Highlights
- Follow the lavender roads at the heart of the hinterland Provence
- Browse Provençal food markets to find local specialties
- Explore the landscapes that inspired famous French painter Cezanne
- Experience the Provence way of life
- Visit historic sites & explore architecture in medieval Avignon
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Paris | Paris |
| Day 2 | Paris to Montelimar, Bike Pick-Up, & Route to Grignan | Grignan |
| Day 3 | E-Bike from Grignan to Vaucluse-la-Romaine | Vaison la Romaine |
| Day 4 | E-Bike from Vaison to Sault & Mount Ventoux | Sault |
| Day 5 | E-Bike from Sault to Roussillon & the Luberon | Roussillon |
| Day 6 | E-Bike from Roussillon to Fontaine de Vaucluse | Fontaine de Vaucluse |
| Day 7 | E-bike from Fontaine de Vaucluse to Avignon | Avignon |
| Day 8 | Full Day in Avignon, City of the Popes | Avignon |
| Day 9 | Au Revoir, France |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Paris
Welcome to Paris, the City of Lights! This elegant capital boasts centuries of history, art, fashion and, of course, romance. Upon arrival, you'll be picked up from the airport and transferred to your hotel by private car.
Paris is alive with activity day and night. It's the perfect city to indulge in a little shopping, with department stores like Lafayette and Printemps housing some of the best local designers around, and small boutique shops filled with unique high-quality wares.
Colorful streets and historic monuments invite visitors to stroll downtown, while narrow streets and cozy coffee shops create a romantic atmosphere. For art lovers, spending time at Paris' smaller museums is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, as the city has one of the most impressive art collections in the world. Alternatively, lazing around in the parks or at a sidewalk cafe on a sunny day is equally blissful.
Settle in and explore the streets near your accommodation. Enjoy a pre-dinner aperitif along the Rives de Seine while you enjoy the sunset. Take in the city views of the Pont Neuf, the tip of Île de la Cité, and the Pont des Arts as you watch the people and boats going by. After drinks, make your way to a local French restaurant for a three-course dinner next to your hotel.
Day 2: Paris to Montelimar, Bike Pick-Up, & Route to Grignan
After a full day in Paris, take the 3-hour train ride to the South of France. Arrive in Montelimar and meet your e-bike specialist, who will go over the details of your trip (including how to operate the bikes) before sending you on your way.
Today is your first day of traveling by bike. Hit the road heading south through the heart of the Drôme Provençale en route to the hilltop village of Grignan. Your ride today is a beautiful introduction to Provence, with a route of 29 miles (46 km) taking you alongside rolling hills and hilltop villages.
Arrive in Grignan in the late afternoon, then enjoy a lazy evening by the pool or with a leisurely stroll through town. The region is famous for its summertime lavender production, which turns whole hillsides into carpets of purple flowers.
Enjoy dinner at a cozy restaurant with a typical Provence flair. There's no shortage of South French flavors here—olive oil, lamb, Picodon (provencal cheese), thyme, rosemary, and more make for a mouthwatering meal.
Day 3: E-Bike from Grignan to Vaucluse-la-Romaine
Head out from Grignan in the morning for your 36 mile (58 km) ride. You'll follow several small roads away from the main thoroughfare and head into the countryside. Just before arriving at the plateau, you'll cross the "Enclave des Papes," a Vaucluse corner of Drôme County that dates back to the time of the Avignon popes.
Once you reach the Vinsobres Plateau, the rest of the day's biking will take you through quiet vineyards and endless lavender fields. On the horizon, Mont Ventoux is a distinct landmark. After a few hours, you'll reach the village of Vinsobres, best known for its Côtes-du-Rhône cru. Stop here for a wine tasting at the local Bistrot before continuing on the road.
Your destination today is Vaison-la-Romaine, known for its Gallo Romans architecture and superb wines.
Check in with your bike specialist time in Vaison, then enjoy dinner before heading to the hotel for an early night.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 4: E-Bike from Vaison to Sault & Mount Ventoux
Head out from Vaisone-la-Romaine in the morning and head south-east towards Sault, a 41 mile (66 km) ride away. You'll spend the day navigating the country roads around Mont Ventoux, known as the "giant" of Provence.
Start the ride off in the Touloutenc Valley to reach the hilltop village of Brantes. Stop here for a picnic lunch with a view, then continue your trip, arriving at Montbrun-Les-Bain in the afternoon. Pause here to soak your tired muscles in the thermal hot springs while enjoying the mountain views.
End your day with one final push up several mountain passes to reach Sault by dinnertime.
Day 5: E-Bike from Sault to Roussillon & the Luberon
Head south again today as you travel through the Val de Sault on your 40-mile (65 km) bike ride. Travel down the plateau, arriving in Luberon near Aix-en-Provence. Here you'll find no shortage of markets, artist galleries, and village festivals. If your legs need a break, visit the flower market and the Provençal food market to find plenty of local specialties such as macarons, calissons, goat’s cheeses, olive oil, honey, and local wines.
Reach the village of Roussillon in the afternoon. Check in to your accommodation, then head to dinner in town.
Day 6: E-Bike from Roussillon to Fontaine de Vaucluse
Continue your exploration of Provence's small towns and country roads today on your 36-mile (58 km) cycle. Along the way, you'll pass by more medieval villages, such as Bonnieux and Ménerbes. This region is truly the old Provence, and the stone walls and cobbled streets of these towns represent a culture and history that dates back to antiquity.
After lunch, head to Gordes. This is arguably the most beautiful of all the hilltop villages in the Luberon. Its fortified castle dominates the skyline of Gordes, and from its winding, cobbled streets, you can look out to wide views over the valley and surrounding hills.
Your destination tonight is Fontaine de Vaucluse, a village that's famous for its spring (the biggest in France and 5th-biggest in the world.) In the evening, explore the town and eat dinner to the sound of rushing water.
Day 7: E-bike from Fontaine de Vaucluse to Avignon
Today is another biking day, with 30 miles (48 km) between you and your destination. From Fontaine, ride to l’Isle Sur la Sorgue—a typical Provence town with a great Sunday-morning market.
From here, continue riding along the Durance River, passing by the village of Caumont sur Durance. In the afternoon, you'll reach the Rhone River and follow it to Avignon—the City of Popes.
Drop off your bikes at your accommodation, then head out for dinner. This concludes the biking portion of your trip.
Day 8: Full Day in Avignon, City of the Popes
You'll have the day to explore this medieval city that housed the Pope in the 14th century. While here you can visit the soaring Palais des Papes—the largest Gothic palace in history and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A tour of the palace, which includes the private papal apartments with their frescoes, is a must. Pont Saint-Bénézet medieval bridge, which is the subject of the famous song Sur le Pont d’Avignon, is also worth a visit.
You'll also have time to explore the city's squares and the medieval bridge along the Rhone River. Head to Place de l'Horlog, the city's historic heart, to see the City Hall, the 15th-century belfry, the theater, and the still-functioning Belle Époque style carousel. During the 1st century BCE, the plaza was used as Avenio's (then-Avignon) forum by the Romans. It's a great place to sit at a cafe and spend the afternoon people watching and enjoying various street performers.
For dinner, head to the city's well-preserved historic center to enjoy a meal at a local restaurant.
Day 9: Au Revoir, France
After breakfast, take a private car or train transfer to the airport to catch your flight home. A bientôt!
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