TRIP DETAILS:
Trip Duration: 8 days, 7 nights
Average Daily Distance: Up to 30km (20 miles) per day
Stays: 2 nights St Remy
3 nights L’Isle-Sur-La-Sorgue
2 nights Chateauneuf-du-Pape
2008 Dates: Between April and October
Start-St Remy-de-Provence (transfer from Avignon TGV station)
Finish: Chateauneuf-du-Pape (transfer to Avignon TGV station)
Accommodation: 2 Star Family Hotels in traditional Provençal villages
Group Size: Minimum 2 people
Cost: USD* $1740/person
Deposit: USD* $446/person - reserve now
Single supplementary fee: $AUD 450/person

Inclusions

• Seven nights accommodation in quality 2 star family hotels in traditional Provencal villages, breakfasts daily (taxes included)
• Transfers between the train station (or airport) and hotels
• Three dinners (including a welcome dinner with your tour guides on the first night)
• Daily luggage deliveries from hotel to hotel
• Comprehensive information pack on arrival, containing day-to-day itineraries, guide book, route maps and directions, travelling information and tourist brochures
• 24-hour back up support and assistance if required including regular contact with tour guides and access to a cell phone for the duration of the trip
• Back-up technical/mechanical assistance with hire bikes

Extra options

Bicycle Hire: Additional cost
Guided Bike rides: Additional cost
General tour guiding: Additional cost
Wine Tours: Additional cost

Day 1: St Remy-de-Provence

Getawaybybike staff will be at the train station (or airport) to meet you and transfer you to your hotel in St Remy-de-Provence. Your hire bikes will be delivered on arrival, as well as your cycling itinerary and information pack. There will be time to put your bike together and have a short shake-down ride if you wish; staff will be on hand to provide any technical assistance and support required. Depending on the time of your arrival, there should also be opportunities to do some sightseeing in St Remy itself. Tonight there will be a welcome dinner at your hotel-restaurant.

St Remy-de-Provence, immortalized by Van Gogh and other painters who fell in love with the region, is a charming medieval town, historically rich, prosperous and with a somewhat chic ambience. Tonight there will be a welcome dinner and an early night for your first ride tomorrow.

Day 2: St Remy-de-Provence

Today we have a few rides for you to choose from depending on what you would like to see and how far you would like to ride. Free night. Feel free to choose from one of the many tempting brasseries or restaurants in the town centre of St Remy.

Circuit 1 : Les Baux de Provence
Distance: 20km (13 miles)

This circuit is generally flat apart from a steep climb up into Les Baux and around Les Alpilles hills; riders require a moderate to good level of fitness. Stop in at the Roman site of Glanum and explore the roman antiquities on the route to Les Baux. We recommend lunch in the classified village of Les Baux de Provence.

Circuit 2: Olive Grove/Alpilles
Distance: 26.5km (17 miles)

This is a similar circuit to Circuit 1 although a little longer. It is generally flat apart from a steep climb up into Les Baux and around the Alpilles region which is famous for its olive groves and olive oil mills; riders require a moderate to good level of fitness. Stop in at the Roman site of Glanum and explore the roman antiquities on the route to Les Baux. We recommend lunch in the classified village of Les Baux-de-Provence.

Circuit 3: Abbaye de St Michel-de-Frigolet
Distance: 30km (19 miles)

This is an easy, flat, riding circuit; this circuit will suit beginner riders who can ride the distance; there is a moderate incline up into Abbaye-de-St-Michel-de-Frigolet and a moderate level of fitness is required. Take a picnic lunch and picnic under the trees in the grounds of the Abbaye before spending the afternoon exploring this beautifully decorated Abbaye. The beautiful 10th Century abbey, Abbaye de St Michel-de-Frigolet is located in a tranquil setting and is famous for its unique thyme-flavoured liqueur produced by the monks. Tonight feel free to dine at one of the many restaurants in the town of St Remy.

Day 3: St Remy de Provence to L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
Distance : 34km (22 miles)

From St Remy-de-Provence, your trip takes you back north-east over to the pretty town of L’Isle-Sur-La-Sorgue, famous for its canals, water wheels and antique and craft shops. You will travel along picturesque roads, through quiet villages and cross over the Rhone before arriving at L’Isle-Sur-La-Sorgue. L’Isle-Sur-la-Sorgue was once a settlement for fishermen in ancient times before expanding during the Middle Ages into a bustling commercial and manufacturing centre within the region. Today it is a thriving market town, renowned throughout France for its lively antique and second-hand markets held every Sunday. Free night tonight. Why not take a stroll around this beautiful town and take in the sights. Alongside the canals there are plenty of tempting restaurants from which to choose.

Circuit 1: Fontaine-de-Vaucluse
Distance: 14km (9 miles)

This is a nice, easy short ride for beginner/casual cyclists with flat stretches all the way. A moderate level of fitness is required. Explore the mysterious spring at Fontaine as well as the Petrarch Museum and the WWII museum. Suggested lunch spot - one of the many restaurants at Fontaine by the River Sorgue. If you’re feeling energetic why not take a canoe/kayak ride down the Sorgue to L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and back again. Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, famous for its mysterious underground springs and the emerald-green waters of the river that snakes its way through the town, is also home to one of France’s greatest 14th century poets - Petrarch.

Circuit 2: Velleron/Pernes-les-Fontaines
Distance: 23km (15 miles)

This is a pretty ride through the region’s salad bowl to the interesting town of Pernes-les-Fontaines. The terrain is generally flat and this ride will suit the recreational cyclist with a moderate level of fitness. Recommended lunch break: either a restaurant in Pernes, or take a picnic lunch - there are picnic tables on the route between L’Isle and Pernes. As its name suggests, Pernes-les-Fontaines is a town of fountains - in fact as many as 40 in all. The majority of the fountains (to be found in all shapes, sizes and styles) were installed from the second half of the 18th century. The Fontaine du Cormoran and the Fontaine du Gigot are said to be the most beautiful. Your second dinner of the tour is reserved for night four. Details are provided in your day to day itinerary. Free night on night five.

Day 6: L’Isle-Sur-La-Sorgue to Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Distance: 31km (20 miles)

Today’s leg takes you through the agricultural belt of the Vaucluse (passing through the towns of Le Thor, Althen-les-Paluds and Bedarrides) before arriving at the world renowned vineyards of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Known as the capital of the Rhone River wine valley, Chateauneuf-du-Pape (the “Pope’s New Castle”) lies at the heart of the richest and certainly the most valuable wine producing area of Provence. Viticulture was originally established here during the 14th century by Pope Clement V, but it was not until sometime during the papal reign of his successor, Pope John XXII, that the castle was built as a summer retreat for the Avignon-based popes and the name of the town came into being. Dinner in your hotel-restaurant tonight.

Day 7: Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Once again we have a few rides for you to choose from depending on what you would like to see and how far you would like to ride. This is your last day of riding so make the most of it! We have on offer two different degustation circuits that allow you to ride around the vineyards of Chateauneuf-du-Pape and taste the wines at several of the many Domaines operating in the area.

Circuit 1 : Chateauneuf-du-Pape Degustation
Distance: About 15km (10 miles)

The terrain is generally quite flat and the route is not long. This will suit the wine and chocolate lovers who are looking for a nice easy ride around the vineyards.

Circuit 2 : Chateauneuf-du-Pape Degustation
Distance: 20km (12.5 miles)

The terrain is generally quite flat and the route is not long. This will suit the wine lovers who are looking for a nice easy ride around the vineyards.

Circuit 3: Orange Circuit
Distance: 20km (12.5 miles)

A lovely short circuit through the wine belt of northern Vaucluse to the former Roman town of Orange. The terrain is flat and will suit the recreational cyclist with a moderate level of fitness. This circuit allows plenty of time for exploring the sights and outstanding Roman monuments in Orange. Lunch recommendation - try any of the outdoor eateries on the squares in Orange. Brimming with artistic, historical and cultural significance, the vibrant city of Orange (30,000 inhabitants) is exceptional for its roman heritage. The famous antique theatre, built in the early days of Christianity and still playing to packed houses today, is listed as a monument of the world. The triumphal gates, which stand majestically over the city, hark back to the glorified days of Roman civilization. You will also find yourself charmed by the city’s narrow cobble-stoned streets, well restored facades, and ancient shady squares. Tonight feel free to wine and dine at one of the many restaurants in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. You will have probably discovered some of the hidden gems during your tour of the town and surrounding vineyards.

Day 8: Chateauneuf-du-Pape

All good things must come to an end and it’s time to say au revoir to beautiful Provence. We hope that your trip has been an enjoyable and memorable one and that we will see you again in the not too distant future!
On your last day our Getawaybybike staff will collect you from your hotel in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, transfer you to the railway station in Avignon, and assist with your departure.

If you would like to reserve this trip go to our Reserve a Trip page.Or if you would like to be kept up to date with details of our trips please go to our Enquire About a Trip Page.