BikeSherpa Bike Tour: Bicycling the Vineyards of Provence and the Rhone 2012

Difficulty

Location:

Distance: 220 km (48 km/day)

Type: independent

Interest:

Type of Biking: Hybrid

Duration: 7 days / 6 nights

Wine tasting in Provence & the Rhone - Supported

Overview
Itinerary & Map
Bikes & Services
Accommodations & Dates

About your bike tour

This supported bike & wine tour is the perfect balance of cycling, classic wine tastings and delicious dinners while soaking in the southern French sunshine in wonderful local hotels & inns.

Just like its food, architecture and landscape, Provençal wines are a result of a uniquely Mediterranean culture. Cycling along quiet country lanes, you'll discover prestigious wines such as Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Côtes-du-Rhône as well as local wines that you might not get a chance to try elsewhere like Côteaux-d’Aix-en-Provence, Côtes-du-Luberon and Côtes-du-Ventoux. The latter are often rich, well-balanced and complex wines that the French try to keep as a local secret.

It's the ideal vacation to discover a wine producing region of France that is often over-shadowed by the well-known wine houses of Burgundy and Bordeaux.

High quality road bike or hybrid included in price. Longer cycling routes of 75-85 kilometers possible.

What we love

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What to know

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Photos of this bike tour

Travel destinations on the map

— Day 1: Aix-en-Provence (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur)

Highlights: Cultural capital of Aix, bike fitting, wine tasting and welcome dinner

Arrive in Aix-en-Provence today - an easy train ride from Paris, Marseille, or Nice. We'll fit bicycles this afternoon, then you can explore this ancient Roman town, birthplace of the post-Impressionist painter, Paul Cézanne. We'll enjoy a wine tasting then dinner together this evening

46 km / alternative route: 75 km Day 2: Lourmarin (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur)

Highlights: Côteaux-d’Aix and Côtes-du-Luberon vineyards; villages of Lourmarin, wine tasting

Pedal north from Aix today, through vineyards and villages, to the quaint village of Lourmairn located the Luberon Regional Park. From the top of the village castle, you can see Montagne Ste. Victoire. We’ll have a wine tasting later this afternoon before enjoying dinner together

50 km / alternative route: 80 km Day 3: Gordes (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur)

Highlights: Hilltop villages of the Luberon, cork screw museum

Our ride north today follows the canyon through a spectacular limestone massif and into the heart of the Luberon, with its hilltop villages and great cycling. You’ll have the option of visiting a local winery and corkscrew museum this afternoon. From there, we head to the colorful village of Roussillon famous for its ochre cliffs before reaching our destination, Gordes, ranked one of the prettiest villages in France.

45 km / alternative route: 70 km Day 4: Beaumes-de-Venise (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur)

Highlights: Cistercian Abbaye de Sénanque; scenic routes of the Vaucluse plateau, the Mont Ventoux, and the Dentelles de Montmirail; Muscat wine tasting

Our route continues north today passing a well-preserved Cistercian abbey this morning. We’ll enjoy beautiful views of the legendary Mont Ventoux and the jagged peaks of the Dentelles de Montmirail as we approach the region of the Côtes-du Rhône wines. Our ride finishes in style this afternoon with a tasting of the sweet Muscat wine Beaumes-de-Venise, a local favorite. Dinner is together this evening.

55 km / alternative route: 85 km Day 5: Beaumes-de-Venise (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur)

Highlights: Wine towns of Vacqueyras, Gigondas, Sablet, Séguret, Rasteau and Cairanne

With the rocky peaks of les Dentelles de Montmirail and the vineyards of the Côtes-du-Rhône as our backdrop we’ll ride into the most prestigious wine producing areas in the region. Pedal as much or as little as you want today. After lunch enjoy relaxing by the pool this afternoon or take a hike into the hills and forest just behind our hotel before dinner together this evening.

45 km / alternative route: 75 km Day 6: Orange (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur)

Highlights: Châteauneuf-du-Pape; Roman town of Orange

We've saved the best for last. The reputation of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines have reached the far corners of the globe. We’ll enjoy a tasting of one of our favorites then let you discover some more of these exquisite wines before heading on to the ancient Roman town of Orange. You’ll have time later this afternoon to visit the impressive Roman theater built in the first century B.C. We’ll enjoy our final dinner together this evening.

— Day 7: Orange (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur)

Our wine and bicycle adventure comes to an end this morning after bearkfast. Thanks for joining us on a unique trip through Provence’s vineyards, landscapes and history.
Bon voyage!