« Return to Normal Layout
Provence Biking

Provence Biking

Savor the slow pace of life in southern France on a journey for the senses through Provence. Bike amid the Alpilles, where olive trees glisten silver in the sun. Then pedal in the Lubéron, where celebrations of color vie for your attention, be it poppies and wildflowers in spring, lavender in summer or changing grape leaves in fall. Ride quiet roads to medieval hilltop villages, taking in views of vineyards, orchards and windswept countryside. Visit the historic towns of Gordes and St-Rémy, and sample delicacies such as fresh goat cheese, olives and pastries. Find your bliss in Provence on a bicycle with Backroads.

Days 1-2 Les Baux

Shuttle to Moulin du Calanquet, a delightful family-run mill, where we sample fresh olive oils  Bike through beautiful Provençal countryside on a warm-up ride, passing olive groves and rugged scenery  Explore Les Baux, a fascinating village perched on a rocky plateau above a limestone landscape pockmarked with caves and said to be frequented by witches and goblins  Head to the artists' community of St-Rémy and join a historian on a visit to the asylum where Vincent van Gogh spent his last days Try your hand at the traditional French game of pétanque.

Days 3-4 saignon

Before bidding adieu to the scrub oak, olive groves and undulating terrain of the Alpilles, ride to Eygalières, a small terraced town guarded by an ancient castle  Pedal to Saignon, said to be one of France's ten oldest towns  Spin through the quaint town of Ménerbes en route to the Domaine de la Citadelle winery, home of the Corkscrew Museum  Discover Roussillon, surrounded by stunning ocher-shaded scenery.

Days 5-6 Mazan

Set off on quiet roads amid rolling fields of lavender and wheat to explore the foothills of Mont Ventoux, the "Giant of Provence" Rub elbows with locals at the colorful Bonnieux market and stroll through Gordes, a lovely village perché clinging to the craggy southern face of the high Vaucluse Plateau  Wander the inviting serpentine streets of Venasque, designated as one of "Les Plus Beaux Villages de France" (The Most Beautiful Villages of France)  Surrounded by venerable Côtes du Ventoux vineyards, relish a final spin through pretty hamlets such as St-Pierre-de-Vassols, where you can stop to sample specialties including table grapes, cherries and truffles.

big map

PROVENCAL PLEASURES: Casual Inns

Auberge de la Benvengudo (2 nights): Nestled in a tranquil garden, this hotel offers a swimming pool, a tennis court and elegant guest rooms furnished with antiques.

Auberge du Presbytere (2 nights): Located in one of the ten oldest villages in France, this inn offers individually decorated rooms and a restaurant specializing in regional cuisine made from the freshest local ingredients.

Le Chateau de Mazan (1 night): The former residence of the Marquis de Sade, this elegant 18th-century château is nestled at the foot of towering Mount Ventoux.

Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6

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
Level 1 2-3 hours 10-20 mile 2-5 miles
Level 2 2-4 hours 21-30 miles 5-7 miles
Level 3 3-5 hours 31-40 miles 7-9 miles
Level 4 4-6 hours 41-55 miles 9-11 miles
Level 5 5-7+ hours 56-75+ miles 11-13+ miles
2010 DATES
CLASSIC TRIPS

Guest Trip Reviews

This was the best trip I have ever taken in my life. It was exceedingly well organized. Dare I say perfect? This is the first time that I continually miss a place where I just took a vacation. I miss the multisensory experience of biking through the back roads of Provence - the lavender fields, sunflower fields, bread and cheese (nothing like these to be found anywhere in the US), winding through perched medieval villages, the satisfaction of completing a long ride and getting to eat whatever I want. I really appreciated the well-written directions that enabled me to safely bicycle alone when I wanted to. I appreciated the thoughtful inclusion of features of Provence that in 6 days made me feel like I got a taste of everything that it had to offer. I tend to live in my head a lot in real life. The biking experience kept me in the here and now, which leaves me with a flood of what feels like several weeks worth of memories. Our trip leaders were quite literally omniscient and omnipresent. I put a photo of the experience on my laptop desktop as well as on my desk to bring back the feelings of amazement, expansiveness, connectedness with the earth that I experienced while biking with Backroads in Provence.
Ping Ho - Santa Monica, CA

As soon as I said "au revoir!" to our delightful guides, I was overcome with awe and appreciation for the trip. I was nervous about the biking. That ended up being a wonderful challenge that I am proud to say I accomplished. And it was worth it! Eating the cheeses and breads, drinking the local wines, the espresso. Seeing the sights of lavender, poppies, cherry trees. Staying at lovely country inns and a chateau....it was a dream come true. Anyone considering this trip- Go!!!
Jennifer Engle - Boulder, CO

This trip far exceeded my expectations. I really got to experience the best of Provence: its cultural and historical heritage, the food, and the sites and smells (gardenia, roses, lavender, and honeysuckle ). What a fantastic treat for the senses and for the mind.
Tamar Amitay - Hoboken, NJ

I can't think of a more exciting way to be introduced to France! Everything from the ride routes to the food was superb, well planned, and of the highest quality. I had a wonderful experience, and would recommend Backroads to anyone without hesitation.
Brian Galbraith - Ketchum, ID

Once again Backroads has done an outstanding job of providing the ultimate in both service and fun! The Provence area was incredible to see and our leaders were so knowledgeable about everything in the area, I was amazed. The accommodations were beyond my expectations as well as the food. The bikes were incredible. I won't be able to get back on mine at home!
Jean Gilbert - Columbus, OH

It became very evident over the past week for what reason you are the operation everyone tries to emulate in the adventure travel business.
Luke Kellam - Norfolk, VA

Provence is sheer heaven for "real bikers" who want to experience the essence of French culture!
Nancy Reed - Potsdam, NY

This was a great overall experience. I liked the "casual inn" format. It fit our needs for a good balance of physical activity, accommodations and dining. We are already scanning the catalog for another trip.
Jack Gilbert - Portland, OR

Wildly exceeded my expectations! I have never taken a "tour" vacation before and wasn't sure how I would like the experience. I loved this trip! The accommodations were exactly what I would pick for myself and it was a treat to have someone else deal with the arrangements, luggage, etc. The biking was terrific. We got to do and see so much each day but it was never overwhelming. I also liked that I could bike at my pace and my husband could find faster people in the group to ride with so that each of us could enjoy the experience.
Elizabeth Cohen - Glendale, CA

Being able to proceed at my own pace allowed me to make the trip what I wanted it to be. I enjoyed the variety of activities: the Van Gogh tour, shopping in St-Remy, the winery, to name a few. And our leaders were so friendly and attentive - their picnic lunches were gourmet experiences!
Sally Trice - Portland, ME

We had a wonderful time. Loved the experience. Thanks for helping us celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary and my 60th birthday!!
Jay Kaplan - San Anselmo, CA

We have many friends who have taken Backroads trips in the past and highly recommended every one to us. We were not disappointed. We know one couple who traveled to Tuscany on a Premiere trip last year, but when we told them about this Casual Inn trip, they were pleased to know such options were available. Although we can't compare the two experiences, we certainly can't say anything was lacking. We would truly recommend this to anyone and will take another trip with Backroads in the future.
Deb Elstad - Salt Lake City, UT

This was the best week of my long life! I can't stop talking about it to friends. The leaders could not have been better. Absolutely the best! The bikes were comfortable and the support from the leaders great. The food and accommodations were even better than I anticipated.
Laura VanCleave - Jacksonville, FL

The trip surpassed any vacation I could ever imagine! The biking was physically and mentally challenging, I felt great, I enjoyed having everything pre-planned! I loved the countryside, loved Provence, the smells and the sites!
Alicia Nisberg - Palm Beach, FL

I just got home a few minutes ago and can honestly say that this was about the best trip I have ever taken!! The guides were just fantastic, the trip itinerary was amazing, the food and lodging were superb, and the other participants were just terrific. We ended up like a big extended family, although no one really knew anyone else when we started. We all had a blast and I for one can't wait to sign up for the next trip!!
Kim Frisbie - Boston, MA

This was the quintessential Backroads trip- fantastic biking, culture, food, scenery and people. It keeps getting better!
Jonathan Gottlieb - Clayton, MO