Luxury Provence’s Luberon to Côtes du Rhône River Bike (Southern France’s Iconic Wine Regions) 6D5N, Full Guided

TWO BIKING OPTIONS:

Level 1, Approx. 23 km (14 miles), 1-2 hours biking, Elevation gain: 274 m (900 ft)
Level 2, Approx. 29 km (18 miles), 2-3 hours biking, Elevation gain: 457 m (1500 ft)

Today, the first day of the trip, you’ll meet your trip leaders at 10.30 am at the Avignon TGV train station (not the Avignon Train centre train station. If you arrive at Avignon Centre, you’ll need to take a 15-minute taxi ride to the Avignon TGV station). Your tour leaders will be in the front of the main entrance of the TGV station (sortie nord), next to the bus parking area. Please arrive dressed in your biking clothes and bring your luggage and a daypack with your rain gear and anything else you may want for today’s ride (your luggage will be transported to our first night’s accommodation)

After the meeting, we shuttle to Buoux, nested in Luberon and overlooking the valley. Here we will tour one of the oldest Lavender distilleries in Provence, where you’ll learn more about this spectacular purple flower and have a chance to explore its streets and perhaps purchase some lavender-infused products.

After lunch, your trip leaders will fit your bike and give you a brief talk on biking techniques and safety before we head out on two wheels into the breathtaking Provençal countryside. Our ride takes us through the perched village of Saint-Saturnin-Les-Apt, a great first stop to admire the scenery. Drink in the panoramas over the valley and continue cycling through vineyards and olive groves as you climb to the top of Joucas, where the spectacular views just don’t seem to end.

Our hotel for tonight is the elegant villa-style Le Mas de Herbes Blanche, where you can indulge in some relaxation by the pool, or simply taking in the peaceful sights and sounds of the surrounding countryside. Then we gather for a welcome reception on the terrace before a delicious dinner, closing our introduction to the tastes of authentic Italian delicacies.

THREE BIKING OPTIONS:

Level 1, Approx. 26 km (16 miles), 1-2 hours biking, Elevation gain: 305 m (1000 ft)
Level 2, Approx. 29 km (18 miles), 2-3 hours biking, Elevation gain: 427 m (1400 ft)
Level 3, Approx. 50 km (31 miles), 3-5 hours biking, Elevation gain: 640 m (2100 ft)

Wake up to a delightful breakfast at the hotel. After fueling up, we head out on our bikes through the quintessential Provençal landscapes to Roussillon, considered to be one of the most beautiful villages in all of France. It has been beloved by artists for centuries, owing to its striking natural surroundings, especially the Chaussée des Géants, a canyon radiant with 16 different shades of ochre. As you explore, you’ll be greeted by a kaleidoscope of fruit fields and expansive greenery.

At lunch, we enjoy a picnic of seasonal delights before we continue biking through the awe-inspiring countryside, pausing at a former ochre factory to learn about the extraction process. Our highlights this afternoon include Via Domitia and Pont Julien, an ancient Roman road and stone arch bridge that once connected to the Roman territories in France.

If you’re ready to end your ride for the day, get in the shuttle to ride to La Coquillade, a marvellous property in the heart of the region, and our home for the next two nights. If you’d like for your muscles to be pampered, head to the spa, one of the best in Provence and select from their decadent services menu (spa treatments are at own expense).

In the evening, we move to alluring Roussillon for dinner. We’ll meet up with a local guide to discover the history of Provence’s perched villages (villages perches) on a leisure walking tour. Dinner tonight will be at your own expense at one of the town’s many exquisite restaurants.

FOUR BIKING OPTIONS:

Level 1, Approx. 13 km (8 miles), 1-2 hours biking, Elevation gain: 213 m (700 ft)
Level 2, Approx. 29 km (18 miles), 2-3 hours biking, Elevation gain: 518 m (1700 ft)
Level 3, Approx. 43 km (27 miles), 3-5 hours biking, Elevation gain: 853 m (2800 ft)
Level 3, Approx. 48 km (30 miles), 3-5 hours biking, Elevation gain: 762 m (2500 ft)

Today we venture further on two wheels into the breathtaking Luberon valley and some of the most picturesque landscapes of Provence.

We cycle towards Gordes, a Plus Beaux Villages de France. If you’re in for more cycling, head through here to the 12th-century Abbaye de Senanque before lunch. This valley is a spectacular hidden treasure in the Luberon range, surrounded by lavender fields. You won’t want to miss it.

You’ll fuel up with lunch on your own in the quaint town of Gordes with a nice selection of restaurants to choose from. You can choose to cycle back to the hotel or hop in the shuttle for an afternoon of R&R and a chance to indulge at the stellar spa.

This evening, we convene for a delicious wine tasting and dinner at La Coquillade.

THREE BIKING OPTIONS:

Level 1, Approx. 34 km (21 miles), 1-2 hours biking, Elevation gain: 335 m (1100 ft)
Level 2, Approx. 45 km (28 miles), 2-3 hours biking, Elevation gain: 427 m (1400 ft)
Level 3, Approx. 61 km (38 miles), 3-5 hours biking, Elevation gain: 549 m (1800 ft)

We enjoy breakfast at the hotel, after which, we begin our adventure with a quick shuttle towards Ventoux and the Côtes du Rhône, and a landscape full of cherry orchards and olive trees. We stop for lunch at the lovely little Gigondas village, where you’ll have the opportunity to taste some of the region’s powerful reds.

This afternoon, continue your ride towards the striking Drôme Provençale and Côtes du Rhône, as Mont Ventoux rises in the background. Or if you’d prefer a more leisure approach to your afternoon, hop into the shuttle to Château de Massillan, our home for the next two nights. This spectacular 16th-century castle is surrounded by elegant trees, a natural pond and an organic vegetable garden designed according to the balance principles of Feng Shui.

Tonight, we gather for a friendly game of pétanque before we meet for a delightful Provençal dinner together.

THREE BIKING OPTIONS:

Level 1, Approx. 21 km (13 miles), 1-2 hours biking, Elevation gain: 91 m (300 ft)
Level 2, Approx. 32 km (20 miles), 2-3 hours biking, Elevation gain: 244 m (800 ft)
Level 3, Approx. 69 km (43 miles), 3-5 hours biking, Elevation gain: 488 m (1600 ft)

After a lovely breakfast at the hotel, we start our morning with French history and Roman ruins. Our adventure starts as we cycle through vineyards, stunning hamlets and peaceful roads towards the well-preserved town of Orange, a historical town that flourished under the Roman Emperor Augustus’ rule. Spend some time exploring the streets, admiring its large triumphal arch, spectacular theatre and impressive statues. We’ll gather for a guided tour of Théâtre antique d’Orange, a magnificent stage and auditorium classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the 1980s.

After the tour, we keep riding towards Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a wine appellation known for its strong Grenache-based red blends. Here, we’ll stop to taste some of the region’s best and also enjoy a local lunch fare. Continue your bike ride near the banks of the Rhône River as you make your way back to the hotel. You can also choose to shuttle back early to indulge in your hotel’s premium amenities.

Tonight, we gather for a farewell aperitif on the porch before sitting down to a meal in the hotel’s gourmet dining room.

Level 1, Approx. 18 km (11 miles), 1-2 hours biking, Elevation gain: 274 m (900 ft)

If you’re feeling attached and don’t want to part with your bike this morning. Go on one last ride through the Drôme Provençale countryside. If you’d prefer, you can choose a more leisure start to your morning, perhaps with a final coffee and a brief exploration of the hotel’s beautiful surroundings. We gather back together to hop in the shuttle to Avignon TGV, where our trip ends.

NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.