Provence’s History, Landscapes, and Luberon National Park

Name: Provence’s History, Landscapes, and Luberon National Park
Brand: BikeTours.com
SKU: bt48x1245
Rating: 4.3 (20 reviews)

“This bike tour was perfect in every way.” —Ellen

★★★★★★4.7/5 (18)

7 nights | 32 miles/day
Guided from USD $ 2110
Bike tour in France

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Provence’s History, Landscapes, and Luberon National Park

Experience the most beautiful parts of Provence on one of the best guided cycling tours in France! This tour has it all, Provencal landscapes, Roman ruins and history, and world-renowned food and wine.

The spectacular views in Lubéron National Park and the Alpilles are well worth the climbs. Vincent van Gogh, enthralled by the region's light, lived and worked here among these hills. His paintings capture the essence of the mountains and the surrounding verdant land.

The fascinating Roman sites in Orange and St. Remy testify to the power, prestige, and glory of the Roman empire and its continued influence even today. The Romanesque Abbey de Senanque, a working monastery, is an architectural gem. Construction started in 1148 and took a century to complete. Today, only six monks live and work here, caring for the beautiful surrounding lavender fields.

And the food and wine? You cannot visit Provence without visiting vineyards and olive groves. The Chateauneuf du Pape and the neighboring appéllations are world-renowned!
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Highlights
- Roman town of Glanum
- The beautiful Abbey de Senanque, and its lavender
- The Roman theatre Orange
- Luberon National Park
- The ruined fortress at Les Baux-de-Provence
- Wine tasting at vineyards in Chateauneuf du Pape, Vacqueyras and Gigondas
- Avignon and the Palace of the Popes.
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Provence’s History, Landscapes, and Luberon National Park

Tour Description Daily Program
Daily program

Day 1: Arrival in Villeneuve Les Avignon
Arrive at the hotel in Villeneuve Les Avignon. Most people arrive in Avignon by TGV either from Paris or from London, although there are some direct flights to Avignon and to Nimes. Your first night is spent at the Residence les Cedres with our host, Christophe.
Overnight in Villeneuve Les Avignon

Day 2: Avignon – St Remy de Provence (22 miles/35 km)
An easy cycling day awaits, and your first glimpse of the Rhone River! You enjoy wonderful river path cycling almost as far as Aramon, where you cross the river and continue cycling to St Rémy de Provence. In St Rémy, you will visit the Roman ruins of Glanum just outside the town.

Dating from 27 BC, Glanum was part of the Romanisation of Provence but was abandoned 300 years later, after the town was overrun by the German Alamanni tribe. By the time the Romans left Glanum for St Remy, they had built two huge monuments a short distance away, a mausoleum and a triumphal arch. The town itself, with its underground water systems, broken and blocked, became submerged in mud and scree sediments from the nearby Alpilles. Until the 1920s, Glanum had virtually disappeared, with only the two Roman monuments visible. It wasn't until 1921 that anybody realized that on the other side of the road was a hidden Roman town.

On the way, you will pass the asylum where Vincent Van Gogh voluntarily committed himself after his tempestuous time in Arles (remember that ear!). It was here that he painted one of his most famous paintings, Starry Night.

St Remy itself is a quaint village and here you will stay at the Castelet des Alpilles and dine in the heart of St Rémy.
Overnight in St Remy de Provence

Day 3: St Remy de Provence – Cavaillon (30 miles/48 km)
Your beautiful route today leads through the Alpilles. You will face a tough climb but will be rewarded with incredible views from Les Baux de Provence, visit an olive farm and your first vineyard, finishing your day in Cavaillon.

First, you cycle through the Alpilles to Les Baux de Provence, following the little river, the Gaudre de Valmouriane, winding through spectacular scenery as the Alpilles begin to build on either side.

You encounter a decent climb into Les Baux, a fascinating, ruined fortress. Ruled over for centuries by (alleged) descendants of Balthazar, one of the Three Kings of the Bible, this fortress was able to wreak havoc throughout Provence and as far afield as Toulouse. Eventually, it became part of France, but was destroyed by none other than Cardinal Richelieu of Three Musketeers fame. Ten years later, it was given to Monaco (the current Marquise of Les Baux is Princess Caroline of Monaco) and, in the 19th century, was the site for the discovery of aluminum ore, hence 'bauxite'.

Astonishingly, Les Baux became such a backwater that it effectively disappeared. Rediscovered after World War II, it's been excavated and restored to what we see today. Les Baux is fascinating and has some of the best views you could imagine.

At Maussane Domaine Plaines Marguerite, you will visit an olive farm. After lunch, wine-tasting at Domaine de la Vallongue, proud producers of AOP Les Baux de Provence, one of France's newest Appellations. Your day ends in Cavaillon in a delightful old quarter of the town at the Hotel de Parc.
Overnight in Cavaillon

Day 4: Cavaillon – Monteux (29 miles/47 km)
Leaving the Alpilles behind, you enter Lubéron National Park and visit the beautiful village of Gordes and the iconic Abbaye de Senanque. Michelin describes the area as "... beautiful, isolated Cistercian Abbaye de Sénanque surrounded by a sea of lavender."

Leaving the Abbey, you climb a beautiful road through stunning Lubérion scenery, followed by a spectacular descent into Carpentras. You overnight just outside Carpentras in Monteux with stunning views of Mont Ventoux, The Giant of Provence.
Overnight in Monteux

Day 5: Monteux Loop Ride (25 miles/40 km)
Today you will visit three notable appellations, Beaumes de Venise, Gigondas, and Vacqueyras, with wine-tasting at Domaine de Durban and Caveau Gabriel Meffre. There's some more climbing today, but less than yesterday and the scenery is beautiful. Loop back to your hotel in Monteux for another night in this town.
Overnight in Monteux

Day 6: Monteux – Orange (18 miles/29 km)
You will leave the hills of the Lubéron behind and pedal deeper into the Rhône wine region. Everywhere you look, you will see vines! Small rural roads lead to Courthezon where a visit to a very interesting winery, the Caves Jamet, is on the agenda. The motorway cut this vineyard in half, and as a result, the owner produces both Chateauneuf du Pape and Vin de France (the lowest classification available). It's the same wine!

Orange is your day's destination. Until recently, this town was home to the French Foreign Legion, but it's more famous as a retirement town for Roman soldiers. You will visit a truly spectacular Roman Theatre and the huge triumphal arch that dates back to the reign of Augustus. The Theatre and the Arch are classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Overnight in Orange

Day 7: Orange – Villeneuve-les-Avignon (22 miles/35 km)
A relatively easy day is in store with just a short climb at the end of the day. Leaving Orange, you cycle to Caderousse and then onto a series of islands in the Rhone as far as Avignon, picking up a picnic on the way.

There will be ample time to explore fascinating and historical Avignon, enclosed by its 3-mile-long wall. In the 14th Century, fleeing chaotic violence in Rome, Pope Clement V moved the papacy to Avignon, which became the base for seven popes.

One of these, Benedict XII, supervised the completion of the largest Gothic building in France, the vast, fortified Papal palace. The most spectacular aspect of the palace is its size. There's a marvelous atmosphere in the center of Avignon, with open squares full of cafes, restaurants, and street performers.

Leaving Avignon, you cross the Rhone for the last time and climb the short hill back to Villeneuve les Avignon. At the Hotel Les Cedres, you enjoy a final dinner together. and tomorrow we part company.

Overnight in Villeneuve Les Avignon

Day 8: Departure
You will depart individually for your onward travels.

Surface and terrain

This tour covers significantly hilly terrain; over the course of the tour you will ascend 7191 ft. Daily distances average 32 miles per day, with the shortest day at 27 miles and the longest at 38 miles.

Hotels

These are sample hotels and may vary by availability.

The accommodations on this tour are 2- and 3-star hotels. Hotels have been personally selected by the tour operator based on long-standing relationships and local charm and ambience.

Les Cedres, Avignon
www.lescedres-hotel.fr

Castelet des Alpilles, St. Remy
www.hotel-castelet-alpilles.com

Hotel de Parc, Cavaillon
www.hotelduparccavaillon.com

Hostellerie Blason de Provence, Monteux
www.hotelblasondeprovence.com

Hotel Glacier, Orange
www.le-glacier.com

Interested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options.

How to get there

Tour start and end
Nearest airport and train station: Avignon, France

Most people arrive in Avignon by TGV either from Paris or from London. You may book transfers in advance; refer to Dates & Prices page for details.

Tips on getting to and from your tour

Provence’s History, Landscapes, and Luberon National Park

Tour Photos Dates & Prices
Dates
Jun 10*; Aug 5; Sep 9, 2023 (*indicates fully booked departure)

Prices

Tour package

Per person, double occupancy $2110
Single use room (1 person/1 room) $2570
Bike Rentals

E-bike $150
Transfer

Avignon airport (per person, round trip) $55
Avignon TGV Station (per person, round trip) $25
Included services
- 7 nights accommodation
- 7 breakfasts and evening meals (dinners)
- Luggage transfers each day
- Tour guide
- Bike rental, including fitting and setup
- Cycling jersey
Bike rentals

Bikes available on this tour, and included in the tour cost (reserved in advance at the time of booking):
- Hybrid touring bikes, Trek FX3, Shimano Nexave
Bikes available on this tour for an additional fee (reserved in advance at the time of booking):
- Electrically-assisted bikes*
*More about electrically-assisted bikes >

Bikes come equipped with:
- Helmets
- Waterproof jackets
- Panniers
- Water bottle
- Basic repair kit
Pedals:
The bikes will have flat pedals. If you bring your own pedals, be sure to bring your own shoes and also the necessary equipment to change the pedals.

Helmets:
Helmets are available on this tour. However, we recommend that you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene purposes.

Bike Protection:
Bike protection can be purchased at the time of booking. You can read more about that HERE.

Tour Company
Provence’s History, Landscapes, and Luberon National Park

Daily program Route Map
Route Map

Maps are for information purposes only and reflect typical routes between overnight locations. They may not reflect your actual route.

Provence’s History, Landscapes, and Luberon National Park

Dates & Prices Tour Reviews
Reviews

Write a review
- ★★★★★ David Coleman 7 months ago
  
  Trip of my dreams
  
  Still looking for my refund from Bernard for an overpayment.
  Can get anyone to respond to my emails.Hope someone will respond to this inquiry. The trip was very enjoyable, great group of people. Sam was a wonderful guide
- ★★★★★ Diana Helmbrecht 8 months ago
  
  Beautiful tour through vineyards.
  
  This was a very beautiful and fun tour. Our guides Sam and Tim were excellent - knowledgeable and pleasant to be with. Riding paths through the vineyards were absolutely gorgeous, and wine tasting a definite plus :). Every day ended with a gourmet dinner, wine and good company.
  
  What was the date of your tour?
  September 2022
  How many tours have you completed?
  2
  Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
  As expected
  Who is this tour suitable for?
  First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers
  Do you recommend this tour?
  Yes
  - 5/5 Value
  - 5/5 Included meals
  - 5/5 Bikes + equipment
  - 4/5 Hotels or boat
  - 5/5 Scenery
  - 5/5 Ease of navigation
  - 5/5 Tour documents
  - 5/5 Local tour company services
  - 5/5 Route selection
  - 5/5 Guides (if applicable)
- ★★★★★ griffin vulture October 16, 2019
  
  How many tours have you completed?
  7
  Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
  As expected
  Who is this tour suitable for?
  First-time bike tourists
  Do you recommend this tour?
  Yes
  - 3/5 Value
  - 4/5 Included meals
  - 5/5 Bikes + equipment
  - 4/5 Hotels or boat
  - 5/5 Scenery
  - 2/5 Ease of navigation
  - 2/5 Tour documents
  - 4/5 Local tour company services
  - 4/5 Route selection
- ★★★★★ Michelle2019 October 10, 2019
  
  I would not recommend ChainGang as a tour operator for this area. Far better and more savvy operators with better maps and navigation are out there. At the end of the trip no one from the company checked in with us. A bit strange having all their equipment. Their printed material in a folder was ridiculous. We asked for map holders and ended up using clothes pegs and a plastic bag. Why the maps?
  
  What was the date of your tour?
  17 Sept - 3 Oct
  How many tours have you completed?
  Several
  Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
  As expected
  Who is this tour suitable for?
  Solo travelers
  Do you recommend this tour?
  Yes
  - BikeTours.com staff reply from Chloe October 11, 2019
    
    Hi Michelle, and thanks kindly for the review. We appreciate you letting us know that the maps and navigation left something to be desired. On many self-guided tours, the operator will not meet with you at the end of the tour. They will simply pick up the equipment from the final hotel. However, each operator handles this differently. Based on the rest of your review values, it seems like you enjoyed the other aspects of the tour. We certainly hope so!
  - 4/5 Value
  - 5/5 Included meals
  - 4/5 Bikes + equipment
  - 5/5 Hotels or boat
  - 5/5 Scenery
  - 1/5 Ease of navigation
  - 1/5 Tour documents
  - 2/5 Local tour company services
  - 5/5 Route selection
- ★★★★★ BadgerBiker October 6, 2019
  
  Provence self-guided
  
  Excellent tour through spectacular scenery & history. Good hybrid bikes & hotels. Only complaint is self-guided directions are a little sketchy. GPS routing definitely a big help, but had a couple glitches too (e.g. bridge out on one back-road trail!). Highly recommend this tour, would be perfect if GPS routing was spot on.
  
  What was the date of your tour?
  September 2019
  How many tours have you completed?
  3
  Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
  As expected
  Who is this tour suitable for?
  First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
  Do you recommend this tour?
  Yes
  - 5/5 Value
  - 5/5 Included meals
  - 4/5 Bikes + equipment
  - 4/5 Hotels or boat
  - 5/5 Scenery
  - 3/5 Ease of navigation
  - 4/5 Tour documents
  - 4/5 Local tour company services
  - 4/5 Route selection
- ★★★★★ Auskang September 19, 2019
  
  Great Food, Wine, and Views
  
  We had a great time touring around the Avignon area and rode through very different terrains from average city streets to farm back roads, through historic cobble stone streets and narrow highways. Mike and Bernard were expert at guiding our tour group through difficult paths and to get to beautiful views and interesting attractions such as the Roman ruins at Glanum and the projection art show in a quarry.
  The hotel styles varied in space and quality but they were comfortable, and they all had nice European breakfast options. The cantaloupe served in Cavaillon was the sweetest I tasted.
  The wine tasting and winery tours were welcome stops on the rides. Eric at Cave Jamet was very friendly and colorful and treated us to a great spread at the wine tasting.
  Evenings were spent relaxing at the pool at the hotels on the route and having beautifully created dishes at dinner. The best part of the trip making friends with other riders from around the US and UK. Their company made the trip fun and enjoyable.
  
  What was the date of your tour?
  8/31/2019
  How many tours have you completed?
  0
  Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
  As expected
  Who is this tour suitable for?
  Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists
  Do you recommend this tour?
  Yes
  - 5/5 Value
  - 5/5 Included meals
  - 5/5 Bikes + equipment
  - 4/5 Hotels or boat
  - 5/5 Scenery
  - 5/5 Ease of navigation
  - 4/5 Tour documents
  - 5/5 Local tour company services
  - 5/5 Route selection
  - 5/5 Guides (if applicable)
- ★★★★★ Erin ELE September 18, 2019
  
  Wonderful Trip, Picturesque days and Beautiful Evenings with Great Company
  
  This was a wonderful way to see and experience Provence. The countryside is beautiful and a bike tour allows you to actually be a part of it. Mike, our guide and Bernie (his helper!) were fantastic and really made the trip special. Their personalities were very low key and low stress, yet they were unbelievably accommodating. The company focuses on ensuring your meal experience is amazing and that definitely did not disappoint. Each meal was just lovely from a service and a quality perspective.
  We had a large group of 22 which made the management a little challenging, but they responded very well. Ideally, a group of 15 would be perfect, but the people on the trip were wonderful as well. This is a trip for someone that is decently fit. Some of the hills were challenging - but they were doable if you took your time. If you aren't cyclist I would recommend the ebikes for sure.
  Our stops were fantastic and allowed for time to relax and enjoy the scenery. As a shopper we had a great day shopping in a small town which made it even more of a plus.
  The hotels we stayed in were very quaint. I don't use that term as a way of saying old and tired. They aren't large 5 star hotels, but we didn't want that winding our way through Provence. They were beautiful and clean and perfect hotels that had everything one would need. And they were what was in my mind's eye of a hotel in Provence.
  I would highly recommend the trip, but I would be prepared for the rides and a few hills. The wine became that much sweeter that evening! As did Bernie and Mike! Thank you for a perfect trip!
  
  What was the date of your tour?
  August 31, 2019
  How many tours have you completed?
  This was the first
  Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
  Somewhat harder
  Who is this tour suitable for?
  Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists
  Do you recommend this tour?
  Yes
  - 5/5 Value
  - 5/5 Included meals
  - 4/5 Bikes + equipment
  - 5/5 Hotels or boat
  - 5/5 Scenery
  - 5/5 Ease of navigation
  - 5/5 Tour documents
  - 5/5 Local tour company services
  - 5/5 Route selection
  - 5/5 Guides (if applicable)
- ★★★★★ BikerPT September 14, 2019
  
  Bike ride in the wind
  
  There were a number of good things about this trip. The two guides were very attentive and knowledgeable of the region, helping the group to experience some amazing sites. The scenery was fantastic; the vineyards and wineries were a site to see/experience. It was a real sense of accomplishment to ride up a 3K class 2 hill that has been a part of the Tour de France. We did ride with head winds blowing constantly at up to 40 mph for three of the six days on the trip; the one day with a tailwind, we biked at 33 kmh with ease.
  
  What was the date of your tour?
  September 2019
  How many tours have you completed?
  3
  Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
  Somewhat harder
  Do you recommend this tour?
  Yes
  - 4/5 Value
  - 5/5 Included meals
  - 4/5 Bikes + equipment
  - 4/5 Hotels or boat
  - 5/5 Scenery
  - 4/5 Tour documents
  - 5/5 Local tour company services
  - 4/5 Route selection
  - 5/5 Guides (if applicable)
- ★★★★★ tsn3808 September 10, 2019
  
  Provence Bike Tour with the Chain Gang
  
  We just completed the Provence’s History, Landscapes, and Luberon National Park guided bike tour. This tour provided outstanding scenery and an opportunity to visit several wineries and do some wine tasting. The food was outstanding and the selected hotels met our expectations. The hotel hosts were very friendly. We had 2 guides due to the large number of cyclists. The Chain Gang guides were very friendly, helpful, and very knowledgeable with the route areas. There was great camaraderie among the cyclists and the guides. We enjoyed this tour tremendously and recommend this tour for other cyclists.
  
  What was the date of your tour?
  8-31 thru 9-6, 2019
  How many tours have you completed?
  4
  Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
  As expected
  Who is this tour suitable for?
  Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
  Do you recommend this tour?
  Yes
  - 5/5 Value
  - 5/5 Included meals
  - 5/5 Bikes + equipment
  - 5/5 Hotels or boat
  - 5/5 Scenery
  - 5/5 Ease of navigation
  - 5/5 Tour documents
  - 5/5 Local tour company services
  - 5/5 Route selection
  - 5/5 Guides (if applicable)
- ★★★★★ Christine August 18, 2019
  
  Provence bike tour
  
  This bike tour is a great way to see southern France. It was very hot when we did this trip and some of the climbs in the mountains were challenging. It was also rewarding to make the climb since the downhill after was amazing! Some training is suggested especially if you go during the hottest part of the summer. Enjoyed the scenic old villages of the Alpilles and in Luberon. Benefits of the guided tour is the great camaraderie among travelers around the world and eliminating the planning and decision making.
  
  What was the date of your tour?
  August 3-10, 2019
  How many tours have you completed?
  2
  Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
  Somewhat harder
  Who is this tour suitable for?
  Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
  Do you recommend this tour?
  Yes
  - 4/5 Value
  - 4/5 Included meals
  - 5/5 Bikes + equipment
  - 5/5 Hotels or boat
  - 5/5 Scenery
  - 5/5 Ease of navigation
  - 4/5 Tour documents
  - 5/5 Local tour company services
  - 5/5 Route selection
  - 4/5 Guides (if applicable)
- ★★★★★ Tracey August 1, 2019
  
  More than a Bike Tour Company
  
  Unfornuately our self guided bike tour of Provence was cut short when I broke my ankle sightseeing in Orange! Bernard was amazing - he rearranged our hotels and arranged for a transfer back to Avignon where our hotel host organised mini van tours so we could still see the Pont du Gard and other Provence highlights. We felt like we were being looked after by family the whole way.
  
  What was the date of your tour?
  9 July 2019
  How many tours have you completed?
  One
  Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
  As expected
  Who is this tour suitable for?
  Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
  Do you recommend this tour?
  Yes
  - BikeTours.com staff reply from Chloe August 2, 2019
    
    So sorry to hear that you broke your ankle! Hope you are healing quickly and glad to hear you were taken care of!
  - 5/5 Value
  - 5/5 Included meals
  - 5/5 Bikes + equipment
  - 5/5 Hotels or boat
  - 5/5 Scenery
  - 5/5 Ease of navigation
  - 5/5 Tour documents
  - 5/5 Local tour company services
  - 5/5 Route selection
- ★★★★★ Stepbro July 4, 2019
  
  Brilliant! Everything I would want in a bike trip
  
  This was an excellent way to experience southern France. The ride was on quiet roads and byways through fields of sweet smelling herbs and lavender
  
  What was the date of your tour?
  15.06.19
  How many tours have you completed?
  3
  Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
  Somewhat easier
  Who is this tour suitable for?
  Solo travelers
  Do you recommend this tour?
  Yes
  - 5/5 Value
  - 5/5 Included meals
  - 5/5 Bikes + equipment
  - 5/5 Hotels or boat
  - 5/5 Scenery
  - 4/5 Route selection
- ★★★★★ Rosann October 7, 2018
  
  Absolutely fabulous trip. Weather was gorgeous, setting was amazing, hosts also wonderful but if doing the self guided tour be prepared for some lost an found adventures. The route sheets sometimes required interpretation especially in villages where instructions like cross railway turn left so that track is on your right doesn’t make sense, others included take the gravel track up a steep hill - there were 4 tracks only one paved. This one also interesting as we went through on a Sunday - hunters had just shot a wild boar :0| Also suggest taking an extended tool kit- we had a flat on aMonday - local bike shop closed - the tyre was stuck to the rim on one side- had to prize the tyre off the rim with screw driver. Phone call to organizers were not returned- hotel owner very helpful but not a mechanic. We still had a great trip though and will definitely do another with this crew again.
  
  What was the date of your tour?
  20-27 September 2018
  How many tours have you completed?
  This is our first
  Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
  As expected
  Who is this tour suitable for?
  First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
  Do you recommend this tour?
  Yes
  - 4/5 Value
  - 4/5 Included meals
  - 5/5 Bikes + equipment
  - 4/5 Hotels or boat
  - 5/5 Scenery
  - 1/5 Ease of navigation
  - 2/5 Tour documents
  - 3/5 Local tour company services
  - 4/5 Route selection
- ★★★★★ Gennie August 10, 2017
  
  Southern France in the Summer
  
  The tour of Provence was absolutely beautiful! I suggest anyone considering a trip to France to do this tour, however, not in late summer. Temps exceeded 100 degrees most every afternoon. Tour cue sheets need some tweeking. We had to backtrack on several occasions. The written packet should also include a description of what to expect on that day of tour. Relying on what is written on this website is not always accurate and needs more information. We would have missed some very interesting places if not directed by locals and hotel concierges.
  
  What was the date of your tour?
  late July/early August 2017
  How many tours have you completed?
  several
  Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
  Somewhat harder
  Who is this tour suitable for?
  Solo travelers
  Do you recommend this tour?
  Yes
  - 3/5 Value
  - 4/5 Included meals
  - 4/5 Bikes + equipment
  - 5/5 Hotels or boat
  - 5/5 Scenery
  - 3/5 Ease of navigation
  - 3/5 Tour documents
  - 5/5 Local tour company services
  - 5/5 Route selection
- ★★★★★ Ellen June 30, 2017
  
  Everything We Dreamed Of!
  
  This bike tour was perfect in every way. The guide was helpful, friendly, knowledgeable and fun! The food was superb, the hotels delightful, and the scenery was amazing. We rode mostly on smaller, off-the-beaten-track roads - some paved, some gravel - which was easy on the hybrid Trek bikes. Each day brought new vistas, small cafes in tiny villages, and great camaraderie among the travelers. It was very hot when we did this trip, but we stopped often which, for us, made the trip even better as we got to really see and experience each place along the way. I would say that this tour is not for the novice bike rider, as some of the climbs in the mountains were challenging but it was exactly what we had hoped for - lots of smooth, flat and lots of uphill into the scenic old villages of the Alpilles and in Luberon. Some training is suggested for the long days in the saddle or if you go during the hottest part of the summer. Overall, this trip was exactly what we dreamed of!
  
  What was the date of your tour?
  June 17-24
  How many tours have you completed?
  1
  Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
  As expected
  Do you recommend this tour?
  Yes
  - 5/5 Value
  - 5/5 Included meals
  - 5/5 Bikes + equipment
  - 5/5 Hotels or boat
  - 5/5 Scenery
  - 4/5 Ease of navigation
  - 4/5 Tour documents
  - 5/5 Local tour company services
  - 5/5 Route selection
  - 5/5 Guides (if applicable)
- ★★★★★ freemand2b June 13, 2017
  
  Provence Bike trip
  
  We arrived a day early and the tour operator provided us bikes to use that day which we spent riding through and around Avignon. France is a very bike friendly place. We were the first of the season and the tour operator came in person to orient us. We were self guided group of four. Two of us speak French but one could easily do this with English only. We have been to Europe many times (first time on a bike ride) and in the past some 3 star hotels could be marginal but I have to say the quality of the hotels exceeded my expectations. Hotel operators were very nice and welcoming. We were given a recommendation for dinners. Some we used others not depending on how we felt that evening. The landscape and tour route was excellent and we were able to visit many different sites and points of interest. We took a few wrong turns but in general the provided maps and instructions were good. Google maps was a good compliment. The luggage was there waiting at each of the next hotels with no issues. The only thing I wish is that we had extra days at each of the stays to explore the towns more. Had a great time.
  
  What was the date of your tour?
  May 2017
  How many tours have you completed?
  1
  Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
  As expected
  Who is this tour suitable for?
  Solo travelers, Families with teens
  Do you recommend this tour?
  Yes
  - 5/5 Value
  - 5/5 Included meals
  - 5/5 Bikes + equipment
  - 5/5 Hotels or boat
  - 5/5 Scenery
  - 4/5 Ease of navigation
  - 5/5 Tour documents
  - 5/5 Local tour company services
  - 5/5 Route selection
- ★★★★★ KathiD October 20, 2016
  
  We began in Avignon and ended in Avignon!
  
  We came to Avignon 2 days early so that we could become acclimated to the time zone difference. The tour operator very nicely delivered our rental bikes the day after we arrived. Therefore, we had the bikes for travel in and out of Avignon before we started our sel-guided tour.\. This was great because the wonderful Hotel La Ferme was about 3 miles outside of the city.
  
  What was the date of your tour?
  September 11th to 18th 2016
  How many tours have you completed?
  3
  Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
  As expected
  Who is this tour suitable for?
  First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
  Do you recommend this tour?
  Yes
  - 4/5 Value
  - 4/5 Included meals
  - 4/5 Bikes + equipment
  - 4/5 Hotels or boat
  - 5/5 Scenery
  - 3/5 Ease of navigation
  - 4/5 Tour documents
  - 3/5 Local tour company services
  - 4/5 Route selection
- ★★★★★ DaveL May 23, 2016
  
  France Provence bike tour with Chain Gang
  
  This was an amazing way to experience southern France, Provence. The tour company, tour guides, scenery, food were all great!
  
  How many tours have you completed?
  1
  Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
  As expected
  Who is this tour suitable for?
  Families with teens, Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists
  Do you recommend this tour?
  Yes
  - 5/5 Value
  - 5/5 Included meals
  - 5/5 Bikes + equipment
  - 5/5 Hotels or boat
  - 5/5 Scenery
  - 5/5 Ease of navigation
  - 5/5 Tour documents
  - 5/5 Local tour company services
  - 5/5 Route selection
  - 5/5 Guides (if applicable)
Provence’s History, Landscapes, and Luberon National Park

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