Cycling Provence and Camargue from Avignon to Nimes
Enjoy the sweet fragrance of Provence and be amazed by the wild nature of Camargue. A cycling trip full of nature and culture!
Discover the treasures of Provence and Camargue by bike from Avignon
You start your Provençal tour in the beautiful city of Avignon famous for its bridge, the Palais des Papes and its festival. You cycle through a luxuriant vegetation to discover some pitturesque villages such as St-Remy-de-Provence or les-Baux. Those typical villages will seduce you with their gentle lifestyle.
Follow your journey towards Arles, a roman city famous for its arena. You will then reach the "Camargue" region, where you can observe different animals such as bulls, pink flamingos and white horses. Discover Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, a beautiful seaside village but also Aigues-Mortes, a fortified town famous for its violet salt marshes.
You will finish your cycling tour in Nîmes, an unmissable city full of Roman monuments and traditions. You can enjoy a walk in its colorful streets and visit the antical theater. A complete cycling tour between nature and culture!
Program
Start your cycling trip in the heart of Provence, in Avignon, a city with an exceptional architectural and artistic heritage. Discover the many treasures of the city: the Popes' Palace, the Saint Bénezet bridge, the ramparts, the dozens of churches and chapels, all of which bear witness to the city's rich past and give it its unique character.
- 56 km
- + 141 m
You leave the "Cité des Papes" and cycle in the countryside. Pass through the village of Cavaillon, famous for its watermelon. The next part of the route will lead you to Saint Remy de Provence, a very typical provencal village. Have a nice walk into its small streets and enjoy the taste of Provence!
- 34 km
- + 220 m
You leave St Remy de Provence, a pitturesque village and ride along the Alpilles mountains to reach another typical village called "Les Baux de Provence". You cycle with a magnificent view over the moutains. This is the hardest part of the trip, we advise you to rent an electric bike if you are not used to cycle some hills. The next part of the route leads you towards Arles: enjoy the perfume of the olive trees along the way.
- 39 km
- + 2 m
Stroll into the streets of Arles and visit its arena and amphitheater. Leave the city using a cycle path to proceed into Camargue where you will enjoy a dry and wild nature. Meet white wild horses and bulls in the countryside!
You finish the day in "Les Saintes Maries de la Mer", a beautiful and typical village from the region. Have a walk in the marina and enjoy the beautiful lights of the sunset.
- 17 km
This smaller tour guides you through the Camargue by bike, you will discover typical Camargue houses (mas) but also manades (horseback riding possible in the manades). If you wish, you can finish your tour at the ornithological park of Pont du Gau. An attraction not to be missed allowing you to observe numerous species of birds in freedom such as pink flamingos, herons or owls. A majestic show between fauna and flora.
- 64 km
- + 3 m
This long tour takes you around the Vaccarès pond where you can admire the local fauna and flora. You will also cycle along the seaside during part of the trip.
If you wish to stay in Saintes-Maries, you can take a boat trip in the Camargue marshes (about 1h30) or go for a horse ride.
- 34 km
- + 4 m
Continue your cycling trip by crossing the Camargue from East to West. Today you reach the fortified town of Aigues-Mortes. Don't miss the visit of its salt pans in a small train: discover the process of harvesting and making Camargue salt and enjoy a splendid view of the purplish waters of the salt pans and the ramparts of Aigues Mortes. You can also go to Grau-du-Roi by following the bicycle path to enjoy the mild Mediterranean sea at the end of the tour.
- 46 km
- + 163 m
You leave Aigues-Mortes heading north to reach Nîmes. Pass through the village of Gallician and continue through the vineyards. You cross the Costières de Nîmes and have the possibility to stop for a wine tasting. Pass through other typical villages of the Gard before arriving in the "French Rome" and enjoying its gentle way of life.
Enjoy a last stroll through the streets of Nîmes before taking your train or prolonging the pleasure.
Accommodation
Information
Beginning of the trip
As the first day is a non-biking day, you’ll arrive at your leisure, depending on your route. Please note that rooms are usually available by mid-afternoon, depending on your accommodation. Please let us know if you are arriving late.
To get to the departure point
By plane: flight for Avignon, Marseille Provence or Nîmes
By train: direct TGV trains from Paris (Gare de Lyon station), Lyon or Marseille to Avignon. The duration of the trip is about 2h40 from Paris, 1h10 from Lyon and 35mn from Marseille. To plan your trip, www.raileurope.com
Car park
You can find secure parking solutions in Avignon. For further information www.parkopedia.fr
To reach back the starting point
There is a train between Nîmes and Avignon (several trains per hour, duration: 30min).
- Camargue
- 8 day(s)
- Moderate
- ~ 48 km/day
- Itinerant
Tried and tested stays!
- Experience15 years' experience in cycling to advise and satisfy you
- Tested & ApprovedThe whole team goes out into the field to design the itineraries and select the best partners (accommodation, bikes, etc.).
- Quality of serviceA dedicated customer service team available and ready to listen, from the moment you book until you return from your holiday.
- Secure paymentIndividual or fractional payment by secure means via our website
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- Camargue
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