From the Pont du Gard to the Mediterranean Sea

Day 1 : The City of the Popes
Avignon
Your Provence cycling adventure begins in Avignon with a 6:00pm welcome meeting in Avignon with your guide in the heart of the city. Visit the imposing Pope’s palace, the largest gothic structure ever built in Europe, hovering high above the ground below. The 14th century ramparts remain intact, circling the entire city, while just outside the old city walls, the famous pont d’Avignon bridge spans only partway over the mighty Rhône. Climb up to the Rocher des Doms gardens for a stroll and a good look at the city from above, or meander through a labyrinth of narrow streets to find small squares dotted with cafés. Dinner and night in Avignon.

Day 2 : The rosés of Tavel.
Avignon>Tavel>Uzès
- About 55km of easy cycling -
Cycle out of the 700 year-old gates of Avignon, and across the mighty Rhône River. You are surrounded by orchards and vegetable patches between two arms of the river, on the quietest of country roads. The winding lanes head through the vineyards of Tavel, exclusively producing rosé wines – in fact the most coveted rosés in all of France. You will have a chance to taste the wines and learn about the winemaking process at an estate in the village before a stop at a traditional bistro for lunch. Getting back on the saddle you ride through landscapes of oak forests and aromatic herbs before reaching Uzès. Dinner on your own. Night in the heart of Uzès.

Day 3 : Exploring the countryside of Uzès.
Uzès>Uzès
- About 35km cycling -
The old medieval streets of Uzès are an invitation for exploration: the old Place aux Herbes square, its ancient covered archways spinning around the square like a giant monastic cloister, and twice a week filled with a colourful market. The castle of the Dukes of Uzès stands proudly above the town while old churches and homes are tightly packed in the heart of the old city. You cycle around the quiet countryside, visiting vineyards and wine estates, before reaching the village of Saint Quentin la Poterie. Saint Quentin has for centuries attracted the region’s best potters, the town shops filled with outstanding and original works. Have a quiet picnic and watch the old men of the village play heated tournaments of Pétanque under the shade of plane trees. Cycle back to Uzès for a refreshing dip in the pool. Dinner on your own. Night in the heart of Uzès

Day 4 : Le Pont du Gard
Uzès>Le Pont du Gard>La Montagnette>Graveson >Fontvieille
- About 50km cycling -
Your cycling adventure continues southbound, and you reach the Pont du Gard, masterpiece of Roman architecture, part of a 50km-long aqueduct: the largest bridge built during the Roman Empire. Its massive limestone blocks fit together perfectly and rise dizzyingly up from the Gardon River. Enjoy a quiet picnic by the waters, to admire the bridge and rest your biking legs in the cool waters. Crossing the Rhône River you pedal among thyme-laden hills to the secluded monastery of Saint Michel de Frigolet, set on the Montagnette. With the mistral winds at your back you cycle gently around the sharp limestone contours of the Alpilles Mountains to reach Fontvieille, in landscapes of olive groves and sunflower fields. Dinner and night next to Fontvieille.

Day 5 : Around the Alpilles mountains
Fontvieille>Les Baux de Provence>Eygalières>Maussane>Fontvieille
- About 50km cycling -
Today is devoted to a cycling exploration of the Alpilles, with its landscapes bathed in light and colour, attracting Van Gogh to the region to create some of his best work. Touring around the base of the mountain you encounter small towns perched up on hills, composed of old stone buildings and among the region’s prized olive groves. The artists’ town of Saint Rémy, with its terrace cafés and lively ambiance will be your last stop before a climb through the heart of the mountain. Suddenly the village of Les Baux will appear, perched high atop a rocky crag like an eagle’s nest, overlooked by the ruins of its feudal castle. Les Baux is listed among the most beautiful villages in France, with its old cobbled streets and millennium of history. From the ruins of the castle your views extend 360 degrees from the mountains to the north to the Mediterranean Sea to the south. Bike back to Fontvieille for dinner and night.

Day 6 : The flatlands and Arles the Roman
Fontvieille>St Etienne du Grès>Tarascon> Beaucaire>St Gilles>Arles
- About 45km cycling -
Leaving Fontvieille you pedal gently on country roads; with the Alpilles behind you, there are nothing but flatlands between here and the sea. You reach the twin towns of Beaucaire and Tarascon, set on opposite sides of the Rhône River: Tarascon and its mighty 15th century castle of Roi René, the last sovereign king of Provence, and Beaucaire and its lovely quays lined with boats and cafés. Cycling through vast farmlands and ranches the town of Arles will appear, its imposing coliseum in the centre of a vast array of Roman monuments and ruins. Arles is a lively town with a number of great restaurants and pedestrian streets. Dinner on your own. Night in Arles.

Day 7 : Bulls and flamingoes of the Camargue
Arles>Gageron>Etang de Vaccarès>Bauduc>Arles
- About 60km cycling -
Beyond Arles you cycle into the natural Park of the Camargue: extended flatlands of rice paddies and salt pans, sparse farmhouses and windswept fields. White horses trot through the marshes, black bulls graze in their farms, thousands of flamingoes, egrets, and herons paint the skies in their graceful flight. The vegetation here is rare and bunched together in coarse patches, containing the very few species that can survive the salt-rich soils. The salt crystals in the cracked earth shine like diamonds in the Mediterranean sun, as you cycle along the most remote and narrow of country lanes in a forgotten part of Provence. Return to Arles for dinner (not included) and night.

Day 8 : Au revoir in Arles
Arles
Enjoy the lively and vast Saturday market in Arles, a perfect Provencal ending to your Provence cycling adventure. End of the trip.