Home
Europe France
Provence
Provence to the French Riviera Bike Tour

Provence to the French Riviera Bike Tour

Single Supplement Reduced on Select Departures
View dates

Exquisite Provence & the French Riviera

From $4,698 - $5,648 pp dbl. occ. | 6 days / 5 nights

(+$620 to $1,440 for sgl. occ.)

You don't need to speak French to appreciate the earthy allure of Provence or the glamorous seduction of the French Riviera. Exquisite wines. Spectacular rides. Shimmering beaches. Glowing sunsets. You needn't be fluent, but learn one word: ralentissez. Slow down. Take your time. Southern France is for savoring.

Highlights

Experience the relaxed Provençal lifestyle as you journey from picturesque Provence to the sparkling Mediterranean
Enjoy stunning rides through rolling vineyards, rustic valleys, limestone formations and perched villages
Sail from St-Tropez to Cannes along the pure white sands of the alluring and chic French Riviera
Unwind at luxury hotels and do as the locals do—enjoy a glass of chilled rosé or try your hand at a game of pétanque

France

Start Aix-en-Provence / End Cannes

Itinerary

Days 1-2 From Mont Ste-Baume, cycle along the remote limestone ridge of Ste-Victoire Mountain, immortalized by Paul Cézanne | Ride past Pablo Picasso's château in beautiful Vauvenargues | Wander the historic town of Aix-en-Provence, with its leafy cobblestone streets and 17th-century mansions | Take in panoramic views of the Mediterranean landscape while dining on Michelin-starred cuisine.

Day 3 A morning spin through rustic valleys leads deep into picturesque Provence Verte (Green Provence) | Pedal past olive trees and colorful French towns | Explore enchanting perched villages and centuries-old troglodyte cave dwellings | Sip crisp rosé in the vineyards of the Côtes de Provence wine region.

Day 4 Discover the hidden gems of Provence on a ride through Haut Var | Stroll the village of Entrecasteaux and its castle, overlooking gardens designed by Le Nôtre, landscape architect of Versailles | In Tourtour, savor views from Provence all the way to the French Riviera.

Days 5-6 Views of the Mediterranean accompany you to Ste-Maxime | Sun and surf await in St-Tropez, where you can relax like Bardot with the jet set on the glamorous beaches of the Côte d'Azur | Journey by private boat to Cannes, famous for its star-studded film festival | Enjoy leisure time and a farewell dinner at our elegant hotel, a favorite of celebrities.

Next: Dates & Prices

The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy.

Cancellation fees may vary based upon departure date. Please review the grid below:

Number of Days Prior to Trip Start	Cancellation Fees (per person)	Departure Dates
156+ days	$600	2018 5/20, 6/1
126-155 days	30%
96-125 days	50%
61-95 days	75%
31-60 days	100%
0-30 days	100%
96+ days	$200	2018 5/25, 6/3, 6/10, 6/17, 6/24, 7/1, 7/8, 7/22, 7/29, 8/5, 8/26, 9/2, 9/7, 9/14, 9/16, 9/21, 9/23, 9/30 2019 5/26, 6/9, 6/23, 6/30, 7/7, 7/14, 7/21, 8/25, 9/1, 9/6, 9/8, 9/13, 9/15, 9/20, 9/22, 9/29
61-95 days	30%
31-60 days	60%
0-30 days	100%

For information on our trip transfers see here.

Please click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.

Available
to Book i
Going
Fast i
Contact
Us i
Private Trip
– Reserved i

C Classic Dates

2018 May

5/20–5/25

5/25–5/30

2018 June

6/1–6/6

6/3–6/8

6/10–6/15

6/17–6/22

6/24–6/29

2018 July

7/1–7/6

7/8–7/13

7/22–7/27

7/29–8/3

2018 August

8/5–8/10

8/26–8/31

2018 September

9/2–9/7

9/7–9/12

9/14–9/19

9/16–9/21

9/21–9/26

9/23–9/28

9/30–10/5

2019 May

5/26–5/31

2019 June

6/9–6/14

6/23–6/28

6/30–7/5

2019 July

7/7–7/12

7/14–7/19

7/21–7/26

2019 August

8/25–8/30

2019 September

9/1–9/6

9/6–9/11

9/8–9/13

9/13–9/18

9/15–9/20

9/20–9/25

9/22–9/27

9/29–10/4

View Private Dates

Gather your favorite people to share a Backroads adventure on a ready-to-book Private Trip - featuring all the legendary Backroads hallmarks from expert leaders to unforgettable activities. You can pick from the selection of dates below for your group; some dates are only available for 16 or more guests while other dates are available for 8 or more guests. If your party has fewer than 8 guests, or your preferred date is not available, we'll create a departure just for you. Call or email us to reserve your date.

2018 Private Trip Pricing

10 or more guests: from $4,698 pp dbl occ
8 - 9 guests: from $5,198 pp dbl occ
6 - 7 guests: from $6,498 pp dbl occ
4 - 5 guests: from $6,998 pp dbl occ
2 - 3 guests: from $8,098 pp dbl occ

Please click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.

Don't see your ideal travel date? Make a Date

8 AVAILABLE TO BOOK
for 8 or more guests
16 AVAILABLE TO BOOK
for 16 or more guests
Reserved

C Classic Tours

The sky’s the limit! Tell us what your dream trip would be and we'll make it happen! Whether you're looking for a honeymoon trip for 2, a 30-person family reunion or a 100-person corporate trip, we can do it all. A dedicated Custom Trip Consultant will work closely with you to bring your dreams to reality. Call us at 800-462-2848 to speak with your Custom Trip Consultant or click on the button below.

REQUEST YOUR CUSTOM TRIP NOW

Previous: Overview

Dates

C Classic Tours

2018
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep

2019
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep

View Scheduled Dates
Go Private
Go Custom

Prices

From $4,698 - $5,648 pp dbl. occ.
6 days / 5 nights

(+$620 to $1,440 for sgl. occ.)

Reviews

Read the Reviews
Write a Review

Premiere Hotels

Les Lodges

Aix-en-Provence (2 nights)

Château de Berne

Lorgues (2 nights)

Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic

Cannes (1 night)

See Lodging Details

Activity Level

This trip is rated Levels 2-4

See Daily Route Options

What's Included

Services and equipment are included.

See how we include more

Why Backroads

Why Travel with Backroads in Provence and the French Riviera

Find out What sets us apart

More On This Trip

View more photos

Watch videos

Detailed Itinerary Reserve This Trip

Reviews by Power Reviews ®

Load More Load Less

Next: Lodging

Premiere Hotels

Accommodations may vary based on departure date. Any difference from what is listed below can be found by clicking on your desired date on the View Scheduled Dates or Private Dates tabs.

Les Lodges

Aix-en-Provence (2 nights)

Nestled within a lovely park and watched over by the Ste-Victoire Mountain, this hotel offers impressive views of the Aix countryside and a Michelin-starred restaurant. (pool, spa)

Château de Berne

Lorgues (2 nights)

A Backroads favorite—experience unpretentious luxury in this charming château, located at the end of a winding lane in the heart of Provence. A Relais & Châteaux member. (pool, spa)

Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic

Cannes (1 night)

Splendid in décor and location, this seaside property is a celebrity favorite and features chic rooms with balconies overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. (pool, spa)

Previous: Reviews

Next: Activity Level

This Trip Is Rated Levels 2-4

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.

Daily Route Options (drag to see full )

Day	EASYGOING				ACTIVE				AVID
Daily Route Options
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Level 4		Level 5
	miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain
1			13*	900	26	1500
2			18*	1400	27*	2700	40	3200
3	9*	400	17*	900	25	1500	37	2100
4			20*	1600	30	1800	41	2500
5			28*	1700
5	Boat Ride to Cannes (1 Hour)
6	Walking Tour of Cannes (1 Hour)

Note:

* Includes shuttle.

Learn more about how we determine our activity level and fully support a range of abilities and interests.

Please note that our distance and elevation figures come from Ride with GPS. Other sources (such as Map My Ride and Garmin devices) may give differing elevation figures due to different GPS and mapping technologies. Readings from a Garmin or a smart phone are influenced by other factors such as air pressure.

Previous: Lodging

Next: What's Included

Meals

All breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners

Available Bike Options

The key to a stellar day’s ride is a bike that’s perfectly in tune with your cycling style… Backroads has you covered with the best bike fleet in the world! Read on for your available bike options for this trip.

Backroads Titanium Bikes (Included in your trip price)

Our custom-built titanium bikes are specially designed for you—and we offer different models for varied terrain so your bike is ideally suited to the region. Our custom-made bikes are included in your trip price.

Touring Bike (Included)

Performance Road Bike (Included)

Backroads Custom Electric-Assist Bike (Included in your trip price)

Wishing for a little extra assistance up those hills? Our custom Backroads Electric-Assist Bike lets you experience the thrill of exploring on two wheels while providing a boost when you want it. We've modified a selection of our great Titanium Bikes with the intuitive BionX "pedal-assist" system.

Backroads Custom Electric-Assist Bike (Included)

Specialized S-Works Roubaix & Ruby ($400 rental fee)

Ride like a pro with the new top-of-the-line S-Works bike featuring ultrasmooth Shimano Di2 electronic shifting. Faster and smoother than any other bike out there, this race-ready carbon machine delivers phenomenal acceleration and handling in an ultralight, ultrapowerful package—perfect for experienced riders. The Specialized S-Works Ruby is a light, agile speed machine precisely designed for women. You can upgrade to a Specialized S-Works Roubaix or Ruby on your trip.

Specialized S-Works Roubaix (Upgrade)

Specialized S-Works Ruby (Upgrade)

Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem ($400 rental fee)

Do you prefer to spin in tandem with your partner? You'll love the Co-Motion Periscope Torpedo tandem on your Backroads trip. You can upgrade to a Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem on your trip.

Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem (Upgrade)

Also Included

Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
Snacks and beverages between meals
Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
Park and other entry fees
Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
Select coach transfers
Baggage transfers and porterage

Previous: Activity Level

Next: Why Backroads

Get the Straight Talk about This Trip

We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

Previous: What's Included

Next: Why Backroads

Why Travel with Backroads in Provence and the French Riviera

Starting from the Sea

The ideal first encounter with the Riviera is from the water, so we arrange for you to arrive at Saint-Tropez aboard a private boat, taking in great views of the Mediterranean coast and gaining extra time to explore the chic seaside resort.

Everyone at Their Own Pace

We design and support our Provence and the French Riviera trips to suit mixed abilities and varied interests—so you can set your own pace, then change things up as the day unfolds. And all guests are free to do the same, traveling together or apart, with no one cramping anyone else's style. Which sounds easy in theory, but it's hard to pull off. Here's more on how we do it.

Navigate Your Way in Provence and the French Riviera

Your ride comes equipped with a Garmin Edge Explore 1000, the best bike-touring GPS device on the market. This is a Backroads exclusive, and it's included with your bike in Provence and the French Riviera. If you prefer to bring your own device, we also have downloadable GPS files and of course, our good old paper directions are always available. Read more on why our navigation options are the best.

Great Bikes Included (or Upgrade)

Choose a Backroads Custom Titanium or Custom Electric Assist bike—included in your trip price. Maybe a Specialized carbon-fiber pro model is more your speed or go for double fun on a tandem. Our fleet is the best in active travel, so you don't have to roll the dice on this vital trip component. Learn more about our bike fleet.

We Live in the Neighborhood

Our Trip Leaders in Provence and the French Riviera live in the area and are deeply engaged in their communities, giving them unique inside knowledge they're happy to share in making your experience that much richer. They'll introduce you to people, customs and parts of town you'd likely never encounter on your own—and teach you a few local phrases to help break the ice.

Experts with Secrets to Share

In choosing the ideal experts to enrich your travel experience, we look for people with a wealth of local knowledge, but also the ability to convey their insights in English. Too often travelers find themselves smiling politely, not quite understanding what they're being told. Our experts share intriguing facts, anecdotes and inside stories that stay with you forever.

Previous: What's Included

Detailed Itinerary Reserve This Trip