Alpilles & Camargue

Introduction
Provence France
In just a few days, cycle through the Alpilles and part of the Camargue, a real mix between exceptional nature, ancient history and beautiful provençal villages bathed in sunshine.

A few pedal strokes are enough to transport you from the city of the Popes to the heart of the Alpilles where the landscape alternates between rocky bars and hills lined and scented with thyme and rosemary. Cycle on small roads between olive trees, vineyards and cypress trees with the smells of the scrubland, passing by the artsy village of St Remy de Provence, Maussane & one of the most beautiful villages in France: Les Baux de Provence.
Stroll on the colorful market in St Remy, the town where Van Gogh lived, and Arles classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before heading into the heart of the Camargue Regional Natural Park, the meeting point between the salty sea and the softness of the continental waters. Take a deep breath of fresh air amongst the wild horses, bulls and countless migratory birds, including majestic flamingos. Pedal on perfectly flat routes between rice fields and marshes.

HIGHLIGHTS
- A wide variety of landscapes from the Alpilles mountains to the flatlands of Camargue
- Taste the olive oil and wine of the Baux de Provence Valley
- Stroll through the colorful markets in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence & Arles

Accomodation

Accommodations
This is a progressive trip, so you will be staying in different establishments along the way. 

Description
We favour small local establishments, often family-run hotels or B&Bs, that employ local people. Selected by our track finders, our accommodations are chosen based on the friendliness of the owners, the quality of the service, the charm of the establishment and, quite often, the quirkyness (of both accommodation and owners!) that makes where you sleep an integral part of your adventure. 

Your package includes standard accommodation (with all basic comfort and services) but it is possible to upgrade to more comfortable accommodations for an extra fee.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Hotel Boquier in Avignon
Night 2: Hotel Chalet Fleuri in St remy
Night 3 & 4: Brit Hotel Acacias in Arles

Hotel Boquier in Avignon
In a quiet pedestrian street, in the heart of Avignon, stands the Boquier hotel (2 stars). This atypical and cozy building from the 18th century will warmly welcome you. Each of the 13 comfortable room comes equipped with air conditioning, a flat screen television, a private shower room and Wi-Fi access.

Hotel Chalet Fleuri in St Remy
This charming 3-star hotel is located in a historic property dating from 1870, surrounded by centenary trees. Each room offers a view on the park and comes with air conditioning, satellite TV, free Wi-Fi access and private facilities.  
There is a small outdoor pool to cool off in the evening.

Brit Hotel Acacias in Arles
This small offers 33 modern bedrooms. Each room features an ensuite bathroom with hair-dryer, a TV, air conditioning, a safe and free internet connection.  


Meals
Only breakfasts are included in your package.

Breakfast will be provided by the accommodations.

Riding

Trip Difficulty: Easy
This trip is ideal for the occasional rider. You will cycle between 25 to 40 km per day with an average ascent/descent of 250-300 metres.

GPS & Travel Kit
We will send you the GPS files for your trip via email, before the start of your holiday. You will have to bring your own device whether it is a Garmin GPS or a Smartphone with the files already downloaded.
Your Travel Kit containing road book & vouchers will be sent to the first accommodation of the trip. The road book contains technical description of the itinerary, 1: 100 000 scale maps integrated in the book with itinerary traced out, contact listing and helpful recommendations (restaurants, museums, vineyards, craftsmen, where to find a bank machine…).

Equipment
If renting a bike with us, your bike is delivered at your accommodation on Day 1 with all the necessary equipment ( helmet, bike lock...).

No matter the kind of bike chosen for your holiday, if you borrow a bike through us, you will get the following items for your tour:
• helmet > our regular “helmet head tour” is 54cm > 58cm. If you need a larger helmet, please contact us
• security vest
• pump
• one inner tube and repair kit per two bikes
• bike computer
• front pannier
• two side panniers
• water bottle holder
• one lock per two bikes

E-Bike - extra cost
Provence is hilly and most of the prettiest villages are “hilltop”, meaning you have to climb to get there.
Our E-bikes becomes a wonderful compromise: while still doing exercise – you still have to pedal to get these things going after all – you can access the hilliest and most breathtaking of what Provence has to offer without being a great cyclist. You can also accompany a more athletic spouse or friend on one of our holidays. When you start pedalling, the electric motor is automatically triggered. You will have the choice between several levels of assistance.
Our E-bikes (E-Ride or equivalent) are equipped with a battery with about 90km autonomy, a low frame (easy to get on and off), anti-puncture tires (reducing the risk of flats), and hydraulic brakes, ensuring the highest standard of safety.
With our E-bike we provide:
• a briefing from a specialized mechanic, who will show you how to use and get the most out of your rides. During the briefing a credit card pre-authorization of 800€ will be asked as a guarantee.
• assistance, meaning if you have any problems whatsoever with your E-bike, our mechanic will come and repair it at no charge.

Bring your own bike
If you are bringing your own bike, make sure to also bring panniers, map holder, a bike computer and all of the other necessary equipment (inner tube, repair kit, pump, helmet).

Itinerary

Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

WARNING
Despite all our care to update the description of our itineraries, there can be changes on the ground that are not reflected in the notes.
Roadwork occurs every year: signs can disappear or change, new intersections can form or change... Remain vigilant while reading the notes, paying close attention to the cumulative mileage on your bike computer and in the route notes. In case of a doubt along the route, be aware of how to return to that spot easily if you’ve made the wrong turn.

Day 1: Arrival
Once in Avignon, take time to visit the medieval city classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and discover its many treasures: the Palais des Papes, the famous Saint Bénezet bridge, its churches and museums, small friendly squares and secret alleys.
Meals included: none
Overnight in Avignon

Day 2: Avignon to St Remy de Provence
If you are renting a bike with us there is a 9am appointment at a local bike store in Avignon to pick up the bikes (settings, explanations, contract signing, taking a cc pre-authorization...). The bike store is closed on Sundays.
Today, you leave the historic city center in the direction of the Montagnette massif with the smell of scrubland, olive trees, almond trees and pine forests. The monastery of Saint Michel de Frigolet is soon unveiled. This is an ideal place to picnic and let yourself be lulled by the song of cicadas before descending on the charming village of Graveson, with its place with hundred-year-old trees and its "café of the Universe". The painter Auguste Chabaud of the Fauves movement
lived there, and his amazing work is exhibited in a small museum. You then cross Maillane, where Frederic Mistral (a French poet) used to live, before reaching Saint Rémy de Provence, a city of artists where Van Gogh spent the last year of his life.
For the motivated cyclists, we propose an additional 29km ride looping to the beautiful village of Eygalières, you follow the base of the Alpilles mountains to the east, first on small roads and then on a track leading into the vines. You reach the picture-perfect Provençal village of Eygalières, off the beaten tourist path, whose main square offers a few restaurants and cafés for a midday break. Heading northbound on tiny roads you reach the sleepy village of Mollégès before returning to St. Rémy through the heart of the countryside.
Cycling about 35km, +250m/-200m // Additional optional loop ride: 29km (flat terrain)
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Saint Rémy de Provence

Day 3: St Remy to Arles
A beautiful stage awaits you today. First, you ride along the winding streets of the Alpilles through landscapes of pines and wild flowers. You will see the beautiful Romanesque chapel of Saint-Gabriel, on your way to Fontvieille. You then enter the olive and wine estate of the elegant Château d'Estoublon, possible tasting of olive oils and famous wines of the estate if time allows (not included). Then, your route continues to Les Baux de Provence ranked among the most beautiful villages in France. It is a medieval village perched vertiginously on top of a rock, crowned by the ruins of its feudal castle. Take your time to explore the village before descending to the plain, passing through the ruins of a 2,000-year-old aqueduct. before reaching Arles. Discover the impressive roman architectural remains such as the ancient theater or the amphitheater and take the opportunity to visit the Ancient Museum and the Van Gogh Foundation (tickets not included).
Cycling about 50km, +250m/-300m
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Arles

Day 4: Pond of Vaccarès
A last sporty day awaits you: a beautiful loop crossing part of the Camargue Regional Natural Park, rich in fauna and flora with its atypical landscapes. It is a place where flamingos rub shoulders with black bulls and white horses. It is a real pleasure to cycle on perfectly flat expanses between rice fields and salt marshes.
You can extend your itinerary to visit La Capelière (price 4€ pp), the starting point of the Reserve, offering a hiking trail and 4 huts overlooking marshes (so that you can watch birds). Then loop back to Arles for your finale night.
Cycling about 46km (+10km La Capelière)
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Arles

Day 5: Departure
End of tour in Arles after breakfast.

Rates and Dates for Alpilles & Camargue

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Isle sur la Sorgue
Airport: Marseille
Transfer:

Climate:
                                    Saint Rémy de Provence area