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.

Explore the Local Wines of the Loire

France is, of course, internationally famous for its excellent wines and a cycling tour in France would not be complete without sampling some of its best wines in the place that they were grown. But although French wine is popular in Britain, we generally only see a limited selection of wines compared to the vast number of local wines on offer within France itself.

These local wines are not usually available in UK supermarkets for a number of reasons. Firstly, local appellations often do not produce wine in the volume necessary to be picked up by a national supermarket chain. Secondly, supermarkets tend to opt for grape varieties and names which a large proportion of customers will be familiar with, and this of course simply perpetuates the situation. Seeking out specialist wine merchants is one option of course, but requires some degree of knowledge or confidence to know what to look for and, most importantly, what you like. Our cycling tours in France offer a chance to try out some of these local wines and expand your tastes.

To get you started and perhaps help you select a cycling tour that involves a visit to a wine region that interests you, here are some Loire Valley locations associated with some of the most popular local wines.

Cycling Tours France – Find out about the wine producing regions you can visit on your cycling holidays in France.

Saumur
Saumur is the starting point of our Châteaux, Abbeys & Vineyards tour and gives its name to a sparkling (or mousseaux) white wine which many rate as second only to its more famous cousin Champagne.  Saumur wine is based on the Chenin Blanc grape variety, rather than the Chardonnay/Pinot Noir grapes used for Champagne, which gives the wine a much crisper, lighter flavour. Saumur Mousseaux is sometimes available in British supermarkets, if you look for it, since 12 million bottles are produced each year, but the sparkling wine section will generally be dominated by Champagne and Prosecco. As you will be staying overnight in Saumur itself you can get your wine sampling off to a good start by asking for some Saumur Mousseaux  to accompany your dinner here.

Chinon
On Day 4 of the Châteaux, Abbeys & Vineyards tour you will stay overnight in the town of Chinon, part of a major wine producing region which is home to the Chenin Blanc grape variety.

Most British wine enthusiasts will already be familiar with this grape, usually used to make white wines, but most of the wine from this region is actually red or rosé and based on the Cabernet franc grape. The red wines produced very locally in the Chinon area are generally on the soft and fruity side. If you prefer something more "tannic" ask for a wine from the nearby Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil area.

Angers
We visit the city of Angers on day 9 of our From Orléans to Angers tour, giving you a chance to sample the delights of the famous wine producing region of Anjou.

The region produces mainly rosé wines, based on the Cabernet franc grape and names to keep a look out for include Rosé d'Anjou and Cabernet d'Anjou.

This area can be a seen as a microcosm of the whole Loire Valley in wine terms as it produces wines of every grape, colour and sweetness, from dry reds through to rich dessert wines – giving you plenty of choice and scope to find a wine close to your personal tastes.

Cheverny
Day 5 of our Royal Châteaux of the Loire tour offers the adventurous wine-taster a (literally) rare treat as we will pass through the town of Cheverny, home to an impressive château as well as being the centre of a very special wine producing region.

Cour-Chaverny wine is a little known appellation made from the Romorantin grape, a relative of the Chardonnay grape, grown only in and around Chaverny. Wines made from this grape are intense and full flavoured, but crisp.

Chambord
A liqueur is the traditional French way to end a meal and many wine enthusiasts will be just as eager to sample some local liqueurs. Day 7 of the Royal Châteaux of the Loire tour takes you to Chambord, with its stunning château. But this place is also famous for its delicious raspberry liqueur of the same name. Originally created for King Louis XIV, it is now in full production again and, despite becoming a global brand, is still produced locally within the Loire Valley. Based on red and black raspberries it could almost be a dessert by itself as it includes a number of other rich flavours including honey, vanilla, cognac and citrus peel.

Orléans
Orléans is the starting point of our Orléans to Angers tour – and it is also an ideal location to try two new, local appellations awarded as recently as 2006.  The Orléans appellation includes a variety of grapes, with white wines based mostly on the Chardonnay grape, and red or rosé wines based on the Pinot Meunier grape. Red wine lovers should make sure to try something from the Orléans-Clery appellation, which produces only red wines, based primarily on the Cabernet franc grape, with some Cabernet Sauvignon also used. There are only a small number of growers for these wines and volumes are therefore quite small – in addition they are generally consumed within a year of production – so a visit to the area may be one of your few chances to try them out.

Cycling Holidays France – Interesting local wines are, of course, available on all our cycling tours in France, so be sure to check out our full range of tours.

Cycling Holidays France – French Cycling Tours France – Visiting Royal Chateaux

The Loire valley has been home to many French kings and queens over the centuries and exploring a magnificent château or two is a highlight of many of our cycling holidays in France. However, on our Royal Châteaux of the Loire Tour you can immerse yourself in French Royal history and make these wonderful buildings the focus of your holiday – and discover some intriguing links to British history along the way.

With its northern borders just over 100km from Paris, the Loire Valley was an irresistible and convenient location for France's monarchy to reside or to take refuge at certain times, while still being "on hand" should their presence be required in the capital. And all the elements that make the Loire Valley so attractive for cycling holidays in France today were very much present in past centuries too: attractive, lush scenery kept watered by the River Loire itself, good food and excellent wine.

Cycling Holidays France – Click here for more details about our Royal Châteaux of the Loire Tour.

To whet your appetite, here are some fascinating details about some of the châteaux that feature on our Royal Châteaux of the Loire Tour.

Château de Blois
The tour starts in the town of Blois, home to the Château d Blois and just a few minutes’ walk away from your accommodation. This château was founded in the 13th century and has 564 rooms and 75 staircases. It originally belonged to the Dukes of Orléans, one of whom, Charles of Orléans was captured by the English at the battle of Agincourt in 1415 and held captive for 25 years. During this time he wrote extensively in both French and English, including many poems now considered some of the finest in medieval English. He also featured as a major character in Shakespeare's Henry V. Upon his return, still just 46 years old, he rebuilt and extended the château. His son Louis became, in due course, Louis XII of France, and the château was used by many of his successors including François I, Henri III and Henri IV.

Château de Chaumont
This is one of the oldest castles on the tour, being founded in the 10th century and successively extended and developed until at least the 15th century.  You will see this stunning château on the route between Blois and Amboise on Day 2 of the tour. This castle's links with royalty are somewhat less than edifying, having been dismantled on the orders of one king, Louis XI, in 1465 and later effectively sold to another, Louis XV. The most notable royal resident was in fact not French at all: Catherine de Medici, wife of Henri II, and considered one of the most powerful women of the 16th century, resided here from 1560 after she became regent of France, reportedly entertaining Nostradamus at the château, before moving to Château de Chenonceau.

Château d'Amboise
You will reach Amboise at the end of Day 2 of the tour, giving you plenty of opportunity to visit the Château d'Amboise. Dating back to at least the 9th century, this château was seized by Charles VII in 1434 and was a firm favourite with the royals thereafter, especially his successor Charles VIII who carried out extensive development much influenced by the Italian style of masonry and architecture. However, the château took its own form of revenge on Charles VIII who died after hitting his head on a door lintel here in 1498 – so you might want to mind your head as you look around. It was also at this château that Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, was raised as a child. Within the grounds of the château is the Chapel of Saint Hubert where Leonardo da Vinci is reputed to be buried.

Château de Chenonceau
On Day 3 of the tour you will cycle from Amboise to the village of Chenonceaux, where you will see the stunning and exceptionally scenic Château de Chenonceau built on the banks of the River Cher. The château came into royal hands in 1535 and it was given to Henri II's mistress Diane de Poitiers. It was she who commissioned the arched bridge which is part of the château's distinctive appearance today. Diane did such a good job of extending and beautifying the château and gardens that Catherine de Medici claimed it for herself after Henri's death.

Château de Chambord
On Day 5 you will have a chance to visit the royal Château de Chambord, on your way back to Blois for your final night. Built by François I in 1518-1547 this is a masterpiece of renaissance architecture and has clear Italian stylistic influences. It has a neat, symmetrical appearance with geometrical walls and gardens surrounding it. Despite its grandeur the château is perhaps something of a folly – François himself spent barely 7 weeks there in total and the design of the building made it highly impractical as a place to reside, especially in winter, as there are many open windows. It is nonetheless an impressive and fascinating place to visit.

Cycling Tours France – Find out about more of our cycling holidays in France.

When Time is Short But You Need a Real Break, our Loire Star Cycling Holiday in France Can Deliver

If you're looking for a shorter holiday this year, or simply want an alternative type of minibreak, our Loire Star cycling holiday in France offers a real sense of getting away from it all and giving your mind a complete rest from the normal routine.

For those looking for a short break, holidays in the UK are one option of course – and we offer a range of 2 and 3 night cycling holidays in Suffolk and Norfolk for those who prefer something closer to home. But did you know that some of our cycling holidays in France can be just as quick to get to while offering a genuine change of scene?

Our Loire Star tour is available as a 3 or 4 night break, involving either 2 or 3 days of cycling. The tour is named after the 7 circular routes available, all fanning out from the charming village of Chitenay where you will be staying each night. Each day you choose one of the routes, depending on how far you fancy cycling, returning to base for dinner and 3 star hotel accommodation.

Cycle Breaks – See a map of the Loire Star tour here.

If you've never considered cycling holidays in France as a possibility for a short break before, here are just a few reasons to think about our Loire Star tour:

Short travel time – The flight time from Stansted to Tours is just 1h 20min, which is only slightly more than flying Stansted to Glasgow and about the time from London to Norwich by road or rail. Once landed at Tours airport, a train will take you to Blois in about half an hour, followed by a short taxi ride into Chitenay.

Organisation done for you – Organising your own cycling holiday can take time to plan, not to mention arranging cycle hire or getting your own bike ready and transporting it. We supply the bikes, all maintained and ready to go. All the Loire Star routes have already been researched and described in detailed route notes and map provided on arrival – all you have to do is follow the guidance in the notes.

3 star accommodation – Your accommodation is arranged for you in advance as part of the booking, so you don't have to worry about calling a hotel in France or trawling through French websites. We have personally visited each and every one of the hotels and B&B's on all our UK and European cycling holidays to ensure it meets the standards we would expect for our customers – and the Auberge du Centre in Chitenay is no exception. This stunning château-style hotel with extensive gardens and central location makes a fantastic base for any holiday. The Loire Star tour includes breakfast and dinner here as part of the price, and there is even a pool to help you cool off after your day's cycling.

Variety – A 3 or 4 night tour offers 2 or 3 days of cycling, with a choice of routes each day. The routes on offer take in a wide variety of different sights from rivers to châteaux to forests – so you will always have something new to look at it. Routes vary in length from 9 miles to 31 miles. So you can choose a longer route and make a day of it, or choose a shorter one, polish it off by lunchtime and enjoy the spectacular gardens or relax by the pool in the afternoon. With so much variety built in, you can easily pack in more activity on a short cycling holiday in France than some beach or villa holidays offer in a fortnight.

Different food – Nothing makes the brain really "get" that it has travelled than eating different types and styles of food, especially when the menu is in a different language. If this sounds a bit risky, don't worry, as dinner at the Auberge is in the capable hands of chef Gilles Martinet and we have arranged for you to be guided through the best of French cuisine as your stay progresses via the Menu du Jour, Menu Superior, Menu Terroir (focusing on local and regional dishes) and finally Menu Gastronomique – all included in the price.

Switch off – On a traditional holiday by the beach or pool, but with not much else to do, it can be hard to switch off your brain from thinking about the concerns of work or home. A cycling holiday, even a short one, gives your brain other things to think about from the moment you arrive – like following your route map, taking in ever-changing scenery and thinking about where you'd like to stop for lunch. You mind simply won't have time to linger on your life back home, giving you that all important downtime you need to get the most benefit from your break.

Cycling Holidays France – Find out more about our Loire Star tour.

Combine Adventure with Comfort on One of Our Scenic Cycling Holidays in France

What do you do when you fancy a bit of adventure on holiday but also want comfort? Or even worse, one of you wants adventure and the other one wants luxury. This can be a difficult choice to make – but not if you choose one of Cycle Breaks' cycling holidays in France or further afield in Europe. They combine a range of activity levels to suit your physical ability, with comfortable, hand picked accommodation.

Enough Adventure to Suit Your Preferences and Ability
At Cycle Breaks we understand that what spells an exciting challenge for one person could be difficult or unpleasant for another – something definitely to be avoided when you're on holiday! So we have carefully researched and graded all our cycling holidays in France, Germany, Spain, Austria and the UK, making it easy for you to pick the right level, from Grade 1 (the easiest) to Grade 4. While Grade 4 offers slightly more challenge, you don't have to be a superfit sports cyclist for any of our holidays – our focus is on "gentle adventure" and Grade 4 would still be within the capability of a leisure cyclist of average fitness.

For those unused to doing a lot of cycling we recommend one of our gentler tours, offering enough activity to be enjoyable but without involving long distances or lengthy steep inclines. A single centre, Grade 1 tours offer the easiest level of cycling and the most flexibility. Because you are staying in the same accommodation each night, you can simply opt to do no cycling at all on whichever days suit you.

Our "Loire Star" tour, for example, offers a choice of Grade 1 routes to choose from, ranging from 9 to 31 miles – so you really can pick and choose how much activity you want.

For those who cycle a little more regularly, we recommend one of our medium grade tours, with longer routes and incorporating steeper inclines. For instance, our "Tours to Angers" Grade 2-3 tour involves 4 days of cycling, with rides of between 26 and 38 miles per day – giving you a real sense of achievement when you arrive in the ancient city of Angers.

But for those who want a bit more challenge, choose one of our Grade 4 routes and be rewarded with some spectacular views. Our "Dordogne Cycling Through History" tour, for instance, involves 6 days of cycling of between 20 and 34 miles, including an ascent to the famous "perched village" of Rocamadour from where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the hills and forests surrounding this historic medieval village.

Of course, another measure of challenge is the number of days in a row you will be cycling. Again, there is a wide choice to choose from, from 3 nights to 10 nights, depending on how far you want to push yourself.

Cycle Breaks – See our full range of graded cycling holidays in France, Europe or the UK and pick one that is right for you.

Enough Comfort to Feel Like a Holiday
To ensure you feel as though you are on holiday, we also pay close attention to the accommodation where you will be staying.

All accommodation has been personally hand picked and visited by ourselves. As well as saving you considerable time researching and booking your own lodgings, this also takes the worry out of wondering whether it will be up to scratch.

All hotels and B&B's are a minimum of 2 stars, but 3 star accommodation is standard on many tours, and some tours have the option to upgrade to a higher level of accommodation if desired.

For multi-centre tours where you will be staying at a different place each night, we transfer all your luggage for you each day, so it is waiting for you when you arrive – all included in the price.

One of the major sources of stress or discomfort on a tour based holiday is the worry about finding your way around and finding good places to see or to eat. Again, we've done all this for you, providing you with detailed tour notes before you go. For each cycle route we suggest places to stop, either to see the local sights or to take refreshment.

And of course, your cycling holiday in France would not be possible without a bike! These are provided for you, and are delivered to your accommodation ready for your first day's cycling. We've chosen a comfortable hybrid touring bike with easy to use gears and a range of convenient accessories to make being out and about that bit easier to manage, such as map holders, panniers and bags. And for extra ease and comfort, electric bikes are available on many tours.

Cycling Holidays France – Find out more about the type of accommodation available on our tours.

Whilst we have done as much as we can to make it easy to pick the right level of tour for you, we are happy to discuss your individual requirements with you before you book. As we have personally researched all the routes on offer we can give you more details and make recommendations to ensure you have a holiday that is both stimulating and enjoyable.

Pedal Back in Time: Museums and Art Galleries in the Loire Valley

On a cycling holiday in France, it is always fascinating to discover something about the history of the area that you are going to, perhaps by visiting a museum or art gallery. Fortunately, on a Cycle Breaks tour there is plenty of opportunity to travel at your own speed and take in the attractions which appeal to you.

Cycle Breaks aim to ensure that families and groups of friends enjoy memorable holidays. Tours can be as energetic or as gentle as you want them to be, as our trips are all graded to suit different abilities. We organise your accommodation, bikes, maps and routes and you don’t have to worry about transporting your luggage as this is all taken care of for you.

One of the areas where Cycle Breaks organises self-guided tours is the historic and beautiful Loire Valley. This region has a wide range of fascinating museums which you may want to take time to visit during your cycling holiday in France.

Cycling Holidays Loire Valley France  – Click here to find out more.

Here is our guide to museums and art galleries that are worth exploring on your visit to the Loire Valley.

Tapestry Museum – Angers, the historic capital of Anjou, showcases the famous Tapestry of the Apocalypse at Angers Castle – a 100 metre 14th century tapestry created in Paris, which takes its inspiration from the Book of Revelation, showing the end of the world. The city also now has a more modern tapestry among its attractions, housed at the Jean Lurçat Contemporary Tapestry Museum, in the former Hâpital St. Jean. Lurçat took the medieval tapestry as the inspiration for his series of ten Song of the World tapestries, created in 1957, which show the joys and sorrows of life.

The Portrait Gallery – The Château de Beauregard is one of the Loire Valley's many celebrated châteaux and a popular place to visit while cycling through France. Beauregard houses the famous Gallery of Portraits, dating back to the first half of the 17th century, which contains an amazing array of 327 portraits including European kings and queens, clerics, diplomats, politicians and other famous people who lived between the 14th and 17th centuries. Among the people included in the collection are Cardinal Richelieu, Christopher Columbus, British monarchs Henry VII, Mary and Elizabeth I, and 15 French kings.

Hunting Museum – A museum dedicated to the history of hunting with dogs is at the Château de Montpoupon, to the east of Tours. This displays mementoes of the Montpoupon hunt over the ages, including uniforms and saddles, and gives an insight into French rural life in past centuries.

Musée des Beaux-Arts – Located in Orléans, this is one of the oldest museums in France and has one of the country's greatest collections of art treasures. It regularly stages special exhibitions, while its permanent collection includes 2,000 paintings, ranging from Correggio and Guido Reni to Paul Gauguin and Pablo Picasso, as well as a wealth of sculptures, drawings, prints and pastels.

Tank Museum – One of the world's largest tank museums is based at Saumur, at the Musée des Blindés. The museum traces the story of the tank from the First World War onwards, and its collection contains nearly 900 tanks and armoured vehicles, including more than 200 which have been restored to full working order.

Horse and Art Museums – Saumur also has links with horses going back through the ages, as it is now the home of the French National Horse Riding School and was formerly the base of the French Cavalry Academy. The town's equestrian heritage is celebrated in the horse museum at the Château de Saumur, which has a fine display of saddlery through the ages. The château is also home to a museum of decorative arts.

Fine Arts Museum – The former bishop's palace in Tours is home to a varied art collection, with more than 12,000 works altogether, including French, Italian, Dutch and Flemish masterpieces, although only a small proportion of these can be on show at any one time. At the front of the museum is a stuffed elephant, which was killed after escaping and running amok during a parade by the Barnum and Bailey circus in Tours in 1902.

Museum of Magic – Blois was the home of famous magician Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin, who inspired legendary illusionist Erik Weisz to change his own name to Harry Houdini. In tribute to Robert-Houdin, a museum of magic has been set up opposite the Château Royal de Blois, featuring fascinating exhibitions about magic and magicians, with exhibits including a six-headed dragon, and a theatre where you can see conjurors on stage.

Cycling Holidays in the Loire Valley  – Click here to find out more.

Cycling Holidays France – Why Holiday in Provence, France?

If you're heading off for a cycling holiday in France, Provence is a region you must not miss. The area is famous for its beauty, with days full of sunshine, pretty vineyards, winding river paths, lavender fields and stunning landscapes whose vivid colours inspired post impressionist artists Cézanne and Van Gogh.

This region is rich in history and culture but, along with its museums, châteaux and ancient buildings, you can also enjoy wining and dining in some of the excellent restaurants en route. Cycle Breaks have put together tours through Provence which include routes to introduce you to the beauties of the countryside, with personally selected accommodation full of local colour.

Cycling Holidays in France  – Click here to start your journey of discovery.

Here are just some of the reasons why Provence is such an attractive place to spend a cycling holiday this year.

Wonderful Food – Budding gourmets will find plenty to tease their taste buds in Provence. Its cuisine typically features generous helpings of garlic and olive oil, while seafood also plays a key role. Among the region's most famous dishes are ratatouille, a vegetable stew bursting with peppers, tomatoes, aubergines and courgettes; tapenade, a sauce made of chopped olives, anchovies and capers; and bouillabaisse, a soup which can include as many as seven kinds of fish. Popular desserts include calissons, candied fruit delicacies, and fresh fig tarts. Or why not top off your meal with one of the region's celebrated goat cheeses?

Fantastic Local Markets – Provence has a wonderful range of local markets which are the perfect place to pick up fresh delicacies, as well as flowers, bric-a-brac, antiques and many other products. Carpentras boasts one of the largest weekly markets in France, which has been running since early medieval times and now has 350 stalls, including a famous trade in black truffles during the winter. Another popular market is held at l'Isle sur la Sorgue, an island town with hundreds of antique dealers. Other towns with thriving markets include historic Arles and Vaison-la-Romaine.

Delicious Wine – The village Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which has given its name to one of the world's most famous red wines, lies between Orange and Avignon, at the foot of a ruined château. Cycle Breaks' Provence tours include visits to this region, rich in vineyards, allowing plenty of time to wander round the village. You will also have the opportunity to visit St Cécile les Vignes, another community famous for its wine. Provence is well known for its rosé wines, said to be among the best in the world, so take the time to sample these too.

Ancient Sites and Buildings – There are many fascinating ancient sites to visit along the way during your cycling holidays in Provence. The amphitheatre at Arles, dating from the 1st century, bears witness to the region's Roman history, as do Orange's Roman arch and theatre, and the Pont du Gard, an ancient aqueduct near Remoulins. Another famous landmark is the Pont St-Bénézet, also known as the Pont d'Avignon, the medieval bridge celebrated in song. And don't miss Avignon's spectacular Palais des Papes, the medieval Gothic former Papal palace which is one of the largest buildings of its kind in Europe.

Fascinating Museums – Provence has an impressive selection of museums to visit during your holiday, including the Fondation Vincent Van Gogh in Arles, which features tributes to the artist by other painters, the Musée Municipale in Orange which contains paintings and pieces of Roman history, a wine museum in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and the unique Epicurium, the “living museum” of fruit and vegetables in Avignon. And whilst it might not be typical French cuisine, those with a sweet tooth will enjoy the Haribo museum in medieval Uzès.

Pretty Towns and Villages – Make sure you have your camera with you all the time in Provence, because there are so many picturesque towns and villages to capture. These include Carpentras, with its Italian influence showing in the beautifully decorated houses, Pernes-les-Fontaines, which boasts no less than 36 fountains, Arles, with its plane trees and traditional French café terraces and Orange, with its Roman influence, ancient cathedral and old town.

Stunning Nature Reserves – Just south of Arles lies the Camargue, a unique region containing the largest river delta in Western Europe, which was designated as a regional natural park in 1970. One of Cycle Breaks' Provence tours offers the chance to visit this wildlife haven, a vast plain with reed beds and brine pools, which is home to wild white horses and black bulls as well as more than 400 birds, including pink flamingoes. Provence also has numerous other wild landscapes and natural havens which are well worth a visit.

And It’s Perfect for Romance – One of Provence's most unusual attractions is the small town of Roquemaure, near Avignon, where the church contains relics of St. Valentine – the inspiration for an annual kissing festival which attracts more than 20,000 people. The town is known as the “Capital of Lovers” and, if you post a love letter here, the post office will even seal it with a kiss!

Cycling Holidays in Provence  – Click here to start your journey of discovery.