Highlights
- Cycling through the Camargue – famous for flamingos and wild horses
- Gently riding through Provencal villages
- Visiting Pont du Gard, the highest Roman aqueduct and a UNESCO Heritage site
- Exploring scenic Avignon, city of the Popes
- Cycling past the magnificent abbey of Saint Michel de Frigulet
- Staying on board a charming, comfortable barge
Itinerary
- Meals: Dinner
Today you’ll arrive in the medieval city of Aigues-Mortes, where you’ll board your barge from 18.00. Dinner on board is the perfect opportunity to get to know the other members of the group and chat about the week to come.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
- Ascent: 183 Metres Approx.
Today’s circular ride will take us along the small country lanes of the Camargue; we’ll be cycling along canals, past lagoons and through small villages to the charming fisherman’s village of Le Grau-du-Roi. With 12 miles of beach, it’s the perfect place to have a sunbathe and relax in the sunshine!
Alternatively, you‘re welcome to spend some time exploring the lovely Aigues-Mortes. Rising from the marshes of the Camargue, Aigues-Mortes’ walled town is the perfect place to escape to for a cold drink after a hot day spent lazing on the beach.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Ascent: 145 Metres Approx.
This morning we’ll sail for a couple of hours up to Saint Gilles and Franquevaux then start our ride towards Arles; the ancient capital of Gaul.
With Roman treasures in abundance, shady squares and plenty of culture, Arles is the perfect town to explore by foot. Luckily you’ll be able to do just that as we’ve organised for a professional tour guide to show you around!
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Ascent: 358 Metres Approx.
In the morning, we’ll make our way to the Alpilles, an enchanting natural site in the northwest of the Bouches du Rhône department. A highlight will be Les-Baux-de-Provence, a medieval village lodged in the rock itself. A landscape of limestone cliffs and olive trees will accompany us throughout the day.
Today’s stage is the only one that has a real elevation up in ascent: 4km ascent from the village of Paradou to Les Baux de Provence. But after Les Baux a beautiful 4km downhill to St. Remy waits for you! You will have the option to avoid the climbs by choosing the detour route where a short 1 km climb in Fontvieille to the mills of Daudet is foreseen.
In the evening our barge will be moored in Vallabrègues, a pretty Provençal village on the banks of the Rhône.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Ascent: 174 Metres Approx.
Riding along country roads, we’ll make our way to Barbentane and its castle, situated at the confluence of the Rhone and Durance rivers. We’ll then cycle to the magnificent Abbey of Saint Michel de Frigulet. The abbey takes its name from the Provençal word for thyme, the “ferigoule” which grows in the surrounding hills.
In the afternoon we’ll sail on to our overnight stop, Aramon; with beautiful views of Mont Ventoux, it’s a great place to stay the night.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Ascent: 202 Metres Approx.
Today’s route will take us to the best preserved Roman aqueduct in Europe, Pont du Gard, a spectacular sight! The Pont du Gard is an ancient Roman aqueduct that crosses the Gardon River near the town of Vers-Pont-du-Gard. The impressive aqueduct, with 3 sets of archways, was designed to bring water to the city of Nîmes, and is the highest, and one of the best preserved, of all elevated Roman aqueducts.
After cycling to Aramon in the afternoon, we’ll set sail to Avignon, the city of the Popes, and your home for the next two nights. Our mooring place is in Quai de la Ligne, next to the famous Pont St. Bénezet, a perfect spot for exploring.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Ascent: 208 Metres Approx.
Today we’ll cycle to the opposite bank of the Rhone river, crossing the Ile de la Bathelasse and riding between vineyards and orchards.
We’ll follow the course of the river, and spend some time in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon (once known as the town of the cardinals), before returning to our barge in Avignon.
This afternoon can be spent exploring the historic centre of Avignon, known as the heart of Provence. For 70 or so years of the early 1300s, Avignon was the centre of the Roman Catholic world, and although it’s position as the seat of papal power only lasted a few decades, it’s been left with an impressive range of architecture, the most famous being the World Heritage–listed fortress/palace, known as the Palais des Papes.
- Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast it’s time to disembark and start your journey home.
The itinerary has been planned to feature navigation along the Rhone River and Rhone-Sète Canal.
Occasionally, weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during the holiday. Issues with high and low water, as well as logistical obstacles such as those officially ordered – and previously not announced (e.g. repair work on locks or bridges) can modify some of the daily stretches or overnight stays and may even request a transfer by bus. These decisions will be taken by the boat’s captain.
Gallery
The Cycling
Terrain
The terrain is 90% asphalt and on 10% unpaved roads.
The tour is in the lowlands during the three stages in the Camargue, while the stages north of Arles do present some ups and downs, but all manageable when taking it at your own pace.
The 5 km / 3 mile uphill climb towards Les Baux will pose the biggest challenge of the week, but you will be fully repaid with an extraordinary landscape.
The itinerary is mostly (around 80%) on secondary roads with low levels of traffic, with some short stretches on busier roads. There is a short 1 km stretch on a gravel / dirt road between Arles and Saint Gilles.
We recommend a hybrid or e-bike for this tour. (Own bikes not permitted on board) For more information about riding an electric bike on our holidays please click here
Leisure Cycling Grade
Aspects of both our grade 2 and 3 trips
Suitable for those looking for some cycle friendly routes
Some modest climbs
Possibly sections of varying terrain (eg. forest tracks, gravel paths etc)
Our grading guidelines have been carefully created based on our many years of cycling experience, as well as customer feedback from our trips. Of course, if you're still struggling to figure out where you fit on the scale, do feel free to give us a quick call and we'll be more than happy to help!
For more information about our grading system click here.
Is this suitable for you?
Trips that are graded as a 2-3, will have aspects of both our grade 2 and 3 rides. These tours are still suitable for those perhaps who have recently got into cycling, and offer an array of accessible, cycle friendly routes, cycle paths and quiet roads, however there will be some days / sections where you may have to tackle some ups and downs, the occasional steeper climb and perhaps some varying terrain (forest tracks, gravel paths etc). Suitable for those with a decent level of physical fitness, looking for some leisurely rides with occasional (achievable!) challenges along the way.
For more information about the grading of this holiday in particular, please check out the terrain section which will give you some specifics of what to expect on this tour.
Dates & Prices
Secure Your Holiday With A Deposit
Book now with a $375 deposit and nothing more to pay until 90 days before departure. Choose a date to start your booking and see all prices, including bike hire and single room supplements.
Whats Included
A) Barge accommodation (shared twin / double en suite cabins, with sheets and towels)
B) Meals as per the itinerary
C) English speaking local leader, within an international group
D) Access to navigation app (inc. maps, roadbook, points of interest and GPS tracks)
E) Sheets and towels, and a mid-week cabin cleaning service and towel change
F) Coffee and tea on board
G) Guided tour of Arles
H) Harbour charges
I) Financial Protection through ABTOT
What's not Included
A) Bike rental (available if required)
B) Flights and charges for travelling with your bike (if applicable)
C) One evening meal (day 6)
D) Single cabin (available if required, on request)
E) Travel insurance
F) Personal clothing and equipment
G) Personal expenditure (souvenirs, bar bills on board, etc)
H) Entrance fees to museums and other attractions en route
I) Travel to barge on arrival day
J) Travel from barge on departure day
Private Departures
Are you keen to only travel with your family or friends? Struggling to find the right date? Well, we can organise a private departure for this tour and tailor aspects to suit your group's specific needs. Contact our friendly team and we'll help you turn your dream into reality.
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Reviews
Frances, Lincolnshire, UKAlready booked my second bike holiday with Skedaddle!This was my first cycling holiday, I’d never been on anything like this before so I talked several times on the phone to the Skedaddle staff, who were always helpful. They gave lots of info and reassurance and it always felt, to me, a very personal and welcoming interaction (which is probably why I booked a second trip before the first had started!).
Jean, USAWe can't wait to do another tour!This was our first cycling holiday and it completely exceeded our expectations. The riding was moderate, not overly challenging, and the hybrid bikes were great. The tour leader was extremely knowledgeable and very passionate about cycling. The food was fresh, healthy, absolutely delicious, and perfectly showcased local produce and wines. Our fellow cyclists were friendly and we had great dinner conversations every night. We can’t wait to do another tour!