Cycling in Provence

Provence is one of the most characterful and attractive regions of France which, if you know France, is really saying something. Here you have scenery that has captured the imagination of countless artists and writers most notably, of course, Vincent Van Gogh. Cycling in Provence is without doubt the finest way to explore historic towns and hilltop villages (among the prettiest in the country), riverside, coastal and country scenery that brings to mind Peter Mayle’s classic A Year in Provence, and some of the best preserved Roman monuments outside Italy.

You’ll ride past abbeys and chateaux, windmills and perhaps the asylum where Van Gogh admitted himself after he cut off part of his ear in Arles, and where he painted many well-known works of art including ‘The Starry Night’. Routes are, for the most part, very forgiving and made for sociable cycling which can also be paired with wine tasting in the Côtes du Rhône villages north of Avignon, or gastronomy. Reward your exertions by feasting on local produce and regional specialities from pâtés, honey, cured meats, cheese, liquor and bread. Tour prestigious vineyards and wineries meeting the sommeliers, artisan chocolatiers and of course the famous covered market of Avignon, Les Halles. Bien manger et bien boire – with a bit of cycling in-between, if that’s your preference.

Itineraries are generally point-to-point, and sometimes follow a circular route from Avignon. You’ll stay in family-owned hotels, with luggage transferred between them so you need only carry the basics with you. Accommodations can sometimes be upgraded if you want a little more luxury, and you may also be able to add a day out of the saddle here or there, for more time to wander places such as Arles. While you are naturally free to bring your own bike with you, there will also be the option to hire them and have them waiting for you on arrival, including hybrids, road bikes with carbon or aluminium frames, or e-bikes. You will want to supply your own helmet and water bottle, and if you wish you can also bring your own saddle and pedals.

Orange is famed for its outstanding Roman architecture, most notably the Triumphal Arch and the theatre, which together are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Some routes see you tackle the ‘Beast of Provence’ which, at 1,910m, frequently serves as one of the most demanding stretches of the Tour de France. It’s windy when you eventually, exhausted, reach the mountain summit, hence the name, but you can look forward to a sublime descent.