Cycling in Provence - Alpilles & Luberon

The journey begins in historic Avignon, 2 hours 45 minutes by TGV from Paris or one hour from Marseille airport. After check-in, we recommend a walk through the medieval city center: Place du Palais, Place de l'Horloge and the famous bridge Pont Saint-Bénézet over the Rhône. The city offers museums, lively cafés and restaurants. See the "Extension in Avignon" tab further down the page if you are interested in adding an extra night.

Accommodation in Avignon.

Today you leave Avignon and cycle through a landscape of cypresses, fruit orchards and small villages. You pass Barbentane and continue up to Montagnette ("little mountain") with sweeping views and the scent of pine and herbs. On the other side lies the beautiful monastery Saint-Michel de Frigolet, built over eight centuries. Via Graveson and Maillane you reach Saint-Rémy-de-Provence – artist town and the place where Van Gogh spent his last year.

Accommodation in St Remy de Provence.

You can either take this day as a rest day in Saint-Rémy or do a round trip via some of the area's greatest attractions. Visit Saint Paul de Mausole where Van Gogh lived, and the Roman Glanum. The route continues through the Alpilles to Les Baux-de-Provence, a spectacular village on a cliff, classified as one of France's most beautiful. Don't miss the castle and the impressive art projection in Carrières de Lumières (entrance fee applies). Return to Saint-Rémy.

Accommodation in St Remy de Provence.

You start with Eygalières – a dreamy village surrounded by olive groves. Then you pass agricultural landscapes and fruit orchards before crossing the Durance river and reaching Cavaillon, known for its melon markets, pleasant squares and bakeries – perfect for picnics. Then it's off to charming Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, also called Provençal Venice, with its canals and water wheels. Here you stay for two nights.

Accommodation in Isle sur la Sorgue.

Today you choose your own route according to desire and energy. All lead through Luberon's iconic mountain villages – several of them among France's most beautiful.

Option 1 – Gordes & Roussillon
About 60 km | ±575 m
A fantastic day with two of Provence's greatest highlights: Gordes and Roussillon, known for their cubist stone houses and their red ochre-colored cliffs. Return to Isle-sur-la-Sorgue via a quiet cycle path on an old railway embankment.

Option 2 – Extended round via Bonnieux
About 75 km | ±1000 m
For those who want to cycle more: continue from Roussillon to the legendary villages Bonnieux, Lacoste, Ménerbes and Oppède-le-Vieux.

Option 3 – Fontaine-de-Vaucluse & Venasque
About 40 km | ±650 m
A scenic route to Europe's largest natural spring. From here you can continue up to Venasque – one of the area's elevated gems.

Optional: Kayak paddling on the Sorgue river (about 2 h, pre-book, about 25 € per person).

Option 4 – Short round
About 22 km | ±230 m
Perfect for you who want to take it really easy.

Accommodation in Isle sur la Sorgue.

Enjoy a final breakfast by the canal before the journey ends, or stay an extra night to cycle to famous Chateauneuf-du-Pape.