Itinerary
- Day 1
Marseille to Avignon
You'll arrive at Marseille Airport and catch the 4pm group transfer to Avignon (make sure you're through by 3:30pm, or grab the shuttle bus to Vitrolles and take a train instead if you land earlier). Once you get to Avignon, there's an introductory walk through the medieval city to get oriented. You'll see the famous ramparts, check out the Papal Palaces, and walk across Pont d'Avignon.
Included Activities
- Introductory walk around medieval Avignon
- Visit Papal Palaces
- Visit Pont d'Avignon
Optional Activities
- Shuttle bus from airport to Vitrolles train station (approximately €15 per person return)
- Self-arranged parking (enquire with operator for details)
Landmarks/POIs Marseille Airport Papal Palaces Pont d'Avignon - Day 2
Avignon
This morning starts with a cycling ride across the Rhone River and a coffee break to settle in. After that, you'll cross the river again with views of the Châteauneuf du Pape vineyards surrounding you. The route takes you up through the village itself so you can feel its character, and then you head back to Avignon following the scenic Via Rhona cycling trail.
Included Activities
- Cycling across Rhone River
- Coffee break during ride
- Visit Châteauneuf du Pape vineyards and village
- Return to Avignon via Via Rhona cycling trail
Landmarks/POIs Châteauneuf du Pape Rhone River - Day 3
Avignon to St Rémy-de-Provence to Avignon
You'll leave Avignon heading south through Barbentane, passing by the Abbey of St Martin de Frigolet along the way. By lunchtime you'll reach St Rémy-de-Provence, where the afternoon is yours to explore. The town has plenty of art and history to see, from pre-Roman ruins to Van Gogh connections. After some free time, you'll cycle back to Avignon, pedaling through scenic fruit orchards.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch in St Rémy-de-Provence with local cuisine)
Included Activities
- Visit Abbey of St Martin de Frigolet
- Cycling to St Rémy-de-Provence
- Return cycling to Avignon through fruit orchards
Optional Activities
- Visit ancient Glanum ruins (€8.00 per person)
- Visit Monastery of St-Paul-de-Mausole, Van Gogh site (€5.00 per person)
Landmarks/POIs Abbey of St Martin de Frigolet St Rémy-de-Provence Glanum Monastery of St-Paul-de-Mausole - Day 4
Avignon
Today you have choices depending on your energy level. If you want to stay in Avignon, wander through at your own pace and visit the Papal Palaces, Calvet Museum, or the Lamber Collection if contemporary art interests you. You could also just hang out at the covered markets and watch local life happen. If you're feeling up for cycling, there's a longer route that takes you to Pont du Gard, an impressive Roman aqueduct.
Optional Activities
- Visit Papal Palaces in Avignon
- Visit Calvet Museum in Avignon
- Visit Lamber Collection in Avignon
- Explore covered markets in Avignon
- Longer cycling route to Pont du Gard aqueduct (68 kilometres/42 miles with ascent of 498 metres/1,634 feet)
Landmarks/POIs Papal Palaces Calvet Museum Lamber Collection Pont du Gard - Day 5
Avignon to Pernes-les-Fontaines
After four nights in Avignon, you'll head toward Pernes-les-Fontaines on a gentler cycling pace so you're not wiped out for tomorrow. You'll stop for lunch in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, which is known for its antique shops and good restaurants. From there, continue along the new Via Venaissia cycle route and arrive in Pernes-les-Fontaines, a medieval village where historic fountains, a ruined castle, and cycling history all connect.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue)
Included Activities
- Cycling from Avignon to Pernes-les-Fontaines via L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
- Via Venaissia cycle route
- Explore Pernes-les-Fontaines medieval village
Optional Activities
- Visit Pernes-les-Fontaines Cycle Museum
- Optional lunch and wine tasting after guided vineyard tour (€25 per person)
Landmarks/POIs L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue Pernes-les-Fontaines - Day 6
Pernes-les-Fontaines
You can take this one easy and explore Pernes at a relaxed pace, or go for an optional challenging bike ride to Gordes if you want a bigger adventure. The cycling route winds through a canyon with great views, passes St Firmin's church and a Renaissance château at the village top, then comes back through Fontaine de Vaucluse (maybe grab ice cream). If cycling isn't your thing, transport to Gordes is available.
Optional Activities
- Challenging cycling route to Gordes (61 kilometres/37.9 miles with 600 metres/1,969 feet ascent)
- Visit St Firmin's church in Gordes
- Visit Renaissance château in Gordes
- Stop at Fontaine de Vaucluse
- Alternative transport to Gordes (approximately €80 per vehicle)
Landmarks/POIs Gordes St Firmin's Church Fontaine de Vaucluse - Day 7
Pernes-les-Fontaines
Today you'll cycle through villages and vineyards at the southern base of Mont Ventoux to really get a feel for Provençal life. You'll stop at a local winery in Mormoiron for a guided tour of how they make their wine and taste some of what they produce. A picnic lunch happens on the château terrace under plane trees, followed by a relaxing walk through the vines. By early afternoon you'll cycle back to Pernes, have time to check out anything you missed, and cap off the day with a traditional Provençal dinner at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic lunch on château terrace in the shade of plane trees), Dinner (Traditional Provençal dinner at hotel)
Included Activities
- Cycling through Provençal villages and vineyards
- Guided wine production tour at Mormoiron vineyard
- Wine tasting at vineyard
- Picnic lunch on château terrace
- Relaxing walk through vines
- Return cycling to Pernes
- Traditional Provençal farewell dinner at hotel
Landmarks/POIs Mont Ventoux Mormoiron - Day 8
Pernes-les-Fontaines to Marseille
After breakfast in Pernes, you'll drive to Marseille Airport, which takes about an hour and 15 minutes. Aim to arrive around 9am so you have plenty of time before the earliest flight departures at 11am.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Marseille Airport
