7-Day Provence Cycling Tour: Canyons, Vineyards, & Villages

Things to know

• What's included?

  Included:

  • • An experienced, EU-certified biking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • 7-day Provence cycling tour (6 days of cycling)
    • Accommodation for 6 nights in 4-star hotels and Provençal estates
    • All meals (6 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners)
    • Bike rental (trekking bike)
    • Luggage transport (1 bag per person, max 15 kg)
    • Support vehicle during all cycling days
    • Transfers and visits included in the program

  Add-ons (pricing shown at checkout):

  • • Single occupancy room
    • E-bike rental — please leave a note at checkout if interested
    • Paris-Avignon or Geneva-Avignon transfer — please leave a note at checkout if interested

  Not included:

  • • Flights
    • Travel to/from Avignon, France
    • Airport transfers
    • Beverages
    • Personal expenses
    • Anything not mentioned in the “Included” section above
    • Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout
    • Guide gratuities — optional
• How fit do I need to be?

  This Provence cycling tour is designed for experienced cyclists with good fitness who are comfortable spending several hours a day in the saddle. You should be used to regular riding and able to handle sustained efforts, including climbs. The terrain varies throughout the week, with some noticeable elevation gain that shouldn’t be underestimated.

  You’ll be cycling up to 65 km (40.4 mi) & 6 hours per day, with up to 1,000 m (3,280 ft) of elevation gain.

  Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover more bike tours in France here!

• What do I need to bring?

  All you’ll need to carry during the day is a small bag with your picnic and your belongings for the day. Your luggage is transported by taxi and is limited to one piece of luggage per person. Please limit your luggage to 1 bag per person, max 15 kg.

  We recommend packing with both a carry-on and a checked bag. In your carry-on, keep all essential items like your passport, travel documents, medications, and key cycling gear such as shoes and a jacket, anything you wouldn’t want to lose if your luggage is delayed. 

  Your checked bag can hold the rest of your clothing and personal items. Delays with checked luggage are still fairly common, so it’s worth making sure you have the essentials with you when you arrive.

  Clothing:

  • • Cycling shoes
    • Socks — one pair for every day or two days of the trip (hiking/sport specific padded socks, no cotton please)
    • Sun hat — wide brimmed hat or baseball cap/bandana combo
    • T-shirts or cycling jerseys
    • Warm top — mid-weight sweater or pullover of wicking material such as merino wool, fleece or polypropylene
    • Windbreaker
    • Cycling shorts
    • Cycling gloves — optional
    • Rain gear
    • Casual clothing & footwear – comfortable clothes and shoes to wear in the evening after activities

  Gear:

  • • Helmet
    • Daypack
    • Personal luggage
    • Hydration system — 2+ liters capacity, either water bottles or bladder/hose system and an additional water bottle
    • Headlamp — preferably with an L.E.D. bulb that works with AA or AAA batteries
    • Phone, charger, power bank
    • Waterproof travel case or pouch — used to keep important documents (i.e. passport, health/travel insurance, etc.) & phone safe from weather/water
    • Sunglasses, sunscreen, & lip balm
    • First aid kit
    • Personal toilet paper kit — toilet paper, wet wipes, sanitizer & sealable plastic bag(s) for carrying out used paper/wipes
    • Toiletries
    • Contact lenses & glasses
    • Prescription medication — with emergency back-up supply
    • Cash in local currency

  First aid kit suggestions:

  Carrying a basic personal first aid kit is strongly advised, as unforeseen situations may arise during travel. Access to medications and first aid supplies can be limited in certain destinations, making it essential to bring necessary prescription and over-the-counter items. Travel plans, vaccinations, and medication use should be reviewed with a healthcare provider in advance to ensure a safe and smooth journey.

  Here’s a basic list of what’s generally a good personal travel first aid kit:

  • • Medications — brands of choice; all medications should be prescribed or approved by a doctor prior to use
    • Prescription drugs — any required prescriptions with backup doses (kept in carry-on luggage)
    • Epinephrine — multiple doses recommended if severe allergies are present, with doctor prescription
    • Pain relief — ibuprofen, aspirin, non-aspirin (e.g., Tylenol)
    • Antihistamine — diphenhydramine (e.g., Benadryl)
    • Non-drowsy allergy relief — loratadine (e.g., Claritin)
    • Antacid/heartburn relief — bismuth (e.g., Pepto-Bismol), antacid tablets
    • Anti-diarrheal — loperamide hydrochloride (e.g., Imodium)
    • Cold/flu medicine
    • Electrolyte replacement/drink mix
    • Creams — antibiotic ointment, anti-itch (hydrocortisone), arnica
    • Eye problems: dry/itchy — eye drops
    • Feminine hygiene — tampons, pads
    • Wound care — assorted bandages, antiseptic swabs
    • Blister kit
    • Sun protection — sunscreen, SPF lip balm
    • Various items — athletic tape/“KT tape,” nail clippers, tweezers, small bottle of hand sanitizer, sewing kit (for clothing/button repairs), disposable surgical gloves (1–2 pairs)

  Optional items:

  • • Travel power adapter
    • Support braces — joint braces if currently needed or from past injuries (e.g., knee, ankle, elbow)
    • Sleep mask & ear plugs
    • Bug repellent
    • Quick drying towel or bandana(s)
    • Swimsuit

  Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

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• How is luggage handled during the trip?

  We keep things simple with a two-bag system. Your main bag (max 15 kg / 33 lbs) is transferred daily by vehicle to your next accommodation, so it’s always waiting for you at the end of the ride. You won’t have access to it during the day, so anything you might need should be carried with you.

  For riding, we use a saddlebag (provided with bike rental) or a small backpack to carry essentials like layers, rain gear, snacks, water, and personal items. If you’re bringing extra luggage you don’t need on the trip, you can safely store it at the starting hotel in Avignon and pick it up at the end.

• What bike will I be riding?

  A trekking bike rental is included on all cycling days on this tour. It’s a VTC/trekking bike (Trek FX2), a versatile and lightweight option that’s well-suited for road and mixed-surface riding throughout Provence. It comes with 700c wheels, multiple gears for climbing and cruising, and durable tires that handle a variety of terrain comfortably.

  The bike includes a helmet, phone mount, saddlebag, and anti-theft lock, so you’ll have everything you need for the week.

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and pricing

  • • For this Provence cycling tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 12:1. 
    • It takes a minimum of 6 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 12 participants.

  A Provence cycling tour can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the Provence cycling tour on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

  If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Is a single occupancy room available?

  The price for this Provence cycling tour is based on twin-share rooms, but a single occupancy room can be arranged at an additional fee. You can add it to your booking at checkout.

• Getting there and meeting location

  The starting point of your Provence cycling tour is Avignon. To get there, most people fly into Nice Grande Provence Méditerranée (NCE) and Montpellier Méditerranée airport (MPL). From there, you can hop on a train or rent a car to reach Avignon.

  You will meet your guide at the hotel in Avignon at 5 pm on Day 1 (check-in available after 3 pm).

• Safety measures and insurance

  We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

  Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

• Deposit and cancellation policy

  Deposits

  Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.

  Cancellations

  Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options—Basic, Flexible, or Super Flexible. Depending on which one you choose, a different cancellation policy will apply to your booking.

  Basic

  • • If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If cancelled 90 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If cancelled within 89 days of departure, no refund will be issued.

  Flexible

  • • If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If cancelled 90 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If cancelled 60-89 days before departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If cancelled within 59 days of departure, no refund will be issued.

  Super Flexible

  • • If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If cancelled 60 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If cancelled within 59 days of departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.