Provence self guided cycling tours, Avignon to Camargue




7 nights’ accommodation (with swimming pool) with breakfast, 3 dinners, luggage transfers, briefing, GPS, assistance if needed.
Hybrid & e-bike rentals available.
Description of Provence self guided cycling tours, Avignon to Camargue
Explore the diverse landscapes of Provence on this self guided week long cycling tour, which begins and ends in Avignon. Each small region within Provence has a unique feel and character, with the Camargue itself an ever changing landscape within the Rhône River delta. A variety of wildlife and plants flourish in its saltwater lagoons and stretches of marshland – look out for the iconic horses and flamingos. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the wild beauty of this area is protected as a natural park!
Cycling is a great way to explore this peaceful, rural region. You’ll ride to beautiful old towns, including Arles and Tarascon, with time out of the saddle to explore, visit museums or swim in the river. Cycling back to Avignon from the Camargue, you’ll pass through enormously varied scenery, villages and landscapes, which have all inspired artists for centuries.
You will be cycling between 40km and 73km each day, with a rest day included in the Camargue. This tour comes in two options, depending on the standard of hotels you wish to use. Luggage is transferred for you and a briefing, directions and info all included, with assistance once you are out cycling if needed.
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Reviews
1 Reviews of Provence self guided cycling tours, Avignon to Camargue
Reviewed on 21 Oct 2021 by Angela McFarland
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
We really enjoyed cycling along the Étang de Vaccarès from Saintes Maries de la Mer. There we saw many flamingos, equestrians riding Camargue horses and enjoyed the unspoiled nature of the area.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Pay attention to the GPS device that helps to navigate the tour. We got off track a few times. Also be careful in traffic heading out and returning to Avignon.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Traveling by bicycle is a great way to visit a new area with a low carbon footprint.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
We really enjoyed this tour with the exception of the hotel we were booked into the first two and last nights of the trip. We expected accommodations more typical of the area of Provence than what was provided for those nights.
Responsible Travel
Planet
Travelling by bike, you are no longer an observer — you are an active participant in the local environment and culture.Travelling on small and quiet roads, this tour will allow you to experience part of the rural countryside and ride through famous and not-so-famous small and authentic villages quintessential to the world's image of Provence.
We recommend travel by train, a much more eco-friendly solution. To travel within Europe, we recommend taking trains over renting cars, or air transports. Trains are more energy-efficient and will minimize the CO2 emission by capita.
In cities, we recommend clients to use public transportations, or to walk or bike. City bike rentals are more and more widely available in big and medium-sized cities across Europe they are the best way to get around congested cities.
People
Travelling by bike, you are no longer an observer you are a peaceful and friendly actor of local people, environment and culture.This trip will lead you through Provencal local arts and crafts, giving the actors of the local economy the opportunity to display their goods to an international clientele. Among other local producers, we advise you to stop at the Provencal fabric maker Souleidado in Tarascon to visit its museum and why not directly buy from the outlet?
You will also be travelling through the Camargue Natural Park and its nature reserve which includes some of the wildest and most protected lands in Europe. In this major world heritage wetland you will have plenty of time to observe and enjoy its exceptional biological diversity with its swamps, lagoons, and rice fields inhabited by more than 400 species of birds including pink flamingos, unique breeds of wild horses and bulls.
Relying on local guides and family-owned hotels, you will be ensured a warm, personalized welcome. All properties are run by people who have a passion for their region and its cultural, gastronomic, and historical heritage. We use genuine places with local charm, blending harmoniously into the environment. Our hotels offer guests a pleasant, nice-sized environment. Some of them have as few as two rooms, while others are small human-sized hotels.
We have teamed up with some local renters throughout France. We value their expert work and most of our clients are renting bikes directly through them instead of bringing their own. This, of course, also benefits the local economy.
We are based in France. This is where we live and work. Our office is located in the French Alps, just a stones throw from the Swiss border, and we ride the very same roads we recommend to you for your cycling vacations. As firm believers of sustainable development, we have established a friendly network of professionals, comprised mainly of local tour guides, small operators, and family-run agencies. Most of our people have created their own jobs/enterprises in order to live their passion for the region and cultural heritage. All have extensive travel experience and have lived in various places before falling in love with the area they now call home.
Traveling with us guarantees that you will be taken care of by caring professionals who chose to build their lives here. Forget the non-descript and indistinguishable big chain hotels; we use genuine places with local charm. All the properties we use are run by people who have a passion for their region and its cultural, gastronomic, and historical heritage.
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