Provence & Camargue 8-Day Cycling Tour (Level 3)

Overview

Provence ... the land of light and intense colors that has attracted so many famous painters: Van Gogh, Picasso, Matisse, Cezanne, etc. Provence is also lavender, thyme and rosemary ... but also a veritable open-air museum. As it approaches the Mediterranean, the Rhone has formed one of Europe's most beautiful deltas, the Camargue! A unique landscape of water and marshes, this protected area is home to hundreds of species of birds, the pink flamingo being the emblematic bird! This bike tour will take you to the heart of this paradise... and discover, among others: Avignon and its Palais des Papes, Les Baux - a small medieval town perched on a rocky outcrop in the Alpilles, Aigues Mortes - a fortified town famous for its purple salt pans, Arles with its remarkable Roman and medieval monuments. Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer in the heart of the Camargue and the Pont-du-Gard, the best-preserved aqueduct of antiquity, will seduce you, such as Uzes, the first duchy of France and a very pretty Languedoc town. Tour Character: Level 3 moderate. Cycle tour with intermediary steps (around 50 km) and/or with occasional relief. Included in the tour: 7 nights (double or twin room) in 3* accommodation (3 and/or 4* hotels on request), Breakfasts, Custom navigation app showing points of interest along the route, Luggage transfer during the bike stages (1 luggage 20kg per person), City taxes, 1 travel folder (per room) including Travel Plan, Hotline 7-days a week. Not included: Dinners, lunches and drinks, Bike rental, Helmet, Transfers, Extra nights, Insurance, SOLO traveller fee- 100 EUR (if you are the only person on the tour). Daily departure from March to October (NO departures from May 16th-22nd & Sept 14th-16th due to FERIAS DE NIMES"). Please note from June 26th - July 26th there is a Avignon Festival. Day 1 Arrival in Avignon. Arrive early to have time to visit Avignon and especially the famous Palais des Papes! With its imposing ramparts and cobbled streets, Avignon instantly transports you back in time. Theatres, museums and art galleries sit alongside trendy bars and modern restaurants, giving Avignon a unique blend of ancient and modern. Day 2 Avignon – Arles | 48 km (elevation gain +360m). Cross the orchards up to Saint-Rémy de Provence. It takes a little effort to reach the village of Les Baux de Provence, also classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France, which overlooks exceptional landscapes. The descent from Les Baux on small country roads will take you to Arles, where the rich cultural heritage and many attractions from Roman times seem to invite you to take an evening stroll. Day 3 Arles – Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer | 37 km (elevation gain +35m). Keep heading south and you'll soon find the marshes of the Camargue. Pedal around the Vaccarès lake, make a stop for a nice picnic and observe the rare birds living there before joining Saintes Maries de la Mer and the Mediterrean beaches. Day 4 Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer – Aigues Mortes | 30 km or 55 km (elevation gain +35m or 55m). Enjoy an early-morning swim in the Mediterranean Sea or visit the “Sanctuaire Notre Dame de la Mer” with its breathtaking sea views. Leave Sainte Marie and ride west to the fortified town of Aigues-Mortes, which rises above the marshes and pink waters of the saltworks. From the top of the ramparts, take the covered walkway: the view over the Camargue is magical! Option: return to the sea at Grau-du-Roi along a short cycle path (+13 km). Day 5 Aigues Mortes – Nîmes | 43 km (+ option 9 km) (elevation gain +220m). Ride up the Canal du Rhône à Sète to the pretty marina of Gallician. Leave the Camargue behind and head north: pedal through the vineyards of the Costières de Nîmes to reach the “French Rome”: Nîmes! Take time to admire its remarkably well-preserved monuments, such as the amphitheatre, Maison Carrée and Tour Magne. Day 6 Nîmes – Uzès (via Pont du Gard) | 45 km (elevation gain +250m). Another Roman monument takes pride of place on this stage: the Pont du Gard, a famous and spectacular aqueduct listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site! After a well-deserved photo stop, continue on to Uzès, one of Provence's most beautiful villages. Visit its beautiful cathedral and stroll through its picturesque streets. Day 7 Uzès – Avignon | 55 km (elevation gain +185m or +450m). This last stage requires a little effort, as you encounter a hilly landscape on the way to Tavel. But even before you reach the town famous for its rosé wines, you're heading downhill. In Tavel, be sure to enjoy a wine tasting ...before heading back to Avignon. Day 8 Departure. Car rental in France: If you would like to drive yourself before or after your tour, ask us for a quote on any brand new Renault, Peugeot or Citroen vehicle for driving in Europe. Pick up your vehicle from most capital cities in Europe and return it to your drop off destination. Top insurance cover. Email [[email protected]](</cdn-cgi/l/email-protection>) for a competitive quote. Travel Insurance for France: Wander the World Without Worry. Local language barriers. Lost passport. Unexpected medical expenses. Sometimes, our trips don’t go as planned. That’s why Slow Tours Pty Ltd wants you to have the most robust travel advisory and protection for your vacation. Ask us for a quote [[email protected]](</cdn-cgi/l/email-protection>)

Daily Ride Schedule

Accommodation & Services

Accommodation

Hotel

What's Included