A holiday which offers the pleasure of crossing Provence to get to the sea. The route we have chosen takes in modest provençal villages whose discrete charm conceals a marked cultural and architectural heritage.
The lavender, olive and holm oak trees that typify southern French landscapes are soon to be seen. Then little romanesque village churches, chapels in the middle of the fields and castles which dominate the small valleys. Further south, the route crosses marshy plains and approaches the Alpilles range at the foot of Saint Rémy de Provence, whence it climbs towards the heights of the Baux de Provence. On the descent towards Arles you'll see two celebrated sites: the Tower of Fontvieille and the Roman Aqueduct.
The final stage takes us through the Rhône delta amidst the languid waters that meander through the marshes on their way to the Mediterranean.
You'll love
arriving at the Château of Grignan after a route through fields of lavender and olive orchards
having a break at Mollans sur Ouvèze in the heart of Drôme Provençale, at the foot of the lofty Mont Ventoux
Baux de Provence
visiting Arles, famous town of the Romanesque period
cycling through the Alpilles and Camargue Nature Parks
The first day is devoted to discovering Montélimar and its highlights. Take a stroll through the historic center to discover the town's mansions, the Porte Saint-Martin and the Collegiate Church of Sainte-Croix, visit the nougateries and step into history at the Château des Adhémar. Don't forget to sip a drink at one of the café terraces along the Allées Provençales, in the shade of the plane trees.
Dinner at leisure. Night in 3star hotel in the heart of Montélimar.
D2
From Montélimar to Grignan
34 km stage with total uphill 400 metres (level 2/5). Around 3hrs30.
The first part of the route takes you into the Pre-Alps (foothills) of Provence. The scenery becomes increasingly Mediterranean and the villages you go through are typically Provençal, with broad café terraces and shady squares beneath leafy plane trees.
You’ll soon notice the lavender fields. olive trees and holm oaks so characteristic of the southern countryside. And modest Romanesque chapels in the middle of fields. châteaux overlooking valleys…notably the soaring castle of Grignan once graced by the presence of the Marquess of Sévigné. celebrated French woman of letters – literally!
Dinner at leisure and night in a charming 3star hotel.
D3
From Grignan to Mollans sur Ouvèze or Vaison la Romaine
43 km stage with total uphill 575 metres (level 3/5).About 5hrs30.
With no shortage of charm and attraction, this outing takes you across some diverse and beautiful countryside, the sort of unspoilt Provence one dreams of. Enjoy yourself: taste the olive oil, bite the fruit, inhale the scent of lavender or take a sip of wine. Simple villages of authentic character invite you to give your bike a rest from time to time and take the time to stroll around.
Dinner and night in three star hotel or charming guest house.
D4
From Mollans sur Ouvèze or Vaison la Romaine to Isle sur la Sorgue
55 km stage with total uphill 200 metres (level 3/5). Around 4hours.
Just the kind of roads you’d like to ride along for hours…this is authentic Provence with the sort of sights and perfumes that stay with you for years. Leaving the hilly greenery of the Drôme you begin to cross the Comtat Venaissin with its broad vineyards soaking up the sun at the foot of Mont Ventoux. After exploring the aptly named Perne-les-Fontaines (no less than 40 springs and wells!), you’ll enjoy the cool ride along the Canal de Carpentras.
At the end of your ride you cycle through a market gardening area then you’ll maybe the chance to have a summer evening stroll round the abundant fresh food market in Velleron before to arrive to the charming city of Isle sur la Sorgue, an island surrounded by canals called "Venice of the Comtat Venaissin"
After eating out, night in a 3star hotel.
D5
From Isle sur la Sorgue to Arles
62 km with total uphill 300 metres (level 3/5). Around 5hrs30.
Superb stage during which you cross the chain of the Alpilles which has recently been named a a Regional Nature Park in recognition of its unique beauty and interest.
Among the best moments of the day we must mention the lovely town of St Rémy. Overlooking the plain of the Camargue and the celebrated town of Arles, Les Baux de Provence, listed village on the plateau of Grès in the heart of the Alpilles, is perhaps reminiscent of the Luberon.
The descent towards the town founded in Roman times takes you through other well-known sights such as the Tour de Fontvieille and the Roman Aqueduct.
Dinner at leisure and night at 3 ou 4star hotel in a quiet district of Arles.
D6
From Arles to les Saintes Maries de la Mer
39 km with total uphill 5 metres (level 2/5). Around 2hrs30.
This is one of the shortest stage of the holiday. You leave Arles to enter the Camargues Regional Nature Park. At the Domaine de Méjanes you may like to do a little horse-riding, then you go along the side of the Etang de Vaccarès. You are in the heart of the Camargue amid horses, bulls and innumerable migratory birds, including those majestuous pink flamingoes. Then it’s Les Saintes Maries and the edge of the Mediterranean Sea. Why not make the most of those fine sandy beaches on either side of the port of Gardian.
Dinner at leisure and night at 3star hotel in les Saintes Maries.
D7
Around les Saintes Maries : Along the Dyke to the Lighthouse of La Gacholle
26 km without uphill (level 2/5). About 2hrs30
Breathing the good sea air, you cycle along the digue à la mer1 (embankment or dyke) across the southern border of the Camargue Regional Nature Park!
There are several points from which you can get to the fine beaches that are quieter than those near the town. Then there’s a small exhibition at the Phare de la Gacholle (lighthouse), well worth a visit.
Dinner out. Night at the hotel.
D8
Departure
After breakfast you will have a transfer back to Arles.
From there you have these options (with extra charge) :
Train or Taxi transfer to Montelimar : please contact us.
Travel file via the ‘Safrantours’ guidance application
Logistical and technical support
Baggage transfers
Optional
Bike rental from :
Bike for adult or junior : 195 €
Bike cart for child : 90 €
Child seat : 10 €
Electric power bike rental for adult or junior: 295 €
Return to Montelimar by train : 30 € per adult
Taxi transfer back to Montelimar : please contact us
What's not included?
Toll-free or paying parking close to the first accommodation for the duration of your stay
Dinners except for night 3
Beverage and extra
Return transfer from Arles to Montelimar
Return transfer from Home to the first accomodation
Facultative cancellation and repatriation insurance
Characteristics of circuits
Cycle holiday going from place to place, unaccompanied.
Daily stages between 38 and 54 kilometres, from 3 to 4hrs30 at your own pace.
Total daily uphill between 0 and 575 metres
Altitudes: between 50 and 400 metres.
Route along narrow country roads
Suitable for road or trail/country bikes
Organisation
These outings are much more about relaxed exploration than athletic performance. We transport your luggage between lodgings, and your roadbook will guide you from beginning to end. We also provide logistical and technical support .
On longer holidays you change accommodation every other day, which gives you the chance to better explore your surroundings or simply take your time and relax...
Accommodation is in either 2 or 3 star guesthouses or hotels chosen for their atmosphere, warm welcome and environmental and architectural setting. These circuits include half-board accommodation.
N.B : the accommodation described above is given as an indication and may vary according to availability at the moment your reservation is finalized.
Access
By car
Highway A7 exit Montélimar Nord or Sud
By air
Lyon St Exupéry Airport or Marseille Provence Airport
By train
Montélimar railway station. The accommodation is next to the railway station (10 mn on foot)
Comments
Global note
4.8
Very satisfied with this adventure with Safrantours, for us accustomed to bicycle travel.
Translate fro french
A beautiful itinerary with magnificent scenery. And what can I say about cycling through the Camargue in total tranquillity?
It was pure pleasure. (traduit du français)
Very good service. Very warm welcome. I recommend it.
Translate from french
A superb itinerary from Montélimar to Les Saintes Maries de la Mer. Great logistics and organisation. (translated from french)
Je ne savais pas qu'une telle organisation existait. J'ai découvert un moyen génial de parcourir la France à vélo électrique. Aucune fatigue, juste le plaisir.
Très beau séjour en vélo, bien organisé par Safrantours.
La qualité des hébergements et de la restauration est toujours une belle surprise.
Ravis de cette 1ère expérience. Déconnexion totale en quelques jours. Multi-activités: sport, visites, rencontres, paysages variés, patrimoine...Un excellent cocktail à consommer sans modération.
1ère expérience avec Safrantours vraiment très réussie: parcours, suivi commercial. Félicitations.
A holiday which offers the pleasure of crossing Provence to get to the city of Arles. The route we have chosen takes in modest provençal villages whose discrete charm conceals a marked cultural and architectural heritage.
The lavender, olive…
High above us soars the Mont Ventoux (1909 metres), the “Géant de Provence” that cyclists the world over fear and respect. But there are also innumerable little roads which run hither and thither, weaving their way over the lower…