Biking from Provence to Camargue

The first day is devoted to discovering Montélimar and its highlights. Take a stroll through the historic center to discover the town's mansions, the Porte Saint-Martin and the Collegiate Church of Sainte-Croix, visit the nougateries and step into history at the Château des Adhémar. Don't forget to sip a drink at one of the café terraces along the Allées Provençales, in the shade of the plane trees.

Dinner at leisure. Night in 3star hotel in the heart of Montélimar.

34 km stage with total uphill 400 metres (level 2/5). Around 3hrs30.
The first part of the route takes you into the Pre-Alps (foothills) of Provence. The scenery becomes increasingly Mediterranean and the villages you go through are typically Provençal, with broad café terraces and shady squares beneath leafy plane trees.
You’ll soon notice the lavender fields. olive trees and holm oaks so characteristic of the southern countryside. And modest Romanesque chapels in the middle of fields. châteaux overlooking valleys…notably the soaring castle of Grignan once graced by the presence of the Marquess of Sévigné. celebrated French woman of letters – literally!

Dinner at leisure and night in a charming 3star hotel.

43 km stage with total uphill 575 metres (level 3/5).About 5hrs30.
With no shortage of charm and attraction, this outing takes you across some diverse and beautiful countryside, the sort of unspoilt Provence one dreams of. Enjoy yourself: taste the olive oil, bite the fruit, inhale the scent of lavender or take a sip of wine. Simple villages of authentic character invite you to give your bike a rest from time to time and take the time to stroll around.

Dinner and night in three star hotel.

55 km stage with total uphill 200 metres (level 3/5). Around 4hours.
Just the kind of roads you’d like to ride along for hours…this is authentic Provence with the sort of sights and perfumes that stay with you for years. Leaving the hilly greenery of the Drôme you begin to cross the Comtat Venaissin with its broad vineyards soaking up the sun at the foot of Mont Ventoux. After exploring the aptly named Perne-les-Fontaines (no less than 40 springs and wells!), you’ll enjoy the cool ride along the Canal de Carpentras.
At the end of your ride you cycle through a market gardening area then you’ll maybe the chance to have a summer evening stroll round the abundant fresh food market in Velleron before to arrive to the charming city of Isle sur la Sorgue, an island surrounded by canals called "Venice of the Comtat Venaissin"

After eating out, night in a 3star hotel. 

62 km with total uphill 300 metres (level 3/5). Around 5hrs30.
Superb stage during which you cross the chain of the Alpilles which has recently been named a a Regional Nature Park in recognition of its unique beauty and interest.
Among the best moments of the day we must mention the lovely town of St Rémy. Overlooking the plain of the Camargue and the celebrated town of Arles, Les Baux de Provence, listed village on the plateau of Grès in the heart of the Alpilles, is perhaps reminiscent of the Luberon.
The descent towards the town founded in Roman times takes you through other well-known sights such as the Tour de Fontvieille and the Roman Aqueduct.

Dinner at leisure and night at 4star hotel in a quiet district of Arles.

39 km with total uphill 5 metres (level 2/5). Around 2hrs30.

This is one of the shortest stage of the holiday. You leave Arles to enter the Camargues Regional Nature Park. At the Domaine de Méjanes you may like to do a little horse-riding, then you go along the side of the Etang de Vaccarès. You are in the heart of the Camargue amid horses, bulls and innumerable migratory birds, including those majestuous pink flamingoes. Then it’s Les Saintes Maries and the edge of the Mediterranean Sea. Why not make the most of those fine sandy beaches on either side of the port of Gardian.

Dinner at leisure and night at 3star hotel in les Saintes Maries.

26 km without uphill (level 2/5). About 2hrs30

Breathing the good sea air, you cycle along the digue à la mer1 (embankment or dyke) across the southern border of the Camargue Regional Nature Park!

There are several points from which you can get to the fine beaches that are quieter than those near the town. Then there’s a small exhibition at the Phare de la Gacholle (lighthouse), well worth a visit.

Dinner out. Night at the hotel.

After breakfast you will have a transfer back to Arles.

From there you have these options :

1/ Train to Montelimar : 30 € per person

2/ Taxi transfer to Montelimar : please contact us