Tour Highlights
- Canoe down the meandering Sorgue, past waterfront villages and riverside cafés
- Head into the ochre caves and quarries of Gargas
- Ride horses through pastoral Provençal backcountry
- Go soaring through the “Colorado of Provence” on a zipline
Eat
Picholine olives, tapenade, ratatouille, Provençal bouillabaisse, confectionary Calissons d’Aix, fromage de chevre, and slow-cooked lamb
Drink
Outstanding local wines like Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, and Côtes de Provence; pastis (a traditional anise-flavored apéritif)
As featured in:
Itinerary
Print Itinerary- Day 1
Bienvenue en Provence!
Meet your guides at the Avignon train station and be whisked to the Coquillade village, your five-star, family-friendly home for the week. We’ll tackle the essentials during a safety talk and bike fitting, then set out on our first ride to Villars, a medieval village of pastel buildings and narrow stone lanes. After lunch by the fountain in the town’s main square, continue riding to Gargas, where you’ll don your miner’s helmet and head into the underground ochre caves and tunnels for a guided walk. We’ll complete the loop back to Coquillade Provence, leaving you free to make a splash in two pools and get acquainted with the sprawling grounds before a casual dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.
Meals: Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Villars, Gargas
Accomplished: 16 miles / 26 km, elevation gain: 1,046 feet / 319 meters; 1 mile / 2 km hiking
Accommodations: Coquillade Provence - Day 2
Canoeing on the Sorgue
Today we follow a winding bike path that meanders through vineyards, past perched villages, and around the ruins of the Mur de la Peste—a historic wall built to stop the spread of ancient plagues! We’ll take our time riding to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse for lunch and then trade our bikes for a paddle and a canoe. Though the river is clear and inviting, only the bravest will want to take a swim—the water’s temperature is never higher than 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Back on dry land, we explore the charming town of Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and treat ourselves to an ice cream break. Return to the hotel via a short transfer and spend some time together by the pool. Tonight, transfer to Goult and enjoy an evening of authentic Provençal flavors at one of our favorite restaurants.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Fontaine-de-Vaucluse
Accomplished: 16 miles / 25 km, elevation gain: 607 feet / 185 meters; 4 miles / 7 km canoeing
Accommodations: Coquillade Provence - Day 3
From One Saddle to Another
After breakfast, hop in the van or ride your bike to the hilltop village of Gordes to experience the vibrant weekly market. Among the stacks of rainbow baskets and colorful local delicacies, the kids can pick out a few tempting snacks. A nice downhill ride brings us to Joucas for lunch with vineyard views. After, continue cycling back to the hotel or hop in the van. This afternoon we’ll meet our new mode of transportation: chevaux (horses)! You don’t have to be a cowboy to enjoy this ride along the quiet trails of Provence’s wild. Saunter past Croagnes, Lioux, and the foothills of the Plateau de Vaucluse to be rewarded with jaw-dropping views of Roussillon and the Luberon. Dismount and mosey on back to Coquillade Provence. Tonight’s dinner in Roussillon is on your own, but our guides can suggest a pizza place that’s a real crowd pleaser.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
Destinations: Gordes, Joucas, Gargas
Accomplished: 21 miles / 34 km, elevation gain: 1,709 feet / 521 meters
Shorter Option: 14 miles / 22 km, elevation gain: 1,000 feet / 305 meters
Accommodations: Coquillade Provence - Day 4
The Provençal Colorado
It’s market day! This morning we’ll ride to Roussillon, arriving to find it bustling with artisans selling giant bolts of fabric, heaps of fragrant dried flowers, bars of French-milled soap, and bright bunches of sunflowers. The excitement continues as we pedal on to Rustrel, the so-called “Colorado of Provence.” Along the way, pause for lunch featuring the local products of farms and orchards, then get ready to monkey around on a ropes course and zipline. Grab your harness, hook, rope, and pulley and go sailing over the landscape of Provence. Keep the exhilaration going with an optional ride or take tuckered-out family members back to the hotel for some downtime. Tonight we’ll celebrate our time together with a final dinner at a delightful local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Roussillon, Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt, Rustrel
Accomplished: 17 miles / 28 km, elevation gain: 1,525 feet / 465 meters
Longer Option: 28 miles / 46 km; elevation gain: 2,066 feet / 630 meters
Accommodations: Coquillade Provence - Day 5
Au Revoir
Breakfast is followed by a fond farewell to the Luberon however you see fit—take a last loop ride down to Roussillon, sip a traditional French café, browse for souvenirs in the village, or hit the hotel court for a family game of doubles tennis. Your guides will see you off at the Avignon train station.
Meals: Breakfast
DuVine itineraries may be subject to slight route changes, hotel substitutions, and other modifications.
Arrival Details
Airport City: Paris or Marseille, France Pick-Up Location: Avignon Train Station Pick-Up Time: 10:30 am
Departure Details
Airport City: Paris or Marseille, France Drop-Off Location: Avignon Train Station Drop-Off Time: 12:00 pm
Arrival and departure details for alternate itineraries and future year departures may be subject to change.
Travelers Take Note
For the hikes on this tour, we strongly recommend bringing hiking boots or trail shoes with good traction (not running shoes or sneakers). Moisture-wicking clothing or daypacks are also recommended, but not required.
Younger Travelers
- This itinerary is designed for children ages 12–17+. The itinerary can be customized for your family’s needs. For safety reasons, children must be at least 7 years old to ride their own bike.
- E-bikes are only available to ages 14 and older
- Trailers and tag-along bikes are available for younger children
- Safety triangles are provided to all children on tour
- Please note, children must be age 6 and older to participate in kayaking
Dates + Availability
- DatesPriceSpecial Events
- Jun 28 – Jul 2$5,695
Inclusions + Details
Accommodations
- Thoughtfully selected accommodations that reveal the true character of the region
- Luggage transfers
Meals
- Daily breakfasts, all lunches, nutritious snacks, and après velo cocktails
- 4 gourmet dinners at our favorite local restaurants and renowned culinary establishments
- Carefully selected local wine, beer, or spirits with every meal
Activities
- Wine tastings and activities as outlined in the tour itinerary
- Entrance fees to historic sites, museums, parks, and all other exclusive events
- Gratuities for baggage, porters, and hotel service
Gear
- Top-of-the-line bicycle selection
- Bike helmet
- Complimentary DuVine gear including a custom cycling jersey, DuVine t-shirt, water bottle, and drawstring bag
- GPS in most destinations
Support
- Expert bilingual guides with extensive local knowledge
- Support vehicle that follows the day’s route, distributes refreshments, and offers lifts
- Pick-up and drop-off before and after your tour from predetermined meeting points
- Daily bike maintenance to ensure optimal performance
