A holiday which offers the pleasure of crossing Provence to get to the city of Arles. The route we have chosen takes in modest provençal villages whose discrete charm conceals a marked cultural and architectural heritage.
The lavender, olive and holm oak trees that typify southern French landscapes are soon to be seen. Then little romanesque village churches, chapels in the middle of the fields and castles which dominate the small valleys. Further south, the route crosses marshy plains and approaches the Alpilles range at the foot of Saint Rémy de Provence, whence it climbs towards the heights of the Baux de Provence. On the descent towards Arles you'll see two celebrated sites: landscapes painted by Van Gogh, the Montmajour abbey and the Roman Aqueduct.
You'll love
arriving at the Château of Grignan after pedaling through fields of lavender and olive orchards
Discovering Vaison la Romaine in the heart of Drôme Provençale, at the foot of the Mont Ventoux
The villages of Saint Remy de Provence and Les Baux de Provence
visiting Arles, famous town of the Romanesque period
You have just reached Montélimar. You'll hear the first hints of Provence as you stroll along the Allées provençales, sampling local nougats while wandering through the charming old town. Discover the Château des Adhémar.
Dinner at leisure. Night in 3* hotel in the heart of Montélimar.
D2
From Montélimar to Grignan
34 km stage with total uphill 400 metres - 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 oak trees so characteristic of the southern countryside. You will encounter modest Romanesque chapels in the middle of fields, castles overlooking valleys…notably the soaring château de Grignan once graced by the presence of the Marquess of Sévigné, a famous French woman of letters – literally!
Dinner at leisure and night in a charming 3* hotel.
D3
From Grignan to Malaucène
48 km stage with total uphill 535 metres - Around 4hrs30.
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 and tue summer fruits, inhale the scent of lavender or take a sip of wine. Simple villages of authentic character invite you to park your bike and enjoy ferreting around in the nooks and crannies.
Dinner at leisure and night in 3* hotel with a spa.
Possibility of an extra night to climb Mont Ventoux: Contact us
D4
From Malaucène to l'Isle sur la Sorgue
42 km stage with total uphill 230 metres - Around 3hours30.
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"
Dinner at leisure and night in a 3* hotel.
D5
From Isle sur la Sorgue to Arles
55 km with total uphill 300 metres - Around 4hrs30.
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 often panted by Van Gogh. Overlooking the plain of the Camargue and the celebrated town of Arles, the hill perched village of Les Baux de Provence in the heart of the Alpilles.
The descent towards the town founded in Roman times takes you through other well-known sights: Landscapes painted by Van Gogh as well as the Tour de Fontvieille and the Roman Aqueduct.
Dinner at leisure and night in a 3* hotel in the centre town of Arles.
D6
Departure
You may visit the stunning little town of Arles before departure
From there you have two options (with extra charge) :
Train or Taxi transfer to Montelimar : please contact us.
Travel file via the ‘Safrantours’ guidance application
Logistical and technical support
Baggage transfers
Optional
Bike rental from :
Bike for adult or junior : 165 €
Trailer bike or bike cart for child : 80 €
Child seat : 8 €
Electric power bike rental for adult or junior: 245 €
Return transfer by train : 30 € per adult
What's not included?
Dinners
Private paid parking at the first hotel, to be paid on the spot
Beverage and extra
Return transfert from Arles to Montelimar
Round trip transfer from Home to the first accomodation
Facultative cancellation and repatriation insurance
Characteristics of circuits
Cycle holiday going from place to place, unaccompanied.
Daily stages between 25 and 55 kilometres, from 3 to 5hrs30 at your own pace.
Total daily uphill between 0 and 650 metres
Altitudes: between 50 and 400 metres.
Route along narrow country roads
Suitable for road or trail/country bikes
Organisation
These outings are much more about relaxed exploration than athletic performance. We transport your luggage between lodgings, and your roadbook will guide you from beginning to end. We also provide logistical and technical support .
Accommodation (3 and 4star hotels) chosen for their atmosphere, warm welcome and environmental and architectural setting.
N.B : the accommodation described above is given as an indication and may vary according to availability at the moment your reservation is finalized.
Access
By car
Highway A7 exit Montélimar Nord or Sud
By air
Lyon St Exupéry or Marseille Provence airports
By train
TGV station : Montélimar
Comments
Global note
5.0
We had a great Holiday with Safrantours.
They were so helpful in planning the trip and the cycle route were beautiful.