Biking and Hiking along Provence
Cycling and walking in Provence is a sensual experience. As you move slowly through the landscape smell the wild thyme and rosemary. Stop to admire the texture of olive trees against old stone walls. Taste fresh chèvre mingled with tapenade piquant. Listen to the splash of fountains in village squares lined with rustling plane trees.
Vaison-la-Romaine, France
Day 1+2
Gigondas, France
Day 3
Gordes, France
Day 4
L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, France
Day 5
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France
Day 6+7+8+9
| Start any date between April 1 and October 31 |
|---|
Custom trips also available and can start any day. Call or email for details.
Total Days
Arrive/Depart
Activity LevelRides: 10 to 50 km (6 to 31 miles).
Walks: 10 to 16 km (6 to 10 miles), 3 to 4 hours.
Your Route Instructions provide information on each walk and ride, so that you can select the ones appropriate for you.
TerrainSome hills every day of minor to moderate difficulty. Shorter or longer rides possible.
CostCasual/B&B Accommodation: US $2,700
Single Supplement: US $675
Classic Accommodation: US $3,100
Single Supplement: US $775
Luxe Accommodation: US $3,550
Single Supplement: US $910
Bike Rentals
Hybrid Bikes: US $440
Racing Bikes: US $540
E-Bikes: US $640
E-bikes are generally available but are on an ‘on request basis ‘ and will be confirmed on receipt of your booking registration. E-bikes provided are the best rentals available in the region. Our regular fleet of hybrid and race bikes are fun to ride and light and fast, but if having an e-bike will make your trip, we’ll do our best to provide. E-bike rentals are non-refundable.
| Destination | France |
|---|---|
| Level | Moderate |
Getting There
Vaison-la-Romaine, Gordes, and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence are all about 650 km southeast of Paris. Access is via either Avignon or Orange, which can be reached via the TGV (high speed train), and are only a three to four hour journey from Paris. Transfer to Vaison, Gordes, or Saint-Rémy via public transportation. We will provide you with detailed instructions. The region can also be reached by air or from other gateway cities such as Marseille, Lyon or Nice. We’ll provide you with detailed instructions.
Vaison-la-Romaine
Arrival in Vaison-la-Romaine, where you stay for three nights. Visit the famous Roman ruins, then explore the medieval quarter perched high over the town. Your bicycle is waiting for you, so you can go for a warm-up ride.
Vaison-la-Romaine
Today’s activities are up to you. You have the full dossier of rides and walks to choose from. You could cycle through apricot and cherry orchards to Malaucène, a quintessentially Provençale town. There’s a pleasant walk from Malaucène part-way up Mont Ventoux to a chapel. Or explore the Dentelles with a walk to the remote, perched village of Crestet, now home to an art centre.
Distance: up to 23 km, elevation gain 337 m.*
Gigondas
Today ride to Entrechaux, set against Mont Ventoux and with a ruined castle looming high over the village. Add loops to Mollans-sur-Ouvèze, or Buis-les-Barronies. From Mollans there’s a walk to Pierrelongue, where a church perches high on a rocky spire. Or wind your way among wine villages, past Cairanne and then Rasteau, known for a sweet dessert wine. Add a loop to Sablet and Séguret hugging the Dentelles mountains. Extend your Route du Vin tour to Gigondas and beyond. Consider a walk into the heart of the Dentelles de Montmirail, among vineyards and lacy, rocky peaks.
Distance: up to 58 km, elevation gain 539 m.*
Gordes
Today you’re transferred to Gordes, your base for two days. Take time to explore Gordes, then walk to Sénanque Abbey, enjoy the peace and tranquility of its valley setting, and explore the Bories Village, made up of round stone huts some of which are hundreds of years old.
Distance: 49 km, elevation gain 140 m.*
L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
Today bike to Roussillon, a village of red ochre. Add a ride to the perched village of Lacoste, home of the Marquis de Sade. Or explore L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, called the “Venice of the Comtat”, then Fontaine de Vaucluse, on your way to Ménerbes, on it rocky promontory.
Distance: up to 71 km, elevation gain 502 m.*
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Begin with a transfer to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, where you’ll stay for three nights. Stroll through this pretty town, then walk to Glanum and Les Antiques, ancient sites with magnificent Roman ruins, then continue to Les Deux Trous, a scene painted by van Gogh.
Distance: 37 km, elevation gain 291 m.*
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Enjoy a ride to Eygalières, an artists’ village on a mostly flat ride, with fine views of the Alpilles range from nearby St-Sixte Chapel. Extend to the ruined “eagles’ nest” village of Les Baux. Take a more direct route to Les Baux through the Val d’Enfer, the “Valley of Hell”, or head there on foot.
Distance: up to 50 km, elevation gain 377 m.*
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Cycle to Mas Blanc-des-Alpilles. Follow tiny canals through the garden of Provence on this flat ride. Extend your easy ride to the castles of Beaucaire and Tarascon.
Distance: various options- see Route Instructions.*
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Take a final stroll in Saint-Rémy before heading off for your next adventure.
Many daily cycling options for distances of 20-60+ km and elevation gains of 100-500 m. Hiking options for distances of 3-13 km.
*Distance and elevation gains may vary depending on hotels chosen for specific departure.
A luxurious B&B located in the haute village with just five guest rooms, this property was once owned by the bishop of Vaison. There are great views of the old town and the castle, and lively Vaison with great restaurants is a stroll away.
Situated in the rolling hils of Gordes, Le Verger offers a rustic and comfortable stay. Terrace balconies offer fantastic views of the surrounding countryside while the garden side pool offers a refreshing dip.
This tranquil 3-star hotel is a short walk (300 m) from the historical centre. There is a swimming pool and many shaded areas to relax on the surrounding terrace.
Located in the medieval village, this chateau features lovely gardens, a restaurant and a pool. It is in one of the most beautiful 16th century mansions in the Old City of Vaison; you can enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside.
*Luxe Accommodation
A charming boutique hotel & restaurant with views over Gordes, and an inviting swimming pool and gardens. Walking distance (500 m) to several options for dinner.
Gounod wrote the opera Mireille here. The property has been renovated using stylish furnishing and rich colours. There is a pool and garden in the courtyard. Straight Talk: this hotel has a distinctive personality that can be a jolt to some: “It’s one of those eclectic lodgings blending a great deal of comfort, a little bit of flamboyance, lots of mediterranean, and ample personality….The decor is bold and sensual, quirky perhaps, in that it mixes the classical with occasional strong colours; the overall effect is very pleasant and more than a little bit dreamlike.” Secret Places
Located in the medieval village, this chateau features lovely gardens, a restaurant and a pool. It is in one of the most beautiful 16th century mansions in the Old City of Vaison; you can enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside.
This 4-star hotel just outside of Gordes boasts a heated pool, extensive gardens and comfortable guest rooms. The welcome is warm and service excellent. A/C
This chic and modern 4-star hotel has been established around the theme of photography and has a gallery. There is a Resto-Bar that serves Japanese and French cuisine in contemporary decor or on the terrace in summer.
Note: L'Atelier de L'Image is undergoing renovations, until they are complete we are booking Le Petit Hotel as an alternate.
Tour Reviews
“Very relaxing and great countryside to ride through. Would do it again.”
“We had a wonderful time. The weather was so good to us! And all the hotels you booked for us were just great. We especially loved the rich décor, delicious breakfast and helpful folks at Hotel Gounod. Our favorite hike was The dentelles de Montmiraille, Spectacular! Thank you for your help it was a grand vacation.”
“We chose Randonnee for our Provence Multi-Sport tour because we thoroughly enjoyed your Ireland package and we are Randonnee Tours advocates (spreading the word to all family and friends)! In fact, we now have a bucket list of completing as many of your country tours as possible. All accommodations were great places to stay with authentic feels and charming neighborhoods. We truly enjoyed those places that included breakfast each morning and the occasional dinner.”
“We were pleased with the hotels. The staff was very helpful when we needed assistance. I loved that each place was different and provided sites to see. The nice thing is that there are enough choices provided so we could select for hikes that matched our energy level for the day. The area manager was very friendly and helpful.”
“Cycling in a new country puts the memories in the soul as there is time to absorb the beauty. The balance of cycle/hike and just being a tourist was great. It is hard to beat the exhilaration of cycling in a beautiful country and all the roads were well paved and cyclist friendly. The smaller the town is the more intimate the relationship with the hosts in the accommodations. Aude and Jean Loup at L’Eveche were fabulous. Isabelle at Mas des Oliviers was wonderful, all breakfast food was homemade from yogurt to honey. Thierry our driver added much to our tour, he shared his knowledge and love of his country.”
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