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Cycling from the Camargue to Avignon

All Areas > Travel > Holidays & Travel

Author: Al Hidden, Posted: Friday, 20th March 2020, 09:00

The bridge of Saint Benezet over the Rhone River The bridge of Saint Benezet over the Rhone River

Last month we explored Germany’s Baltic coast. This month we head south to sun-drenched Provence, France for the first of two cycling-themed adventures for 2020.

Allowing nine or 10 days, there’s plenty of time for a leisurely ride from Aigues Mortes to Avignon on the banks of the mighty Rhône. Navigating the Camargue’s wetlands, with their iconic flamingos, soot-black bulls and snow-white horses guarantees sublime cycling.

The area’s cuisine is also irresistible, with an eclectic mix of simple-but-delicious food. Wonderful organic vegetables, local rice, seafood, lamb stews – Gardiane d’agneau – and superb free-range Taureau de Camargue beef define menus here.

Explore Arles in Van Gogh’s footsteps

Leaving the Parc Naturel Régional de Camargue, Arles beckons with tales of arguably its most famous resident, Vincent van Gogh, who lived and painted there in 1888 and 1889.

As you explore, don’t miss the tempting cafés of Place du Domer (location of van Gogh’s ‘Yellow Café’). Or pedal down Rue Gaspard Monge to the ‘Van Gogh Bridge’, the famous drawbridge that Vincent painted at Langlois.

Then follow the Rhône and Gard north, via the sheer-walled medieval Chateau de Tarascon, to riverside Collias, the Gorges du Gardon and the stunning 160 ft (49m) high Pont du Gard aqueduct.

The final destination for our two-wheeled journey under cerulean Provençal skies is Avignon, Provence’s ‘sweetheart town’. Accommodation near lovely Place de l’Horloge ensures a great central base for exploration.

Don’t miss the region’s renowned ‘asperge’

Highlights? The majesty of Pont Saint-Bénézet (immortalised in ‘Sur le Pont d’Avignon’), delicious Côtes du Rhône wines, the imposing Palais des Papes and Avignon’s unmissable fusion of local and Iberian-inspired cuisine. If you’re there during the April-May asparagus season, don’t miss the region’s renowned ‘asperge’.

Your time in Provence is drawing to a close, and if you’ve left a car in Aigues Mortes, an easy train journey gets you back via Nimes. If you’ve driven out with your bikes, you’ll probably have arranged your own accommodation too.

Saddle up and enjoy the adventure

Alternatively, choosing a specialist cycling holiday simplifies pedalling through Provence’s fabled landscapes – and avoids back-doubling from Avignon. How about entrusting everything to an experienced cycling holiday company? Tailored packages mean everything’s arranged for you, including flights, transfers, bikes and equipment, route guides and hotels. All you do is saddle up and enjoy the adventure.

What’s the French for ‘On your bike’?’ ‘Sur votre vélo’ sounds about right and Provence is calling! Bon voyage!

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