(No availability) 7 Days Côtes du Rhône Route Cycling Tour in France

Itinerary

Day 1: Orange

Welcome to Provence! You meet up with your guide at your hotel for a briefing before you start your trip. You can enjoy a free evening in Orange, its magnificent Theater Antique, and many restaurants.

Day 2: Châteauneuf du Pape loop, 20 - 39 miles / 32 - 62 kilometers

From the ancient city of the Princes of Orange, this loop takes you to the village of Courthézon and its 12th-century ramparts. You then enter the vineyards of Chateauneuf du Pape, the most famous designation of the Côtes du Rhone wines. The charming wine routes lead you to its village, where you will undoubtedly enjoy a tasting in some of the many cellars and visit the Wine Museum. You will better understand why this precious nectar was once designated "the Pope’s wine" and later inherited a worldwide reputation.

For a few more kilometers: On the other side of the Rhone river, you reach the Gard and visit two other remarkable Cotes du Rhone wine designations: Lirac and Tavel, well-known for its rosé wine. You head back to Orange after a beautiful first day full of discoveries!

• Elevation: 722 - 1,083 feet / 220 - 330 meters

Day 3: From Orange to Rochegude, 19 - 22 miles / 30 - 35 kilometers

You head north to Suze la Rousse. En-route, you will discover the Romanesque chapel of Piolenc or the site of Castellas in Uchaux. You then enter the designated Massif d’Uchaux area. A unique atmosphere emerges from this land through its Mediterranean forest, a gorgeous green setting where all your senses will be solicited. You leave the forest of Uchaux, enter the Drôme, and reach your hotel in the middle of the vineyards.

For a few more kilometers: A few extra kilometers will take you to the charming village of Sérignan du Comtat. It has an impressive heritage of ancient buildings most often from the medieval period. This small village, homeland to Pierre-Henri Fabre, is a beautiful stopover for lovers of nature and historical architecture.

• Elevation: 656 - 705 feet / 200 - 215 meters

Day 4: From Rochegude to Vaison la Romaine, 31 - 50 kilometers

If you enjoy contrasting landscapes, you will be delighted by the day! You ride through oak woods, vineyards, and lavender fields. After contemplating or visiting the feudal castle of Suze la Rousse and the Wine University, your itinerary takes you to Visan, another well-known designation of Côtes du Rhone wines. From the historic center dominated by the ruins of the old castle, an enchanting panorama invites you to taste the products of its generous terroir. Your route today ends at Vaison la Romaine. You will be charmed by its ancient theater and medieval town, called "Haute Ville", topped by the ruins of a 12th-century feudal castle.

For a few more kilometers: After visiting Visan, the long version of the itinerary takes you to the village of Vinsobres, which has mainly become famous due to the great quality of its wines. Its vintage wine enchants connoisseurs.

• Elevation: 984 - 2,789 feet / 300 - 850 meters

Day 5: From Vaison la Romaine to Beaumes de Venise through Gigondas and Vacqueyras, 20 - 30 miles / 32 - 48 kilometers

You ride through hilltop villages of the prestigious Côtes du Rhône designation, with the magnificent Dentelles de Montmirail and Mont Ventoux as a backdrop. You can take your time for a stroll down the streets and splendid viewpoints of Séguret and Sablet villages, the Gigondas sculpture trail, and the winemaking route in Vacqueyras.

For a few more kilometers: You start off by discovering the Rasteau, Cairanne, and Plaine du Pan de Dieu wine designations before enjoying the main itinerary.

• Elevation: 1,148 - 1,312 feet / 350 - 400 meters

Day 6: From Beaumes de Venise to Orange, 16 - 25 miles / 25 - 40 kilometers

You will ride back to Orange, mainly using the Voie Venaissia, a cycling route built on the old railway tracks between Carpentras and Orange. You can contemplate the agricultural and winegrowing landscapes of Comtat Venaissin, the magnificent panoramas of the Dentelles de Montmirail Massif, and the Mont Ventoux.

For a few more kilometers: Before you reach Orange, you can discover the impressive belfry in Camaret sur Aygues.

• Elevation: 131 - 755 feet / 40 - 230 meters

Day 7: Orange

Your stay ends after breakfast.

Tour information

The routes are selected for their cycling and touristic interests, entirely tested, and away from traffic. One of Abicyclette guides greets you on your first day. He will hand out all the needed documents for the trip (hotel vouchers, maps of the area, GPS, and practical guide) and get you settled on your bikes (for rental bikes). Phone assistance is available, and you can reach the Abicyclette team whenever you need. A luggage transfer service is available, which respects your hours of rest (Abicyclette picks them up after 10:00 and deliver them before 16:00).

Abicyclette loans you a GPS so that you can easily follow your itinerary without having to look for your way around (bike support included) with Twonav Anima hiking GPS. A practical cycling guide is provided with all the useful information (addresses, highlights for the day, and touristic information) as well as French topo maps of the area (IGN 1/100,000e) to have a global view of your itinerary.

Bike information

Trekking or hybrid bike with 21 to 30 speeds and 26- or 28-inch (700) wheels is recommended for this tour. Abicyclette offers a high-end bike rental service. Their bikes are suited for road and gravel road long-distance cycling. Fully equipped and highly reliable, they are faithful travel companions.

Scott Sub Cross 20 (trekking bikes)

• 2017 or 2018 bikes
• Frame: Alloy 6061 D.B.
• Fork: Suntour NEX HLO / Hyd. Lockout / 63-millimeter travel
• Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore 30 Speed; Cassette: Shimano 11-34 T
• Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore; Crankset: Shimano 48x36x26
• Shifters: Shimano Deore R-fire plus two
• Brakes: Shimano Hydr. Disc
• Rims: Syncros X-20 Disc
• Tires: Schwalbe Marathon PLUS 700x35C
• Approximate weight in kilogram: 15

Supplied equipment per bike includes:

• 1 helmet
• 1 Ortlieb rear pannier waterproof (20 liters)
• 1 Vaude handlebar bag waterproof (six liters)
• 1 lock
• 1 puncture repair kit: patches, tube, and tire levers
• 1 multitool
• 1 pump
• 1 bottle

Elios (touring bikes)

• 2018 bikes
• Frame and fork: Alloy 6061 D.B.
• Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore 30 Speed; Cassette: Shimano 11-34 T
• Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore; Crankset: Shimano 48x36x26
• Shifters: Shimano Deore R-fire plus two
• Brakes: Shimano V-Brake
• Rims: 700 / 28'
• Tires: Schwalbe Marathon PLUS 700x35C
• Approximate weight in kilogram: 15

As an option, Abicyclette has some bikes with back-pedals brake and Shimano Nexus eight-speed. Supplied equipment per bike includes:

• 1 helmet
• 1 Ortlieb rear pannier waterproof (20 liters)
• 1 Vaude handlebar bag waterproof (six liters)
• 1 lock
• 1 puncture repair kit: patches, tube, and tire levers
• 1 multitool
• 1 pump
• 1 bottle

Scott E-Sub Tour (e-bikes)

• 2017 or 2018 bikes
• Frame: Alloy 6061 D.B.
• Fork: Suntour NEX HLO / Hyd. Lockout / 63-millimeter travel
• E-Drive System: Bosch Active Plus 250w System w/ 500wh battery pack / Purion display / 2A charger
• Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore 10 Speed; Cassette: Shimano 11-36 T
• Shifters: Shimano Deore R-fire plus two
• Brakes: Shimano Hydr. Disc
• Rims: Syncros X-20 Disc
• Tires: Schwalbe Energizer Plus 700x50c
• Approximate weight in kilogram: 25

This bike offers up to 120 kilometers of autonomy, depending on the profile of your itinerary, your weight and the level of assistance needed. Supplied equipment per bike includes:

• 1 helmet
• 1 Ortlieb rear pannier waterproof (20 liters)
• 1 Vaude handlebar bag waterproof (six liters)
• 1 lock
• 1 puncture repair kit: patches, tube, and tire levers
• 1 multitool
• 1 pump
• 1 bottle

This cycling tour will take place in Provence, France. You will explore various great vineyards such as Chateauneuf du Pape, Rasteau, Gigondas, Vacqueyras, and Beaumes de Venise. You can visit the antique theatre and Triumphal Arc in Orange, the castle in Suze la Rousse and wine university, as well as Séguret, the most beautiful village in France. You can also explore the medieval city of Vaison la Romaine and its Roman vestiges, plus the natural landscape and vines of the Dentelles de Montmirail.

+−

• 5 days of cycling
• Personalized greeting with Abicyclette team at the beginning of the trip to receive your travel documents
• Loan of a bicycle GPS uploaded with the full itinerary of the trip
• Topo maps
• Cycling practical guide including restaurant recommendations for lunch and dinner
• Luggage transfer
• Phone assistance
• Application fee
• Taxes
• 6 nights' accommodation
• 6 breakfasts
• 1 dinner

• Breakfast on Day 1
• Lunches
• Other dinners
• Drinks, visits, and other personal expenses
• Repairs, spare parts, and mileage allowance

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• A reservation requires a deposit of 30% of the total price.
• The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
• The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.