Best of Provence – Aggressive – 8 Night
Dates: Your pick! We offer tours in Provence as early as March and as late as October and into November.
Length: 9 days, 8 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
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. We’ll meet you at one of the local train stations and transfer you to your charming hotel in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, a beautiful riverside town famous for its canals and markets. Settle in, relax, and enjoy the Provençal ambiance before a delicious welcome dinner at your hotel.
Day 2
Ride Through the Vineyards & Gorges de la Nesque – 65km/40mi
After breakfast, meet your guide, set up your bike, and kick off your cycling adventure! Your first ride takes you through bustling markets, sun-drenched vineyards, and the dramatic Gorges de la Nesque—a true cyclist’s paradise. End the day in the hilltop village of Sault, surrounded by lavender fields, with a well-earned dinner at your hotel.
Day 3
Scenic Ride to Vaison-la-Romaine – 50km/31mi
Enjoy a stunning ride along the north side of Mont Ventoux, passing through quiet valleys and picturesque ridges. Feeling ambitious? Take on Mont Ventoux from Sault for the ultimate cycling challenge. Arrive in the historic town of Vaison-la-Romaine, where you’ll stay in a charming guesthouse in the Old Town. Dinner is on your own—explore local bistros and Provençal cuisine.
Day 4
Wine Villages & Rolling Countryside – 52km/32mi
Today’s ride takes you through some of Provence’s most famous wine villages—Séguret, Gigondas, Vacqueyras, and Beaumes-de-Venise. Stop for tastings or explore the Dentelles de Montmirail for an extra challenge. Choose between a luxurious stay at Crillon-le-Brave (available for an upgrade) or a charming hotel in Bedoin, nestled at the foot of Mont Ventoux.
Day 5
Conquer Mont Ventoux – 64km/40mi
It’s time for the legendary climb! Start in Bedoin and take on the 21km ascent of Mont Ventoux—the same route used in the Tour de France. The challenge is intense, but the sense of accomplishment and breathtaking views from the summit make it all worthwhile. After an exhilarating descent, relax at your hotel. Dinner is included in Bedoin and on your own in Crillon-le-Brave.
Day 6
Ride to Gordes via Abbaye de Sénanque – 36km/22mi
Pedal through rolling vineyards and charming villages to Venasque, a perfect lunch stop. Continue through rocky landscapes to the stunning Abbaye de Sénanque, home to postcard-worthy lavender fields. Your final climb leads into the breathtaking hilltop village of Gordes, where you’ll stay for two nights. Dinner is included at La Huppe.
Day 7
Luberon Loop Ride – 45km/28mi
A classic Provençal ride awaits as you cycle through the heart of the Luberon, passing through the stunning villages of Roussillon, Bonnieux, Lacoste, and Ménerbes. Prefer a more relaxed day? Shorten the route and spend time enjoying the scenery, cafés, and local markets. Dinner is again at your hotel.
Day 8
Return to L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue – 48km/30mi
Your final ride takes you through Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, home to the mysterious underground source of the Sorgue River, before returning to L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. Wander its famous antique shops or enjoy a riverside café before your farewell dinner at the hotel.
Day 9
Departure
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before we transfer you to the train station. Bid farewell to Provence with incredible memories and a cycling adventure to remember!
Location: L’Isle sur la Sorgue
Hotel: Grand Hôtel Henri
Location: Sault
Hotel: Hotel Le Nesk
Location: Gordes
Hotel: La Ferme de la Huppe
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$3,345.00
Single Occupancy
US$3,945.00 (from single room occupancy on multiple person tours)
Solo Tour
Bike Rental Per Person:
Road Bike
US$430.00
eBike
US$430.00
Hybrid
US$280.00
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!
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, Sault, 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 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.