Discovering the Famous Wines in and Around Provence

Provence is one of the most popular regions of France to visit on cycling holidays, because of its sunshine, beautiful landscapes and its many fascinating attractions. Travelling through the region on two wheels offers a chance to take your time in discovering the countryside, and get to know the real Provence.

A holiday highlight for many people is paying a visit to some of the vineyards opening their doors to the public, including many in the famous Côtes du Rhône region, as well as others producing Provence rosé wines, where you can go on tours and sample a glass. Cycle Breaks organises cycling holidays with specially selected accommodation and a chance to explore all kinds of attractions in the region. There is also an option to ride electric bikes on our bike tours of Provence.

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Chateauneuf du Pape
This delicious red wine, coming under the umbrella of the Côtes du Rhône region, is one of the most famous in France and features a rich blend which can include 13 different varieties of grape. The highest standards need to be achieved to give producers the right to use the Appellation Controlée  Chateauneuf du Pape. Wine was first cultivated in this region as far back as the 1100s, and it is believed that when the Popes were based in Avignon during the 1300s they promoted the wines here and improved their quality.

At the foot of a hill topped by a ruined château, the village of Chateauneuf du Pape completely revolves round the wine. There are many different wineries where visitors are welcomed and can sample a glass, often alongside some of the local cheeses. This famous village is included in both our Classic Provence Tour, and Provence and the Camargue Tour cycling holidays, and there is time to wander around at your leisure and get a flavour of the place.

St Cécile les Vignes
This historic and attractive village is also included in our bike tours of France. It is another community where life is centred on the production of wine. It has an ancient bell tower and many other picturesque buildings, including ancient mansions. There are 400 vine growers in the surrounding area, with the wines ranging from fruity reds to aromatic white and rosé varieties. The large St Cécile co-operative and the wine-tasting cellar in the village offer plenty of opportunities to see and taste the wines.

Gigondas
This village is another place included on our cycling tours of Provence, and again it is possible to visit wineries and cellars in the area. It is believed that the first vineyards here were planted by Roman soldiers, but the wines have only really come into their own and become widely-known far more recently. During the 19th century, the Gigondas area was famous for its health-giving spa water, but since the 1950s the wine has become increasingly well-known, with its own appellation being granted in the 1970s. Most Gigondas wine is red, although a small amount of rosé is also produced.

Roquemaure
The small town of Roquemaure has a chequered history as a wine centre, with the first vines here probably being planted by the ancient Greeks. From the middle ages onwards it was a major port for transporting wine, and it's thought this was the place where Phylloxera, aphids that attack vines, were imported into France in the 19th century – going on to infect vines across the country. Relics of St Valentine were brought here in 1868 because it was believed they could protect the vines from the pest, and, as a result, the town is now known for its links with the saint. There is a St Valentine rosé wine produced here and there is also a kissing festival, which attracts many thousands of people every year. Our cycle holidays in Provence allow time to enjoy a romantic lunch with a glass of the saint's finest.

Camargue
South of Arles, the brackish waters and salty ground of the Camargue help to produce wines with a distinctive flavour. Known as "Vins du Sable", or wines of the sand, they are produced in a unique landscape where the vineyards are flooded every year. This was a factor which helped the area's wine production to survive the Phylloxera epidemic which destroyed other vineyards across France. The vast majority of wines produced here are rosé, although very small amounts of red and white are also made. The Camargue is a spectacular landscape which features in Cycle Breaks' Provence and the Camargue tour, offering a chance to see the famous wild white horses and flamingoes as you journey through on your cycling holidays.

Cycling Tours Provence –  Follow the link to find out more details.

Some Like it Hot – What to Expect From the Weather on Cycling Tours in France

Cycling tours in France are all about being out in the open air, so the climate at your intended destination can have a big impact on your holiday experience. While some come alive in Mediterranean heat, others prefer a cooler climate – so if you're finding it hard to choose between Cycle Breaks' selection of cycling tours in France, we've put together a snapshot of the typical local weather conditions in the key regions where we operate: the Loire Valley, the Dordogne, and Provence.

While we cannot accurately predict or guarantee actual weather conditions for any particular tour, we hope the following will help you to decide which regions and times of year are most likely to suit you best.

The Loire Valley
The northernmost of the regions in which we offer tours, this is the ideal destination for those who like a somewhat cooler climate, but still with plenty of sunshine. The Loire Valley is an inland region and its climate is very strongly influenced by the River Loire itself, helping to keep things mild and a touch wetter than regions further south. Broadly speaking you can expect the Loire to be significantly warmer – by around 3 or 4 degrees C – and drier than southern Britain, especially in late spring, summer and autumn.

Even in August, average temperatures are around the 18-20C mark (average maximum around 26C) – very similar to a pleasant summer day in the UK. But if you prefer even cooler weather simply book a tour here in May or September for average temperatures of around 12-15C (average maximum around 20C). Average minimum daytime temperatures (which will usually occur in the very early morning) during summer are around the 14C mark, and are around the 8-10C mark in spring and autumn.

Rainfall is lowest here in June and August (with usually a slight increase in July and September), and on average there is some rainfall approximately 1 day in 3, although showers are generally short-lived. The number of rain days increases somewhat for April, May, October and November, but the total amount of rain actually falling is still on the lower side, again indicating shorter bursts of rain.

In short, conditions are very similar to Britain, but perhaps a touch warmer (depending on where you live in the UK!). If you are out and about all day you will probably require some sun protection, either suncream or clothing which covers the arms, legs and face. Light waterproofs are advisable for occasional use, but you are unlikely to encounter very cold weather in the main holiday season, so a thin extra layer should suffice for warmth in the early mornings or late evenings.

The Dordogne
The Dordogne region is considerably further south than the Loire Valley, but although you might have expected a distinctly warmer climate here, the difference is really only a degree or two.

The hottest months are July and August with average temperatures in the region of 21 or 22C (average maximum around 28C). Average minimum temperatures are also very similar, around 15C or so during summer and around 10-11C in spring and autumn. Your chance of rain is broadly similar to the Loire Valley, but slightly less overall.

The extra few degrees mean you need to take some extra care to protect yourself from the sun, especially the face and the back of the neck. Some light raingear and a layer for warmth are still advisable for the mornings and evenings during summer, and are essential for spring or autumn trips.

Provence
Provence lies on the south east of France and includes some Mediterranean coastline – so it's no surprise to see a more Med-like climate for tours in this region.

Here, the hottest month is July, rather than August, delivering average temperatures of round 25-26C, with temperatures of 31C possible. Average minimums during the peak months are around 18C, so you can expect even the early mornings and night times to be on the warm side.
This is a climate that will appeal to those who love the heat, but if you prefer cooler temperatures, you can still take this tour in comfort earlier or later in the year.

For instance, average temperatures here in April and May are well below 20C, with average maximums in the region of 19C in April and 24C in May. Alternatively, a trip timed for mid to late September will usually have similar temperature levels to May.

Rainfall is significantly lower too, the driest months being June, July and August, with only 4-6 days of rain expected per month. Even in April, May or September rainfall here is still below what you can expect midsummer in the Loire or Dordogne.

Sun protection is vital during summer, along with ensuring that you stay well hydrated, so either take a bottle of water with you or plan for regular stops for refreshments along the way. Very light raingear is still a good idea, although it is not likely to see much action, if any. And you are unlikely to need much in the way of warm clothing for summer trips, even in the evenings. Spring and autumn trips are likely to require an extra layer for early mornings and evenings however.

For more detailed advice about what clothing or equipment to take with you, please call us as we have personal experience of cycling in these regions.

 Cycling Tours France – Explore our full range of cycling tours in France.

A Week in Provence – Rich History, Hidden Art Treasures and Spectacular Wildlife Await You

The 1989 bestselling book "A Year in Provence" by Peter Mayle has inspired many people to visit this diverse area and cycling holidays in France's Provence region offer the ideal opportunity to really experience the landscape and culture this area has to offer – and you only have to spend a week!

Our 'Provence and the Camargue' tour (Tour FPC8) provides you with a taste of many of the region's most attractive and well known aspects including a fascinating history, amazing but seldom-seen art and exotic wildlife – in just 8 days and 7 nights.

Cycling Holidays Provence – Find out more detail of our 'Provence and the Camargue' cycling tour.

Rich History
Provence is one of our most popular destinations for cycling holidays in France, not least because of its fascinating history, much of which is still very much in evidence on this tour.

The tour begins and ends in the city of Orange, home to a magnificent Roman theatre which is still in use for plays and festivals throughout the year; and a visit to the Orange Museum will reward you with yet more Roman exhibits from Orange, including a number of friezes rescued from the theatre itself, as well as finds from the nearby archaeological site of Glanum. You will see (and even cycle over) a number of Roman structures on this tour including the aqueduct at Pont du Gard (Day 6) and the amphitheatre and baths at Arles (Day 3 and 4).

For those who enjoy Medieval or Renaissance architecture, Provence is an ideal destination – almost every town and village you pass through will have something to offer from these periods. Day 2 takes you to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, home to both the legendary red wine of the same name, and several French popes in the early 14th century. Nowadays the town retains much of its medieval character with narrow winding lanes. Next stop on this route is Avignon itself, where you will stay at the end of Day 2. Avignon was the official base for the French popes, with the Palais des Papes offering some of the best Gothic architecture to be seen anywhere in the world.

For those who would like to find about the region's prehistoric and Roman history in more depth, we recommend a visit to the Musée Départemental in Arles (you will be spending 2 nights here so there is plenty of time).

Hidden Art Treasures
If you have time to go inside the Palais des Papes in Avignon, you will be rewarded with excellently preserved late Gothic art on the walls and ceilings of the Saint-Martial and Saint-Jean chapels. For those interested in art history, these richly coloured murals and ceiling paintings clearly prefigure the imminent Renaissance period and are as impressive as many Renaissance chapels to be seen in Italy.

Arles is, of course, well known as the place where Vincent Van Gogh resided between 1888-1889, producing many of his most iconic paintings under the intense Provençal sun, including Sunflowers, Wheat Fields and The Red Vineyard. While almost all of Van Gogh's work is housed in the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, and other major galleries around the world, a visit to Arles gives you an opportunity to explore some of the influences on his work, by visiting the Café Van Gogh in Arles itself, depicted in his Café Terrace at Night, or simply ride past some of the many fields and vineyards that feature in his paintings.

It is perhaps only Van Gogh who is capable of overshadowing the many other famous artists associated with Provence. The Musée Angladon in Avignon (Day 2) holds a wide collection of modern art from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, featuring work by Paul Cézanne (France's most famous post-impressionist and a native of Provence) and Picasso (who moved to Provence in 1959). The museum also boasts works by Degas and Paul Gauguin (who was a companion to Van Gogh in Arles for some time). But perhaps the greatest treat here is to see the only work by Van Gogh to be displayed in Provence, the lesser known but utterly vibrant "Wagons de chemin de fer" (railcars) which was painted during his stay in Arles.

Spectacular Wildlife
On Day 4 we offer a complete change of scene, taking a circular route into the Camargue region, a nature reserve rich with wildlife of all kinds. The Camargue is western Europe's largest river delta, lying between the two branches of the Rhône, and contains extensive wetlands which attract more than 400 species of birds. Pink flamingos abound here, attracted by the extensive inland saltwater ponds. But equally appealing are the famous Camargue wild horses. These horses are native to the region and thrive largely without human assistance among the wetlands here. All are white (technically "grey") in colour, but you can spot foals and young horses by their darker black or brown coats which will turn paler as they mature. The land is exceptionally flat in this area, making for easy biking and allowing you to give your attention to the scenery and wildlife.

As with all our cycling holidays in France and elsewhere, accommodation, bicycles and luggage transfer are all organised for you, enabling you to simply enjoy the wide variety of experiences on offer.

Cycling Holidays France – Explore our full range of French cycling tours.