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Cevennes and Ardeche canyon 7-day Self-guided Cycling Tour Level 2/3
To the Cevennes and through the Ardeche -Canyon. Going up the beautiful valley of the river Rhone in France, you reach Bagnols-sur-Ceze where you leave the Rhone and arrive in the Cevennes foothills. The Cevennes feature many stunningly wild landscapes in which the Ardèche-Canyon is certainly the highlight. In 1994 near Vallon Pont d'Arc at the bottom of this amazing canyon researchers found what could be the oldest cave in the world. The prehistoric Chauvet-Cave is over 31,000 years old and approximately 420 paintings and engravings have been found. And the cave is now open to public. Tickets can be bought on internet in advance. Once again the stakes are being raised, not only does this bike tour feature breathtaking landscapes and highly interesting culture and history, but also, you will be staying at some of the most classy and stylish hotels in the region. The restaurants on the tour serve real treats ranging from regional specialties to 'Haute cuisine'.
Tour character: Level 2/3
Flat and hilly; sporty particularly on day 5 in the Ardeche Canyon.
6 nights in classy 3*** hotels (some with swimming pools)
6x breakfast
welcome briefing
luggage transport (1 piece of luggage per person)
signal vests
signs along the route
detailed travel material
GPS on request
visitor’s tax
service hotline
Half board available for 200 euro
Guided tour available (min. 8 people) with half board for 400 euro with English, French and German speaking guide, Prof. Dr. Dr.c.e. Josef Smets, specialist for French history and culture
2019 dates for guided tours: 17 Mar; 21 Apr; 19 May; 16 Jun; 15 Sep
Car: motorway to Avignon, Train: TGV-station Avignon, Plane: Airports: Avignon, Nimes, Marseille, Montpellier
Transport Marseille, Nimes, Montpellier to Avignon. Private bus transfer on request
Parking: free in hotel outside the town center. If you wish to stay in a different hotel in the city centre of Avignon: approx. 12 €/day
Departures on Sundays from 17 March to 22 Sept 2019 (min. 2 x people). Other departure days possible for groups of 4 or more
If you would like to rent a bike (80 euro) or e-bike (150 euro) or helmet (5 euro) please contact our office when booking: [email protected]
Slow Tours offers a number of other Cycling Tours in Europe
Arrival in Avignon
Arrival in the 3*** hotel with excellent cuisine on the Isle of Barthelasse in very quiet area (with swimming-pool). 3 km from Avignon Centre.
Avignon - Bagnols-sur-Ceze, ~35 km/22 miles
Your welcome meeting is at 9:30am at the hotel reception. Then you will cycle across the biggest island in the Rhone through flourishing orchards to Roquemaure and continue on through the Rhone valley to Bagnols-sur-Ceze.
Bagnols-sur-Ceze - Vallon-Pont-d'Arc, ~50 km/31 miles
Crossing the amazing landscapes south of the Ardèche-Canyon you will cycle to Vallon-Pont-d'Arc, located at the northern entrance to the gorges where the Ardèche river flows through a natural rock arch.
Vallon-Pont-d'Arc - Joyeuse - Vallon-Pont-d'Arc, ~45 km/28 miles
Today you can either make a round trip on your bicycle that will lead you through the foothills of the Cevennes featuring several magnificent villages such as Joyeuse. Or you can rest from the saddle and discover the Ardèche Canyon with a canoe. The supplement for a canoe tour is 22 €/person for 90 minutes and 35 eur/person for a day trip.
Vallon-Pont-d'Arc - Ardèche Canyon - Pont-Saint-Esprit, ~50 km/31 miles
This day will be the highlight of the tour since you will cycle through the entire Ardèche Canyon. Today is the most “sporty” day with some longer climbs (and descents!).
Pont-Saint-Esprit - Orange - Avignon, ~50 km/31 miles
On this last cycle day you are pedalling on smaller roads down the Rhone valley and through vineyards back to Avignon. Stay an extra night or two to discover the Pope's Palace, the Benezet bridge and some of the local food and wine on offer.
Day 7: Departure or extend your stay. Ask us about extra nights
If you would like to drive yourself before or after your tour, ask us for a quote on any brand new Renault, Peugeot or Citroen vehicle for driving in Europe.
Pick up your vehicle from most capital cities in Europe and return it to your drop off destination. Top insurance cover. Email [email protected] for a competitive quote
Shows in English in Paris: Paris offers a wide variety of shows accessible to English-speakers. One-man shows, classic & modern theatre, musicals, cabarets and more are all performed in the city every night. You can get the full programme of shows in Paris to fit your city break dates by emailing [email protected]
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