Provence Camargue – Bike & Boat Avignon to Aigues-Mortes

The delicious wines of the Côtes du Rhône have to be a highlight of any stay in Provence, so what better way to start out on your bike and boat tour than a gentle cycling sortie past Sorgues, along the banks of the Ouvèze and Lionne to the renowned vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape? A wine-tasting treat here is included in the tour price, so sip back and enjoy the real taste of Provence, before you head across the River Rhône to the ruined castle towers of Roquemaure. The royal castle here was dismantled after the French Revolution, but the village with its maze of medieval streets is the perfect place to drink in more vineyard views. Villeneuve-les-Avignon is the final stop of the cycling day, home of the Chartreuse and St André fortress, before you follow the river back to your floating home.

Overnight mooring – Avignon.

Miles  27  Kms  45

Leaving Avignon, enjoy the riverbank views on a two hour cruise down to Aramon, now one of the  busy industrial centres of the Rhône Valley. Dating right back to Roman times, the village still has a medieval castle perched up on the rocks and is just a stone’s throw from rolling vineyard slopes and ancient villages such as Saint Amand. Pedal out to the awesome arches of the Pont du Gard, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, the best preserved Roman aqueduct in Europe and highest bridge in the Roman Empire. Enjoy a visit to this spectacular feat of ancient engineering which stretches some 275 metres across the river valley (entrance included in tour price), before wheeling your way along the Gardon valley and on to meet an unlikely mammoth lurking in the ‘Caves des Vignerons’ in historic Montfrin. Back in Aramon, reflect on the big impressions of the day as you enjoy views of the rocky crests of the majestic Mont Ventoux.

Overnight mooring – Aramon.

Miles  24  Kms  40

Departing Aramon, it’s just an hour’s cruise to the pretty little Provençal village of Vallabrègues, a home of traditional basket weaving. Take a look in the craft museum perhaps, then cycle the country roads along the Rhône to its meeting point with the Durance river – the fortified medieval town of Barbentane. Don’t miss the castle (aka Le Petit Trianon de Provence) before starting the gentle climb up to the pine-clad plateau, the Massif de Montagnette, for a visit to the isolated Abbey of St Michel de Frigolet with its mighty, pinnacled basilica. Back downhill, medieval Boulbon near Vallabrègues boasts the remains of a feudal castle and an 11th century tower, plus a charming walk to the renovated 18th century Moulin de Bonnet, a classic tower and topknot windmill surrounded by beautiful views.

Overnight mooring – Vallabrègues.

Miles   21 Kms  35

A longer day with a linear stretch of cycling. Leave your floating accommodation at Vallabrègues, to meet it again at Arles as you pedal through the colourful Provençal landscapes which inspired Grand Dutch Master, Van Gogh, during his time in Provence. First stop is the castle town of Tarascon: a magnificent town with many medieval streets to wander and legendary monster tales to tell. Further on, St Rémy de Provence is the birthplace of Nostradamus and home of the entire excavated Roman colony of Glanum – but all this is dwarfed by the legacy of Van Gogh’s one year stay. Visit the Van Gogh Interpretation Centre or the ancient monastery of St Paul de Mausolee, recognised as the psychiatric hospital where the Dutch Master lived.

The regional ‘Musée des Alpilles’ gives a fascinating insight into this area of rocky landscapes, olive and almond trees. Take a look perhaps, before you head up hill on the more challenging, but very worthwhile few kilometres to the impressive ancient village in the limestone rock-face – Les Baux-de-Provence. This section of the cycling day is optional with an alternative route missing out Les Baux-de-Provence provided. Alternatively, if you prefer not to miss out, but don’t fancy the cycling climb, it may also be possible to arrange a minibus transfer to avoid the climb (bookable/payable locally and subject to availability). Finally, look out for the Roman aqueduct and burial ground on the outskirts of Arles, once the ancient capital of Gaul. 

Overnight mooring – Arles.

Miles  37  Kms  60

Whether you fancy pinning down the places where Van Gogh placed his easel, or prefer the mighty remains of the Roman amphitheatre, Arles has plenty to please. Included in your tour price is a morning’s guided tour of France’s largest city, so there’s no chance on missing out on any of its gems! In the afternoon, there’s just a short stretch to cycle from the city, alongside cultivated fields and a local black bull farm to St Gilles, whose abbey and church – a stop along the way to Santiago de Compostella – is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At St Gilles Lock, you climb back on board to enjoy a cruise along the Canal du Rhône à Sète to the mooring at Aigues-Mortes on the edge of the Camargue, western Europe’s largest river delta.

Overnight mooring – Aigues-Mortes.

Miles  15  Kms  25

Start the day with a look around the fine city of Aigues-Mortes, a place oozing history which takes its name from the surrounding ‘dead’ salt marshes and was the embarkation point for the seventh and eighth crusades. Don’t miss the 13th century Constance Tower or the 1.6 kilometres of great medieval military fortifications. The cycle path along the Canal du Rhône à Sète leads out north from the town via the famous bull-rearing town of Le Cailar. From here your cycle route loops round along Camargue country lanes between the small villages of Marsillagues and St Laurent d’Aigouze back to the entrance of Aigues-Mortes and the Tour Carbonnière with its irresistible view of the Petite Camargue. Cross your fingers for sightings of pink flamingos and the famous white Camargue horses and don’t miss the fascinating exhibition about the region’s flora and fauna at the Maison Grand Site de France de la Camargue Gardeoise. But the sea is calling, so finally follow the Canal du Rhône à Sète cycle path south towards the Mediterranean to put your toe in the water from the beaches of Le Grau-du-Roi, before heading back to your floating accommodation on the canal at Aigues-Mortes.

Overnight mooring – Aigues-Mortes.

Miles  34  Kms  55

Following your final breakfast on board your floating home, you might choose to spend a little longer exploring the historic buildings of Aigues-Mortes before jumping on the train back to Avignon. Please note that the train fare to Avignon is not included in the price of the tour.

Extra nights in hotel accommodation can be booked to allow more time to explore Aigues-Mortes and beautiful Camargue region at your leisure.