Imagine unpacking once and waking each morning in a different corner of Provence. On our eight day bike and barge holiday, your floating hotel travels the Rhône while the countryside, the Roman monuments and the landscapes that inspired Van Gogh come to meet you by bicycle.

A week in the heart of Provence

Your journey begins in Avignon, where you settle into your twin share cabin, enjoy a welcome drink and meet your English speaking tour leader. Over the following days you cycle between 30 and 65 kilometres, mostly along quiet cycle paths and country lanes, with the barge moving ahead to meet you.

You loop through the countryside around Avignon, then ride to the remarkably preserved Roman aqueduct at Pont du Gard, passing olive groves and vineyards on the way, including the famous Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Mid-week you pedal through Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and up to the hilltop village of Les Baux-de-Provence before rolling into Arles, where a guided visit brings the town's history to life.

The final stages take you into the Camargue, a wild and beautiful wetland where flamingos wade and wild horses roam. The riding here is flat and relaxed, and the journey ends at the walled town of Aigues-Mortes. The itinerary also runs in the opposite direction, so you can begin in Aigues-Mortes and finish in Avignon.

Life on board

After each day's ride, you return to the barge to relax as the banks of the Rhône slip past. Each of the air conditioned cabins has ensuite facilities, and the crew look after the little things, from daily cabin tidying to afternoon snacks, tea and coffee.

Meals are a pleasure in themselves. Breakfast is a generous buffet, from which you make your own packed lunch, and dinner is a three course meal of traditional Provençal cuisine. Along the way you enjoy a tasting at a local winery and an olive oil tasting.

A pace to suit you

This tour is graded introductory to moderate, with six days of cycling. The Camargue stages are flat, while the stages north of Arles include rolling hills and one demanding climb of about four kilometres up to Les Baux-de-Provence. The mistral wind can also make an appearance. Electric bikes are available on request for a supplement, subject to limited availability, and they open the route up to riders of differing fitness levels, so couples and friends can enjoy it together.

What is included

• Seven nights on board in a twin share cabin with ensuite facilities
• Seven breakfasts, six packed lunches and six dinners (drinks not included)
• Bike hire with helmet, pannier and lock, plus bike insurance for theft or damage
• English speaking tour leader, daily briefings and a digital route pack with offline maps
• Guided visit of Arles, winery visit and tasting, and olive oil tasting

Pricing

This holiday starts from $4490 NZD per person. The price varies with the departure date and season, and supplements apply for electric bikes, special diets and single cabins. Please speak with your YOU Travel & Cruise Consultant to confirm current pricing and check availability for 2027 departures.

Let's plan your Provence journey

A bike and barge holiday is simple to enjoy, but the right departure, flights and extra nights in France take careful planning. That is where we come in. Let's meet and start planning your Provence holiday together. Call us on 03 384 2700 or email melissa@youferrymead.co.nz.