Ardèche and Provence by bike

Gorges de l'Ardèche by bike

This exceptional cycling trip goes up the Rhône valley to Bagnols-sur-Cèze to finally arrive at the foothills of the Cévennes. The Cévennes has magnificent and spectacular wild landscapes including the Ardèche canyon. This circuit will be an opportunity to discover unique landscapes and excellent gastronomy, while staying in very beautiful accommodation in the region.

Interests of the stay:

• The Gorges de l'Ardèche
• The Rhône valley
• The canoe trip
• The villages of Ardèche
• Avignon

Day 1: Arrival in Avignon

Checkin to the hotel and discover the city.

Overnight in Avignon

Day 2: Avignon - Bagnols-sur-Cèze - 39 km

Welcome meeting at 9:30 am at the hotel reception. For this first day, you will cycle on the largest island in the Rhône, Barthelasse island, then ride through flourishing orchards to Roquemaure. You continue in the Rhone valley until you reach Bagnols-sur-Cèze.

Overnight in Bagnols-sur-Cèze

Day 3: Bagnols-sur-Cèze - Vallon-Pont-d'Arc - approx. 50 km

You cross astonishing landscapes in the south of Ardèche at Vallon-Pont-d'Arc located at the entrance of the canyon. Here, the Ardèche river flows through a natural rock arch.

Overnight in Vallon-Pont-d'Arc

Day 4: Loop tour to Joyeuse  - approx. 51 km

Today you have the choice. Take a round trip that takes you through the foothills of the Cévennes, featuring beautiful villages like Joyeuse. . If you want to take a break from cycling you can discover Ardèche canyon by canoe.

Overnight in Vallon-Pont-d'Arc

Day 5: Vallon-Pont-d'Arc - Ardèche-Canyon - Pont-Saint-Esprit - approx. 47 km

This day is the highlight of this cycling holiday since you will completely cross the Ardèche canyon. This day is the most sporty of all with climbs but also descents!

Overnight in Pont-Saint-Esprit

Day 6: Pont-Saint-Esprit - Avignon - approx. 57 km

Cycle down the Rhone valley via Orange. Take the time to discover this city and especially its two monuments inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List : the  Triomphal Arch of Orange and the Roman Theater. Then return to Avignon for the last evening of your cycling trip.

Overnight in Avignon

Day 7: End of the cycling trip in Ardèche

Departure after breakfast or additional night in Avignon.

General information :

• 7 days and 6 nights
• Standard version : 3 * hotel
• Child rates: contact us

The dates 2025 :

Sunday departures from 23/03 to 01/11

• Low season: from 23/03 to 1/05 and from 31/08 to 01/11
• High season: from 11/05 to 30/08

Included :

• 6 nights with breakfasts
• Tourist taxes
• Meeting at the first hotel
• Luggage transport between accommodation
• Roadbook 
• GPS App
• Assistance in case of breakdown (except puncture).

Not included :

• Transport to the place of departure
• Lunches
• Drinks
• Parking
• Visits and  personal expenses
• Anything not specified in included

The options :

• Standard bike or ebike rental
• Half-board (5 dinners)
• Transfer from Marseille to Avignon (on request)
• Additional night (s) at the start or end of the tour (on request)
• Theft guarantee for the rented bike
• Cancellation insurance

Level :

1 2 3 4 5 6
 
Ground :

Hilly terrain, the most sporty day is the 5th day beacause of the climbs in the canyon.
 
Weather :

Soft sun, little wind and pleasant temperatures.
 
Technicality :

Cycling: 39 to 57 km per day or 4 to 6 hours of cycling.
Partly marked itinerary.
 
Bibliography :
 
- Guide on the Via Rhôna 
 
 
Additional nights:

An additional night is offered to you at the start and end of the tour (on request).
 
Melas :

- Breakfasts: generous (coffee, tea, chocolate, milk, butter, bread, jam, orange juice) or buffet
- Lunch: not included
- Dinner: half-board option, dinners in restaurants near the accommodation
 
The bike :

- Rental bicycle: If you rent a bicycle, it will be given to you on the day of your arrival at the 1st hotel.At the end of the tour, you will have to leave this bike at the last hotel and notify reception. We will take care of his return.
We offer specific equipment for children, seats, small hitched bikes and trailers.
 - Personal bike: We do not recommend bikes with small tires. Hybrid bikes and mountain bikes are excellent. Remember to check your bicycle before setting off. At the end of the tour, you will need to take care of your own bicycle.
 
Assistance:

- Assistance in the event of breakdown (except punctures for which we do not intervene)
- In case of bad weather or if you cannot ride a bike for a day, possibility of a direct journey to the next stage.
 
Luggage:

They are transported by a courier or by our team and limited to one piece of luggage per person. (max. 20 kg)
 
Travel book :

A travel book will be send by post before departure. We  We will provide you with detailed maps and a description of the routes when you arrive at the first hotel. 

Transport:

- By Train: SNCF TGV to Avignon in about 2h45 / 3h00 from the Gare de Lyon. For more information on timetables, contact SNCF.
- By road: A6 exit 23. Paris is 700 km from Avignon.
- By plane: Airport in Nîmes and Avignon, and international, Marseille and Montpellier.
  
Cancellation insurance :
 
In order to guarantee the reimbursement of costs in the event of cancellation of your stay, you can take out cancellation insurance. To learn more about insurance, click here.