Cycling Tour: Luberon, Alpilles and Cotes du Rhone (7nights/8days)

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Provence is a naturally beautiful region, with inviting sunflower fields and vineyard, gently sloping hills, interesting rock formations, and of course, the Mediterranean coast. The region is also very historically rich, as it has been inhabited since Roman times (and many remains can be explored, like the Pont du Gard or the arena in Arles). Many of France’s “most beautiful villages” have medieval centers and fortresses with glorious views, which attracted artists like Cezanne and Van Gogh. Each town has something to offer, whether it is the magnificent Papal Palace in Avignon or a charming market featuring local products. Of course, you will be on a cycling tour through Provence, but there are other “active” options to be found, such as hiking, canoeing, tennis, and swimming. Provence has something to offer for everyone and a self-guided biking trip is one of the best ways to experience it.

Getting there

• By Road
• By Rail Europe is known for its excellent train system, and France is particularly known for its high-speed TGV trains. There’s more good news: the train system is fairly friendly to bicycle owners. Please see www.sncf.com for more details or to book train tickets online. You may also want to check out www.raileurope.com (particularly if there is browser trouble with the SNCF website from your country).
  
  
  Trains a Grande Vitesse (TGV)
  
  Part of the SNCF, TGV high-speed trains connect major cities like Paris and Lyon with cities in Provence. The stations you might consider, depending on your tour, are in Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, and Marseille. Most of our tours start in Avignon.
  
  Transport Express Regional (TER)
  
  The TER is a slower-moving regional train run by the SNCF. You can take bicycles on a TER train free of charge in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur Region if there is room! (Hint: avoid rush hour trains). The TER stops in Aix-en-Provence, Arles, Avignon, Digne, Gap, Marseille, Nice, Orange, and in numerous smaller stations (at less frequent times).
  
  Thalys and Eurostar
  
  Thalys trains connect the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium to France via Paris. The Eurostar connects the UK with France via Lille and Paris. Like TGV East, bicycles are free of charge on board if they are dismantled and in a box or covered. This is required, and the maximum size is 120 x 90 cm. You can store it in the luggage area at the ends of the coaches. Also, for Thalys and Eurostar, there may be a bicycle car in coach 1 and/or coach 11.
• By Air The best airports in France are Charles de Gaulle (sometimes called Roissy) in Paris, and Lyon St. Exupery. Another added bonus is that both airports have their own TGV stations. Therefore, it might be easiest to fly into Paris or Lyon, then take the TGV directly to a station in Provence such as Avignon. (Please see “Trains a Grande Vitesse” below).
  
  There are three international airports in Provence: Marseille Provence Airport, Aeroport Nice Cote d’Azur, and Aeroport International d’Avignon. Marseille’s airport is the largest and is serviced by major European, African, and Middle Eastern airlines, in addition to Air Austral for Australian connections. Clients flying to Marseille from North America will have layovers in other European cities, depending on their airline. If you’re flying Delta or Air France, you can fly directly to Nice’s airport from JFK in New York City; other major airlines fly into Nice as well. Avignon’s airport is much smaller and is served only by Air France, Flybe, and Jet2. Most flights require stopovers in Paris, but direct flights into Avignon can be taken from Leeds, Exeter, Southampton, and Edinburgh.
  
  All three airports have taxi stands, and Marseille and Avignon offer shuttle buses to area train stations. Surprisingly enough, there’s no shuttle service between Avignon airport and its center. Taxis can be booked through a central reservation service at +33(0)4 90 82 20 20. The cost of the course is approximately 25 euros. For more information on the airports and area transportation, please visit: www.mrsairport.com, www.nice.aeroport.fr (both in English) and www.avignon.aeroport.fr/ (French only)
• By Sea

Why do we like them?

Cyclomundo cycling holidays will expose you the real Europe. Every aspect of their guided and self guided cycling routes is carefully planned to maximise your interaction with local people, from local guides and the independent hotels you stay in, to the diverse places you cycle through. As true cycling specialists and local experts for road biking holidays in France, Italy, Spain and Switzerland, Cyclomundo will ensure you get the most from your biking break in Europe, whether you are looking to clock up maximum miles or set a more leisurley pace on an independent trip.

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