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.
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.
This was my first trip to France and I could not have picked a better introduction. The food, the people, the bike routes, the hotels, even the hotels listed for extra stay were all wonderful.- NYC
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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 Dates & Prices tab.
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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)
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)
Splendid in décor and location, this seaside property is a celebrity favorite and features chic rooms with balconies overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. (pool, spa)
There's no better way to find out about Backroads than by hearing it from the people who have traveled with us. For more about the Backroads Experience, read our Guest Testimonials.
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REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
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Comments about Provence to the French Riviera Bike Tour:
This was my first trip to France and I could not have picked a better introduction. The food, the people, the bike routes, the hotels, even the hotels listed for extra stay were all wonderful.
Comments about Provence to the French Riviera Bike Tour:
Laurent, Marine and Emily were excellent. They all went above and beyond for everyone on the trip.
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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.
Please click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.
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AVAILABLE TO BOOKi GOING FASTi CONTACT USi PRIVATE TRIP - RESERVEDi
Interested in a Private Trip? Check out the Make It Private tab for private dates available, or call us at 800-462-2848.
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.
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| Daily Route Options | ||||||||||
| Day | EASYGOING | ACTIVE | AVID | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 20 | 1200 | ||||||||
| 2 | 17* | 1600 | 39 | 2600 | 49 | 3000 | ||||
| Guided Tour of Aix-en-Provence (1 Hour) | ||||||||||
| 3 | 19* | 1400 | 37 | 2700 | 46 | 3300 | ||||
| 4 | 22* | 1900 | 31 | 2100 | 41 | 2500 | ||||
| 5 | 28* | 1700 | ||||||||
| 6 | 17 | 800 | ||||||||
Note:
* Includes shuttle.
Learn more about how we determine our activity levels 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.
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.
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.
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.
Choose a Backroads Custom Titanium or Custom Electric Assist bike—both are 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 why our titanium bikes are ideal for most riders. See the bike options for this trip.
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.
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.
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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 of 8 or more. 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.
Click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.
8 AVAILABLE TO BOOK FOR 8 OR MORE GUESTS 16 AVAILABLE TO BOOK FOR 16 OR MORE GUESTS RESERVED
Don't see your ideal travel date? Make a Date! i
Invite your family and friends on an adventure that's entirely your own - for your group of 8 or more. Find out more
I simply can't imagine a better way to immerse yourself in the life of a region, to explore hidden corners and appreciate nuances while enjoying the benefits and enormous satisfaction of traveling under your own power. These are experiences you cannot have behind the wheel of a car, or on a train or a tour bus. Active travel is, at its heart, a way of connecting more authentically with the world. Sure, Backroads provides amazing leaders, superb accommodations and meals, and opportunities you could never arrange on your own. But all of our comprehensive planning and support is aimed at something far simpler: bringing you the immediate, highly personal satisfaction of discovering a new world on your own terms.
— Tom Hale, Founder & President
