provence. Optional: Up to 26 miles, rolling hills.

• Day 5 Our final day of riding takes through countryside that inspired Van Gogh and many other artists to end in Avignon, the City of Popes.

  Leaving Saint Rémy de Provence, our final day of riding us takes through the countryside that inspired Van Gogh and many other artists. Country roads lead us through the poetic Alpilles landscape back to Avignon. We ride via Graveson, a typical Provençal village at the foot of La Montagnette and on to Barbentane where the River Durance flows into the Rhône. We have lunch and visit the Abbey of Saint Michel de Frigolet which dates from the 10th century. We continue on to Avignon, arriving in the afternoon, leaving us time to stroll around this bustling "City of Popes." Avignon was the papal residence for much of the 14th century, and its place in history is evident in its architecture, most notably its 14th century Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes). It is one of the largest and most important medieval Gothic buildings in Europe. Tonight we meet for a farewell dinner to toast the end of our cycling adventure. We sleep our last night in Provence at a charming historic hotel in the center of Old Avignon. Breakfast and dinner included.

  Cycling: 23 miles; Terrain: Rolling hills. Optional: 11 miles, mostly flat with some up and down.

• Day 6 Depart Avignon any time or, better yet, continuing exploring Avignon and its impressive medieval Gothic architecture.

  After breakfast and a final farewell to newfound friends, we transfer on our own to the train station for connections to Paris or other destinations in Europe. Breakfast included.

Although we do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.

Please check with us before purchasing your airline tickets to ensure your trip has the necessary minimum number of participants required to operate. 

We provide trip members with a SCOTT Sportster P3 hybrid bike with touring tires, computer, frame pump, water bottle cage, rear rack, and handlebar bag. The sitting position is fairly upright and is designed to reduce shoulder and neck fatigue. A more upright position also means that you get to look at the beautiful countryside instead of only seeing asphalt in front of your wheel. Bicycle specifications can be found online at www.scott-sports.com.

If you are traveling alone and specifically request single accommodations, you will be asked to pay the full single supplement noted on the trip itinerary. If you wish to share accommodations, we will assign you a roommate if one is available. If a roommate cannot be found, you will be asked to pay a reduced single fee, which is half of the full single supplement. Please be advised that there are a limited number of single rooms available on most departures.

Five nights accommodation; meals as noted in the daily itinerary; bicycle (SCOTT Sportster P3 hybrid bike with touring tires, computer, frame pump, water bottle cage, rear rack, and handle bar bag); skilled bi-lingual cycling guide; luggage transfers; full vehicle support while cycling; cue sheets/maps.

Air transportation to/from France; rail transportation within France; lunches; 1 dinner; soft drinks and alcoholic beverages; guide gratuities; laundry fees and items of a personal nature. Please bring your own bike helmet.

This trip is rated Moderate [3] and will be enjoyed by anyone who is physically fit and enjoys cycling. All participants should have cycling experience that includes maintaining control of the bike, shifting gears, braking, ascending, descending, cornering, riding in groups, riding with traffic, and knowledge of bicycle safety, in addition to being comfortable in the saddle for 3-6 hours per day. While the majority of the cycling route is on paved surfaces, the pavement may be uneven, potholed, or topped with gravel or other debris. Additionally, inclement weather may affect any riding surface, causing additional debris or the surface to become slick. All participants should be comfortable riding on a variety of surfaces in addition to paved roads, such as cobblestone streets, as well as city streets with vehicle traffic, and country back roads.

Many of the rides are over rolling terrain with some uphill stretches and longer climbs, but our support vehicle will be nearby to pick up any cyclists wanting to take a short break. We do recommend that all participants undertake a conditioning regimen beginning at least 3 months prior to departure to ensure they feel comfortable cycling for 30-35 miles per day. Those individuals considering taking advantage of longer cycle options should increase their pre-departure conditioning accordingly.

Weather in Provence is generally warm and sunny in May, June and September with daytime temperatures ranging from 60-80 F and a small chance of rain. August temperatures will be warmer, with daytime temperatures creeping closer to 85 F. Although all-day rainstorms are unusual, showers are a possibility at any time of the year, making adequate raingear a necessity for this adventure.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased at the time of your initial reservation, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip is layering. To get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection. Try to bring only what is necessary—this will help you and the field staff.

Weather

Weather in Provence is generally warm and sunny in May, June and September with daytime temperatures ranging from 60° - 80°F and a small chance of rain. August temperatures will be warmer, with daytime temperatures creeping closer to 85°F. Although all-day rainstorms are unusual, showers are a possibility at any time of the year, making adequate raingear a necessity for this adventure.

Gear Checklist

Things to Consider

• Please remember to always pack essential items such as your passport, money, eyewear, helmet, a pair of cycling shorts/shirt/shoes/gloves and medications in your carry-on baggage in case your luggage is delayed.
• Helmets are required, so please bring your own. We also recommend brightly-colored bicycle clothing for visibility and safety.
• This is a van-supported tour, so your luggage is transported for you to each night's accommodation. Your belongings should fit in the equivalent space of a medium/large duffel bag. Stuff sacks are great for sorting your gear. Use different sizes and colors to differentiate the contents.
• The restaurants have a very nice, pleasant atmosphere, but are not "stuffy". Therefore, you will feel quite comfortable in casual clothes for these meals. We suggest bringing slacks, shorts that are mid-thigh or longer, skirts, summer dresses, etc. in fabrics that are easy to wash and wear. Cycling clothes, running shorts or other outdoor clothing are not appropriate and should be reserved for bike riding.
• Since rain is possible on this trip and because we are riding all day long, raingear is highly recommended. While it can be difficult to stay completely dry while cycling in the rain, full raingear — jacket, pants, shoe covers, helmet cover and gloves—can help make you more comfortable. The best raingear is waterproof, breathable and seals well against the rain.
• Cycling shoes designed for touring, sometimes called sport or touring shoes, have recessed cleats and a more flexible rubber sole so that you can be as comfortable walking while off the bike as you are efficient when riding. There is a large selection of shoe options available to the touring cyclist all designed for style, comfort, and performance both on the bike and off. Check your local REI store or REI.com for options.
• If you bring your own bike seat, please bring only the seat and not the seat post. Seat posts are not universal and will likely not fit the bike you'll be riding.