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Cycling on the wine roads of Provence
    • France - Provence
    • 7 days
    • Cycling
    • Self-guided
      • From March to November
    • 2 - 10 travellers
      • Simple
      • Comfort
      • Charming
      • Trip code : A1209
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About the Cycling on the wine roads of Provence trip

About the trip in Provence

Your self guided Provence cycling holiday: Wine, wine, and more wine ...!
The Rhône valley is the second vastest wine-making region in the world, a veritable carpet of vines draping a countryside dotted with picturesque villages.
During this Provence cycling trip, you'll see them all, cycling along seldom-used country roads: Châteauneuf du Pape, Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Beaumes de Venise, and the list goes on...

Highlights of the trip

  • The wine-making villages of Gigondas, Vacqueyras and Châteauneuf du Pape 
  • Cycling along country roads surrounded by vineyards at the foot of the Mont Ventoux
  • The perched villages of Venasque and Crillon le Brave
  • 1 half day wine tour in Chateauneuf du pape with a wine specialist
  • France's most reputed rosé vineyards: Tavel
  • The picturesque village of Pernes and its 40 fountains
  • The medieval city of Avignon and the "Provençal Venice" Isle sur la Sorgue
  • The great & famous typical Provence market in Pernes & Isle sur la Sorgue





    Go Private or go guided ! Customize your holidays with a local specialist here 

From the blog

Cycling on the wine roads of Provence: Day by day

Day 1 - Avignon and the famous 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.
  • Night in Avignon

  • We recommend : 
    . Have an extra night in Avignon and take the time to discover this beautiful medieval town, with the famous Pope's palace !

  • Access
    . Regular train lines from Paris and Marseille city/airport > Avignon on the SNCF train website. Access information here

Day 2 - Cherry orchards and perched medieval villages

  • isle sur la sorgue coffee on a terrasse by the river so niceRide - Avignon > Isle sur la Sorgue > Pernes les Fontaines > Venasque
    43km / 26.7 miles - Ascent: +430 m / Descent: -200 m
  • You reach Isle sur la Sorgue, through back roads lined with cypress and old farmhouses. This veritable island of a village is circled by the waters of the Sorgue, with quaint quayside antique shops and a labyrinth of narrow roads in the centre. You continue towards Velleron and Pernes les Fontaines, famous for with its 40 fountains and its Romanesque church. The road begins to climb, winding amid the cherry orchards, before the village of Vénasque comes into view. Off the beaten tourist track, and listed among the most beautiful villages in France, Vénasque is perched defiantly atop a hill. Its homes cling to the very edges, surrounded by a valley of cherry orchards.
  • Night in Vénasque
  • MEALS included: Breakfast 

  • Market on Thursday & Sunday (famous & big one) morning in Isle sur la Sorgue
  • Market on Saturday morning in Pernes les Fontaines

    Day 3 - Cycling to the foot of Ventoux

    nesque gorge nesque + mont ventoux + provence cycling tour

      • Ride Venasque > Villes sur Auzon > Bédoin
        . 30km / 18.9 miles - Ascent: +450 m / Descent: -390 m
        . Longer ride : 68km / 42.3 miles - Ascent: +750 m / Descent: -690 m
      • Today you follow the contours of Mont Ventoux – Provence’s highest peak – cycling at the divide between the cultivated fields and the majestic forested slopes. Villages are nestled at the foot of the slopes. You reach the town of Villes-sur-Auzon, where you can take the scenic detour to climb the Nesque Gorge: a narrow and winding road that hovers above the canyon, through tunnels carved into the natural limestone, with stunning views and lots of picnic opportunities. The village of Bédoin sits at the southern foot of Mont Ventoux, where the famed Tour de France race begins its ascent toward the summit. 
      • Night in Bédoin
      • MEALS included: Breakfast 

      • Small market on Friday morning in Venasque in the high season
      • Market on Wednesday morning in Villes sur Auzon

    Day 4 - Through winemaking villages of Gigondas and Chateauneuf du pape

    cycling in the vinyards gigondas vines vacqueyras cote du rhone great ambiance great wine

    • Ride - Bédoin > Beaumes de Venise > Vacqueyras > Gigondas > Chateauneuf du Pape 
      52km / 32.3 miles - Ascent: +400 m / Descent: -640 m
    • Today is a longer bike ride but worth the efforts. Travelling through the most prestigious winemaking villages in the southern Rhône Valley: Gigondas, Vacqueyras and Beaumes de Venise (sweet muscat whites). You’ll have the chance to bathe (not literally we’d hope!) in a sea of vines, with lots of wine-tasting opportunities along the way. You hit the plains before climbing slightly to Chateauneuf du Pape, the ruins of its castle standing proudly atop parcels of old gnarled vines. Châteauneuf du Pape is the undisputed king of the Rhône Valley wines, their full bodied reds leaving a lasting impression on your palate.
    • Night in Chateauneuf du Pape
    • MEALS included: Breakfast

    • Market on Monday morning in Bédoin
    • Market on Thursday morning in Vacqueyras

      Day 5 - Wine tour in Chateauneuf du Pape with a wine specialist !

      • Morning Ride -  Chateauneuf du Pape > Oislet Island > Chateauneuf du Pape
        17km  - Ascent: +30 m / Descent: -30 m
      • In the morning , you have the choice.
        . You can relax, wander around the village and visit the many wine cellars.
        . Or go for a short ride around Chateauneuf du Pape, passing renowned estates, and touring around the small Oiselet island before returning to the village.
      • In the afternoon : you have a half-day wine tour in Chateauneuf du pape with our local wine expert (3h). Our wine specialist unveil all the secrets of these famous vines, taking you on a tour and leading you through a wine-tasting session. You learn the concepts of terroir and appellation while perfecting your wine tasting technique
      • Night in Chateauneuf du pape
      • MEALS included: Breakfast

      Day 6 - From the vines of Tavel to the Avignon Popes

      provence + cycling + wine tour

      • Ride - Chateauneuf du Pape > Tavel > Avignon 
        42km / 26.1 miles - Ascent: +350 m / Descent: -350 m
      • You pedal back towards the Rhône River, and cross it. The vines are replaced by fruit orchards of all kinds, separated by neat rows of cypress trees to confront the mighty Mistral winds. You travel in France's most reputed vineyards destined for rosé wines: the village of Tavel. This prestigious appellation is the only rosé wine to be found on the wine lists of every Michelin 3* restaurant in France. You then continue along seldom-used roads on Barthelasse island, alongside fruit orchards and old farmhouses, a haven of tranquility nestled between two branches of the Rhône River, leading back to Avignon.
      • Night in Avignon
      • MEALS included: Breakfast

      • Market on Friday morning in Chateauneuf du Pape

      Day 7 - End of your Provence cycling holiday

      avignon + cycling + Provence cycling stay

      • After breakfast, take advantage, one last time, of the ambiance of Avignon and its covered market. End of your trip in Avignon.
      • MEALS included: Breakfast
      • Covered market every morning in Avignon, except on Mondays 

      • Return: 
        . Regular train lines from  Avignon to Paris and Marseille city/airport on the SNCF website. Access  information here. 

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      Trip details
      Cycling on the wine roads of Provence
          • France - Provence
          • 2 adults (2x1120€)
          • 0 children (0x1120€)
        • 7 days
        • Simple
      Total 2240€
      Deposit 740€
      Book now !