Please note: You can only take part in this trip if you are vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19!
As of Oct 2022, subject to change.

Feel save, book flexible: FREE rebooking up to 6 weeks prior arrival to any alternative date in 2021 - applies to bookings between May 01 and June 15 2021 , the price of the newly selected date 2021 applies in the event of a rebooking.

Rebooking FREE OF CHARGE until 28 days prior tour start; valid for all new bookings between May 01 and ***September 15 2021***. Valid for all tour-dates 2021 – the price of the newly selected date 2021 applies in the event of a rebooking.

The NEW Bike and Barge Tour in the Rhône valley offers a nice balance between nature, history and vivid cities along the way and in the evenings. You can feel and explore the beautiful countryside of the Rhône valley, but also with cities founded by the Romans more than 2.000 years ago. This part of France is the home to some of the best and most expensive French wines, like there is the Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

You will pass some of the niecist towns in France. Lyon, for example with this one large World Heritage Site, with a big renaissance old town, Roman ruins, historic industrial districts and the regal 19th-century Presqu’île quarter. The city was founded 2,000 years ago at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône Rivers, and built its fortune on the silk trade.

Do not miss Vienne: a Ville d’Art et d’Histoire, in recognition of its cultural riches. The town boasts one of the richest Roman legacies in France, with an ancient theatre, the Cybèle archaeological garden, the temple to Augustus and Livia, plus an enigmatic pyramid. And do not forget the other well known cities which you will also pass on that amazing trip, like Avignon with the historic centre, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site or Châteauneuf-du-Pape which is really famous for the wine cellars and panoramic views across the area’s vineyards, the Romanesque church of Notre-Dame, the hilltop ruins of the 14th-century papal castle, the chapels dedicated to St Pierre de Luxembourg and St Theodoric. You will love that tour....

Our Tip: Book early, those bike & boat trips fill up fast! The program of this trip is also possible in the opposite direction.

Route

Tour profile / level 2

Route mostly along field paths, cycle paths and secondary side roads in rural and city areas. Short stretches are on unpaved roads. A couple of days present some short uphill sections with the only 2-3 relevant ascents.

Itinerary Lyon - Arles

Day 1: Lyon
Embarkation 6 p.m., but you can bring your luggage on board around 2 p.m. Around 7 p.m. the guide and crew welcome you at dinner with an aperitif to start of the tour. After dinner there is time to explain some things about the tour and also the captain will tell you more about life on board.

Day 2: Lyon - Vienne , approx. 40 km
At the start of your bike and barge tour, you will be exploring the green site of Lyon. This city that received in 1998 the title of UNESCO world heritage has an homage for the fact that this is a city with an cultural heritage that dates back for over 2000 years. This city that was once the capital of the Roman province Gallia and later the capital of Burgundy, brings you her history not only in word, but also view. He second part of your bike trip today takes you to the land between the rivers Saône and Rhône. Where you can find a nice balance between enjoying the parks and the history of this great city. To discover the oldest (cobbled) streets we recommend you to take a stroll into the oldest part of town and park your bike near the riverside. During dinner the captain will be treating you on an evening cruise towards Vienne.

Day 3: Vienne – Andance – Tournon sur Rhône, approx. 42 km
Today we can offer you a big variety of views, tastes and fragrances. Leaving Vienne you immediately bike into the nature reservation Île au Beurre, where you can enjoy the peace and quietness of nature. While the landscape slides along you it changes into a big vineyard, entering the famous home of the Côte Rôtie. Passing the grapes, you will see that the landscape changes again, this time into the green landscape of the Ardèche countryside, where you can find the boat moored in Andance. At diner time the captain will sail you to Tournon sur Rhône.

Day 4: Tournon sur Rhône – Valence – Pouzin, approx. 35 km
This morning the captain and his crew start the day early to bring you to the city of Valence, where the boat will arrive after breakfast. This city with its colourful markets and it’s historic “Quartiers” is the starting point of your bike ride along typical small villages of the Ardèche and historic sites to wonder of with your bike into the green meadows of an nature reservation towards Pouzin in the Drôme area.

Day 5: Pouzin – Viviers, approx. 42 km
Today the tour brings you along the mediaeval abbey of Cruas and further along you will be crossing a memorable rope bridge in Rochemaure. This bridge can be seen as a symbolic passing from old to new, from history to the futher…. At the end of the day you will be parking your bike next to the boat and you can enjoy a stroll through the historic village of Viviers.

Day 6: Viviers – Saint-Etienne-des-Sorts – Avignon, approx. 40 km
After a morning sail the bikes will be put a shore at Saint-Etienne-des-Sorts. From here you will bike straight into the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, where you can perhaps buy a tasteful memory of this tour for at home. Once you passed the hilly landscape around Châteauneuf-du-Pape, you are rewarded with an almost complete flat last part of the bike path along the river. To soon have a first glance of the panoramic view of Avignon the home of the Popes in the 14th century. In this city you can wonder of in the old streets, enjoy the French way of life on the squares with their terraces and just breath the culture…

Day 7: Avignon – Arles, approx. 45 km
Today you bike from the ancient city of Popes to the home of Van Gogh. Halfway of the cycling tour today you will arrive in Beaucaire, here the Languedoc region and the Provence region meet. To end our day, we recommend to explore Arles and all the cosy corners Van Gogh used to paint here…

Day 8: Arles
Disembarkation at approx. 9 a.m.. Independent homeward travel.

Itinerary Arles - Lyon

Day 1: Arles
Embarkation 6 p.m., but you can bring your luggage on board around 2 p.m. Around 7 p.m. the guide and crew welcome you at dinner with an aperitif to start of the tour. After dinner there is time to explain some things about the tour and also the captain will tell you more about life on board.

Day 2: Arles – Avignon , approx. 45 km
Today you bike from the home of Van Gogh to the ancient city of Popes, Avignon. Halfway of the cycling tour today you will arrive in Beaucaire, here the Languedoc region and the Provence region meet. After lunch you will soon have a first glance of the panoramic view of Avignon the home of the Popes in the 14th century. In this city you can wonder of in the old streets, enjoy the French way of life on the squares with their terraces and just breath the culture.

Day 3: Avignon - Saint-Etienne-des-Sorts – Viviers, approx. 40 km
Today we start with an almost complete flat first part of the bike path along the river, while we bike away from the old streets, squares and terraces of Avignon towards the famous wine village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The closer we come to Châteauneuf -du-Pape, the home of the Popes in the 14th century, the less flat the route will become. But with a rewarding view over the river and an ice wine, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is more than a treat. Not long after you have passed Châteauneuf-du-Pape, you will arrive in the small village of Saint-Etienne-des-Sorts, where the boat is moored and will start sailing around 6p.m. towards Viviers, where we will spent the night.

Day 4: Viviers -Pouzin, approx. 42 km
In the morning, before you hit the route, you can take some time to enjoy the scenery of Viviers. The biking tour of today will first bring you to an unusual, but memorable bridge. The rope bridge in Rochemaure, this bridge can be seen as a symbolic passing from old to new, from history to the further. Further along the tour brings you along the medieval abbey of Cruas to finally bring you to the destination of today Pouzin.

Day 5: Pouzin – Valence - Tournon sur Rhône, approx. 35 km
This morning we will be leaving the Drôme area and ride into the Ardèche, with it’s typical small villages and historic sites to wonder of with your bike. After a beautiful day of riding through the nature, you can enjoy the city of Valence. This city with its colourful markets and it’s historic “ Quartiers” is the end of our bike tour today and the beginning of our sailing cruise towards Tournon sur Rhône.

Day 6: Tournon sur Rhône - Andance – Vienne, approx. 42 km
Today we can offer you a big variety of views, tastes and fragrances. But first the captain and his crew bring you to Andance, while you can enjoy your breakfast. When you get on your bike in Andance, you will be starting a tour enjoying the nice green landscape of the Ardèche, but very soon this landscape will be changing into one big vineyard. These grapes are the main ingredient of the famous Côte Rôtie wines. Once you have left the vineyards behind you, you are heading towards Île au Beurre, a nature reservation, where you can enjoy the peace and quietness of nature, just before reaching the town of Vienne. At dinner time we will be cruising into Lyon so you can have an early start tomorrow exploring this city.

Day 7: Exploring Lyon, approx. 40 km
You will be exploring the green site of Lyon today. This city that received in 1998 the title of UNESCO world heritage has an homage for the fact that this is a city with an cultural heritage that dates back over 2000 years. This city that was once the capital of the Roman province Gallia and later the capital of Burgundy, brings you her history not only in word, but also in view. The second part of your bike trip today takes you to the land between the rivers Saône and Rhône. Where you can find a nice balance between enjoying the parks and the history of this great city. To discover the oldest (cobbled) streets we recommend you to take a stroll into the oldest part of town and park your bike near the riverside. Or you can choose not the ride the bike today and enjoy a day in this marvellous city visiting al kinds of cultural highlights.

Day 8: Lyon
Disembarkation at approx. 9 a.m.. Independent homeward travel.

Important Information:

Due to changing wind and weather conditions as well as organizational requirements we reserve the right to make changes of routing and program.

Services

Included services:

7 nights in outside cabins with private facilities

full board (7 x breakfast, 6 x lunch package, 6 x dinner on board - except in Avignon, breakfas only) + House wine, regular beer and soft drinks with dinner
Free drinkable water 24/7 (dispensers on board)
Coffee and tea on board (7 a.m. until dinner) in combintion with hand-made cake or pie between 4 - 6 p.m.

Captains greeting and welcome cocktail
Daily cabin cleaning, towels and bed linen
City walking tour in Lyon and Avignon
Daily information meeting
port charges
Free limited Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
information material and maps per cabin

additionally for guided tours:

multilingual tour leader/guide on bike (german, english)

Dates & Prices

Dates

Merkmale

Extras

Bicycle & equipment
24-speed-bike	80
E-bike	185
Helmets (payable locally)	20

Additional services
Guided option	150
Special diets (gluten & lactose free, vegetarian meals)	50

Best - Price - Guarantee

If you would verifiably receive better conditions and/or prices from another tour operator at the time of booking we guarantee at least the same conditions PLUS 1 handlebar bag for FREE!

All prices per person in EUR

Ship

Welcome on board of the MV PROVENCE!

Designed specifically for the Rhône river, this custom-built ship has all outside cabins and provides an especially intimate cruising experience—carrying just one group of 49 travellers per trip.

Take time to relax after your biking day, in the bar and lounge, library, and sun Deck. Your cabin features a flat-screen TV with CNN, radio, direct-dial telephone, individual heating and air-conditioning controls, twin beds, and private bathroom with shower and hair dryer. Plus, complimentary wireless Internet access is available in all cabins, in additional to all common areas.

CATERING

The cook on board is a member of the crew and prepares the breakfast, packed lunch and a warm dinner in the evening. The catering consists of full board. Catering starts with the dinner on the arrival day (except in Avignon) and ends with the breakfast on the departure day. Vegetarian catering is possible, please announce this with reservation and discuss it again with the tour guide on site.

CABINS

General cabin features:

All our cabins are hotel-style rooms.
Outside rooms with closet and storage space
220 volts outlets
Security safe

Specific Cabin features:
Imperial Suite Main Deck: Outside cabins with sliding doors to a balcony and full river views, Cabins are 210 square feet + balcony, Located on the highest deck with passenger cabins, one deck below the sun deck and on the same deck as the restaurant and lounge. Private bathroom with spacious glass-enclosed shower. Separate toilet. 1 double bed with Flat-screen LCD TV and an extra sofa and balcony chairs.

Lavender Suite Lower Deck: Outside cabins with large portholes which does not open, Cabins are 215 square feet, Located on the bottom passenger deck, one deck below the restaurant and lounge, Private bathroom with spacious glass-enclosed shower, Separate toilet, 2 twin beds and a Flat-screen LCD TV.

Soleil Suite Lower Deck: Outside cabins with large portholes which does not open, Cabins are 210 square feet, Located on the bottom passenger deck, two decks below the Sun Deck and one deck below the bar, lounge, and dining room, near the stairs and underneath the bar
Private bathroom with spacious glass-enclosed shower, Separate toilet, 2 twin beds and a Flat-screen LCD TV

Single Suite Lower Deck: Outside cabins with a porthole which does not open, Cabins are 170 square feet, Located on the bottom passenger deck, two decks below the Sun Deck and one deck below the bar, lounge, and dining room, near the stairs and underneath the bar
Private bathroom with spacious glass-enclosed shower and toilet, 1 bed and a Flat-screen LCD TV

LANGUAGES ON BOARD

German, English.

Aboard our boats you’ll be joined by travelling companions from all over, as well as a Tour Leader who speaks the group’s two main languages – usually English and German. Shall we bet that you’ll go back home with a smattering of French?

Bicycle

Bicycle & Equipment:

We offer

The offered 24-speed-hybrid bicycles are modern bikes with an aluminium frame and kitted with responsive brakes and gear shift. Plus: mudguards, comfort gel saddles, flat-palmed grips, Schwalbe Marathon anti-puncture tyres.

All bikes are equipped with panniers (20 l), bottle holder and bike lock.

Electric bikes | E-Bikes | Pedelecs
You will receive modern high quality E-Bikes with 8-gearhub, individual regulated use of support of pedal-use, robust wheels and deep Unisex comfort entrance. The bikes have a strong Panasonic Pedelec-mechanism and a strong licium-ionen-battery. The batteries lasts up to 70 kilometres, depending on sort of cycling, weight and routing. The more hills to go, the heavier the weight, the more accucapacity will be used. You can regulate range of the battery if you use less support at the beginning
and raise it if needed. Batteries will be loaded with the battery recharger by night in your room.

ATTENTION: Please pre-book your E-bike early enough as we have only a limited number available.

A note to our customers: Electric bikes are a great thing! However, due to their characteristics (high weight + high speed) they should only be booked by very experienced and safe cyclists with a good sense of balance. E-bikes are not appropriate for persons who do not ride bikes frequently.

Bike breakdown
Can also occur with very new and good bikes. A puncture of the wheel will be fixed by yourself, for bigger damages please contact your cruise director. Please do not make any repair-service without our agreement on our bikes. For smaller technical problems with the bike please contact the cruise director or a member of the crew at the end of the bike-leg.

Private Bikes
You are welcome to bring your own bicycle. This is adapted especially to your needs. Do not forget to bring a repair kit with all necessary tools such as: keys, reserve tube and lock. Please check your own bicycle for operability upon arrival. You will receive
on board a pannier for your bike.

Bikes will mostly be brought on/off board by the ship crew. Please note that we are not liable in case of damage. Due to organizational reasons (anchor second row) bikes will be partly left outside in front of the ship. Bicycles are exposed to the weather on board as the parking space is not covered. Storage of bikes inside the ship is not possible. The bicycle storage possibilities are restricted therefore the bikes will be transported close to each other or in a lying position. Please therefore remove all additional tools.

Attention: Whether the ship, nor the shipping company/crew/Eurocycle are liable for customers’ own bikes on/off board.

Useful

ARRIVAL - PARKING - DEPARTURE

ARRIVAL BY PLANE

Arles is connected with the following airports:
Avignon (AVN): 40 km, Nimes (FNI): 40 km, Montpellier (MPL): 80 km, Marseille (MRS): 90 km, Lyon (LYS): 280 km

Avignon Caumont (AVN): www.avignon.aeroport.fr
Use the bus line nr. 30 from the airport to Avignon centre train station. The distance is about 8 km (transfer: approx. 40 min, ti cket € 1,50). From train station to Arles use the frequent train connections (transfer: approx. 20 min, ticket about € 8,-).

Nimes Garons (FNL): www.aeroport-nimes.fr
connecti on shutt le bus/taxi + train:
Use the shuttle bus to the train station SNCF according to your flight schedules (Ticket: 6 € to be paid on board). Or by taxi to the station: price about 25 €; From Nimes train station to Arles: frequent train connections (transfer approx. 30-60 min, ticket about 9-15 € depending on the type of train).

Montpellier Mediterranée (MPl): www.montpellier.aeroport.fr
connecti on shutt le bus & train:

Use the airport shuttle, line 120 which connects the airport with Place de l’Europe. From Place d’Europe you can take the tramway, line 1, direction Mosson, to go to the SNCF Montpellier St Roch train station (distance approx.1.5 km) (transfer approx. 15 min, ticket € 2,60). From Montpellier St. Roch station there are train connections to Arles with change in Avignon or Tarascon (transfer approx. 120 min, ticket approx. € 22,-. As alternative you can use a taxi from the airport or Place d’Europe to Montpellier train station: by taxi about € 30,-. From Montpellier St. Roch station to Arles us the train again (details above).

Marseille Provence (MRS): www.marseille-airport.com
Use direct trains from the train station Vitrolles Aéroport Marseille to Arles (transfer approx. 45 minutes, ti cket about € 12,-).

Lyon Saint Exupéry (IYS): www.lyonaeroports.com
From the airport Gare Lyon St Exupery use the TGV train to Arles. The train station is located only 5 minutes walking distance from the airport. You need to change in Avignon (transfer approx. 2 hours, ti cket approx. € 55,-).

If your trip starts in Lyon you can also use the city airport:

Lyon (LYS)
From the St. Exupéry airport, take the shuttle bus „Rhône Express“ (leaves every 15 minutes) to the main station Lyon Part-Dieu. Afterwards you can walk to the pier or take a taxi.

ARRIVAL BY CAR

Parking: Details will follow.

ARRIVAL BY TRAIN

Train station: Lyon, Arles

From almost al major cities in France you can reach Lyon as well as Arles with a TGV. For example you go from Paris to Lyon by TGV in less than 2 hours. And the ride from Paris to Arles by TGV is less than 4 hours.

Current train connections and prices you will find under: www.radreisen.at/france-train

PARTICIPANTS

Minimum individual tour: 30 people
Minimum/ maximum guided tour: 8/16 people

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Burgundy & Provence DELUXE by Bike + Boat

Beautiful nature, history and culture...

Burgundy & Provence DELUXE by Bike + Boat

Beautiful nature, history and culture...