Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the picturesque landscapes of Provence with our "Highlights of Provence by Bike" tour. Cycle through the stunning scenery that inspired famous artists, explore historic cities like Avignon and Arles, and visit charming medieval towns such as St Remy and Uzes. Discover the unique natural beauty of the Camargue, with its wild horses and pink flamingos, and enjoy the warm hospitality of family-run hotels. This self-guided cycling adventure offers a perfect blend of culture, nature, and relaxation, with the convenience of luggage transfers and digital navigation tools. Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or a beginner, this tour promises an enriching and memorable experience in the heart of Provence. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Orange
Location: Orange
Accommodation: Hotel
Arrive Orange and make your own way to your hotel. Orange has wonderful architectural monuments from Roman times: the Roman Theatre and Triumphal Arch are historical witnesses from this epoch. Enjoy exploring the old town, with its Provençal charm and small pretty shops and cafés.
Day 2 : Cycle via Châteauneuf-du-Pape to historic Avignon (36.5km/22.6mi)
Location: Avignon
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
The first stage of your cycle trip takes you into the world-famous wine town Châteauneuf-du-Pape, where a stroll through the town should not be missed. Continue to the city of Avignon along the Rhône Cycle path, a relaxed way to cycle into the city. On arrival in Avignon we recommend visiting the old town including the Palais des Papes (Pope's Palace).286m ascent, 306m descent
Day 3 : Cycle via picturesque St Rémy to Arles (56km/35mi)
Location: Arles
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Taking a quiet cycle route, you leave Avignon and pedal directly to St Rémy, one of the most beautiful and certainly the most typical town in Provence. Take a break in the shaded square or wander the old centre with its shops and cafes. A visit to the monastery Saint Paul de Mausole, where van Gogh spent a year, is highly recommended. Leaving St Remy, you can admire the Roman Arch as you head to the Alpilles. Enjoy great views of Les Baux, the “city in rock” with its hilltop location and fortress ruins. Continue to Arles, once the second largest city of the Roman Empire. Today, Roman culture and Romanesque heritage characterise the historic centre of Arles. It is also the city of Vincent van Gogh. Make your way to your hotel, where you stay for two nights.340m ascent, 343m descentIt's possible to add an extra night and stay overnight in St Remy - a supplement applies. In this case it's 25km Avignon to St Remy and 30km St Remy to Arles. Must be requested at time of booking.
Day 4 : Discover the unique beauty of the Camargue (45km/28mi)
Location: Camargue
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Loop cycle to the Camargue. It's a unique natural landscape - half sea and half land, with brackish water lakes, vast salt steppes, wild horses and pink flamingos. Cycle along small paths exploring the nature reserve. In Mejanes you can take a small train through unspoilt nature, with the chance to see flamingos and wild bulls. The route today is almost always on cycleways and quite flat. Return to Arles and your hotel.175m ascent, 180m descent
Day 5 : Along the Rhône to Tarascon and Beaucaire then Nîmes (48km/30mi)
Location: Nîmes
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
In the morning the route takes you to the towns of Tarascon and Beaucaire, located on the banks of the Rhône River. There are many lovely viewpoints and a castle dating from the 12th century en route. You can visit a café and enjoy a break beside the river, or visit the castle of King Remy in Tarascon. Nîmes has numerous well-preserved Roman buildings: the Amphitheatre, the Maison Carrée and the Tour Magne are impressive, or you can enjoy the modern part of the city and the “Carré d'Art” designed by British architect Lord Norman Foster. Overnight in Nimes.271m ascent, 226m descent
Day 6 : Via the Pont du Gard to medieval Uzès (45km/28mi)
Location: Uzès
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
The fortress of Tarascon accompanies you for a while as you cycle through the vineyards of Costières de Nimes, the area's southern-most wine growing area. After a few hours you'll see the Pont du Gard, the famous World Heritage listed Roman aqueduct. Aromatic plants such as lavender, thyme and rosemary accompany you into the pretty Provençal town of Uzès, with its magical, medieval charm. It is a maze of small streets and shaded squares, along with a bell tower and 17th and 18th century mansions. Saturday is market day, and this is one of the best in the south of France.320m ascent, 230m descent
Day 7 : Through the Garrigue and vineyards to Orange (51km/31.6mi)
Location: Orange
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
The final day's cycle takes you initially through the hilly landscape of the Garrigue, with its low growing holm oaks, juniper and wild Mediterranean herbs. Then the vineyards and lovely orchards of Provence take over once again, and you cycle through the Rhone valley's famous wine regions of Lirac and Laudun on the other side of the river, before returning to Orange.321m ascent, 414m descent
Day 8 : Trip concludes
Location: Orange
Meals Included: Breakfast
Arrangements conclude in Orange after breakfast. If you'd like to add an extra night, please ask for our rates.
What's Included
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7 breakfasts – continental style and generally consist of croissants, breads, jams, cheese, yoghurt, coffee, tea and juices
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7 nights in 2-3 star hotels on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities (upgrade to 3-4 star comfort hotels - supplement applies)
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Digital information pack including smartphone app with maps, roadbook and GPS Tracks
What's Not Included
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Travel to and from Orange
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Meals not listed as included, drinks
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Travel insurance - mandatory
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Guide – this is a self guided cycling holiday
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A supplement will apply if you are travelling solo or book a single room
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Entrance fees not listed as included
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Transfers not listed as included
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Excess luggage
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Handlebar phone holder – we recommend bringing your own to follow the route more easily using the app
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Items of a personal nature
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Printed documents are available - additional cost applies. Must be requested and will be provided locally at the joining hotel. Please ask our consultant for details.
Accommodation
7 nights in 2 to 3 star hotels. During the trip you will be accommodated in family run 2 to 3 star hotels. Room sizes will vary between accommodations, and often within them. Rooms are simply furnished often with an eclectic mix of furnishings. They have been chosen for their location and local charm and are often a highlight of the trip. There is an option to upgrade to 3 to 4 star hotels - a supplement applies.Grading
The cycling is introductory to moderate grade with daily cycling distances from 45 to 55km/28 to 34mi. You will cycle mostly on small side roads with low traffic and asphalted paths. The route is easy and varied, with a few small ascents in the hilly landscapes of the Garrigue and the Alpilles. The trip is considered suitable for beginners who have a reasonable to good level of fitness. The accent is on keeping a relaxed pace to take in all of the attractions, with time to stop and take photos, visit a museum or enjoy the market places in many of the interesting towns visited. *For safety reasons, we insist that cycle helmets be included as a compulsory item on your equipment list.
What You Carry
During the cycle day you will carry your daily requirements in the pannier provided with the bike. This may include your lunch, wet weather gear, mobile phone and water. A small daypack which can be kept inside the pannier is useful for sightseeing.Mode of Transport
Travel to and from Orange is included. During the tour, you will cycle through various scenic routes, with a 7 or 21 speed bike provided, including a pannier and helmet. Electric bikes are available on request for an additional supplement.Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
During the trip, you will be accommodated in family-run 2 to 3-star hotels. Room sizes will vary between accommodations, and often within them. Rooms are simply furnished often with an eclectic mix of furnishings. They have been chosen for their location and local charm and are often a highlight of the trip. There is an option to upgrade to 3 to 4-star hotels, but a supplement applies. ...more ...less
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What meals are included in the tour?
The tour includes 7 breakfasts, which are continental style and generally consist of croissants, breads, jams, cheese, yoghurt, coffee, tea, and juices.
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What kind of bike will be provided?
You will be provided with a 7 or 21-speed bike with a pannier and helmet. An electric bike is available on request, but a supplement applies.
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Is luggage transfer included in the tour?
Yes, luggage transfer is included. You are allowed one piece of luggage with a maximum weight of 20kg. A supplement applies for excess luggage.
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Is this a guided tour?
No, this is a self-guided cycling holiday. You will receive a digital information pack including a smartphone app with maps, a roadbook, and GPS tracks to help you navigate.
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What should I carry during the cycling day?
During the cycle day, you will carry your daily requirements in the pannier provided with the bike. This may include your lunch, wet weather gear, mobile phone, and water. A small daypack which can be kept inside the pannier is useful for sightseeing.
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What is the difficulty level of the cycling routes?
The cycling is introductory to moderate grade with daily cycling distances from 45 to 55km (28 to 34 miles). You will cycle mostly on small side roads with low traffic and asphalted paths. The route is easy and varied, with a few small ascents in the hilly landscapes of the Garrigue and the Alpilles. The trip is considered suitable for beginners who have a reasonable to good level of fitness.
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Are helmets provided, and are they mandatory?
Helmets are provided with the bike, and for safety reasons, they are a compulsory item on your equipment list.
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What kind of natural landscapes will I see during the tour?
You will explore a variety of natural landscapes including the unique beauty of the Camargue, which features brackish water lakes, vast salt steppes, wild horses, and pink flamingos. You will also cycle through the hilly landscape of the Garrigue, with its low-growing holm oaks, juniper, and wild Mediterranean herbs.
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What historical sites can I expect to visit?
You will visit several historical sites including the Roman Theatre and Triumphal Arch in Orange, the Palais des Papes in Avignon, the monastery Saint Paul de Mausole in St Remy, and the Pont du Gard, a World Heritage-listed Roman aqueduct. You will also explore the historic centers of Arles and Nîmes, which feature numerous well-preserved Roman buildings.
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How fit do I have to be?
Our adventures are first and foremost holidays and can be undertaken by anyone in a reasonable state of health and fitness - however, please carefully read our Terms & Conditions when booking and view the trip grading. We rank our trips according to our honest Trip Grading System. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with our grading system by reading our detailed trip notes (which you can order through this site) and to speak with us about the physical requirements of your chosen trip.
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What happens if something goes wrong?
On our guided tours, you travel in small groups with a local multi-lingual guide whose knowledge of the terrain, flora, fauna and history of the region is exemplary. Our self guided tours give you the freedom to explore at your own pace - but they're not unsupported. We provide detailed route notes and maps and our local partners are on hand throughout the day in the unlikely event that something goes wrong. All we request is that you select a program that matches your level of fitness to ensure that you have a comfortable experience.
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I'm travelling solo on a self-guided trip. Do I pay the single supplement or the single traveller surcharge?
Most of our self guided trips are priced based on twinshare. If you are travelling solo the single traveller surcharge will apply. The single supplement would apply if you were travelling in a party with others and you had chosen to book a single room. You would never pay a single traveller surcharge and a single supplement.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
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Saturday - Saturday
Apr 26, 2025 - May 03, 2025Sunday - Sunday
Apr 27, 2025 - May 04, 2025Monday - Monday
Apr 28, 2025 - May 05, 2025Tuesday - Tuesday
Apr 29, 2025 - May 06, 2025Wednesday - Wednesday
Apr 30, 2025 - May 07, 2025Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
UTracks requires a minimum deposit of 250 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of utracks charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
Highlights of Provence by Bike
8 Days Starting and ending in Orange, France
Visiting: Orange, Avignon, Arles, Camargue, Nîmes, Uzès
Tour operator:
Tour code:
UPB
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
