Best of Provence – Aggressive – 6-Night
Dates: Your pick! We offer tours in Provence as early as March and as late as October and into November.
Length: 7 days, 6 nights
Service: Supported, Private, “Self Guided” tour. GPS Guidance! For more about how our Self Guided tours work CLICK HERE. Prefer this tour to be fully guided? CONTACT US for a guided version of this tour!
Type of riding: Rolling to flat terrain with some climbs.
Bikes suggested: Road bikes, e-bikes, or hybrids
Average daily riding: 50km/31mi with many options to extend or shorten
Start city: Avignon
Finish city: Avignon
Suggested transport: Train/TGV from anywhere.
- Itinerary
- Accommodations
- Bikes
- Inclusions
- Guide/Concierge Info
- Pricing
- Registration Information
- GPS Availability
Day 1
Welcome to Provence – Arrive in Avignon
Your journey begins in the historic city of Avignon, where we’ll pick you up at one of the local train stations and transfer you to your charming hotel in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. This picturesque town, known for its canals and antique markets, is the perfect place to ease into the Provençal rhythm. Take the afternoon to explore or simply relax before enjoying a delicious welcome dinner at the hotel.
Day 2
Ride Through Vineyards & Gorges de la Nesque – 65km/40mi
After breakfast, meet your guide for a tour briefing and bike setup. Then, it’s time to hit the road! Your first ride winds through vineyards and rolling countryside, with a stop at L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue’s renowned Sunday market. The real highlight of the day? The spectacular Gorges de la Nesque, a dramatic canyon with thrilling descents and breathtaking views. Finish the day in the charming village of Sault, overlooking lavender fields. Dinner is included at your hotel.
Day 3
Sault Loop Ride – 30 to 80km/18mi to 50mi
Today is all about choice and adventure. Explore Provence’s quietest cycling roads with routes ranging from gentle countryside rides to serious climbs. Options include the Col de l’Homme Mort, the historic town of Montbrun, and the charming village of Banon. If it’s Wednesday, don’t miss the Sault market, a local favorite. Dinner is again included at your hotel.
Day 4
Sault to Crillon-le-Brave or Bedoin – 40km+/25mi
The ride begins with a steady climb along Mont Ventoux’s gentler side, leading up to Chalet Reynard. Here, you can choose: descend to your hotel or tackle the final 6km to the legendary summit. Either way, stunning views and an exhilarating descent await. Stay in the charming cycling hub of Bedoin (dinner included) or upgrade to the luxury retreat of Crillon-le-Brave (dinner on your own).
Day 5
Conquer Mont Ventoux – 64km/40mi
Today is all about the ultimate cycling challenge—the iconic Mont Ventoux ascent from Bedoin. This legendary 21km climb, featured in the Tour de France, is a rite of passage for cyclists worldwide. The ride is tough, but the sense of achievement and panoramic summit views make it unforgettable. Celebrate your victory with a well-earned descent. Dinner is included in Bedoin and on your own in Crillon-le-Brave.
Day 6
Ride Back to L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue – 48km/30mi
Your final ride winds through Provence’s hidden gems. Stop at Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, home to the mystical source of the Sorgue River, and explore charming wine villages along the way. Back in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, browse antique shops, sip a café crème by the river, or simply soak in the Provençal atmosphere. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner at your hotel, celebrating an unforgettable cycling journey.
Day 7
Departure
Sleep in, savor a leisurely breakfast, and enjoy one last peaceful morning in Provence. We’ll collect your rental bike and transfer your luggage to the train station before bidding you a fond au revoir—until your next cycling adventure in France!
Location: L’Isle sur la Sorgue
Hotel: Grand Hôtel Henri
Location: Sault
Hotel: Hotel Le Nesk
Location: Crillon Le Brave
Hotel: Crillon Le Brave (upgrade)
Location: Bedoin
Hotel: Hotel Des Pins
Road Bikes
Giant Defy Composite
Sizes: XS, S, M, ML, L,and XL
Mixture of Shimano 105 and Ultegra with either triple or compact double cranksets. Many have road-disc brakes.
Hybrid Bikes
Giant Escape
Sizes: XS, S, M, L, and XL
Mixture of Shimano road and mountain components with either triple cranksets.
eBikes
Giant Explore
Sizes: S, M, L
Mixture of Shimano Acera and Deore.
WHAT IS INCLUDED:
- All hotel accommodations – mostly 3 and 4 star but ask for custom accommodation requests.
- An OBT cycling jersey!
- Detailed route notes, maps, and tourist information. This includes standard cue sheet, and RideWithGPS routes to upload to your own GPS device or use the RideWithGPS app.
- Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel.
- Meals as explained in the tour itinerary pages. Usually this means all breakfasts, no lunches, and some dinners.
- Access to your personal guide/concierge (See Guides/Concierge tab).
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED:
- Transportation to start location and from finish location.
- Bikes, but we have rental bikes available.
- Travel and Health Insurance.
- Admission to sightseeing venues, unless explicitly mentioned as included.
Tour Cost Per Person:
Double Occupancy
US$2,595.00
Single Occupancy
US$3,045.00 (from single room occupancy on multiple person tours)
Solo Tour
Bike Rental Per Person:
Road Bike
US$375.00
eBike
US$375.00
Hybrid
US$250.00
What’s Next? Registering for your tour!
Questions: First, please feel free to ask us any questions about the tour. Click the “Contact Us With Questions” button above. We are happy to help clarify any details.
Registration: Once you are ready to register, please click on the “Book Now” above and complete the registration form. EACH tour participant will need to be included in the registration. At the end of the registration for you will be asked for a US$1,000 deposit. Once we have all registrations, we will secure all of the details of your tour – hotels, bikes, etc.
Final Payment: All payments are due 60 days prior to your tour.
Tour Packet Delivery: Once the balance is paid and approximately 30 days before your tour, we will send you a complete tour packet containing all details of your tour – accommodation information, detailed routing, a suggested packing list, maps, tourist guide, and much more! For more information on our Terms & Conditions, please CLICK HERE.
We rely on RideWithGPS for all our route planning—it’s simply the best tool we’ve found. You can choose from three easy options: use the RideWithGPS app on your phone, sync the routes we provide with your GPS device, or download cue sheets for a classic navigation experience.
With your OBT tour you will be provided with a library of routes to be used throughout your day to day rides. Some days may have multiple ride options!
No matter your preference, we’ve got your GPS routing covered during your tour!
Provence Bike Tours: A Six-Night Cycling Adventure
Discover the thrill of cycling in Provence on this six-night journey through stunning landscapes, historic villages, and world-famous vineyards. If you’re looking for the freedom of a Provence self-guided bike tour, this trip offers the perfect blend of challenge and charm. If you’d like to turn this tour into a guided tour, please contact us.
Tour Highlights:
- Ride Mont Ventoux & Other Epic Climbs – Conquer one of cycling’s most iconic climbs, plus other treasured climbs in the area including the Gorges de la Nesque.
- Scenic Vineyard Routes – Explore the renowned wine regions of the Côtes du Rhône.
- Charming Provençal Villages – Visit Gordes, Roussillon, and Vaison-la-Romaine.
- Flexible Travel Options – Choose between guided or self-guided bike tours. This tour is generally self-guided, but ask about our guided options.
- Authentic Cuisine & Wine – Savor local flavors and world-class wines.
Who Is This Tour For?
This tour is perfect for experienced cyclists looking for an active, immersive European adventure. If you love challenging rides, stunning scenery, and world-class food and wine, cycling in Provence should be on your bucket list.
See the full itinerary below. CLICK HERE to learn more about our Provence bike tours. Or CLICK HERE to learn more about our big mountain tours in France.
