Bike tour, Languedoc, France (guided groups)
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on an unforgettable 8-day journey through the heart of France, starting from the charming town of Villeneuve les Avignon and ending in the historic city of Nimes. This multi-day tour is a perfect blend of history, culture, and nature, offering you the opportunity to explore ancient Roman ruins, visit traditional French markets, cycle through beautiful farmlands, and marvel at the natural beauty of the Camargue region. Stay in local hotels like Hotel Les Cedres (or similar) and enjoy delicious French cuisine. Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or a foodie, this tour has something for everyone.
Included
All evening meals and breakfasts are included.
Lunch is either taken in local restaurants or picnics that we organise on the way. The cost of lunch is not included.
vegetarian, vegan, meat
We go to a lot of trouble to choose our hotels. We stay in mostly 3*** hotels, and occasionally (in France) in 2** hotels if I particularly like the hotel or the owners. Stars work differently in France; if a family-owned hotel won't have 24-hour staff, they stay at 2**.
I have personally chosen every hotel we stay in, and a Chain Gang guide accompanies every group, so we really can't afford to arrive at hotels and have our customers dissatisfied.
In every case, these are hotels that we've worked with for years, and that makes a huge difference. We're staying with old friends, so we're always assured a warm welcome, but just as important, if any Chain Gangers need anything, our hotel owners will bend over backwards to help.
Wine-tasting fees at vineyards are included.
Destinations
Map
Attractions
Daily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Arrival in Villeneuve les Avignon
- Avignon
- Villeneuve-lès-Avignon - Arrival day
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Welcome to Villeneuve les Avignon, a charming town on the banks of the River Rhone. Check into our partner hotel, Hotel Les Cedres (or similar), and get ready for the adventure that awaits. Although the town has a local airport, it's more common to arrive via fast TGV trains from Paris or London.
Day 2 – Day 2: Villeneuve Les Avignon to Arles
- Arles
- Avignon
- Villeneuve-lès-Avignon
- More
- The Arles market
- Aqueduc Romain de Barbegal
- Roman Theatre of Arles
- More
Today, we head to Arles, the gateway to the Carmargue region. We'll cycle along the Rhone river, visiting the troglodyte abbey of St Romain in Beaucaire. In Arles, we'll explore the city's rich history, from its links to Vincent Van Gogh to its Roman arena and bustling market.
Day 3 – Day 3: Arles to Aigues Mortes
- Arles
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- Saint Paul Church
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We continue our journey to Aigues Mortes, cycling through the UNESCO-listed Saint-Gilles Abbey and the extraordinary landscape of the Camargue. This region is a haven for birdlife, including the famous flamingos. Aigues Mortes, with its ancient settlement and stunning architecture, is our final stop for the day.
Day 4 – Day 4: Exploring the Camargue
- Aigues-Mortes
- More
- Camargue Regional Natural Park
- Plage des Aresquiers
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Today is dedicated to exploring the Camargue. We'll start with a swim in the Mediterranean at the Plage de l'Espiguette, followed by lunch in the seaside town of Le Grau du Roi. In the afternoon, we'll visit the Camargue's salt works, learning about the fascinating process of salt production and even hiking up a giant salt dune.
Day 5 – Day 5: Aigues Mortes to Nimes
- Nîmes
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- Montpellier Cathedral
- Obélisque d'Arles
- Arles Amphitheatre
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Leaving the Camargue behind, we head for Nimes, a city rich in Roman history. On our way, we'll visit the source of Perrier water and explore its interesting museum. Once in Nimes, we'll visit the spectacular Roman ampitheatre and the beautifully preserved Maison Carrée.
Day 6 – Day 6: Nimes to Uzes
- Nîmes
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- Fontaine Pradier
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We start the day with a visit to the Fontaine de Nimes, a beautiful park with a natural spring. Then, we cycle through the Languedoc countryside, passing through tiny villages and beautiful farmlands, before arriving in Uzes, a medieval town with a memorable centre.
Day 7 – Day 7: Uzes to Villeneuve les Avignon
- Avignon
- Nîmes
- Uzès
- Villeneuve-lès-Avignon
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- Pont du Gard
- Aqueduc Romain de Barbegal
- More
Today, we visit the source of the Aqueduct de Nimes and the spectacular Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct that's a marvel of ancient engineering. We'll have a picnic lunch under the Pont du Gard, then cycle along the River Rhone back to Villeneuve les Avignon.
Day 8 – Day 8: Departure from Villeneuve les Avignon
- Villeneuve-lès-Avignon - Departure day
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Our tour ends today. After breakfast, we'll arrange transportation to Avignon TGV train station, where you can catch a train to Paris, London, Charles de Gaulle airport, or any other destination of your choice. We hope you enjoyed your journey through the heart of France and look forward to seeing you again!
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