Provence Bike Tour

Meet our guides at the Avignon TGV train station, and the adventure begins! After a short transfer into the countryside, we’ll start in style at our luxurious hotel with a bike fitting and safety briefing. Set out on a beautiful first ride past vineyards and fruit-laden orchards, reaching Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt in time for lunch. Leave town alongside the iconic 17th-century windmills and continue cruising through the villages of Gargas and Villars, admiring the region’s tranquil landscapes and timeless architecture. Tonight, delight in a vineyard-side bienvenue dinner at our hotel’s bistro. Bon Appétit!

Meals: Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt, Gargas, Villars
Accomplished: 16 miles / 26 km, elevation gain: 1,115 feet / 340 meters
Accommodations: Coquillade Provence or Capelongue

Today we’ll ride on through the forested heart of the Petit Luberon, peering out across the valley floor with its patchwork of orchards and vineyards. Enjoy views from the wealthy and picturesque village of Bonnieux, and stop for a cappuccino in Lacoste. We’ll learn about Côtes du Luberon wines in a domaine near Ménerbes, then enjoy a lovely picnic prepared by your guides. Spin back to our hotel on a bike path and spend the rest of the afternoon enjoying a poolside glass of chilled rosé. Later, we regroup and transfer to the small village of Robion to meet our dear friend Veronique. In her home kitchen, she’ll prepare classic Provençal dishes, then serve them on her charming terrace.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Bonnieux, Lacoste, Menèrbes, Baumettes, Gargas
Accomplished: 34 miles / 56 km, elevation gain: 2,355 feet / 718 meters
Shorter Option: 23 miles / 38 km, elevation gain: 1,860 feet / 567 meters
Accommodations: Coquillade Provence or Capelongue

Our morning ride will take us on small country roads that lead to one of the most beautiful villages of the Luberon—Gordes. Explore the village’s outdoor market and scenic terraces created by its impressive position in the Luberon Valley. Next, climb to the high plateau of the Luberon and reward yourself with incredible views and a well-deserved lunch in the village of Murs. Cruise downhill to the next charming village, Roussillon, which is full of galleries, colorful adornments made by local artists, and astonishing ochre-colored cliffs. Spend the remainder of today as you wish—may we suggest treating yourself to a massage at the hotel spa? Your guides can offer excellent suggestions for this evening’s dinner on your own in town.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
Destinations: Gordes, Murs, Joucas, Roussillon, Gargas
Accomplished: 34 miles / 56 km, elevation gain: 3,267 feet / 996 meters
Shorter Option: 24 miles / 39 km, elevation gain: 2,257 feet / 688 meters
Accommodations: Coquillade Provence or Capelongue

Leave the Luberon Valley behind us as we head north into the Ventoux region, presided over by the “Giant of Provence”—Mont Ventoux itself. We’ll skirt the stunning cliffs in Lioux, reaching a plateau before we ride into Méthamis. Lunch is served just outside Mazan in an area devoted to agriculture and wine growing, with views of Ventoux beyond the vineyards. We’ll stop for a taste of those very grapes, discovering the nuances of the Ventoux appellation at a winery that was organic nearly 25 years ago, well before it was a global buzzword. Settle into our next hotel before dinner at a local restaurant, which is just a quick walk away in the perched village of Crillon-le Brave.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Lioux, Méthamis, Mazan, Bédoin, Crillon-le Brave
Accomplished: 37 miles / 61 km, elevation gain: 3,336 feet / 1,017 meters
Longer Option: 50 miles / 81 km, elevation gain: 4,589 feet / 1,399 meters
Accommodations: Crillon le Brave or Domaine de Manville

After breakfast on the hotel’s panoramic terrace, set off on a roller coaster day of riding: we’ll tackle a climb up Col de la Madeleine, a pass that makes you feel like you’re pedaling among the clouds. Then, pass precious Provençal towns, sun-warmed vineyards, and olive groves on the way to Le Barroux, a Vaucluse village known for its 12th-century castle. The descent into Beaumes-de-Venise is sweet—appropriate for a town best-known for its appellation of sweet wine. Continue spinning north, following a string of French winemaking villages like Vacqueyras and Gigondas. A winery visit sheds more light on the region’s viticulture, followed by a wine-paired lunch where we sip some local varieties of Syrah and Grenache while gazing out over the vineyards where they’re grown. If you’re happily full of wine, opt for a transfer directly back to the hotel, or choose to keep pedaling through the blissful country landscapes. Tonight, we dine together at one of our favorite restaurants close to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Le Barroux, Beaumes-de-Venise, Vacqueyras, Gigondas, Crillon-le-Brave
Accomplished: 21 miles / 35 km, elevation gain: 1,939 feet / 591 meters
Longer Option: 40 miles / 65 km, elevation gain: 3,107 feet / 947 meters
Accommodations: Crillon le Brave or Domaine de Manville

For your final morning, enjoy a quiet breakfast and relax or go for a last ride in the countryside, saying farewell to the olive groves and vineyards that have been so familiar to us this week. Your guides will see you off in Avignon.

Meals: Breakfast
Destinations: Le Barroux, Crillon-le-Brave
Accomplished: 13 miles / 22 km, elevation gain: 1,312 feet / 400 meters