bike and boat tour France, from Avignon to Aigues Mortes 2012

Difficulty

Location: Southern France

Distance: 295 km (49 km/day)

Type: group

Interest:

Type of Biking: Hybrid

Duration: 8 days / 7 nights

Overview
Itinerary & Map
Bikes & Services
Accommodations & Dates

About your bike tour

This bike and boat tour through Provence, southern France, is a wonderful tour through the wild Camargue nature with its bulls and horses. We pedal from the medieval fortress of Aigues Mortes to Saintes Maries de la Mer and then gradually by boat towards Arles.

Visit the most typical Provence landscape, including the Rhone Valley, Van Gogh’s Provence, the Roman France of Pont du Gard and finally toast with the precious wines of Chateauneuf du Pape.

Route on bike paths and low traffic roads in rural and city areas. Short stretches are on unpaved roads.

This tour offers the chance to choose if pedalling alone with a very detailed route description or with the whole group, following the tour leader.

What we love

navigating to Avignon and cycling to Châteauneuf-du-Pape surrounded by endless vine-yards
mooring in Vallabrègues and savouring the delights of perfectly prepared French culinary
strolling through narrow streets in Arles, rich in hidden treasures as painted by van Gogh
cycling through delicious Provençal villages, vineyards and lavender dear to the great artist
discovering the Camargue, its wild horses and where nature still prevails over civilization

What to know

September 1, 15 and 29 sail from Avignon
July 20 tour sails from Aigues Mortes

Photos of this bike tour

Travel destinations on the map

— Day 1: Villeneuve-lès-Avignon (Languedoc-Roussillon)

Individual arrival at 6 p.m. and boarding in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon.

40 km Day 2: Villeneuve-lès-Avignon (Languedoc-Roussillon)

Navigate up to Avignon, the city of popes, and then cycle in the direction of Châteauneuf-du- Pape, following roads with low levels of traffic surrounded by vine- yards. In Châteauneuf- du-Pape you can enjoy a tasting of the very famous provencal wine. After that you will cross the Rhone. You will cross the Rhone through Roquemaure and return to Villeneuve by following the course of the river.

65 km Day 3: Vallabrègues (Languedoc-Roussillon)

Today’s stage brings you to the best pre- served Roman aqueduct in Europe: Pont du Gard, a truly spectacular work of architecture. In the evening you will moor in Vallabrègues, a pretty Provençal village on the banks of the Rhone.

60 km Day 4: Arles (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur)

This stage brings you to Saint Remy de Provence, birthplace of Nostradamus. This village is also famous for having hosted Van Gogh in the days of his mental illness. Then, you move onto the Alpilles, with Les Baux de Provence, a village lodged in the rock itself. A land- scape of limestone cliffs, lavender and olive trees accompanies your journey.

20 km Day 5: Gallician (Languedoc-Roussillon)

Today, the whole morning is dedicated to visit Arles, the ancient capital of Gaul with beautiful Roman ruins. You will arrive by bike at the wooden bridge, which was masterfully portrayed by the great painter Van Gogh. Then on up to Saint Gilles from there you will sail to Gallician, where you will spend the night.

65 km Day 6: Aigues-Mortes (Languedoc-Roussillon)

You will cycle among cane fields, rice fields and salt lakes, accompanied by horses, flamingos and bulls, and arrive at Saintes Maries de la Mer and then Aigues Mortes.

45 km Day 7: Aigues-Mortes (Languedoc-Roussillon)

Following the daily route, you will discover Camargue, where nature still prevails with defiance over the invasion of civilization.

— Day 8: Aigues-Mortes (Languedoc-Roussillon)

After breakfast, end of services.

Arrival Info

Shuttle service from area airport or train station available upon request.

Departure Info

Shuttle service to area airport or train station available upon request.

27-gear Men's City Sports Bike

$97.50

27-gear unisex City Sports Bike

$97.50

E-bike

$217.50

27 gear men's hybrid bike

27 gear unisex/women's hybrid bike

Ebike

Included

7 overnights aboard our classic passenger barge
daily breakfast
daily dinners
daily self-made packed lunch
sheets and towels
detailed route description, maps and info-pack
tour leader on bike
harbour charges
coffee and tea on board
wine tasting in Châteauneuf-du-pape

Not included

Beverages on board
museums

Accommodation & Rates

$1,529: Double Room (1 bed)
$1,529: Double Room (2 beds)
$1,997: Single Room

Seasons

High Season Markup

+ $150.00: high season (May 4th – October 12th)

Photos of Accommodation

Photos are examples, actual hotel & room may vary.

Tour Season

April 6th – October 5th 2013

Tour Dates

~~Sat, Apr 06 2013~~ Outdated
~~Sat, Apr 20 2013~~ Outdated
~~Sat, May 04 2013~~ Outdated
~~Sat, May 18 2013~~ Outdated
Sat, Jun 01 2013 → Book now!
Sat, Jun 15 2013 → Book now!
Sat, Jun 29 2013 → Book now!
Sat, Jul 27 2013 → Book now!
Sat, Aug 10 2013 → Book now!
Sat, Aug 24 2013 → Book now!
Sat, Oct 05 2013 → Book now!
Sat, Jul 20 2013 → Book now!

Questions & Answers about this bike tour

Are kids permitted to use the e-bike in France for instance? My 11 & 12 yr olds are Iron kids & bike an average of 30 miles on weekends. One is 78" tall the other is 68" tall. Any restrictions other than helmets?

Reply
Hi, European Union regulations stipulate that kids have to be at least 14 years old to ride ebikes. But if they're Iron kids, let them ride their bikes!