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.
Among the wilderness of Camargue and the landscapes that were so dear to Van Gogh, you will cycle through delightful Provençal villages, vineyards and fields of sunflowers.
You can begin in Aigues Mortes, a completely walled town that has changed little in appearance since its glory during the Middle Ages, and end in Avignon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or you can begin in Avignon, though once here, you will not want to leave. Avignon is ancient, full of history, life, youth, art, music and activity.
Our Tip: Book early, those bike & boat trips fill up fast! The program of this trip is also possible in the opposite direction.
The route is on countryside roads with little traffic in rural and city areas. Routes average 28 to 34 miles (45 to 55 km). This tour offers you the opportunity to choose each day if you would like to cycle on your own utilizing the detailed route descriptions provided or to cycle with the tour guide and the group. Terrain varies from flat to hilly with some climbing involved. One climb of approximately 4 km is quite challenging and the northern wind in Camargue, the legendary "Mistral" the master of the winds, can be a factor as well.
Day 1: Avignon
Individual arrival and boarding after 6 p.m. in Avignon. Your mooring place is in Quai de la Ligne next to the famous Pont St. Bénezet.
Day 2: Avignon, round tour, approx. 30 km
Today we’ll get to the other side of the river Rhone by crossing the island Île de la Barthelasse, and we’ll ride in the typical garrigue landscape, between vineyards and orchards. Before going back we’ll visit Villeneuve Les Avignon, once known to be the town of the cardinals. In the afternoon a guided visit will let us discover the historic centre of Avignon.
Day 3: Avignon-Aramon, approx. 40 km
In the morning navigation till the town of Aramon, where you will start pedaling. The stage today will bring you to the best preserved Roman aqueduct in Europe: Pont du Gard, a very spectacular work. Overnight in Aramon with a beautiful view over the Mont Ventoux.
Day 4: Aramon-Vallabrègues, approx. 35 km
You start your day sailing to Vallabrègues, pretty Provençal village on the banks of the Rhône. Along country roads you will arrive to Barbentane with its castle at the confluence of the Rhone and Durance rivers. You will cycle to the magnificent Abbey of Saint Michel de Frigulet and afterwards down to the medieval village of Boulbon. Overnight in Vallabrègues.
Day 5: Vallabrègues-Arles, approx. 55 km
This stage brings you to Saint Remy de Provence, birthplace of Nostradamus. This village is also famous for having hosted Van Gogh in the days of his mental illness. In the end you move onto the Alpilles, with Les-Baux-de-Provence, a village lodged in the rock itself. A landscape of limestone cliffs and olive trees accompanies your journey.
Day 6: Arles - Aigues-Mortes, approx. 25 km
Today the whole morning is dedicated to visit Arles, the ancient capital of Gaul with beautiful Roman ruins. You will also have the opportunity to be welcomed by a professional guide, who will accompany you around the jewels of the town. After lunch you reach the lock of Saint Gilles and from there you will sail to Aigues Mortes for the overnight stay.
Day 7: round tour Aigues-Mortes, approx. 55 km
Going through small country lanes of Camargue between canals, lagoons and small villages you will reach in the afternoon the charming fishermen’s village Le Grau-du-Roi. Possibility of a refreshing bath on the beach.
Day 8: Aigues-Mortes
After breakfast, end of services. Possibility to book extra nights.
Day 1: Aigues-Mortes
Individual arrival and boarding after 6 p.m. in Aigues-Mortes, medieval town, ancient military and commercial port on the Mediterranean.
Day 2: Aigues-Mortes, round tour, approx. 55 km
Going through small country lanes of Camargue between canals, lagoons and small villages you will reach in the afternoon the charming fishermen’s village Le Grau-du-Roi. Possibility of a refreshing bath on the beach.
Day 3: Aigues Mortes–Arles, approx. 25 km
You will sail for a couple of hours up to Saint Gilles and then cycle to today’s destination: Arles, known for the richness of its antique and Roman patrimony. The city fascinates you with its hidden treasures. Getting lost among its small alleys will be like entering a picture by Van Gogh. In the afternoon you will also have the opportunity to be welcome by a professional guide, who will accompany you around the jewels of the town.
Day 4: Arles–Vallabrègues, approx. 55 km
This is a breathtaking stage, which brings you to the Alpilles, with the perched village of Les-Baux-de-Provence and then to Saint Rémy de Provence. A landscape of limestone cliffs and olive trees will accompany the trip. In the evening you will moor in Vallabrègues, pretty Provençal village on the banks of the Rhône.
Day 5: Vallabrègues–Aramon, approx. 35 km
Along country roads you will arrive to Barbentane with its castle at the confluence of the Rhone and Durance rivers. You will cycle to the magnificent Abbey of Saint Michel de Frigulet and afterwards down to the medieval village of Boulbon. In the afternoon navigation to Aramon for the overnight with a beautiful view over the Mont Ventoux.
Day 6: Aramon–Avignon, approx. 40 km
The stage today will bring you to the best preserved Roman aqueduct in Europe: Pont du Gard, a very spectacular work. Back to Aramon in the afternoon you will sail to Avignon, the city of the Popes. Your mooring place is in Quai de la Ligne next to the famous Pont St. Bénezet.
Day 7: round tour Avignon, approx. 30 km
Today we’ll get to the other side of the river Rhone by crossing the island Île de la Barthelasse, and we’ll ride in the typical garrigue landscape, between vineyards and orchards. Before going back we’ll visit Villeneuve Les Avignon, once known to be the town of the cardinals. In the afternoon a guided visit will let us discover the historic centre of Avignon.
Day 8: Avignon
After breakfast, end of services. Possibility to book extra nights.
Due to changing wind and weather conditions as well as organizational requirements we reserve the right to make changes of routing and program.
| Bicycle & equipment | |
| 27-speed-bike | 85 |
| E-bike | 195 |
| bike helmet-rental | 15 |
| Additional night | |
| Avignon/ Aigues Mortes 2-3* (dbl/sgl) | on request |
| Extras | |
| Gluten free or dairy free meals | 50 |
On this trip you will be accommodated either in the CAPRICE or the ESTELLO. Enjoy the trip and relax on board after a long day of cycling.
The Caprice was built as a cargo ship and converted into a passenger ship in 1996. In 2009 she was freshly renovated and brought up to date. >>more
The Estello is a Dutch barge built in 1937, completely modernized to sail as a passenger ship along French rivers and canals. >>more
The offered bikes are citybikes with an aluminium frame and kitted with responsive brakes and gears. Plus: mudguards, trip computers, comfort gel saddles, flat-palmed grips, Schwalbe Marathon anti-puncture tyres. E-bikes are also available for this tours, while kids’ bikes and accessories are at hand for all family-friendly holidays.
You can choose between the following bikes:
The rental bikes are equipped with a spacious waterproof side bag, lock, handlebar bag or card holder. Each room receives a repair kit.
By popular demand, we have now invested in a considerable number of e-bikes, much favoured by cyclists who love the Great Outdoors, but prefer to let the bike take the strain. E-Bikes are great development and let people of different fitness levels enjoy a ride together.
ARRIVAL - PARKING - DEPARTURE
ARRIVAL BY PLANE
Avignon
Nearest airports: Marseille Provence (MRS)
Nearest train station: Avignon Centre
In Villeneuve-lés-Avignon l’Estello is docked at the pier by the Tower Philippe le Bel at the end of Rue di Vieux Mulin.
Aigues Mortes
Nearest airports: Marseille Provence (MRS)
Nearest train station: Aigues Mortes
In Aigues Mortes l’Estello is docked by the Quai des Bateliers in Avenue du Pont de Provence.
Both Avignon and Aigues-Mortes are well served by these other airports: Montpellier Mediterraneìe (MPL), Nimes Garons (FNI), Lyon Saint Exupeìry (LYS), and Avignon Caumont (AVN).
You will receive more information on location of the boats in your pre-tour documents, which you receive a few weeks before the tour, once you are booked and confirmed on it.
In Villeneuve-lés-Avignon l’Estello is docked at the pier by the Tower Philippe le Bel at the end of Rue di Vieux Mulin.
Aigues Mortes
Nearest airports: Marseille Provence (MRS)
Nearest train station: Aigues Mortes
In Aigues Mortes l’Estello is docked by the Quai des Bateliers in Avenue du Pont de Provence.
Both Avignon and Aigues-Mortes are well served by these other airports: Montpellier Mediterraneìe (MPL), Nimes Garons (FNI), Lyon Saint Exupeìry (LYS), and Avignon Caumont (AVN).
You will receive more information on location of the boats in your pre-tour documents, which you receive a few weeks before the tour, once you are booked and confirmed on it.
Avignon
Nearest airports: Marseille Provence (MRS)
Nearest train station: Avignon Centre
In Villeneuve-lés-Avignon l’Estello is docked at the pier by the Tower Philippe le Bel at the end of Rue di Vieux Mulin.
Aigues Mortes
Nearest airports: Marseille Provence (MRS)
Nearest train station: Aigues Mortes
In Aigues Mortes l’Estello is docked by the Quai des Bateliers in Avenue du Pont de Provence.
Both Avignon and Aigues-Mortes are well served by these other airports: Montpellier Mediterraneìe (MPL), Nimes Garons (FNI), Lyon Saint Exupeìry (LYS), and Avignon Caumont (AVN).
You will receive more information on location of the boats in your pre-tour documents, which you receive a few weeks before the tour, once you are booked and confirmed on it.
Avignon
Airport: Marseille Provence (MRS), take the train to Avignon and via bus to the embarkation station
Train station: Avignon Centre
Aigues Mortes
Airport: Montpellier (MPL), take the train (approx. 30 km) to Aigues Mortes; the embarkation station is next to the train station.
Train station: Aigues Mortes - walk out from the station towards the centre and you will find the barge moored on your left before crossing the bridge.
Current train connections and prices you will find under: www.radreisen.at/france-train
ARRIVAL BY CAR
Parking
parking, approx. 10€/day, no reservation possible
TRANSFER
Avignon - Aigues Mortes: train Avignon - Lunel (approx. 1-1,5 hours, € 15); then via taxi Lunel - Aigues Mortes (approx. 30 minutes; € 30,-)
PARTICIPANTS
Maximum: 22 person
INDIVIDUAL AND GUIDED TRIP
This tour offers the chance to choose if pedalling alone (taking advantage of a very detailed route description) or with the whole group, following the tour leader.
When booking the tour you need to specify which option is chosen (i.e. if guided or self guided).
EMERGENCY VAN & TRANSFER
A minivan is available on the area for emergencies. The same van offers alternative excursions for those customers who don’t want to cycle on some days or can organize transfers to shorten the longest stages. These extra services are not included and must be paid on site. Programs and prices are available on board.
Happy to advise you:
Michael Hainitz
