Provence Highlights - Self Guided Tour (8-days)

Individual arrival in Orange

Enjoy the city with the wonderful architectural monuments from Roman times. The great theatre and the triumph arch are historical witnesses from this epoch. The old town attracts with Provençal charm as well as small pretty shops and cafés. One overnight in Orange.

Orange – Châteauneuf-du-Pape – Avignon approx. 50 km

The first stage takes you into the world-famous wine town Châteauneuf-du-Pape. A stroll through the town should not be missed. You ride on to the city of Avignon along the Rhône cycle paths, without the bother of car traffic. We recommend a stroll through the old town with a visit to the papal palace. One overnight in Avignon.

Avignon – St. Rémy – Arles approx. 55 km

Without much ado and once again with hardly any traffic you leave the town and cycle directly to St. Rémy, probably the most beautiful and certainly the most typical town in the Provence. Nothing surpasses the hustle and bustle, the blaze of colour and the richness of herb scents under the shadow-offering plane trees in the ancient alleys of the old town. The effort of the ascent to the Alpilles is rewarded with great views of the Les Baux. Because of the harmonic location of the vil-lage and because of the fortress ruins, Les Baux is also known as the “city in rock”. Chosen small paths and tiny streets take you to Arles. Roman culture and Romanesque heritage characterise the cityscape and the history of Arles. Arles was the second-biggest city of the Roman Empire, it is also the city of Vincent van Gogh. Your hotel accommodates you for the next two nights.

Arles – Camargue – Arles approx. 45 km

Half sea, half land – the Camargue is an unique natural landscape with brackish water lakes, vast salt steppes, wild horses and the famous pink flamingos. Small paths take you into the unique nature reserve. In Mejanes with the Arena you have the opportunity of travelling with a small train through unspoilt nature and to admire, with some luck, flamingos and wild bulls. The route takes you on almost traffic-free paths back to Arles. Further night in Arles.

Arles – Nîmes approx. 50 km

In the morning you cycle to the cities Tarascon and Beaucaire. Both cities are placed beside the Rhône River. There are a lot of nice places and castle of the 12 century. Visit a café in Beaucaire and enjoy a break beside the riverbank. The charm of the city Beaucaire invites you to stay and relax. In Nîmes numerous well-preserved buildings are evidence of the Romans. Visit the arena, the Maison Carrée or the Tour Magne. Or enjoy the modern part of the city the “Carré d ́art” of Norman Foster. One overnight in Nîmes.

Nîmes – Pont-du-Gard – Uzès/surrounding approx. 50 km

You will ride for a while through the vineyards of Costières-de-Nimes. About noon you will already see Pont-du-Gard, the famous aqueduct from Roman times, world heritage as well. Aromatic plants such as lavender, thyme and rosemary accompany you into the pretty Provençal town of Uzès, which attracts with its magical, medieval charm. Among other places of interest, the unique market square, surrounded by arcades, is worthwhile. One overnight in Uzès/surrounding.

Uzès/surrounding – Orange approx. 55 km

Today the landscape changes once again. The last stage takes you through the hilly landscape of the Garrigue, with its oaks and Mediterranean herbs. Later on, the vineyards and the lovely orchards of the Provence take over once again. On the other side of the river you cycle through other famous wine regions of the Côte du Rhône (Lirac, Laudan) and reach the city of Orange again in the afternoon. One overnight in Orange.

Departure

After breakfast individual departure or extra days.