Day 1: Arrival in Avignon
Transfer to your first hotel in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, with its shaded streets and 14th century monastery. Our trip manager will give you your package and adjust your bikes. Villeneuve is a quick trip away from Avignon itself, if you have time and feel like exploring the lively old town centre it is well worth it! There is also the option of a short ride around your hotel to limber up your legs and awaken your appetite before dinner.
Day 2 : Villeneuve les Avignon to Uzes
Your ride is a great first full day, taking you through a variety of Provencal countrysides. En route, you pass the famous Pont du Gard, an exceptionally 2000-year-old well-preserved, three-tiered Roman aqueduct. Quiet and picturesque routes will bring you to your home for the evening, the semicircular hill town of Uzès. Wander around and visit the Place aux Herbes, where the local market takes place, admire the restored Renaissance facades, and climb up to enjoy the view from the impressive Ducal Palace, Night in Uzès.
Day 3 : Uzès to Arles
A different countryside awaits you today, as you traverse the vineyards of the Cabrières wine area. En route, visit the castle of Roi René or the museum of the typical Provençal fabric in Tarascon. The end of the day has you enter Arles. You will definitely want to take some time in Arles: visit the spectacular Roman amphitheatre where Provencal style bull fights are still regularly held (the bull doesn't get killed), and sit, like the locals do, in one of the many popular cafés in the Place du Forum for an end of day pastis - an aniseed liqueur drunk with ice and water. Arles is also where Van Gogh lived from 1853 to 1890, and where he painted many of his most well-known works.
Day 4 : Arles to Saint Remy de Provence
Your final day riding is quite beautiful, bringing you through olive groves and vineyards to the fortified village of Les Baux de Provence. Take your time to visit the village's chateau, looking down on the gorgeous Alpilles mountain range as a backdrop, before heading for a glorious downhill and then into St. Remy de Provence. St Remy is where Vincent Van Gogh was incarcerated in the Saint Paul de Mausole hospital for a year (and where he completed an astounding 150 paintings!), but it is also worthwhile visiting the archaeological site of the Glanum. But you may decide to simply spend the time on the main boulevard of the centre of town, at the multitude cafes, watching provencal life pass by, and trying to decide which of the many restaurants you'll eat at tonight!
Day 5 : Departure
Transfer from your hotel to Avignon after breakfast