Home > The Luberon Regional Park

The Luberon Regional Park

Découvrir des lieux et villages mythiques de la Provence 5
Sun-soaked hilltop villages of Provence: Gordes, Ménebres, Lourmarin, and Roussillon This cycling tour starts from Avignon and its magnificent Palace of the Popes This self-guided cycling tour will allow you to explore some of Luberon's jewels including ochre-colored Roussillon Green and relaxing Luberon, cycle on quiet roads Cycling the heart of Provence
Découvrir des lieux et villages mythiques de la Provence

The Luberon Regional Park

  • Level
  • PriceFrom 1,265 euros
  • DAY7 nights / 8 days

More info: Receive detailed hotel list, bike specs, and route description

More infos BOOK NOW !

Description

When you think “Provence” you probably envision sun-soaked hilltop villages and endless fields of flowers — scenes immortalized by artists and writers, among them Peter Mayle, author of A Year in Provence. His adopted home is in the Luberon, and he’s not the first person to recognize the importance of this region! The Luberon has been designated a regional nature park and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in order to protect the immense treasures found here, from the breathtaking landscapes to the diverse flora and fauna

The places on our incredible cycling itinerary are ready for you to create your own unforgettable adventure, whether or not you’ve read Mayle’s books. GordesMénerbesLourmarinRoussillon — they’re officially some of France’s “Most Beautiful Villages” and they deserve their titles! We’ll lead you off the tourist trail as well, on quiet roads through quaint villages and wide-open spaces, where you can fully absorb the sights and scents of Provence.

 

For travel and cycling tips to Provence, visit our "Travel and cycling tips" section.

Itinerary

D1Arrival in Avignon


Arrive in Avignon at the time of your choice. An early arrival will allow you time to visit Avignon and its highlights, like the Palace of the Popes, located a few minutes’ walk from your hotel.

D2Avignon — Fontaine de Vaucluse 42 km/26 miles, 130 meters/425 ft of climbing or 56km/35 miles, 490 meters/1,605 ft of climbing

 

After breakfast, you’ll head east for a ride through fields of fruit trees to the Plateau des Monts de Vaucluse, where the scenery changes dramatically. Charming places such as Fontaine-de-Vaucluse will make perfect lunch stops, unless of course you choose to picnic roadside and enjoy the scenery.

D3Fontaine de Vaucluse — Roussillon 42 km/26 miles, 650 meters/2,130 ft of climbing

 

Prepare to ride below your average speed today as you cycle through some of Luberon’s most picturesque hilltop villages — you may find it hard to resist stopping at each and everyone one of them! Oppède-le-VieuxMénerbesLacoste, and Bonnieux ooze that charming Provence “façon de vivre” so well captured by Peter Mayle. Make sure you stop and lunch at one of the cozy restaurant terraces and take in the local atmosphere.

D4Roussillon — Roussillon Short Option via Gordes: 19 km/12 miles, 240 meters/785 ft of climbing; Long Option: 65 km/40 miles, 850 meters/2,790 ft of climbing

 

Today being a loop day, you may choose to give your legs a rest and relax by the pool or wander among Roussillon’s magnificent ochre-colored houses. However, we recommend you hop on your bike and ride one of our two suggested loops. One option will lead to Gordes, another one of France’s most beautiful villages (like Roussillon).

If your legs can cover more ground, you may even choose to do the big loop all the way to “Colorado Provençal," an area so different that you may wonder if you’re still in Provence.

D5Roussillon — Vaugines 35 km/22 miles, 540 meters/1,770 ft of climbing

 

Following our detailed directions, you will leave the Petit Luberon behind and ride to the heart of the wilder Grand Luberon. Your colorful and scenic route offers many perfect picnic spots along the way. Although nature is the highlight of today’s ride, sites and villages will take a close second. Among others, we highly recommend a stop in Lourmarin.

Of course, as a self-guided rider, you can choose to spend as much or as little time exploring our suggested sites.

D6Vaugines — Vaugines 54 km/33 miles, 570 meters/1,870 ft of climbing

 

Another loop, another ride that has everything a vacationing cyclist could ask for! Enjoy quiet and scenic roads, breathtaking views, and wonderful off-the-beaten-track sites like the Chateau d’Ansouis, among others.

D7Vaugines — Avignon with train from Cavaillon: 43 km/27 miles, 220 meters/720 ft of climbing; without the train from Cavaillon: 73 km (45 mi), 250 m/820 ft of climbing

 

Today, you won't necessarily be riding all the way back to Avignon. Our directions will take you along the River Durance to Cavaillon, the World’s Capital of Melons where you will have the option to hop on a train to reach “Avignon Centre,” the centrally located train station in Avignon.

If you would prefer to cycle the whole distance, the mileage for you will be around 73 km.

An early arrival will allow for an easy-paced afternoon of souvenir shopping, museum visiting, or writing envy-inducing postcards to family and friends.

D8Departure from Avignon

 

After breakfast, depart Avignon at the time of your choice.

Booking & Prices

  • Option A
  • 2 nights in 4-star hotels, 5 nights in 3-star hotels

  • 1,265 euros per person in April and October. Single supplement is 385 euros
  • 1,415 euros per person in May, June and September. Single supplement is 485 euros
  • 1,565 euros per person in July and August. Single supplement is 585 euros
  • Option A+
  • 4 nights in 4-star hotels, 3 nights in 3-star hotels

  • 1,385 euros per person in April and October. Single supplement is 510 euros
  • 1,535 euros per person in May, June and September. Single supplement is 560 euros
  • 1,685 euros per person in July and August. Single supplement is 610 euros

These prices include:

  • 7 nights' accommodation as described above
  • Daily breakfast
  • 3 dinners (drinks not included)
  • Luggage transfers
  • Roadbook provided as an app (when used as a GPS, no data plan is necessary)
  • Tourist information (provided as part of the app)
  • Assistance if necessary (you will be provided with our local rep’s mobile number)
  • All tax and service charges

These prices do not include:

  • Expenses of a personal nature
  • Travel insurance
  • Bicycle rentals. Adult hybrid bikes are available at the rate of 125 euros per bike. E-bikes are available at the rate of 235 euros per bike.

Suggested Cycling Trips