FRANCE SELF GUIDE BICYCLE TOURS
THE DORDOGNE * PROVENCE

These tours are a fully organized vacation for the independent traveler who wants the freedom to cycle at his or her own pace. You'll have complete support behind the scenes. Our France representative will meet you at the beginning of your tour for an orientation. You will receive a packet with detailed route instructions, maps, suggestions for sights to visit along the route and emergency support phone numbers. You can take a spontaneous detour and always feel secure that your hotel room will be waiting for you. You may choose to bring your own bike or rent a bike. If you choose to rent a bike, our representative will bring the bikes to you on the first day. You will be able to travel at your own pace without a guide or support vehicle to hurry you along or to slow you down. Your luggage will be transported each day to the next accommodation, which will be reserved and prepaid. You don't need to worry, as emergency support is just a phone call away. Below are sample itineraries that you can choose your exact dates between mid April to mid October. Just let us know if you would like to make any changes or add additional days and we'll do our best to accommodate your requests.

Provence Self-Guided Bicycle Tour

The Dordogne Valley offers the best in a French cycling vacation: history, castles, beautiful vistas, quiet country roads, and world-renowned cuisine and wine. The Dordogne is thought by many to be the most beautiful river in France. You’ll also explore the Vézère River valley, famous for prehistoric sites, including caves and troglodyte dwellings. The prehistoric sites, such as Lascaux cave, (which is inscribed on the World Heritage List), testify to millenniums of human history and are exceptional in both quality and quantity. Some of the most charming villages of France are found in the Dordogne region. The opulent Dordogne valley is rich with countless grandiose and spectacular sites such as castles and fortresses, villages built into the cliff and caves with amazing rock formations.

Our route will take you through beautiful and varied scenery along country roads built generations ago. Here, every step takes you to a visible trace of human history. You will follow pilgrimage routes, drawn during the 12th and the 13th centuries, riding from centuries old stone-built houses to villages from the Middle Ages, and from shepherds huts - unchanged from prehistoric times - to troglodyte houses built onto the cliff.

On a daily basis you will experience some flat sections and several sections that are rolling to hilly. Average distances per day will be about 30 miles.

Day 1:: You will meet in Souillac, in the heart of the valley of the Dordogne. The historical city is built in an amphitheater around its abbey. Very short drive to your accommodations in a very nice ancient house. (Souillac is on the train line from Paris to Toulouse (several trains a day). It is also on the highway from Paris to Toulouse.)

Day 2: Ride down the Dordogne valley. Among other beautiful sites, the Fenelon castle can be visited, the Montfort lookout and castle, the banks of the Dordogne. Night at a very nice hotel overlooking the Dordogne river.

Day 3: Indeed the route may be called "the Castle Route" as the density of awesome castles is incredible! Some are splendid residences, others are fortified castles and even fortresses facing each other! It is possible to visit several of these castles or fortresses. One of them accommodates a museum dedicated to Josephine Becker. Another one features a splendid garden with an extraordinary view of the surroundings. You will be also able to discover beautiful villages with troglodyte houses, built into the cliff! The route will lead you to Les Eyzies , capital of prehistoric times in Europe. Night in typical house from the Dordogne.

Day 4: The Vézère valley is a remarkable route both for the beauty of the countryside and for its fascinating prehistoric sites (Lascaux painted caves, prehistoric villages, traces of the Cro-magnon and the Neanderthal humans from the prehistoric times).
Night in a lovely estate.

Day 5: Riding along beautiful country side. Castles from the 12th and the 17th (renaissance) centuries, very nice villages. Night at a charming house.

Day 6 & 7: The upper part of the Dordogne valley. Although this section is curiously not very well known, it is composed of numerous treasures : medieval villages, scenery, Lacave cave & castle, fortified villages, a castle which is one of the largest fortress in the south of France. In the valley, Saint-Cere is protected by the high towers of Saint-laurent-les-tours, that are now home of Jean Lurcat painter museum. And also the Montal renaissance castle and ancient villages ...and the awesome Rocamadour!

Day 8: "Au revoir", after a great breakfast.

TOUR DATE: April - Oct. dates available. (July and August can be hot.)

TOUR PRICE: €1,200 Euros(Double Occupancy)

TRIP COST INCLUDES: 7 nights lodging in 2 and 3 star B & B's, 4 dinners, 7 breakfasts, luggage transport, detailed maps and route suggestions, suggestions for where to eat and side trips to take, emergency support.

TRIP COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: Rental bike ( €120 Euros), 3 dinners, lunches, alcoholic beverages.

FRANCE - SELF GUIDED BIKE TOUR IN PROVENCE

Fascinating and varied landscapes, colorful villages outlined by lavender fields and vineyards, medieval towns perched on hilltops, famous Roman ruins and the simple lifestyle of this region are bound to take you back in time. The magical light and intense colors of Provence inspired numerous works of art by the artists Van Gogh, Cezanne and Gaugin. From the intoxicating smells of the fresh herbs and flowers to the exquisite tastes of the French gastronomy, Provence promises to be a real treat for the senses.

Your ride begins in Arles, a Provencal town with a Roman amphitheater, located at the foothills of the superb Alpilles (the Little Alps). En route, you'll wind our way through quiet country roads to villages like St. Remny, a charming market town with cobblestone streets, and Les Baux, a medieval village and fortress with dramatic vertical cliffs.

In Provence, man’s connection with nature and the land is apparent throughout the region. Vineyards fill the valleys, local farms raise fresh produce and red ochre from the colorful village of Roussillon is used to color many of the region’s homes.

You'll be cycling uncrowded secondary roads with average distances of 25 - 35 miles per day over moderately hilly terrain. Lodging is in cozy country inns and bed & breakfasts that are typical of Provence.

Day 1:: Arrival in Avignon
Transfer to your first hotel in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon Our trip manager will give you your package and adjust your bikes. Visit of the old town. Short ride around your hotel before dinner.

Day 2 : Villeneuve-les-Avignon loop 35 Km
Quite simply: cycling among the most renowned Cote du Rhône vineyards, Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Tavel. Lots of opportunities for you today to taste some of the nectar they produce!

Day 3 : Villeneuve-Les-Avignon to Uzes 35 km
Nice ride to the Pont du Gard, an exceptionally 2000-year-old well-preserved, three-tiered Roman aqueduct – Some quiet and picturesque routes will bring you to the semicircular hill town of Uzès where you can visit the place aux Herbes, restored Renaissance facades, and the impressive Ducal Palace. Night in Uzès.

Day 4 : Uzès – Arles 45 Km
Cycling through the vineyards of the Cabrières wine area, visit the castle of Roi René or visit the museum of the typical Provençal fabric in Tarascon. Night and dinner in Arles (its Roman sites and van Gogh’s residence between 1853-90).

Day 5 : Arles. Options day
Visit of Arles, the arena, antique theatre and historical town or go on a scenic tour in the Natural reserve of Camargue just south of the town, where you may spot flamingos or some of the famous Camargue horses.

Day 6 : Arles to Saint Remy de Provence 46 Km
Beautiful tour via le Paradou to the fortified village of Les Baux de Provence. Cycling through the olive trees and vineyards with the Alpilles mountain range as a backdrop, to Saint Rémy de Provence. Take your time to visit the Château des Baux, the archaeological site of Glanum and the monastery of Saint Paul de Mausole (where Vincent Van Gogh stayed one year and made 150 paintings).

Day 7 : Departure
Departure after breakfast – transfer from your hotel in Saint Rémy to Avignon (35 minutes)

TOUR DATE: April - Oct. dates available. (July and August can be hot.)

TOUR PRICE: €1,250 Euros(Double Occupancy, Classic Tour using 3 star equivalent accommodations) €1,550 Euros (Double Occupancy, Deluxe Tour using 4 star equivalent accommodations)

TRIP COST INCLUDES: 7 days/6 nights lodging, 4 dinners, 6 breakfasts, luggage transport, detailed maps and route suggestions, suggestions for where to eat and side trips to take, emergency support, hybrid rental bike, transfer at the start of the trip to first hotel and back to Avignon train station on departure day morning.

TRIP COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: 2 dinners, lunches, alcoholic beverages.