The Provence is synonymous with lavender fields, intense and colourful nature, villages and ancient cities. But it is also the land that has inspired great artists, just to name 3: Cézanne, Van Gogh, and Gauguin. That's why there are several itineraries to follow, to fully discover a land so fascinating, that smells of summer. A bicycle is the right pace for it, and you will find more of the country in our cycling tours in France.
A trip to Provence is a unique experience to live, even better if combined with the Camargue, a place where different cultures meet.
One of the unmissable stops among the itineraries in Provence is certainly the city of Arles, with its ancient Roman monuments that still make it a must-visit.
Arles, however, is not only ancient art but also the home of one of the world's leading contemporary photography festivals: Rencontres d'Arles. This festival, since 1970, animates various locations in the city between early July and late September, attracting nearly 100,000 visitors each year.
Les Rencontres d'Arles hosts exhibitions of artists who have made the history of photography, such as David Bailey, Lucien Clergue (founder of the Festival), Sid Grossman and Walker Evans, along with young and emerging artists. Not to mention that the exhibitions are all within unique locations, not to be missed for those who discover the city for the first time. Visiting Arles through the festival itinerary is one of the most beautiful trips that you can make, especially if you are lovers of art and photography.
The Rencontres d'Arles festival is a perfect stop for a holiday in Provence and the Camargue, maybe combining it with a bit of nature and a nice bicycle ride in the south of France — one of the many self-guided cycling tours in France we offer — fully experiencing all the beauty of this unique land.
You can start directly from the city, maybe planning to arrive a few days earlier than the first bike stage, so as to have time to take advantage of the photography exhibitions, in addition to unique treasures: let yourself be captivated by the beauty of the Roman amphitheatre, the ancient theatre, the church and cloister of Saint Trophime and the Espace Van Gogh, the former hospital where the great artist stayed after cutting his ear, which is now one of the preferred venues for staging exhibitions at Les Rencontres d'Arles.
Or you can choose to make your entrance to Arles from another iconic city: Avignon, capital of Provence, ancient papal court, city of art and culture surrounded by the wonderful landscapes of the Luberon Park and the Mont Ventoux, also the venue of another famous festival held every year in July: the Avignon Festival, during which the city becomes a large theatre and is populated by theatrical, musical performances and street artists.
Have you marked all the appointments? Now all you have to do is choose your itinerary and depart!
Two Ways to Ride Provence: The Riviera and the Rhône
If you want to turn these itineraries into a cycling week, two of our tours start right where this article ends.
French Riviera Cycling Tour rides eight days and around 145 km from Hyères-Plage to Nice, from Provençal vineyards to the car-free island of Porquerolles, with lavender and pine in the air and a final roll along the Promenade des Anglais.
Provence and the Rhône Valley by Boat and Bike starts in Arles itself and follows the river north to Lyon on an eight-day guided e-bike cruise, between Roman stone, hilltop villages and vineyards, sleeping on board and waking somewhere new each morning.
If you would rather start from Avignon, three more self-guided loops begin and end in the city of the Popes. An eight-day loop crosses the Alpilles and the Camargue to Aigues-Mortes, then returns via Nîmes, the Pont du Gard and Uzès. A seven-day loop rides from Saint-Rémy and Les Baux to the Luberon villages and the ochre cliffs of Roussillon. Another seven-day loop links Gordes, the Dentelles de Montmirail and the wine village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
For more ideas across the country, see our guide to the best cycling routes in France.
