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Bike & Barge Provence - Avignon to the Camargue

Avignon to Aigues Mortes or VV - Guided 8 Days / 7 Nights

Provence and Camargue, the land of light, colours and scents. For these reasons, many well known painters have lived in the Provence: Picasso, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Matisse, Cézanne, Chagall ... The Mediterranean climate is pleasant, the sun shines more than 3000 hours a year. People live outside, even during the winter, and play “pétanque” and drink their “pastis”.

A wonderful tour through the wild Camargue area with its bulls and horses. Bike from the medieval fortress of Aigues Mortes to the coastal beaches and fishing villages and then cruise slowly by boat towards Arles. You will see the typical Provence landscape, including the Rhone Delta, Van Gough’s Provence, the Roman France of Pont du Gard and finally a toast with the precious wines of Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
 
Your floating hotel is a classic Dutch passenger barge of 39 m which has been converted to today's standards of comfort. There are 10 twin cabins, each with private shower and toilet. The large lounge and separate dining area have large picture windows for plenty of natural light. French doors open to the inviting sun deck a perfect place to relax!

Your Journey

Day 1 Aigues Mortes:

Afternoon arrival in Aigues Mortes in the Camargue and board your barge at 6pm.

Day 2 Aigues Mortes Roundtrip. Cycling (55km):

Your first cycle is a circuit to discover the Camargue, the vast delta of the Rhone River, where nature still prevails over civilisation.

Day 3 Aigues Mortes - Arles. Cycling (25km):

Today you will sail to Saint Giles, and cycle to Arles, the ancient capital of Gaul with its beautiful Roman ruins. Cycle to the wooden bridge, which was masterfully portrayed by the great painter Van Gogh. Guided afternoon tour.

Day 4 Arles - Vallabregues. Cycling (60km):

This stage brings you to the Alpilles and the perched village of Les-Baux-de-Provence, built into the rock and then to the town of Saint Remy de Provence. In the evening moor in the pretty Provencal village of Vallabregues on the banks of the Rhone.

Day 5 Vallabregues - Aramon. Cycling (35km):

Bike along country roads to Barbentane with its castle at the confluence of the Rhone and Durance rivers. Continue cycling to the magnificent Abbey of Saint Michel de Frigulet and afterwards down to the medieval village of Boulbon. In the afternoon cruise to Aramon.

Day 6 Aramon - Avignon. Cycling (40km):

Today you will reach the best preserved Roman aqueduct in Europe – Pont du Gard. It is truly a spectacular sight. In the afternoon reach Avignon, the city of Popes.

Day 7 Exploring Avignon Cycling (30km):

You will cross the Rhone River and cycle in typical garrigue (scrubland)) landscape between vineyards and orchards.  Visit Villeneuve Les Avignon, once known as the town of the cardinals.  In the afternoon there is time to discover the historic centre of Avignon.

Day 8 Avignon:

Disembark after breakfast

Extend your stay in Avignon to visit the sights not covered by the bike tour.

Terrain

Moderate with a steep climb to Les Baux de Provence of approximately 5 km. You can get off your bike and walk. There are some mud-packed paths along the salt lakes of the delta. If these are too wet an alternative route along the road will be taken.

Meals

Full board includes breakfast, lunch packet and dinner daily.

Trip Notes / Dates / Prices

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  • 306 Lake Road, Takapuna
    Auckland 0622, New Zealand
  • P: (0064) 09 486 7473
    F: (0064) 09 484 0091

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