Cycling in Provence: The Luberon Valley

Daily routes take in the best of the ancient hilltop villages and picture postcard countryside, taking you along scented lavender fields, olive groves and vineyards . Well suited to those that actively cycle to seek out the sights. There is also the option of an E-bike if a little hill assistance is required. Each day ends in comfortable family-run hotels or B&B’s, offering a warm Provencal welcome and regional fayre.

Slower Adventures | Where walking and cycling meet easy-going exploring, our Slower Adventures are the perfect combination. Most days are filled with picturesque journeys with some free time to dive into the destination and experience the people, local food and culture as you go.

Leisure Cycling | Leisure Cycling

Accessible by Rail

This trip is graded easy to moderate and covers between 25km-35km on cycling days. If you cycle more than a handful of times a month as part of an active lifestyle and enjoy actively seeking new sights, this trip would suit you. E-bikes are always available if you would like a little more pedal boost during your cycling day. As this trip heads through the towns and hilltop villages of the Luberon Valley, you will find that some days offer easier flat sections of cycling whilst others may feel hillier.

Each Provencal accommodation is different and full of character. Hotels are listed below, though on occasion we may have to book you an alternative hotel, especially during the busier periods of the year. We always book an equal or better alternative hotel or bed and breakfast.

Meals 

Included are 7 breakfasts, which usually consist of fresh pastries, breads, fruits, yogurts, cheeses, meats and granola. If you have special dietary requirements do let us know at the time of booking.

Lunches and dinners are not included. Never too far from a village, town or market your route notes list a number of local places to dine and of course, the smell of a boulangerie is always in the air!

Single Rooms

If you're travelling with friends or family but prefer your own room, single rooms are subject to availability and a supplementary payment. This trip is not available to solo cyclists.

Cycling in this region follows well surfaced roads through villages, towns and farmland. The roads are well signposted and are generally cycle friendly but please always be mindful of other road users. Our tried and tested detailed routes notes, GPS tracks and maps, make for easy navigation during your trip. Should you require assistance, local 24/7 telephone support will also be available throughout your trip. 

This trip is available to start on any day from April to October and is subject to availability. Peak months in Provence are June, July and August so we would suggest contacting us as soon as your plans are finalised.

June into July will see lavender, sunflower and vineyards at their best. Temperatures creep up to the mid-20’s and evenings are perfect for enjoying a glass of wine on the terrace. August is no doubt the hottest month, so you may want to consider starting earlier in the day or taking longer lunches to avoid riding in the heat of the day. July and August in general are both the hottest months of the year with little to no rainfall. The temperatures rise into the 30 degree celsius during the day. The months before and after the high season will be sunny but a little cooler, which could be preferable when cycling. April through to the start of June will see Spring flowers in full bloom, and you may also experience the famous Mistral winds for a day or two. Late September into October will also have warm days with cool nights. Always make sure to stay hydrated, take plenty of water and wear sunscreen and a sunhat.

This tour starts and ends in L’Isles Sur la Sorgue, which has a mainline train station easily accessible from Avignon. Hourly services connect through to Avignon TGV Station (33mins), where you can change for Paris, London and a small number of other European cities. For more information on trains, you can visit www.sncf.com

Nearby Airports

Avignon Airport is served by a limited number of low cost and international carriers. More information on Airport busses into Avignon Centre can be found here, which takes approximately 10 minutes.

Marseille Airport is around 1-hour drive. The TGV station at the airport provides a very swift connection time of 20 minutes into Avignon centre. Please refer to www.sncf.com for more information.

Baggage transfer as per your itinerary is included in the price of your trip. We ask you to keep your baggage to a maximum of 1 bag per person (maximum weight 20kg).