Do US citizens need a visa to visit France?

No. France is part of the Schengen Area, and US citizens can visit for up to 90 days within any 180-day period without a visa. Confirm current entry requirements on the U.S. State Department's France travel page before departure.

When is the best time to visit Provence on a bike tour?

May through June and September through October are the ideal windows. Spring brings lavender fields in early bud, wildflowers in the Alpilles garrigue, and moderate temperatures before the summer heat. September and October are excellent: the harvest is underway in the Côtes du Rhône vineyards, the light has that particular quality Provence is known for, and the roads are quieter than in July and August. For specific departure dates, see the trip details above or call us at 1.800.245.3868.

What fitness level does this tour require?

Rated easy to moderate biking, daily distances run 6 to 40 miles over the low limestone ridges and vineyard roads of the Alpilles. The terrain has real character: short climbs between the white rock formations, but nothing extended or technical. Regular recreational cyclists handle this comfortably; the support vehicle is present throughout for anyone who wants to cut a day short.

Are bags transported between hotels?

Yes. Luggage moves between all accommodations across the 7 days. You ride with only a handlebar bag or day pack.

Are E-bikes available?

Yes. E-bikes can be reserved in advance and work well in the Alpilles terrain. We provide quality bikes, helmets, and GPS navigation for all riders.

What's the group size, and do solo travelers join?

Groups run up to 20 people. Solo travelers join every departure. Our group travel program is a great option if you're planning a trip with friends.

What's included in the Provence Bike Tour price?

This is one of our guided biking tours: boutique accommodations, 12 meals (6 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 5 dinners with local wine and beer), all bike equipment, luggage transfers, entrance fees, and Trip Leaders throughout the 7 days. For current pricing and Tour + Travel Packages with airfare, see the trip details above or call us at 1.800.245.3868.

Does the tour visit the places where Van Gogh painted?

Saint-Rémy-de-Provence is where Van Gogh spent a year, in 1889 and 1890, as a patient at the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole monastery, one of the most productive periods of his life. On Day 4 you can choose a cycling route through Saint-Rémy and make an independent visit to the monastery where he painted. It's an optional stop rather than a guided tour, so if the Van Gogh connection matters to you, pick that route when your Trip Leaders describe the day's options.

What is Carrières de Lumières?

The Carrières de Lumières is an immersive projection space built inside a former stone quarry in Les Baux-de-Provence. The quarry's vertical limestone walls, about 46 feet high in some chambers, become the screen for floor-to-ceiling projections of major art exhibitions, often focused on a single painter or movement. The acoustics inside the rock are as striking as the visuals. It's a short ride from the Alpilles ridge trails, which makes for an unusual day: morning on a limestone-lined route, afternoon inside a former quarry watching light move across stone walls.

What does the guided tour of Avignon include?

Avignon was the seat of the papacy from 1309 to 1377, and the Palais des Papes, the papal palace, is still the dominant structure in the city. The tour includes a local-guided visit that covers the palace's history alongside the famous Pont d'Avignon (the bridge that actually stops in the middle of the river). The old city is enclosed by 14th-century walls; the guided walk puts the architecture in political context, which makes the scale of the place make sense.

What Côtes du Rhône wine tasting does the tour include?

The route passes through the southern Rhône appellations between Avignon and Orange: Côtes du Rhône Villages, with Grenache and Syrah the dominant varieties. The tour includes a private tasting in a small local wine shop, not a tourist-facing tasting room. The sommelier typically walks the group through the region's wines in a relaxed atmosphere.

Provence Bike Tour through the Alpilles Region

7-day Tour from $6,495 per person

Tour with travel package from $7,445 per person

Activity Level

Easy - Moderate

Daily Mileage

6-40 miles

Bike Style

E-Bikes Available

Southern France Cycling Adventures

VBT | Country Walkers Provençal Trip Leaders are more than just guides—they’re family! With our deep relationships in Provence, we’ve got the inside scoop on bike routes only the locals know. Cycle the majestic Alpilles, discovering the vibrant colors that inspired Van Gogh’s masterpieces. Experience a stunning spectacle at Carrières de Lumières—a...

Tour Highlights

Cycle through pastoral landscapes of olive groves, vineyards, farms, and villages, framed by the dramatic limestone peaks of the Alpilles.
Stride across the Pont du Gard, the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage-listed Roman aqueduct and one of the ancient world’s greatest engineering achievements.
Join a local guide on a walking tour of Avignon, the famed “City of the Popes,” and sample regional vintages during a guided Côtes du Rhône wine tasting.
Explore the spectacular hilltop village of Les Baux-de-Provence and experience the immersive art and music installations of the Carrières de Lumières.
Enjoy a memorable home-hosted dinner with a local Provençal friend, sharing authentic cuisine, regional traditions, and warm hospitality.

Activity Level

Easy - Moderate

Daily Mileage

6 to 40 miles

Biking Time

2 to 5 hours

Max Group Size

Great For

Beginner to Experienced Cyclists, Groups

Accommodations

Vehicle Support Available

This was our first VBT vacation and we have already registered for a second trip. Provence and the Alpilles is a beautiful region of France with abundant fruits, vegetables and other agriculture. The bicycle travel through the French countryside gives an up-close and personal travel experience.

CMMitch, Arlington, VA, USA

What's Included

	Tour + Travel Package	Tour Only
Exceptional Boutique Accommodations
Luggage Transportation
Entrance Fees and Special Events as Noted in the Itinerary
Free Branded Gear
Local Leaders Throughout the Tour
Support Vehicle
12 Included Meals: 6 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 5 Dinners
Local Wine and/or Beer with Included Dinners
High-Quality Bike or E-bike for Use on Tour
Helmet and Bike Bag for Use on Tour
Ride with GPS Navigation
Roundtrip Airfare		Not included
Airport Pickup and Drop-off		Not included
Pre-Tour Hotel Night in Aix-en-Provence		Not included
Post-Tour Hotel Night in Marseille		Not included
2 Additional Meals: 2 Breakfasts		Not included
City Highlights Information		Not included

Southern France Cycling Adventures

Tour Highlights

Cycle through pastoral landscapes of olive groves, vineyards, farms, and villages, framed by the dramatic limestone peaks of the Alpilles.
Stride across the Pont du Gard, the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage-listed Roman aqueduct and one of the ancient world’s greatest engineering achievements.
Join a local guide on a walking tour of Avignon, the famed “City of the Popes,” and sample regional vintages during a guided Côtes du Rhône wine tasting.
Explore the spectacular hilltop village of Les Baux-de-Provence and experience the immersive art and music installations of the Carrières de Lumières.
Enjoy a memorable home-hosted dinner with a local Provençal friend, sharing authentic cuisine, regional traditions, and warm hospitality.

Activity Level

Easy - Moderate

Daily Mileage

6 to 40 miles

Biking Time

2 to 5 hours

Max Group Size

Great For

Beginner to Experienced Cyclists, Groups

Accommodations

Vehicle Support Available

CMMitch, Arlington, VA, USA

What's Included

	Tour + Travel Package	Tour Only
Exceptional Boutique Accommodations
Luggage Transportation
Entrance Fees and Special Events as Noted in the Itinerary
Free Branded Gear
Local Leaders Throughout the Tour
Support Vehicle
12 Included Meals: 6 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 5 Dinners
Local Wine and/or Beer with Included Dinners
High-Quality Bike or E-bike for Use on Tour
Helmet and Bike Bag for Use on Tour
Ride with GPS Navigation
Roundtrip Airfare		Not included
Airport Pickup and Drop-off		Not included
Pre-Tour Hotel Night in Aix-en-Provence		Not included
Post-Tour Hotel Night in Marseille		Not included
2 Additional Meals: 2 Breakfasts		Not included
City Highlights Information		Not included