Diverse Directions
Self-Guided Cycling Tours in France

Vineyards & Van Gogh Hub & Spoke Tour

Tour Overview

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Tour Dates: You may begin this tour on any day, but please note that bike pick-up and return cannot occur on a Sunday. We ask that tour participants arrive at the tour's starting point at least one day prior to Day 1 of their tour to avoid the impact of possible travel delays. No activities are scheduled for this day. See Schedule for blackout dates and additional tour scheduling considerations.

Location: Located in the far southeast of France, Provence is known for its lovely Mediterranean climate, fields of sunflowers, vineyards, the Impressionists, its Papal palace and Roman ruins. Though most people are somewhat familiar with this region of France, few realize just how diverse are the many areas that comprise Provence, or how deeply rooted the region's history is in that of ancient Rome.

The tour begins in Avignon and ends in Arles, 3 - 4 hours from Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport by express train. Overnight destinations include 5 nights in Avignon and 3 nights in Arles.

Tour Type: Hub & Spoke Tour

Terrain: Easy to moderately challenging. The terrain, like everything about this region, is diverse. While there are lots of ups and downs on this tour (some challenging), you will also enjoy long, relatively flat stretches of effortless cycling.

Length: 7 days / 8 nights. Ride as many days as you like. Day trips include options for adding distance and challenge. Day trips can also be shortened.

Distance: Choose from 7 day-trips ranging from 27 - 45 miles (44 - 73 km) in length.

Highlights:

• Roman ruins as impressive as those of Italy; particularly the grand aqueduct of the region, the Pont du Gard, the magnificently preserved theater at Arles, and the Triumphal Arch and amphitheatre at Orange.

• The dramatic rise of the Alpilles Mountains and the perched village of Baux-de-Provence.

• The unique Mediterranean wetlands habitat of the Camargue.

• The sheer beauty of the Mediterranean landscapes and the play of light that so captivated Impressionists like Van Gogh.

• An incredibly varied geography including mountain ranges, semi-arid garrigue, rolling vineyards, and cliff-studded river valleys.

• Enjoy free wine tasting opportunities nearly everywhere along your route.

• Perched medieval villages bathed in the warm Provencal sun.

• The colorful city of Avignon with its medieval wall surrounding the city and its former Papal palace.

Pricing Details

Note: All prices are US dollars.

Adult Price - US $575.00 per person

Children age 16 or younger traveling with 2 adults - $250.00 per child

Discounts are available for parties of 5 or more adults.

The tour price includes:

• Tour Documentation: Route instructions, map, Pre-trip Preparation Guide, On-Road Quick Reference Guide, and Sights Guide.

• Bike Rental for 7 Days: Excellent quality hybrid or mountain bike with handlebar bag, map carrier, cyclometer, water bottle cage, rear rack, lock, repair kit, and helmet. Optional pedal cages. Road / racing bikes are available for a supplemental charge.

• Pick-up of your Rental Bike in Arles

• Baggage Transfer

• English-Speaking Support Staff

• Reservation of your Accommodations

• Shipping and Handling Charges for US customers

• Basic SAG Support Limited: If you choose not to cycle on one or more days due to weather, illness, etc., AND you notify your Diverse Directions support representative in advance so that you and your bikes can be transported along with your luggage, no additional charges will apply.

The tour price does NOT include:

• Hotels: Because you are free to select from a wide range of hotels -- from charming and basic 2-star to 4-star luxury (where available) -- the cost of your hotel accommodations is not bundled into the tour package price. See our Accommodations Options page for the price ranges of each category of hotel. A list of accommodations options for this tour, with website links, is available upon request.

• Meals: You are free to determine your own budget for meals. A wide variety of options are available -- from creating a picnic from provisions obtained at a boulangerie / patisserie, to dining at bistros and restaurants, or taking meals at your hotel (where available.) Please note that breakfasts are NOT included in France hotel rates. However, hotels with restaurants often offer a demi-pension option, which includes the cost of your room, breakfast, and dinner at a reasonable price.

• Transportation from your home to Avignon and from Arles to your home.

• Personal expenses

• Insurance

• Shipping and Handling Charges for non-US customers: A shipping & handling charge of US $15.00 will be added to tour orders made from outside the US.

• Expedited Shipping (all nations): If the shipment of tour materials must be expedited, the express mail charges will be added to the tour package price.

For Diverse Directions' payment terms, cancellation policy, and all terms & conditions, please see Terms & Conditions.

When you are ready to book your tour, please complete and submit our secure Tour Order Form.

Day Trip Descriptions

Hub 1: Avignon

Avignon is a vibrant southern city, full of historical sights. Must-sees include the city's many museums, churches and the Palais des Papes, the residence of the Popes who moved here from Rome in the 14th century when Rome was politically unstable. Avignon's medieval center is completely surrounded by ramparts, giving the city a most unusual look. For more information, click to visit Avignon on the web.

Spoke 1: Vintage Vaucluse

Route:	Begins and ends in Avignon. Largely flat with just a couple of climbs.
Distance:	59 km / 36 miles
Description:	This day trip takes you through the many vineyards of the Vaucluse Department and offers two noteworthy destinations: Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, with the five branches of the River Sorgue meandering through it; and the charming village of Fontaine de Vaucluse, where you can visit the source of the River Sorgue. Gushing out of a 230 meter high cliff, the underground spring is the world's fifth most powerful resurgent river. This YouTube clip will give you an idea of the splendor of Fontaine de Vaucluse. This route features peaceful roads through woods and vineyards; and quaint tiny villages to explore such as le Thor and Jonquerettes.

Spoke 2: Papal Grapes

Route:	Begins and ends in Avignon. Mostly flat except for the areas around Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
Distance:	52.6 km / 33 miles
Description:	This day trip takes you through the vineyards that belonged to the papacy when, during the 14th century, the popes resided in Avignon and maintained a summer residence near Chateauneuf-du-Pape. You leave Avignon by way of the Isle de la Barthelasse, an island in the middle of the Rhone River with splendid views of Avignon. The route takes you down tiny roads through beautiful orchards, along the cliff-studded Rhone River to the village of Roquemaure, and then to the vineyards of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Chateauneuf is a world renowned center of wine making, as the Chateauneuf vintage is one of the world's most exclusive appellations. Other villages worthy of exploration include Bedarrides and Entraigues.
Option:	Optional side trip to the city of Orange with its Roman Triumphal Arch and Amphitheatre, both of which date to the first century of the Common Era. Side trip adds 20 km / 12 miles and lots of rolling terrain.

Spoke 3: Vintage Heights

Route:	Begins and ends in Avignon. Mostly flat, with some rolling terrain and a couple of climbs near the end. Optional side trip provides additional mileage and challenge.
Distance:	43 km / 27 miles
Description:	This day trip takes you to the lovely wine villages of the Cotes du Rhone appellation in the uplands of the Gard Department. The route begins with an option to spend some time in Avignon's sister city, Villeneuve-les-Avignon, which boasts a number of notable sites of its own. After following the towering cliffs of the Rhone River to the village of Roquemaure, you head west into gently rolling vineyards and the charming wine villages of Saint-Laurent-des-Arbres, Lirac, and Tavel.
Option:	Optional side trip into the wooded peaks to the west with their unusual granite outcroppings adds 15.3 km / 10 miles. Though challenging, this side trip offers incredible scenery and spectacular views.

Spoke 4: Pont du Gard

Route:	Begins and ends in Avignon. Mostly gently rolling terrain with a few moderately challenging climbs. Optional side trip provides additional mileage and challenge.
Distance:	58 km / 36 miles
Description:	This day trip's primary destination is the Roman aqueduct called the Pont du Gard. Constructed by the Romans in the 1st century to transport clean drinking water to the Roman city of Nîmes, this remarkable aqueduct bridges the Gard today as it has for 2000 years. You'll also cycle through a number of charming medieval villages like 16th century Aramon, which feels forgotten by time. If you're visiting in September, you may even experience a running of the bulls! The area surrounding the Pont du Gard is a park, complete with riverside beaches and a lovely picnic area.
Option:	Optional side trip to the magnificently perched village of Castillon-du-Gard adds 11 km / 7 miles and a very long climb. Your efforts are rewarded by one of France's most beautiful villages and extraordinary views.

The Route to Arles

Route:	Begins in Avignon and ends in Arles. The route is mostly flat along very quiet roads with some rolling stretches on route to Tarascon.
Distance:	47 km / 29 miles
Description:	This day trip takes you to your second base location, Arles, by way of Tarascon and Beaucaire, two towns that have been around since Roman times. Tarascon boasts a fairytale 15th century chateau, considered to be one of the finest fortified medieval castles in the whole of France. The route takes you first down the wooded shores of the Rhone and then along the tops of the hills that border the Rhone to Tarascon. Following Tarascon you cycle through quiet farmland that ends just before Arles.

Hub 2: Arles

Once the Roman capital of Provence, then a major religious center during the Middle Ages, Arles offers a number of monuments from its glorious past including a magnificent Roman amphitheatre. Today, Arles is the unofficial capital of the Camargue. Van Gogh moved to Arles in 1888, captivated by the vivid colors of the surrounding countryside. Following the loss of his ear, Van Gogh moved to St. Remy, where he prolifically produced over 100 drawings and 150 canvases.

Spoke 1: Les Baux-de-Provence

Route:	Begins and ends in Arles. The route is flat or gently rolling until you reach the Alpilles, after which you have a 3.5 km or 2 mile climb to Les Baux.
Distance:	56 km / 35 miles
Description:	This day trip's primary destination is the perched medieval village of Baux-de-Provence. Sitting atop les Alpilles, a jagged range of mountains that pops up out of nowhere, the scenery and views here are a must. As you leave Arles you pass the remnants of an ancient Roman aqueduct and enter the gorgeous countryside made famous by Van Gogh and other Impressionists. In addition, you will have the opportunity to explore the medieval villages of Paradou, Maussane, St. Etienne-du-Grès, and the town of Fontvielle.
Option:	Optional side trip to Van Gogh's town of St. Remy and the Roman ruins at Glanum adds 11 km / 7 miles.

Spoke 2: Subtropical Provence

Route:	Begins and ends in Arles. The terrain is completely flat.
Distance:	54 km / 33 miles
Description:	This day trip takes you into the Camargue, the vast wetland of the Rhone delta, where rice is the principle crop. The Camargue is a rich tapestry of many different ecosystems, a haven for wildlife, and a joy for anyone seeking tranquility or long, wild communion with a watery landscape. Much of this region is a nature conservation area, and you may see all manner of wildlife including flamingos, white horses, and bulls. You will likely see as much wildlife as people.

When you are ready to book your tour, please complete and submit our secure Tour Order Form.

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