Provence and Camargue by Bike and Barge - 8 Days
Touring bike hire - €110
E-Bike hire - €290 (limited availability)
Single cabin - price on request
Special dietary requests € 70 per person
Overview
This trip takes you through the beautiful Provence countryside and the wild natural landscapes of Camargue. This region boasts salt marshes rich in biodiversity including Camargue’s feral bulls and white horses. Renowned for its distinctive Mediterranean light, this area was Van Gogh’s home from 1888-1889 where he created approximately 300 works including ‘Bedroom in Arles’ and ‘Starry Night’. You will often be accompanied by the smell of lavender as you cycle through quaint towns and esteemed wine estates. Explore picturesque French villages with their distinctive character and uncover the region’s hidden gems. At night unwind aboard a comfortable riverboat, savouring great food, wine and warm camaraderie.
This tour offers easy to moderate cycling on quiet country roads. After breakfast each morning, there will be a briefing to ensure everyone is familiar with the day's cycling route and places of interest. You can choose to cycle independently (using the RideWithGPS App) or stick with the group and follow the tour leader. You'll meet the boat later in the day at a different location. After dinner, you can take a stroll around the historic town.
The river barge has 10 compact cabins with air conditioning and ensuite.
Highlights
Culture: Van Gogh's "Starry Night" village of St. Remy, Medieval fortress of Aigues Mortes, Pont du Gard
Nature: Provençal landscapes and wild moors of the Camargue region, the vibrant colours from green vineyards to the pink of the salt marshes
Activity: Crossing the Parc Naturel des Alpilles and Les Baux-de-Provence, wine tasting experiences
Culinary: Wine and cuisine of France
Souvenir: Provençal wine and lavender soaps
Please Note: This trip goes in the opposite direction (Aigues Morte to Avignon) on alternate weeks
Tour Gallery
Full Itinerary
Arrival In Avignon
Please make your own way to historic Avignon - the City of Popes. Your boat will be moored at the pier of Quai de la Ligne, next to the St. Bénezet bridge -made famous by the popular song "Sur le Pont D'Avignon". Check in to your cabin from 5pm. You are welcome to arrive earlier and store your luggage while exploring the town. There will be a pre-tour briefing at 6.30pm before dinner on board.
Cycling Distance: 0km
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Barge in Avignon
Avignon (Loop Ride)
From Avignon we’ll cross the River Rhone via the Île de la Barthelasse. We’ll cycle through the typical garrigue landscape passing vineyards and orchards on our way to Chateauneuf-Du-Pape. On our way back to the boat we’ll visit Villeneuve Les Avignon - once known to be the town of the cardinals. In the afternoon there will be time to discover the historic centre of Avignon.
Cycling Distance: 45km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Barge in Avignon
Elevation: 285m
Avignon to Aramon
We start the day with a cruise along the river to the small town of Aramon. Then we'll cycle to the Pont du Gard - one of the best preserved Roman aqueducts in Europe. This impressive example of Roman architecture has three levels of stone arches and was part of an aqueduct built in the 1st century to carry water from near Uzès to Nîmes, a distance of over 50 kilometres. After spending some time here we'll return to our boat at Aramon via a different route. In the distance we can see the famous Mont Ventoux.
Cycling Distance: 45km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Barge in Aramon
Elevation: 240m
Aramon to Vallabrègues
First we cruise to Vallabrègues - a pretty Provençal village on the banks of the Rhône. Then we'll cycle along country roads to Barbentane with its castle situated where the Rhône and Durance rivers meet. After cycling through picturesque hillside vineyards we'll stop at the magnificent Abbey of Saint Michel de Frigulet before continuing to the medieval village of Boulbon. From here we return to Vallabrègues where we’ll spend the night.
Cycling Distance: 45km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Barge in Vallabrègues
Elevation: 210m
Vallabrègues to Arles
Today's route is more challenging, but the fantastic views along the way are well worth the effort! We'll cycle past limestone cliffs, flower fields, olive trees and through the countryside where Van Gogh painted Starry Night. We will pass through St-Rémy-de-Provence, the birthplace of Nostradamus and the village where Van Gogh spent his time in the asylum. We'll do some climbing through the Alpilles to Les Baux-de-Provence - a picturesque fortified stone village perched on the rock with sweeping views over the plains below. The day ends in the beautiful town of Arles, with its many Roman monuments and attractions.
Cycling Distance: 65km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Barge in Arles
Elevation: 390m
Arles to Aigues-Mortes
This morning we explore Arles - the ancient capital of Gaul with its fantastic Roman ruins. A professional guide will take you on a tour of the 'jewels' of this town where you will learn about its interesting history. After lunch we cycle to the loch of Saint-Gilles and then continue on the barge to our destination of Aigues-Mortes. This charming 13th century Medieval town has an impressive walkable wall together with several huge towers. The town is surrounded by salt marshes - a major industry of the area. Aigues-Mortes was originally built as a port, with access to the sea via a canal. With its countless stone streets it still looks very much like it did in the Middle Ages. We will moor here overnight.
Cycling Distance: 30km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Barge in Aigues-Mortes
Elevation: 105m
Aigues-Mortes (Loop Ride)
Cycling Camargue's idyllic country roads, you'll encounter villages steeped in tradition including La Cailar, Marsillargues and Saint-Laurent-d'Aigouze - all famous for their historical taurine heritage. The afternoon's highlight will be a wine tasting at an organic vineyard, allowing you time to immerse yourself in the region's breathtaking tapestry of ponds, lagoons, reeds, and dunes before you head back to the boat at Aigues Mortes in this beautiful part of Camargue.
Cycling Distance: 45km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Barge in Aigues-Mortes
Elevation: 160m
Departure - Aigues-Mortes
After breakfast it's the end of your tour and time to say goodbye to Provence, your fellow travellers and boat crew. The boat is moored close to the train station and we ask you to please check out by 9am
Cycling Distance: 0km
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:
Download the Itinerary PDF here
All distances are approximate. Our tours often go off the beaten track and follow routes that are not always predictable. We cannot always guarantee the weather. For these reasons we may occasionally have to update our itineraries. We will only do this to improve your experience or for safety reasons. Our listed accommodation is always accurate at the time of writing but should we need to change you can rest assured that it will be for similar or better. Display price may differ to what is quoted as this tour is invoiced in the currency stated, and can be dynamic with daily exchange rates.
The Details
- Accommodation: 7 nights on a river barge
- Meals as listed
- Welcome drink
- Tea, coffee & hot drinks on board
- Mid week cabin clean & towel change
- English speaking Tour leader
- App. with maps, points of interest, GPS routes
- Guided walking tour in Arles
- Harbour charges
- Flights & other public transport
- Travel Visas (where applicable)
- Travel Insurance
- Bike hire (touring bike or e-bike)
- Meals not listed
- Surcharge for special dietary requests (eg vegan, gluten free, lactose free)
- Personal expenses and alcoholic drinks on board
- Tips for your guide & crew
- Entrance fees to museums and sites not listed
Biking is mainly on back roads with little traffic. The terrain is mainly flat with a few hills in Northern Arles. There is one more challenging ride to Les Baux de Provence but well worth the effort.
If you're unsure about anything, please see our FAQs page for extra information.
FAQsBooking information
Participants will be asked to complete a booking form after confirmation of their booking.
BOOKING CONDITIONS
Guaranteed departure with a minimum of 12 participants. Upon submitting your booking request, we will provide specifics regarding minimum numbers. Following trip confirmation, you may proceed with flight bookings and other travel arrangements. A ‘Limited’ trip status signifies limited spaces available. For trip status inquiries, kindly email or call our office.
DEPOSITS AND PAYMENTS
A deposit is required to secure your place on your selected tour departure. On receipt of your deposit, Global Cycling Adventures will email you a confirmation to verify your travel arrangements and advise final payment details. The final payment is normally required 60 days before departure date unless otherwise specified.
CANCELLATIONS & AMENDMENTS
All tour cancellations will require notification in writing to Global Cycling Adventures by the person participating on the tour. Please be advised that booking cancellations or amendments will incur relevant fees. Cancellation charges are tour-specific and timing-dependent. For a comprehensive outline of our terms and conditions, including the cancellation policy, please refer to the travel proposal provided by our team.
We recommend that you purchase cancellation insurance on payment of your tour deposit in case unforeseen circumstances force you to cancel your tour.
OVERSEAS JURISDICTION AND TERMS
For all overseas tours, the terms and conditions, laws, and jurisdiction of the destination country will apply. By booking a tour with us, you acknowledge and agree that local regulations, industry practices, and terms specific to the destination country may supersede or modify our standard terms. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with all applicable local laws and regulations while participating in the tour.
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