Day 1 - Avignon and the Pope's palace
Your trip begins in the heart of Avignon. A medieval town on the banks of the mighty Rhône River, Avignon hides many treasures: the Pope’s palace, the 12th century bridge, the 14th century ramparts still intact, and many museums and churches. Meander through a labyrinth of cobbled streets and discover cafés in open squares, shaded by plane trees. You meet your guide at the end of the day and enjoy dinner together.
Meals included : dinner
Night : Avignon
You start your biking itinerary between the Durance and Rhône Rivers, through a mosaic of orchards and cypress trees. You cycle into the quaint village of Barbentane before climbing up on the “Montagnette” – literally “little mountain” – where your wide-sweeping views of the plains are accompanied by the scent of roasting pine needles and aromatic herbs. At the back of the Montagnette lies the monastery of St. Michel de Frigolet, built over eight centuries. You cycle through the charming villages of Graveson and Maillane before reaching Saint Rémy de Provence, a charming artists' town where Van Gogh spent his final year.
Your cycling trip follows the base of the Alpilles mountains to the east, first on small roads and then on a track leading into the vines. You reach the picture-perfect Provençal village of Eygalières, off the beaten tourist path, whose main square offers a few restaurants and cafés for a midday break. Heading northbound on tiny roads you reach the sleepy village of Mollégès before returning to St. Rémy through the heart of the countryside.
It’s a short and easy morning ride. Following the contours of the Alpilles mountains on quiet, narrow roads, you reach the ruins of a Roman aqueduct. From there you have a short climb before a picturesque and leisurely descent to Arles. Enjoy a free afternoon and stroll through Arles, the "Rome" of Provence with its lively streets and remarkable wealth of Roman monuments, including its majestic coliseum. This small city emits a warm and authentic charm.
Your day’s journey takes you due south, through vast expanses of rice paddies and marshlands, where you enter the heart of the Camargue Nature Park. The lagoons are untamed and carry on as far as the eyes can see, harbouring clumps of the precious few plant species that can survive the salt-rich waters. The salt crystals on the cracked earth shine like diamonds in the Mediterranean sun. You then veer right along the sea wall, a thin strip of land in between nowhere and the Mediterranean Sea. Soon you’ll catch a glimpse of the bell tower of Saintes-Maries de la Mer, and the white washed homes of the town. You part with your guide at the end of the cycling day.
End of your trip after breakfast. Enjoy Saintes Maries de la Mer and the wild beaches on the Med Sea.
You can split the cycling ride in two between Arles and Saintes Maries de la Mer and book an extra night in a prestigious 5* "manade" - a traditional horse & bull farm of the Camargue : a unique experience and a real insight into the life of the Camargue cowboys who give the area a Wild West aura !
25 km of easy pedaling up the Petit Rhône riverbank: watch out for the lovely typical Camargue houses with their reed and thatch roofs. Through the marsh flatlands, you cycle to the Pioch Badet Estate from where you head south between the expansive ponds to the Saintes-Maries: here you will find flocks of birds, grazing black bulls and native white horses trotting through the sands. 