Provence Family Bike Tour Itinerary

Day One: Pont du Gard
Our guides will greet you in Avignon and take you through the countryside to the Gard region, where you will spend two luxurious nights. Toast your welcome with the region’s sparkling wine during your bike-fitting, safety talk and map review, then hop onto your bike to spin slowly through scenic villages to the Pont du Gard aqueduct – one of the grandest structures ever built by the Romans. This feat of engineering genius was built in the first century A.D. to carry water from the nearby town of Uzès to Nîmes, and boasts having the largest main arch of any Roman structure. After this outstanding introduction to the journey ahead, we’ll cycle back to the hotel, where tonight our chef will delight you with his creative presentation of authentic Provençal fare.

Meals: Light Lunch & Dinner
Destinations visited: Castillon du Gard, Pont du Gard, Collias, Vers
Distance cycled: 33 km / 20 miles

Day Two: Uzès Loop
Vineyards and fortress villages pepper the route to Uzès, a medieval town that was the starting point of the aqueduct of the Pont du Gard.  We’ll make a much needed stop at the local Haribo Museum and Shop for an interactive visit and candy tasting!  Make sure you pay close attention to all the details of the fabrication because your guides will quiz you at the end and will award the winner with a special sweet treat.  Have lunch in the historic town square, speak with the artisans in their studios, and wander through the pottery shops. A fantastic ride to Collias awaits you. There you’ll get to leave your bikes behind in exchange for a kayak! It’ll be a nice cruise down through the Gardon Gorges ending with a very special passage under the Pont du Gard. After a fabulous day of biking and kayaking, join the guides for an exciting game of petanque (local version of bocce) overlooking the Pont du Gard, and then indulge in a fun dinner in Castillion du Gard with our friends Laurence and Mario in their fantastic restaurant, L’Amphytrion. They are lovely hosts and always a favorite among DuViners.

Meals: Breakfast &  Dinner
Destinations visited: Vers, Uzes, Collias
Distance cycled: 22 km / 14 miles

Day Three: Les Baux de Provence
Cycle past rustic stone churches and through rural countryside before crossing the Rhône River. Climb a beautiful slope to the Abbey de St.-Michel-de-Frigolet where we will enjoy a gourmet picnic. Through the villages of Graveson and Maillane, past craftsmen hand-painting the tiny santons (traditional in Provence since the 18th century), we will arrive at Les Baux de Provence. Among some of the most spectacular views in the region, natural cliffs and a pine forest lead up to the ruins of a fortified castle. We’ll continue along to St Remy de Provence for those who are interested in doing a private tour of the famous local Chocolatier, Joel Durand (who wouldn’t be interested?). Then it’s a short cycle to our next stunning accommodation just outside the charming town.  Tonight is your choice for dinner, but you are warmly invited to join the guides as they head back into town to dine with the locals in one of the many fun bistros. 

Meals: Breakfast, Gourmet Picnic & Dinner
Destinations visited: Aramon, St Frigolet, Maillane, St Remy de Provence
Distance cycled: 48 km / 30 miles

Day Four: Les Alpilles
It’s market day in St Remy! Savor a tasting of the world's best olive oils before heading to enjoy the scents and colors of a typical Provençal market. The streets are filled with artisans selling their fabrics, essential oils, soaps, produce, jewelry, olives, and more. This town, the birthplace of Nostradamus and favorite inspiration of artist Van Gogh is now a shopper’s paradise. When passing through Eygalieres for a lunch stop, take the time to wander the streets up to the top of the hill where you can visit the château ruins, the esplanade of the old gatehouse and Saint-Laurent church. Once again we’ll leave the bikes - you’ve done water, let’s do air!  Head for the trees in a very exciting zip line and ropes course that is suitable for all ages!  Who will prove themselves the best climber in the family? Afterwards, we will drive on over the Durance River and enter into the more tranquil region of the Luberon. Our luxury hotel perched upon a hill gives some of the best views of the week. Tonight we are treated to many of the local specialties from our favorite restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Destinations visited: St. Rémy de Provence, Eygalieres, Cavaillon, Gordes Distance cycled: 48 km / 30 miles

Day Five: Essence of the Luberon
After your gourmet breakfast cycle past rustic stone villages perched along ridges overlooking vineyards: Roussillon, Lacoste, Menerbes. Ride your way towards Roussillon to meet the local potters and explore the famous Ochre cliffs which surround the village, responsible for the ochre-colored homes. The deep green pine trees against the brilliant blue sky express the magic of color in the beautiful light of the Luberon. At the Conservatory of Colors you’ll be treated to a visit of the largest excavation site of natural ochers pigments in the world before heading into a workshop where you’ll be able to participate in the use of these glowing natural hues. We’ll have another picnic lunch carefully prepared by your guides outside of town before heading back to Gordes. A quick stop off at an olive oil mill on our return journey will give you a much better understanding of the processes involved in the production of olive oils in one of the last operating mills in the region.  Tonight, with views over the Luberon Valley, our chef will delight you with his creative presentation of gourmet Provençal fare, our last meal together.

Meal: Breakfast / Gourmet Lunch / Dinner
Destinations visited: Menerbes, Lacoste, Bonnieux, Lourmarin
Distance cycled: 28 km/ 18 miles