Best of Provence: Relaxed 5-Night Self-Guided Bike Tour
Experience the charm of Southern France on one of the best Provence bike tours available. This Provence self-guided bike tour offers a perfect balance of leisurely cycling, breathtaking scenery, and cultural exploration. Designed for cyclists who love to travel at their own pace, this journey takes you through rolling vineyards, historic villages, and the iconic lavender fields of Provence. Enjoy smooth rides, local cuisine, and stunning landscapes as you immerse yourself in the magic of cycling in Provence.
Tour Highlights:
- Gentle Cycling Routes: Enjoy a mix of scenic backroads and dedicated cycling paths, perfect for riders who prefer a relaxed pace. We also provide additional routes for those desiring more challenging rides, including conquering Mt. Ventoux!
- Charming Villages & Cultural Stops: Visit the historic towns of L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Roussillon, and Gordes, each offering a unique blend of history, architecture, and local charm. The village markets are not to be missed.
- Lavender Fields & Vineyards: Ride through Provence’s famous landscapes, where rolling vineyards meet fragrant lavender fields.
- Local Cuisine & Wine: Savor Provençal flavors at family-run bistros and wineries along the way.
- Flexible Self-Guided Experience: With detailed GPS routes, you can explore at your own pace while enjoying full support.
Who Is This Tour For?
This Provence self-guided bike tour is perfect for leisure cyclists who want a relaxed yet immersive experience, allowing them to soak in the stunning landscapes at their own pace. It is also ideal for travelers who have a passion for local culture, exquisite food, and world-class wine, offering plenty of opportunities to indulge in Provence’s rich culinary and historical heritage. Whether you’re a couple looking for a romantic getaway or part of a small group of adventurers seeking a scenic and rewarding cycling journey, this tour provides the perfect balance of exploration, comfort, and excitement.
See full itinerary below. Or learn more about our Provence bike tour offerings by CLICKING HERE.
- General Details
- Guide/Concierge Info
- Accommodations
- Rental Bikes Available
- Inclusions
- GPS Availability
- Pricing
- Register For This Tour
Dates: Your pick! We offer tours in Provence as early as March and as late as October and into November.
Length: 6 days, 5 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: 45km/30mi
Start city: Avignon
Finish city: Avignon
Suggested transport: Train/TGV from anywhere.
From greeting guests when they arrive, to personally handling luggage transfers, to curating excursions, to problem-solving (e.g., flat tires and other unforeseen issues) our concierges assist guests daily. They also set you up on your rental bikes, and can help with routing and simple questions. Need help finding a good lunch spot? Is it raining too hard or you’re too tired to continue? The concierge is a phone call away and are there to help you! Each tour group works with a single, dedicated concierge who can be called upon for in-person assistance at any time.
We generally target 3 and 4-star hotels, which we hand-select to maximize comfort while minimizing cost. The star rating uses a French rating system, which has proven to be the standard around the world. Therefore we use the same standards in France and beyond.
Over the years we have developed relationships with many amazing 3 and 4-star properties that distinguish themselves as providing much more than their rating suggests. We have loved getting to know these hotels and sharing them with our guests. For tour groups wishing to upgrade their accommodations, we can provide custom pricing for four and five-star hotels, pending availability. Below are an example of some of our favorite hotels in the region that we target using on our tours, pending availability.
| Location | Hotel | Photo |
| L’Isle sur la Sorgue | Grand Hôtel Henri |  |
| Gordes | La Ferme de la Huppe |  |
| Crillon Le Brave | Crillon Le Brave (upgrade) |  |
| Bedoin | Hotel Des Pins |  |
All bikes come with helmet, repair kit, pump (or CO2 cartridges), lock, and water bottles. During the registration process, you will be asked for sizing specifics to ensure we have the correct sized bike waiting for you. We can supply a number of styles of pedals – please ask if you don’t see the pedal type you’re looking for on the registration form.
Road Bikes: Our rental road bikes are a racing style with drop handlebars.
- Type – Giant Defy Composite
- Sizes – XS, S, M, ML, L,and XL
- Components – Mixture of Shimano 105 and Ultegra with either triple or compact double cranksets. Many have road-disc brakes.
Hybrid Bikes: Our rental hybrid bikes are a relaxed style with flat handlebars.
- Type – Giant Escape
- Sizes – XS, S, M, L, and XL
- Components – Mixture of Shimano road and mountain components with either triple cranksets.
eBikes: These semi-powered bikes allow for non riders to share the experience with their friends and family who are stronger cyclists.
- Type – Giant Explore
- Sizes – S, M, L
- Components – Mixture of Shimano Acera and Deore.
- All hotel accommodations – mostly 3 and 4 star but ask for custom accommodation requests.
- An OBT cycling jersey!
- The use of a Garmin Touring GPS during the tour for worry-free routing.
- Detailed route notes, maps, and tourist information. This includes standard cue sheet, and GPS courses to upload to your own GPS device.
- 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.
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 Cost Per Person:
- Double Occupancy: US$2,145
- Single Occupancy: US$2,545 (for single room occupancy on multiple person tours)
- Solo Tour: Please contact us
Bike Rental Per Person:
- Road Bike: US$340
- eBike: US$340
- Hybrid: US$210
Questions: First, please feel free to ask us any questions about the tour. We are happy to help clarify any details.
Registration: Once you are ready to register please go to https://outfittertours.com/registration/ and complete the registration form. EACH tour participant will need to complete the form. At the end of the registration for you will be asked for a US$800 deposit. You can pay the deposit by bank check, wire, or credit card. Once we have all registrations we will secure all of the details of your tour – hotels, bikes, etc.
Final Payment: 60 days prior to your tour we will invoice you for the balance of the 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 much more!
For more information on our Terms & Conditions please CLICK HERE.
Daily Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive in Avignon by Train, stay L’Isle sur la Sorgue
Your Provence cycling adventure begins in Avignon, where we’ll greet you at the train station and transfer you to your charming countryside hotel in L’Isle sur la Sorgue. Settle in, relax, and soak up the peaceful surroundings before enjoying a delicious dinner at the hotel.
Day 2: Le Thor to Gordes – 45km/28mi
Today your journey officially begins! After breakfast, your guide will provide an orientation and ensure your bike is ready to go. Your first ride takes you through rolling countryside to Gordes, one of France’s most stunning hilltop villages. En route, visit the magical Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, or take a flatter route if you prefer an easier ride. Upon arrival, explore Gordes before coasting down to your inn, where a well-earned dinner awaits.
Day 3: Gordes to Crillon Le Brave or Bedoin – 37km/23mi
Today, you’ll set out for Crillon le Brave or Bedoin, a ride packed with scenic highlights. Stop at the Abbaye de Senanque, nestled in a lavender-filled valley, and wander the medieval streets of Venasque. You can choose between two exceptional hotels—either the luxurious Hostellerie Crillon le Brave, part of the Relais & Châteaux network, or a serene wooded retreat in Bedoin. Dinner is included at the Bedoin hotel, while Crillon le Brave guests can explore local dining options.
Day 4: To Vaison la Romaine – 36km/22mi
Today is all about wine and history as you cycle through the renowned Rhône Valley vineyards. Visit charming towns like Suzette and Beaumes-de-Venise before arriving in Vaison la Romaine, an ancient Roman city brimming with historical treasures. Your accommodations for the next two nights are in a stunning B&B perched above the Old Town. Enjoy a free evening to discover the town’s incredible restaurants.
Day 5: Vaison la Romaine to L’Isle sur la Sorgue – 52km/32mi
Your final ride takes you back to L’Isle sur la Sorgue, passing through renowned wine villages like Seguret, Gigondas, and Vacqueyras. Along the way, soak up the beauty of the Dentelles de Montmirail, a striking mountain range known for its rugged limestone peaks. Your adventure concludes with a celebratory farewell dinner at the hotel, where you can reflect on the incredible journey you’ve just completed.
Day 6: Departure.
On your last morning, enjoy a leisurely breakfast before we assist with your luggage and bike returns. We’ll transfer you to the train station, where you’ll bid farewell to Provence—until your next adventure!
