Provence Biking
From the Drome to the Luberon
Join us on this all-time favorite trip and surrender to the relaxed pace of the Drôme, Vaucluse and Lubéron regions - sun-drenched pockets of Provence rich in truffles, lavender, honey and wine. Ride in the shadow of spectacular Mont Ventoux, past the fertile vineyards of the Côtes du Rhône. Take in the view from the cobblestone steps of medieval hill towns. At dawn, the sun slinks over limestone peaks, softly bathing olive orchards in a warm glow. The countryside soon awakens - markets burst with color and locals emerge to begin their day, one that seems to remain blissfully undisturbed by the bustle of the 21st century. Evenings in this sleepy undiscovered corner of Provence radiate with the elegance of our luxurious retreats and exquisite dining experiences.
Trip Planning Links
- Incredible biking through perched villages, vineyards and orchards
- Exquisite hotels including one of our favorites: Crillon le Brave
- Explore Vaison la Romaine, a wonderful ancient town with Roman ruins
- Private wine tastings of the best local vintages
- Soak up Provencal life in renowned Gordes and ochre-hued Roussillon
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Day 1 uchaux
Gather in Avignon 
Explore the unspoiled terrain of the Drôme region Ride to charming hill towns, where time stands still and stunning vistas reveal forests, orchards, meadows and vineyards.
Days 2-3 crillon le brave
A visit to the Roman ruins of Vaison-la-Romaine offers an intriguing history lesson Pedal on to Côtes du Rhône vineyards and partake in a degustation of local vintages Ride the stunning Gorges de la Nesque to the Provence lavender capital of Sault.
Days 4-6 gordes
Ride to the impressive 12th-century Abbaye de Sénanque Explore Gordes, a glorious village perché clinging to the Vaucluse Plateau Meander the winding cobblestone streets for a taste of medieval Provence Ride through bucolic plains and foothills of the Lubéron Rub shoulders with the locals in quintessential Provençal villages such as Roussillon and Menerbes Spin to the Domaine de la Citadelle winery, home of the well-known Musée du Tire-Bouchon (Corkscrew Museum), which displays more than 1,200 corkscrews, some dating to the 17th century.
- Premiere Inns: These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.
- Casual Inns: These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the area with such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.
- Deluxe Family Camping: We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.
Other Trips You Might Like:
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Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
This was our best trip ever and we have taken 4 with B & R and one other with Backroads. The leaders made a world of difference.- New York NY More about this Trip All Guest Reviews
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Provence Biking
DISTINGUISHED RETREATS: Premiere Inns
Chateau de Massillan
Uchaux (1 night) This Condé Nast Traveler Hot List hotel nestled in the Côtes du Rhône vineyards has a pool, potager and stylish guest rooms.
Hotel de Crillon le Brave
Crillon le Brave (2 nights) Flawlessly combining rustic charm and elegant luxury, this Relais & Châteaux-member hotel offers beautiful, newly renovated guest rooms with inspiring valley vistas.
La Bastide de Gordes
Gordes (2 nights) A 12th-century fortress with splendid hilltop views, a swimming pool cradled by stone ramparts and a decadent Daniela Jouvance spa.
Provence Biking
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insider Trips | Explore at a leisurely pace—on village walks, market strolls, art history excursions, hands-on cooking classes and more. | ||
| 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 2-5 miles |
| 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
Day 1
- Level 1 2 Route Options Available
- 13, 20 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 2 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 22, 32, 50 miles
- 1000 - 2500 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 1 to 5 3 Route Options Available
- 19, 40, 60 miles
- 500 - 2500 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 2 to 4 2 Route Options Available
- 27, 50 miles
- 2000 - 3000 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 1 to 3 4 Route Options Available
- 21, 36, 44 miles
- 500 - 2000 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 9 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain