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| Type of tour: | Self-guided |
| Level: | Leisurely |
| Duration: | 7 Nights |
| Distance: | 28 Miles/day average |
| Dates: | Self-guided: Saturdays: Mar 24- Oct 27, 2012; and Mar 23-Oct 26, 2013 |
| Tour price: | €1190 |
| Start city: | Avignon, France |
| End city: | Avignon, France |



"When God created the sun, the earth, the mountains and seas, and put them in place, he realised that a little of each remained. So he gathered the bits together to make a paradise and the Provence was born."A nice and nearly true story, isn't it? Provence and Camargue: The land of light, colours and scents. For these reasons, many well known painters have lived in Provence: Picasso, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Matisse, Cézanne, Chagall ... The Mediterranean climate is pleasant, the sun shines more than 3000 hours a year. The people are living outside, even during the winter, play "Pétanque" and drink their "Pastis".
Provence has not only an easy way of live, but it is also one of the richest cultural regions of Europe. Numerous monuments testify a long and great past since the Greek and Roman period going to the Middle Ages and, at last, to the last centuries. Avignon: the famous Papal Palace (world patrimony), the medieval town and its impressive city wall; Glanum: Greek and Roman monuments; Les Baux: medieval town in the Alpilles; Tarascon: the greatest fortified castle of the Rhone valley; Arles: the whole city has been classified as world patrimony because of its numerous Roman and medieval monuments; Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer: little village between the sea, the sky and the Camargue; St. Gilles: with its beautiful Romanesque church with its crypt (which has also been declared world patrimony); Pont du Gard: aqueduct over the Gardon river, the best conserved of the Roman empire, world patrimony. And finally our tour takes you to Uzès one of the most beautiful villages in Provence.
On top of all that you will discover the national park and nature reserve Camargue, the great delta of the Rhone river, where water, channels and seas attract thousands of birds - some of which are very rare; its symbols are the white horses and the black bulls. Finally, we have to mention the quality of the wine and the food. During the cycle tour you’ll discover the amazing meals of Provence and their Mediterranean flavours.
And last but not least: you stay in some of the most beautiful 4 star hotels in the Provence!
Learn more about self-guided tours.
"When God created the sun, the earth, the mountains and seas, and put them in place, he realised that a little of each remained. So he gathered the bits together to make a paradise and the Provence was born."A nice and nearly true story, isn't it? Provence and Camargue: The land of light, colours and scents. For these reasons, many well known painters have lived in Provence: Picasso, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Matisse, Cézanne, Chagall ... The Mediterranean climate is pleasant, the sun shines more than 3000 hours a year. The people are living outside, even during the winter, play "Pétanque" and drink their "Pastis".
Provence has not only an easy way of live, but it is also one of the richest cultural regions of Europe. Numerous monuments testify a long and great past since the Greek and Roman period going to the Middle Ages and, at last, to the last centuries. Avignon: the famous Papal Palace (world patrimony), the medieval town and its impressive city wall; Glanum: Greek and Roman monuments; Les Baux: medieval town in the Alpilles; Tarascon: the greatest fortified castle of the Rhone valley; Arles: the whole city has been classified as world patrimony because of its numerous Roman and medieval monuments; Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer: little village between the sea, the sky and the Camargue; St. Gilles: with its beautiful Romanesque church with its crypt (which has also been declared world patrimony); Pont du Gard: aqueduct over the Gardon river, the best conserved of the Roman empire, world patrimony. And finally our tour takes you to Uzès one of the most beautiful villages in Provence.
On top of all that you will discover the national park and nature reserve Camargue, the great delta of the Rhone river, where water, channels and seas attract thousands of birds - some of which are very rare; its symbols are the white horses and the black bulls. Finally, we have to mention the quality of the wine and the food. During the cycle tour you’ll discover the amazing meals of Provence and their Mediterranean flavours.
And last but not least: you stay in some of the most beautiful 4 star hotels in the Provence!
Learn more about self-guided tours.
Day 1: Avignon
Arrival at Avignon Centre in the 4-star hotel.
Day 2: Avignon to Arles (27-33 miles/45-55 km)
9.30 a.m.: Personal welcome, distribution of bikes - if you have rented one - and necessary documents. From hotel through Little Crau to St. Rémy de Provence, Les Baux (medieval village) and Arles (world patrimony). Very nice 3-star hotel in old historical building with swimming-pool.
Overnight in Arles
Day 3: Arles to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer (27 miles/45 km)
Visit Arles, then ride through the Camargue to the lake of Vaccarès, observe the rare birds, then to Saintes Maries de la Mer on the beach. 4-star Hotel with swimming-pool.
Overnight in Saintes Maries de la Mer.
Day 4: Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer to St. Gilles (24 miles/40 km)
Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, through the Camargue and the rice fields to St. Gilles (Romanesque church with crypt, world patrimony), 4-star gîte de charme with swimming-pool near St. Gilles.
Overnight in St Giles.
Day 5: St. Gilles to Pont-du-Gard (36 miles/60 km)
You’re riding on small roads through vineyards and orchards with a wonderful view on the Mont Ventoux to the Pont-du-Gard (World Patrimony). Stay in a 4-star gîte de charme with swimming-pool near the Pont-du-Gard.
Overnight in Pont-du-Gard.
Day 6: Pont-du-Gard to Uzès to Pont-du-Gard (24 miles40 km)
On small roads and bike paths passing small villages to Uzès, one of the most wonderful towns of the Provence. A real must on this tour! Back to the 4-star gîte de charme with swimming-pool near the Pont-du-Gard.
Overnight in Pont-du-Gard
Day 7: Pont-du-Gard to Avignon (24 miles/40 km)
On little roads through wine fields to Aramon, then along the Rhône Sète river and Durance river to Avignon. 4-star Hotel.
Overnight in Avignon.
Day 8: Depart
End of the tour or you can choose to lengthen your holiday.
Saturdays: Mar 24- Oct 27, 2012; and Mar 23-Oct 26, 2013
The hybrid touring bikes available are manufactured by Giant:
Both bikes have an aluminium frame and rims, chain-guard and fork suspension. They also have special anti-puncture wheels. They are equipped with 1 saddle bag, map holder, pump, lock, repair set and safety coat.
An electrically assisted bike is also available. It is a women's step-through aluminium frame with a seamless electric power boost.
A tandem bike is also available (limited, upon request).
The hybrid touring bikes available are manufactured by Giant:
Both bikes have an aluminium frame and rims, chain-guard and fork suspension. They also have special anti-puncture wheels. They are equipped with 1 saddle bag, map holder, pump, lock, repair set and safety coat.
An electrically assisted bike is also available. It is a women's step-through aluminium frame with a seamless electric power boost.
A tandem bike is also available (limited, upon request).
The distance for this tour is about 260-280 km/162-175 miles, mainly on quiet paths and flat roads (but one slope of about 5 km/3 miles to Les Baux, but you can avoid this slope) that anybody can do.
In addition to our detailed road book and maps, you'll be guided by red signs with white arrows that help you to find easily the route all along the bike tour.
This tour is rated Leisurely and is for cyclists in average physical condition.
The distance for this tour is about 260-280 km/162-175 miles, mainly on quiet paths and flat roads (but one slope of about 5 km/3 miles to Les Baux, but you can avoid this slope) that anybody can do.
In addition to our detailed road book and maps, you'll be guided by red signs with white arrows that help you to find easily the route all along the bike tour.
This tour is rated Leisurely and is for cyclists in average physical condition.
By air: Paris then by train
By train: to Avignon TGV or Avignon Centre
Tips on getting to and from your tour
By air: Paris then by train
By train: to Avignon TGV or Avignon Centre
Tips on getting to and from your tour
Weather Underground offers information on average and record temperatures at many destinations throughout the globe. Type a destination in the search box and enter a travel date range to learn about seasonal weather patterns.
Get weather information.
Weather Underground offers information on average and record temperatures at many destinations throughout the globe. Type a destination in the search box and enter a travel date range to learn about seasonal weather patterns.
Get weather information.
With more than 40,000 monuments and 6,000 museums, France's history and tradition continue to thrive in Western Europe's largest country. Along with its history, France is at the forefront of modern development, a leader among European nations. A country of contrasts, France provides opportunities for all interests. Fashion, art and elegance prosper in the dynamic cities of Paris, Lyon, and Nice. Outside the cities, a variety of landscapes stretch over the remaining 80% of the country.
France's hexagonal shape is defined by the English Channel and Atlantic on the western coast with the Pyrenees and Alps sitting on the southwest and southeast borders. The Mediterranean Sea runs along the southern coast with the Rhine River flowing beside the German border. Visitors exploring the cities or countryside can bask in France’s pleasant climate, enjoying the stylish life, local wine and cuisine.
With more than 40,000 monuments and 6,000 museums, France's history and tradition continue to thrive in Western Europe's largest country. Along with its history, France is at the forefront of modern development, a leader among European nations. A country of contrasts, France provides opportunities for all interests. Fashion, art and elegance prosper in the dynamic cities of Paris, Lyon, and Nice. Outside the cities, a variety of landscapes stretch over the remaining 80% of the country.
France's hexagonal shape is defined by the English Channel and Atlantic on the western coast with the Pyrenees and Alps sitting on the southwest and southeast borders. The Mediterranean Sea runs along the southern coast with the Rhine River flowing beside the German border. Visitors exploring the cities or countryside can bask in France’s pleasant climate, enjoying the stylish life, local wine and cuisine.
France is a land that we know very well, especially Prof. Dr. Dr.c.e. Josef Smets, the owner and manager of France-Bike. He studied french culture and history at the universities of Freiburg, Heidelberg and Montpellier where he is living since 1976. He teached these matters at Paris, Montpellier and Salzburg in Austria. He has published many papers and books about french history and culture. You can benefit of our specific know how about France.
So it is not astonishing that the major part of our tours takes place in France because no country of Europe possedes so many different and magnificent landscapes than France. And all know that one don't eat so good as in France. This is the reason why we want to propose tours that belong to the best of the cycle travel market in Europe. Our motto is: high quality and specific pleasure.
We don't want to organize tours without good hotels and excellent meals. You can be sure that you'll dine in restaurants belonging to the best of each town. Our tours are cultural and gastronomic tours. And you'll ride in the most beautiful landscapes of France discovering a particularly nice nature as Provence, the Camargue, the Lubéron, the Pyrenees, the Canal du Midi. And Loire, Périgord, Bordeaux, Atlantic, Burgundy, Brittany, Alsace ...
Our "classical" tours are well known
Canal du Midi, Pyrenees-Mediterranean, our tour in Provence and Camargue. You'll cross beautiful landscapes and have our "normal" high quality accomodations. Furthermore, the mild mediterranean climate with more than 3000 sun hours per year makes it (nearly) sure to ride without rain.
France-Bike wants to make surprises with new destinations and always with our usual high quality accomations, plus good weather.
Languedoc-Camargue is a very beatiful trip and also Provence-Lubéron and Lavender that leads you in some hidden and more unknown parts of the Provence; but how nice it is!
Provence de Luxe **** is our "king size" tour, you'll make a real dream tour in the nicest hotels of the Provence with divine dinners.
An other gastronomic highlight for epicures is the specific journey Gourmet days in Montpellier; we propose very nice hotels and very good restaurants.
And if you wish to learn to cook good and typical french meals by yourself, we recommend to book Provence - Cook, Taste, Ride.
We explore new regions of France: Périgord, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Loire Valley, Brittany, Alsace and add new trips every year.
Make a virtual journey on our website. We would be glad to welcome you on one of our tours.
Your France Bike Team
France is a land that we know very well, especially Prof. Dr. Dr.c.e. Josef Smets, the owner and manager of France-Bike. He studied french culture and history at the universities of Freiburg, Heidelberg and Montpellier where he is living since 1976. He teached these matters at Paris, Montpellier and Salzburg in Austria. He has published many papers and books about french history and culture. You can benefit of our specific know how about France.
So it is not astonishing that the major part of our tours takes place in France because no country of Europe possedes so many different and magnificent landscapes than France. And all know that one don't eat so good as in France. This is the reason why we want to propose tours that belong to the best of the cycle travel market in Europe. Our motto is: high quality and specific pleasure.
We don't want to organize tours without good hotels and excellent meals. You can be sure that you'll dine in restaurants belonging to the best of each town. Our tours are cultural and gastronomic tours. And you'll ride in the most beautiful landscapes of France discovering a particularly nice nature as Provence, the Camargue, the Lubéron, the Pyrenees, the Canal du Midi. And Loire, Périgord, Bordeaux, Atlantic, Burgundy, Brittany, Alsace ...
Our "classical" tours are well known
Canal du Midi, Pyrenees-Mediterranean, our tour in Provence and Camargue. You'll cross beautiful landscapes and have our "normal" high quality accomodations. Furthermore, the mild mediterranean climate with more than 3000 sun hours per year makes it (nearly) sure to ride without rain.
France-Bike wants to make surprises with new destinations and always with our usual high quality accomations, plus good weather.
Languedoc-Camargue is a very beatiful trip and also Provence-Lubéron and Lavender that leads you in some hidden and more unknown parts of the Provence; but how nice it is!
Provence de Luxe **** is our "king size" tour, you'll make a real dream tour in the nicest hotels of the Provence with divine dinners.
An other gastronomic highlight for epicures is the specific journey Gourmet days in Montpellier; we propose very nice hotels and very good restaurants.
And if you wish to learn to cook good and typical french meals by yourself, we recommend to book Provence - Cook, Taste, Ride.
We explore new regions of France: Périgord, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Loire Valley, Brittany, Alsace and add new trips every year.
Make a virtual journey on our website. We would be glad to welcome you on one of our tours.
Your France Bike Team
Withdrawal by the customer / subscriber replacement / alteration
First Before you travel, the customer may at any time withdraw from the contract. The customer is advised to explain the resignation in writing. In the event of cancellation or no-show without prior cancellation of the trip we are entitled to charge the following fees from the tour price:
For bike tours:
For cycling and boat trips:
The customer is entitled to prove France bike that no damage has been incurred or is substantially lower than this package.
Recommended in any case; travel cancellation insurance.
Second Each registered participant may be replaced by a third when he tells us of this until three days prior to departure. France-Bike can object to the participants of the important reasons. Then apply the above terms and conditions. If a substitute in place of the registered participant, the original contract is not affected. For the transfer effort, we are entitled to € 50 - to charge.
Third Changes regarding the booking number of persons, room number, or - art, the hotel category and catering are possible in principle to 14 days prior to departure. The associated costs we have to ask you but also take into account. Depending rebooking we will charge you € 50 - per participant.
Performance and price changes before signing the contract
The scope of the contractual services resulting from the performance specifications (eg catalog, flyers, Internet, individual choice) to concrete journey and the details referring to this in the travel confirmation. Before signing the contract to France-bike reserves in accordance with § 4 section 2 BGB InfoVO expressly for objectively justified, substantial and unforeseeable reasons to make a change in the travel, the traveler will inform you before booking. France-bike reserves in this regard, in particular, before signing a change of the price due to an increase in transportation costs, the fees for certain services (such as port or airport fees), or to explain a change in the rules applicable to such travel exchange rates after the publication of the prospectus . France-Bike reserves the right to adjust the tour price prior to closing, if desired by the customer or in the brochure advertised package is available only through the purchase of additional quotas after publication of the prospectus is. Is assembled on the customer's request, an individual itinerary, then the power requirement of the France-Bike is exclusively from the corresponding concrete offer to the customer in conjunction with the relevant booking confirmation.
Performance and price changes after the contract
After signing the contract necessary changes essential travel services, the France-Bike not be brought in bad faith, are only permitted if the changes are not substantial and do not affect the overall character of the holiday.
Price changes after conclusion of the contract only in the case of even after conclusion of the contract occurred and on completion of unforeseen increases in transportation costs or charges for certain services, such as possible port or airport fees or a change in the force for the relevant trip rates to the extent that how the increase per person or per seat on the tour price effect, if the time between signing the contract and the agreed departure date more than four months. If this were the case, the customer is immediately notified thereof. A price increase from the 20th Required days before the departure date is invalid.
In the case of a significant modification of an essential travel service or a price increase by more than 5% the traveler is entitled to free from the contract or to require participation in an equivalent hotel, if France bike is capable of such a trip at no extra cost offer from his offer.The traveler has the access rights immediately after the declaration of France Bike of the price increase or the change of the travel service to France bike asserted.
Liability and Limitation of Liability
First France-Bike is liable under the care of a prudent businessman for conscientious travel preparation, careful selection and monitoring of service providers and the correctness of the valid travel period for the service descriptions at the time of printing of the brochure.
Second Participation in the tour is at your own risk. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate in a trip.
Third Each participant is responsible for ensuring that he is fit enough to face the demands of travel.
Fourth Compliance with road traffic regulations is also the responsibility of the participant.
Fifth (Like bus, boat, plane) for all shipments subject to the conditions of carriage of the transport company.
Sixth Our liability for damages other than physical damage is limited to the amount of three times the tour price, provided that the damage from France bike intentionally or by gross negligence was or where France bike solely because of a service provider is responsible.
Seventh We strongly recommend taking a travel-safety package.
Eighth If a trip for reasons to be canceled, we can not influence (strike, natural disaster, etc.) or should not be achieved in a group tour, the minimum number of participants, we reserve the right to cancel the trip at least 3 weeks before the scheduled departure . In this case, you are immediately informed and any payments already received shall be returned immediately.Further claims are excluded.
Warranty
• Remedy. If the trip is not provided under the contract, the customer may demand remedy.France-Bike can refuse the remedy, if they require a disproportionate effort, but is entitled to make corrective measures in the form of equal or greater compensation. Such a substitution may be refused by the customer only for good, objective reason recognizable. The demand for redress should be addressed directly to us or the tour guide. The tour guide is not authorized to accept claims.
• reduction of the price. For the duration of non contractual provision of the trip, to remedy through France-Bike, the customer may return from the trip a corresponding reduction of the price (reduction). The reduction does not apply if and insofar as the traveler culpably omits the defect in the first paragraph VI called the proper time display to enable them to help.
• Any claims must be no later than one month after the contractually planned end of the trip submitted to us.
Responsibilities
First If the traveler's travel documents were not obtained in advance of the trip, he must notify France bike immediately. The passenger is obliged to respect any disruptions to services to do everything it can reasonably be expected to remedying the problem and limit any damage to small or to avoid. The customer has the obligation to immediately report complaints in the first paragraph VI these authorities to be notified. They are instructed to take corrective action, if possible. If the customer fails culpably to notify a defect, then a claim for a reduction not.
Other
Jurisdiction / Applicable Law
Withdrawal by the customer / subscriber replacement / alteration
First Before you travel, the customer may at any time withdraw from the contract. The customer is advised to explain the resignation in writing. In the event of cancellation or no-show without prior cancellation of the trip we are entitled to charge the following fees from the tour price:
For bike tours:
For cycling and boat trips:
The customer is entitled to prove France bike that no damage has been incurred or is substantially lower than this package.
Recommended in any case; travel cancellation insurance.
Second Each registered participant may be replaced by a third when he tells us of this until three days prior to departure. France-Bike can object to the participants of the important reasons. Then apply the above terms and conditions. If a substitute in place of the registered participant, the original contract is not affected. For the transfer effort, we are entitled to € 50 - to charge.
Third Changes regarding the booking number of persons, room number, or - art, the hotel category and catering are possible in principle to 14 days prior to departure. The associated costs we have to ask you but also take into account. Depending rebooking we will charge you € 50 - per participant.
Performance and price changes before signing the contract
The scope of the contractual services resulting from the performance specifications (eg catalog, flyers, Internet, individual choice) to concrete journey and the details referring to this in the travel confirmation. Before signing the contract to France-bike reserves in accordance with § 4 section 2 BGB InfoVO expressly for objectively justified, substantial and unforeseeable reasons to make a change in the travel, the traveler will inform you before booking. France-bike reserves in this regard, in particular, before signing a change of the price due to an increase in transportation costs, the fees for certain services (such as port or airport fees), or to explain a change in the rules applicable to such travel exchange rates after the publication of the prospectus . France-Bike reserves the right to adjust the tour price prior to closing, if desired by the customer or in the brochure advertised package is available only through the purchase of additional quotas after publication of the prospectus is. Is assembled on the customer's request, an individual itinerary, then the power requirement of the France-Bike is exclusively from the corresponding concrete offer to the customer in conjunction with the relevant booking confirmation.
Performance and price changes after the contract
After signing the contract necessary changes essential travel services, the France-Bike not be brought in bad faith, are only permitted if the changes are not substantial and do not affect the overall character of the holiday.
Price changes after conclusion of the contract only in the case of even after conclusion of the contract occurred and on completion of unforeseen increases in transportation costs or charges for certain services, such as possible port or airport fees or a change in the force for the relevant trip rates to the extent that how the increase per person or per seat on the tour price effect, if the time between signing the contract and the agreed departure date more than four months. If this were the case, the customer is immediately notified thereof. A price increase from the 20th Required days before the departure date is invalid.
In the case of a significant modification of an essential travel service or a price increase by more than 5% the traveler is entitled to free from the contract or to require participation in an equivalent hotel, if France bike is capable of such a trip at no extra cost offer from his offer.The traveler has the access rights immediately after the declaration of France Bike of the price increase or the change of the travel service to France bike asserted.
Liability and Limitation of Liability
First France-Bike is liable under the care of a prudent businessman for conscientious travel preparation, careful selection and monitoring of service providers and the correctness of the valid travel period for the service descriptions at the time of printing of the brochure.
Second Participation in the tour is at your own risk. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate in a trip.
Third Each participant is responsible for ensuring that he is fit enough to face the demands of travel.
Fourth Compliance with road traffic regulations is also the responsibility of the participant.
Fifth (Like bus, boat, plane) for all shipments subject to the conditions of carriage of the transport company.
Sixth Our liability for damages other than physical damage is limited to the amount of three times the tour price, provided that the damage from France bike intentionally or by gross negligence was or where France bike solely because of a service provider is responsible.
Seventh We strongly recommend taking a travel-safety package.
Eighth If a trip for reasons to be canceled, we can not influence (strike, natural disaster, etc.) or should not be achieved in a group tour, the minimum number of participants, we reserve the right to cancel the trip at least 3 weeks before the scheduled departure . In this case, you are immediately informed and any payments already received shall be returned immediately.Further claims are excluded.
Warranty
• Remedy. If the trip is not provided under the contract, the customer may demand remedy.France-Bike can refuse the remedy, if they require a disproportionate effort, but is entitled to make corrective measures in the form of equal or greater compensation. Such a substitution may be refused by the customer only for good, objective reason recognizable. The demand for redress should be addressed directly to us or the tour guide. The tour guide is not authorized to accept claims.
• reduction of the price. For the duration of non contractual provision of the trip, to remedy through France-Bike, the customer may return from the trip a corresponding reduction of the price (reduction). The reduction does not apply if and insofar as the traveler culpably omits the defect in the first paragraph VI called the proper time display to enable them to help.
• Any claims must be no later than one month after the contractually planned end of the trip submitted to us.
Responsibilities
First If the traveler's travel documents were not obtained in advance of the trip, he must notify France bike immediately. The passenger is obliged to respect any disruptions to services to do everything it can reasonably be expected to remedying the problem and limit any damage to small or to avoid. The customer has the obligation to immediately report complaints in the first paragraph VI these authorities to be notified. They are instructed to take corrective action, if possible. If the customer fails culpably to notify a defect, then a claim for a reduction not.
Other
Jurisdiction / Applicable Law
