Provence – Cote d'Azur Cycling Holiday

A cycling holiday in Provence, leading you from Avignon to the Cote d’Azur, through sun-kissed scenery so revered by great masters of the past. The route leads you to picture-perfect villages and towns such as Le Baux en Provence and Aix en Provence before delivering you to charming seaside town of Cassis.

Spend a night in Avignon – the City of Popes before heading south along quiet country lanes into the Alpilles for some great cycling and fantastic views including the ancient hilltop village of Le Baux en Provence.

Taking a break near Montagne Sainte Victoire

You’ll pass through a landscape of olive groves to the celebrated city of Aix en Provence, with its maze of medieval streets. Cycle the sunning Cézanne route through the foothills of Montagne Sainte Victoire to admire the scenery so loved by the great artist. Enjoy an exhilarating descent to Cassis and then spend a day on the Mediterranean coast exploring the the towering cliffs of Cap Canaille and the miniature fjord-like inlets of Calanques.

The terrain on this Provence cycle tour is quite varied. There are plenty of easy-going, flat roads, plus some rolling stretches as well as a few more substantial climbs. Everything can be taken at a sensible pace, however, with plenty of time for picnics, lunch stops and photo opportunities along the way. There are also options to extend your rides on a couple of days. These include more climbing and will need a bit more stamina, but are well worth it for the views and sense of achievement. 

Provence – Cote d'Azur Cycling Holiday

A cycling holiday in Provence, leading you from Avignon to the Cote d’Azur, through sun-kissed scenery so revered by great masters of the past. The route leads you to picture-perfect villages and towns such as Le Baux en Provence and Aix en Provence before delivering you to charming seaside town of Cassis.

Spend a night in Avignon – the City of Popes before heading south along quiet country lanes into the Alpilles for some great cycling and fantastic views including the ancient hilltop village of Le Baux en Provence.

Taking a break near Montagne Sainte Victoire

You’ll pass through a landscape of olive groves to the celebrated city of Aix en Provence, with its maze of medieval streets. Cycle the sunning Cézanne route through the foothills of Montagne Sainte Victoire to admire the scenery so loved by the great artist. Enjoy an exhilarating descent to Cassis and then spend a day on the Mediterranean coast exploring the the towering cliffs of Cap Canaille and the miniature fjord-like inlets of Calanques.

The terrain on this Provence cycle tour is quite varied. There are plenty of easy-going, flat roads, plus some rolling stretches as well as a few more substantial climbs. Everything can be taken at a sensible pace, however, with plenty of time for picnics, lunch stops and photo opportunities along the way. There are also options to extend your rides on a couple of days. These include more climbing and will need a bit more stamina, but are well worth it for the views and sense of achievement. 

Itinerary

The terrain on this Provence cycle tour is quite varied. There are plenty of easy-going, flat roads, plus some rolling stretches as well as a few more substantial climbs. Everything can be taken at a sensible pace, however, with plenty of time for picnics, lunch stops and photo opportunities along the way. There are also options to extend your rides on a couple of days. These include more climbing and will need a bit more stamina, but are well worth it for the views and sense of achievement. 


Day 1 : Arrive Avignon

On arrival in Avignon make your way to your hotel. After check-in you are free to relax or explore this charming and rather dramatic ‘city of the Popes’. Time permitting we suggest a visit to the fabulous Papal Palace and the famous bridge, immortalised in the well-known song.

Day 2 : Avignon – Maussane Les Alpilles
31 miles/50 kms

Your first day’s cycling leads you south along quiet country lanes, through a rural landscape of orchards, fertile fields and tiny villages. The terrain slowly changes as you enter the Alpilles – a range of forested, limestone hills – which afford fantastic views and great cycling. Stop to explore the picturesque hill-top village of Les Baux-de-Provence before riding on to the charming village of Maussane Les Alpilles where you will spend the night.

Day 3 : Alpilles – Aix en Provence
45 miles/72 kms

Leave the Alpilles and continue your journey, riding through a typical Provencal landscape of gently rolling hills and a patchwork of olive groves. Much of the local olive oil is used to make the famous local ‘Savon de Marseille’ soap – break your ride to stop and learn more before continuing through the glorious countryside. Today’s destination is the magnificent old city of Aix en Provence, once home to the painter, Paul Cézanne.

Day 4 : Optional round trip around Mount Sainte Victoire
47 miles/75 kms

Today is a free day as you will spend a second night in Aix. Take a wander through the medieval city, exploring its charming squares and avenues. Stop for a leisurely drink in a pavement café or a bite to eat in one of its cosy restaurants. You may also wish to visit the cathedral or Cézanne’s former studios. If you prefer to get out on the bike, then there’s an option to head out on a challenging hilly ride, about 75km, around Mount Sainte Victoire, via Chateau de Vauvernargues where Picasso lived and is now buried.

Day 5 : Aix en Provence – Maximin la Sainte Baume
29 miles/47 kms

Leaving Aix behind you’ll follow the ‘Route Cézanne’ into the foothills of Mt. St. Victoire. The artist often painted here as he loved the light and colours of the surrounding countryside. Riding past the bleached white cliffs and green pines growing from a red soil on a blue sky day its easy to see the appeal. You then cross a wide fertile valley to the town of Maximin la Sainte Baume, where you’ll stop for the night. The charming town is home to the largest Gothic cathedral in south east France and is a major pilgrimage site.

Day 6 : Maximin la Sainte Baume – Cassis
37 to 43 miles/60 to 70 kms

You’ve the option of two routes today, depending on how energetic you feel, both involve approximately 20 km of roads with more traffic. Either cruise through gentle, rolling hills, including two long, freewheeling descents, or take the slightly longer, and considerably hillier route to Montagne Sainte Baume. If you do take the longer route the downhills are even more spectacular and enjoyable. Either way, you’ll be afforded splendid views and countryside, before arriving in the pretty port of Cassis on the Mediterranean coast.

Day 7 : Optional round trip to Cap Canaille
14 miles/20 kms

Today is yours to spend as you please in and around Cassis. You could simply relax on the beach or if you’re feeling energetic you could rent sea kayaks and go for a paddle along the coast. Or you can choose to cycle the challenging round trip up the Cap Canaille for the breathtaking views. Another popular option is to cycle out along the Calanques coast to admire and swim in the turquoise waters of the fjord-like inlets. If you want a more challenging route then take the 30km Route de Cretes loop that leads you south along the the stunning cliff-top road to the nearby town of La Ciotat.

Day 8 : Cassis - end of trip

After breakfast it’s time to check out and head for home or your next adventure.

Bikes

Regular bikes provided are modern alloy framed models with 27 speeds. The bikes come equipped with pannier, lock and a repair kit with pump.

Electric bikes are also available.

We suggest you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene reasons. Alternatively, helmets are provided on arrival.

Accommodation

Below you will find examples of the types of accommodation typically used on this tour. Please note that the hotels we book for you may differ slightly from those described but they will certainly be of a similar standard.

Comfort: Comfortable hotels and guesthouses.

Avignon: Ibis Pont de l’Europe

Maussane les Alpilles: Les Magnanarelles

Aix en Provence: Le Mozart

Saint Maximin la Sainte Baume: Hotel De France

Cassis: Le Cassitel

Superior: Good quality hotels and guesthouses.

Avignon: Grandhôtel

Maussane les Alpilles: Castillon des Baux

Aix en Provence: Les Augustins

Saint Maximin la Sainte Baume: Hotel De France

Cassis: La Rade

Local taxes

Some hotels have started to charge a local/tourist tax. These taxes are not included in the sale price of the tour and must be paid directly by you at check-in or checkout at the hotels. This fee varies and is ever changing but as a guide, you may be asked to pay between €1-€4 per person per night

Getting there

Fly to Marseille, Montpellier, Lyon or Paris and then catch a train to Avignon. At the end of the trip take the bus/metro from Cassis to Marseille or Paris.

Research flights from the UK here

Research trains in France here

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