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Provence Camargue – Bike & Boat Avignon to Aigues-Mortes

Tour: BBFAAM8
Bike & Boat Holiday

Put the wonders of Provence into real perspective with a cruise along its sun-warmed waterways and spot of gentle pedal-pushing through Rhône Valley vistas, vineyards and the open countryside of the Camargue. The great River Rhône has made Provence what it is today – a world of deep cut gorges and wide delta plains, the centre of civilisations and reputed capital of Christendom. Join your floating accommodation by the famous Pont d’Avignon and pedal out for a taste of the place around Châteauneuf-du-Pape, before setting off on your voyage of discovery. As the crew sail the homely passenger boat along the ‘Grand’ and ‘Petit’ Rhône rivers via Arles to the canals around Aigues-Mortes, there’s both time to relax and enjoy the views on board and to follow optional circular day rides or linear cycling stretches where you’ll discover time-honoured aqueducts, abbeys and amphitheatres; rocky castles and quarry cathedrals; plus a world of wild, white horses and beautiful beaches down by the Mediterranean Sea. 2024 Prices now available Read More

Destination

Europe, France

Start Day

Sat

Board Basis

Half Board

Prices from

£1,201.00

Duration

8 Days, 7 Nights

Availability

Mar - Oct

Tour Grade

Grade 2 (Easy)

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Home > Europe > Provence Camargue – Bike & Boat Avignon to Aigues-Mortes

Overview

Provence from the waterways – what a refreshing change! Relax on board your floating accommodation and watch the world literally go by. Then pedal out on easy day rides to explore the colourful Provençal countryside and awesome architectural wonders. Highlights include Avignon’s Palais des Papes; the vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape; Roquemaure; UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Pont du Gard; Arles, the ancient capital of Gaul; Aigues-Mortes and The Camargue. If at any point you prefer to curtail your day’s cycling or give it a miss totally, minibus transfers and a programme of excursions are generally available (bookable and payable locally).

Please note: this tour is generally Grade 2, but it includes a longer day in the saddle with a more challenging cycling climb (see Day 5) to the magnificent hilltop town of Les Baux-de-Provence. The climb can be avoided, by an alternative route missing out Les Baux-de-Provence. It may also be possible to arrange a minibus transfer to avoid the climb (bookable /payable locally and subject to availability).

Tour Code:
BBFAAM8
Activity:
Bike & Boat, Cycling
Type:
Bike & Boat Holiday
Country:
Europe, France
Area:
Provence
Duration:
8 Days, 7 Nights
Board Basis:
Half Board
Availability:
Mar - Oct

Itinerary

Please note:

Due to navigation conditions, the exact details of itineraries / embarkation points may be modified at the discretion of the boat’s Captain. Some sailing during breakfast and /or the evening meal may take place to ease exit from town moorings or to shorten river cruise stretches. All cycling itineraries are optional and a programme of alternative excursions / transfers is generally available (bookable and payable locally). All overnights are on board your floating accommodation, the Caprice or L’Estello. Details of the transits to the next destination are outlined in the itinerary below but may be subject to change.

Day 1 All aboard in Avignon!

Where could be a more fitting place to start your tour from the walled medieval city of Avignon than the famous bridge (the Pont St. Bénezet) itself? Moored at the nearby Quai de la Ligne, your floating accommodation can be boarded from 6pm with dinner waiting for you in the early evening. Meanwhile Avignon has café terraces and treasures galore to woo you, especially around the Palais des Papes and Place de la Horloge – just perfect for chilling out in the warmth of the Provençal sunshine, admiring the architecture and watching the world go by. 

Overnight mooring – Avignon. 

Day 2 A taste of things to come?

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

Day 3 Rolling hills & Roman engineering  

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

Day 4 Towers & topknots - the mighty fine Massif de Montagnette

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

Day 5 From monsters to Grand Masters

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

Day 6 From city culture to Camargue canals

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

Day 7 The call of the Camargue & lure of the sea

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

Day 8 Depart after breakfast

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.

Programme of activities included in the price:

  • Guided visit of Arles

On this small passenger boat, the crew will be on hand to give information about the region, itineraries, excursions and services.

Fancy a day out of the saddle?

Ideas for walks or excursion suggestions by minibus are on offer most days (bookable on arrival and payable locally). It may also be possible to cycle just some of the route and arrange an onward minibus transfer. This is subject to availability, arranged and payable locally (approx. 15 euros per person) .

Dates & Prices

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For tour start days/dates, seasons and all prices, please click on the PRICES button above

PRICE INCLUDES

Ensuite double or twin air-conditioned cabin, 7-8 sqm, shower/WC area, wardrobe space and portholes (fixed). Boats have an air-conditioned restaurant and bar/lounge (free w i-fi usually available) and sundeck with awning

Meals including buffet/continental breakfast, 6 dinners and self-service packed lunch

Tea and coffee on board

Hire of hybrid bicycle and ancillary equipment (helmet, single waterproof pannier, lock, water bottle and (self-guided customers only) handlebar bag or mapholder & puncture repair kit (1 per couple)

Local assistance on call (although puncture repair is excluded)

Transfers by van are available to allow for non or shorter cycling days at extra cost (payable locally)

Guided tour option travelling as a group with a ride leader, if preferred to a self-guided tour – PLEASE REQUEST THIS OPTION WHEN BOOKING

Information pack with detailed joining instructions and daily route overviews sent out approximately 2 weeks before departure so you can plan ahead and look forward to your cycling adventure.  Please note all local route information is supplied in digital format, we will forward this to you when we receive it to allow you arrive with all the information loaded on your smartphone or printed at home

Also included:

  • Guided walking tour of Arles

The detailed itinerary may be affected by navigational issues. These will be decided by the boat’s captain. Sailing may take place during breakfast or evening meal times

Please note that the price EXCLUDES

Drinks on boad (except tea and coffee)

Evening meal on board in Avignon for one night

Costs of getting to and from the tour area

Accommodation Options

On board EITHER the boat MS Caprice or MS L’Estello, in an outside-facing 2 bed cabin with private facilities and air-conditioning. We are pleased to discuss details on request.


MS Caprice

The boat has 11 cabins and can accommodate up to 22 passengers.

Boat Plan & Details 

MS L’Estello

The riverboat has 10 cabins and can accommodate up to 20 passengers.

Boat Plan & Details 

More Information

Useful websites, travel information and tips to help you plan your journey to and from the country and location of your holiday.

HOW TO GET THERE

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