Provence Biking
- Incredible biking through perched villages, vineyards and orchards
- Private wine tastings of the best local vintages
- Soak up Provençal life in renowned Gordes and ochre-hued Roussillon
- Exquisite hotels including one of our favorites: Crillon le Brave
- Take aim during a round of pétanque - just like those gray-haired gents in berets
From Cotes du Rhone Vineyards to the Ochre-Kissed Luberon
Lavender fields that come to life in the breeze. Cherry orchards around the bend. The Mistral that swirls in the paintings of van Gogh, Cézanne and Gauguin. The hills and villages that inspired them. The wines. The cool evenings. The breathtaking village of Gordes that stands on the edge of a cliff. And Roussillon with its brilliant red colors. Indulging in local specialties at lively outdoor markets. Playing a round of pétanque and sipping a café au lait. After your journey through Provence, this will be your new list of favorite things.
Days 1-2 Private tastings of the best local vintages at Côtes du Rhône vineyards 
Bike through the unspoiled terrain of the Drôme region, the gateway to Provence, and through eight of the 20 villages that have been awarded Côte-du-Rhône-Villages AOC status for producing a superior quality wine under strict criteria On the way to the viticulture town of Gigondas, pedal a wooded road along the Dentelles de Montmirail, limestone mountains with dramatic serrated ridges.
Day 3 Exquisite hotels including one of our favorites: Crillon le Brave Ride the stunning Gorges de la Nesque below spectacular Mont Ventoux on your way to Sault Meander through winding cobblestone streets for a taste of medieval Provence How's your aim? Find out during a friendly game of pétanque.
Day 4 Incredible biking through perched villages, vineyards and orchards A morning spin leads to Château Pesquié for a tour and wine tasting 
Gregorian chants and the oh-so-Provençal fragrance of lavender welcome you at the peaceful 12th-century Abbaye de Sénanque Explore Gordes, a glorious village perché clinging to the Vaucluse Plateau.
Days 5-6 Rub shoulders with locals in quintessential Provençal villages such as Ménerbes and Lacoste Cross Pont Julien, a Roman bridge built around 300 B.C., to reach the village of Roussillon, resting on one of the world’s biggest ochre deposits The Lubéron's bucolic plains and foothills line your route to the Domaine de la Citadelle winery, whose 1,200 corkscrews add a twist.
Guests Reviews About This Trip
Thanks for putting together these amazing experiences...maybe Congress needs one of these trips to Provence to see how peaceful life can be, how whether Democrat or Republican, we all want basically the same things in life, to be together with friends and family, to challenge ourselves physically, mentally and socially, to leave the world a better place, to take time to breathe and...most importantly to enjoy the ride!- San Anselmo, CA
This was our best trip ever and we have taken 4 with B & R and one other with Backroads. The leaders made a world of difference.- New York NY
Our biking trip in Provence was one of the best vacations I have had. It was well organized, the local inns were charming, and the guides were helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. I am already starting to think about where to go on our next Backroads trip.- Pickering, ON
Premiere Inns
Château de Massillan
Uchaux (1 night) With elegant contemporary interiors, this castle nestled in Côtes du Rhône vineyards was built in 1555 for a mistress of Henry II. (pool)
Hôtel Crillon le Brave
Crillon le Brave (2 nights) Flawlessly combining rustic charm and elegant luxury, an "evocative country house hotel crowning an ancient hamlet, backdropped by Mont Ventoux," according to Hideaway Report. A Relais & Châteaux member. (pool)
La Bastide de Gordes
Gordes (2 nights) Within the ancient city walls of Gordes, a 16th-century mansion with splendid hilltop views of the Lubéron Valley. (pool, spa)
Alsace & the Black Forest Biking
France's Wine-Rich Valley & Germany's Fabled Woodland
Classic:
Burgundy Biking
Legendary Vineyards & L'Art de Vivre
Classic:
Singles+Solos:
Loire Valley Biking
Among the Grand Chateaux
Classic:
Singles+Solos:
Provence Biking
From the Windswept Alpilles to Perched Lubéron Villages
Classic:
Singles+Solos:
This Trip Is Rated Level 2-5
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 | Road Bike Average | Mountain Bike Average* | Walk & Hike Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 10-15 miles | 2-5 miles |
| Level 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 16-20 miles | 5-7 miles |
| Level 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 21-25 miles | 7-9 miles |
| Level 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 26-30 miles | 9-11 miles |
| Level 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 31+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
*Mountain bikes are used in locations where the best riding is on a combination of dirt and paved roads. View trip locations
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Levels 2 to 3 2 Route Options Available
- 23, 32 miles
- 900 - 1800 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 2 to 5 4 Route Options Available
- 24 33, 46, 65 miles
- 480 - 2950 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 2 to 5 4 Route Options Available
- 27, 35, 50, 81 miles
- 2300 - 7930 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 2 to 3 3 Route Options Available
- 21, 31, 39 miles
- 430 - 2250 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 2 to 3 3 Route Options Available
- 26, 32, 38 miles
- 1480 - 2470 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 13 miles
- 920 feet elevation gain
More Recommended Trips
For 33 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the Provence tour experts. See our award-winning Europe France biking tours, Europe France walking and hiking tours and Europe France multisport tours.
