8 Days / 7 Nights
Type: Guided
Level of Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Along the rice fields and Mediterranean waterways of the Camargue and the landscapes that were so dear to Vincent van Gogh, this tour will lead you through quaint Provencal villages, vineyards, and dramatic landscapes. Our tour includes visits to one of the Seven World Wonders, the Roman Pont du Gard. You’ll experience wonderful Saint-Rémy where Van Gogh stayed for a year, and Les Baux de Provence spectacularly set atop a rocky outcrop and crowned with a ruined castle. You’ll stay in Arles and explore its Gallo-Roman treasures, sampling the ambiance that attracted Van Gogh and Gauguin to its cobblestones and cafes. You’ll visit the Camargue National Park where you’ll find wading flamingos, wild bulls, and white horses in the expansive marshland. Many art and music festivals also take place in Provence during the summer months.This delightful cycling vacation includes the best bike routes of the region that you can enjoy at your own pace or with our helpful, multilingual guide.
REVERSE ROUTE: Provence Camargue (Avignon)
Green = Open | Yellow = Limited | Red = Full
Prices are per person in US$- inclusive bike rental
| Departure | Barge | Double | Single cabin | Double for Single use | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 1 | Caprice | $ 1,250 | $ 1,600 | $ 2,230 | |
| April 1 | L’Estello | $ 1,250 | — | $ 2,230 | |
| April 15 | Caprice | $ 1,250 | $ 1,600 | $ 2,230 | |
| April 15 | L’Estello | $ 1,250 | — | $ 2,230 | |
| April 29 | Caprice | $ 1,660 | $ 2,010 | $ 2,630 | |
| April 29 | L’Estello | $ 1,660 | — | $ 2630 | |
| May 13 | Caprice | $ 1,710 | $ 2,070 | $ 2,690 | |
| May 13 | L’Estello | $ 1,710 | — | $ 2,690 | |
| May 27 | Caprice | $ 1,710 | $ 2,070 | $ 2,690 | |
| May 27 | L’Estello | $ 1,710 | — | $ 2,690 | |
| June 10 | Caprice | $ 1,710 | $ 2,070 | $ 2,690 | |
| June 10 | L’Estello | $ 1,710 | — | $ 2,690 | Reserve your cabin here |
| June 24 | Caprice | $ 1,710 | $ 2,070 | $ 2,690 | |
| June 24 | L’Estello | $ 1,710 | — | $ 2,690 | |
| July 8 | Caprice | $ 1,660 | $ 2,010 | $ 2,630 | |
| July 8 | L’Estello | $ 1,660 | — | $ 2,630 | |
| July 22 | Caprice | $ 1,660 | $ 2,010 | $ 2,630 | |
| July 22 | L’Estello | $ 1,660 | — | $ 2,630 | |
| August 5 | Caprice | $ 1,660 | $ 2,010 | $ 2,630 | Reserve your cabin here |
| August 5 | L’Estello | $ 1,660 | — | $ 2,630 | |
| August 19 | Caprice | $ 1,660 | $ 2,010 | $ 2,630 | Reserve your cabin here |
| August 19 | L’Estello | $ 1,660 | — | $ 2,630 | Reserve your cabin here |
| September 2 | Caprice | $ 1,780 | $ 2,130 | $ 2,750 | |
| September 2 | L’Estello | $ 1,780 | — | $ 2,750 | |
| September 16 | Caprice | $ 1,780 | $ 2,130 | $ 2,750 | |
| September 16 | L’Estello | $ 1,780 | — | $ 2,750 | |
| September 30 | Caprice | $ 1,780 | $ 2,130 | $ 2,750 | |
| September 30 | L’Estello | $ 1,780 | — | $ 2,750 | |
| October 14 | Caprice | $ 1,780 | $ 2,130 | $ 2,750 | |
| October 14 | L’Estello | $ 1,780 | — | $ 2,750 |
3rd Peron in Cabin on request
Day 1: Arrival in Aigues-Mortes
Our barge is moored in Aigues-Mortes, a medieval town and ancient military and commercial port on the Mediterranean. Your cabin will be available at 6 p.m.. Aigues–Mortes is a historic city in the middle of one of the most beautiful spots of Provence, the Camargue. In 1240 Saint Louis decided to build a city close to his kingdom in order to have direct access to the Mediterranean Sea. Seven hundred years later the fortifications still dominate the Camargue. You can admire the original city ramparts with six prestigious towers and ten gates as you walk around the town walls (about 1.5 km) before entering the charming and narrow streets of this wonderful Mediterranean town. After dinner on the boat, we’ll preview the week’s highlights and cycling itinerary.
Day 2: Aigues-Mortes – round trip – 34 miles (55 km) – 20-meter elevation gain
Today we’ll take a scenic bike tour through small country lanes, between canals and lagoons, until you reach the charming fishing village Le Grau-du-Roi. Along the way there will be the possibility of a refreshing dip at the beach.
Day 3: Aigues-Mortes – Arles – 16 miles (25 km) – no elevation gain
We will sail for a couple of hours up to Saint Gilles and then cycle to today’s destination: Arles, a Roman capital in the time of Julius Caesar and a major religious center in the Middle Ages. You’ll have the option of taking a guided tour of the city or exploring on your own. You can visit the remains of the Roman Amphitheatre, dating from the end of the first century, and the slightly more damaged Roman Theatre. The magnificent Cloister and Church of St. Trophime are two gems of Romanesque art dating from the Middle Ages. On the Place du Forum inside the old city walls you’ll find Van Gogh’s famous “Night Café.” Van Gogh came to Arles in 1888 and rented a small house on the Place Lamartine that, unfortunately, has been destroyed. The Provencal countryside and the peculiar light inspired Van Gogh and he painted here non-stop.
Day 4: Arles – Les Baux – St Rémy – Vallabreguès – 34 miles (55 km) – 300-meter elevation gain
This is a breathtaking stage of our tour, which will bring us to the Alpilles with the haunting medieval village of Les Baux de Provence – one of the most visited tourist sites in all France, and justifiably so. If you prefer to skip the hills, you can take a van up to Les Baux instead (you will bike after the visit to Les Baux). Definitely visit the Chateaux de Baux for a spectacular view on the surrounding Alpilles Mountains. We’ll then glide down to Saint Rémy de Provence. St. Rémy is the birthplace of Nostradamus but it’s better known as the place where Vincent van Gogh stayed in a sanitarium for more than a year, producing an incredible 150 paintings. We’ll travel through a landscape of limestone cliffs and olive trees. In the evening we will moor in Vallabrègues, a pretty village on the banks of the Rhône.
Day 5: Vallabreguès – Aramon – 22 miles (35 km) – 90-meter elevation gain
Today we’ll take lovely country roads to Barbentane with its castle at the confluence of the Rhone and Durance rivers. We will cycle to the magnificent Abbey of Saint Michel de Frigolet and afterwards go down to the medieval village of Boulbon. In the afternoon, we’ll make our way to Aramon where we’ll spend the night and enjoy its beautiful view over the Mont Ventoux.
Day 6: Aramon – Avignon – 25 miles (40 km) – 110-meter elevation gain
Today we’ll discover the best preserved Roman aqueduct in Europe: Pont du Gard, a three-tiered aqueduct over 2,000 years old. Heading back to Aramon in the afternoon, we will then sail to Avignon, the City of the Popes. We’ll moor here for the night at the Quai de la Ligne next to the famous Pont St. Bénezet. Tonight we have dinner on our own.
Day 7: Avignon – Ile de la Barthelasse – Avignon – 19 miles (30 km) – 100-meter elevation gain
Today we’ll get to the other side of the river Rhone by crossing the island Ile de la Barthelasse, and we’ll ride in the typical garrigue landscape, between vineyards and orchards. Before going back we’ll visit Villeneuve Les Avignon, once known to be the town of the cardinals. In the afternoon a guided visit will let us discover the historic city of Avignon.
Day 8: Tour Ends
After breakfast, we’ll part ways.
Well-maintained, comfortable 27-speed hybrid bikes are included. These unisex bike models come in sizes appropriate to your height. The bikes have a side pannier, helmet, water bottle, and lock. If you prefer to bring your own bike you’re welcome to do so but realize that bikes cannot be transported on the TGV (high-speed train) in France. A map holder/front bag is also given to the people that want to do this tour as a self-guided tour. An electric bike is also available for this tour ($160 per person). Depending on your height, you will be assigned one of the electric bikes below. We advise you only to rent an electric bike if you have first tried one at home. They’re heavier than regular bikes and therefore can be difficult to maneuver. In addition, you can rent children’s bikes, child seats, bike trailers, and tag-alongs.
21 people – The Caprice is a beautiful Dutch boat that has been in operation since 2009. It’s freshly varnished wood and bright colors will welcome you. The large sun deck is inviting, and nothing is better than sitting comfortably while cruising the canals of France.
All with air conditioning and private bathrooms. Each cabin has two fixed portholes. Bed measurements: 1.90m x .80m (singles) and 1.90m x 1.40m (doubles). The “staterooms” are well equipped with colorful furnishings and an opening porthole, creating a charming and cozy atmosphere. There is also a wardrobe and adequate space for storing your luggage. Free WiFi available in the restaurant/bar area. Hairdryers are not provided in each cabin, however there are a few on board which can be borrowed.
20 people – L’Estello was built in 1937. It is a classic Dutch passenger barge that has been converted to today’s standards of comfort. The large lounge area has picture windows with plenty of natural light. French doors give access to the inviting sun deck. The dining area also has large windows and comfortable seating and the living room and bar area is spacious and air conditioned with comfortable sofas chairs.
Each cabin has two portholes, is air-conditioned and has en-suite bathroom facilities. Free Wi-Fi is available in the restaurant/bar area. There is also a “Bring & borrow” supply of travel books, petanque/boules sets, and board games available.
A note about large luggage: Passengers may bring a big bag and keep it in their cabin. However there may not be a lot of room to move around in the cabins if large suitcases are brought on board.
This was my first VanGogh tour and it was amazing. Beginning with Denise during the registration process, the correspondence, the barge, the bikes, the crew, the itinerary – it was all top-notch. The barge was clean and comfortable (excellent air conditioning for our 90+ degree days), the bikes well-equipped and maintained, and Fillippo, Irene, Rafael, and Melanie were the best. They were cheerfully helpful, professional and a lot of fun. It was clear they enjoyed their jobs. Melanie’s calm presence and guidance ensured that the ride was safe and doable for all of us. The crew truly made the trip.
Jane Renkes, May 2022
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Van Gogh Tours
Hoorn, The Netherlands
+1(781)646-0096
Office hours 9 am – 5 pm EST
vangogh@vangoghtours.com
