To the Cevennes and through the Ardèche-Canyon. Going up the beautiful valley of the river Rhone in France, you reach Bagnols-sur-Cèze where you leave the Rhone and arrive in the Cevennes foothills. The Cevennes feature many stunningly wild landscapes in which the Ardèche-Canyon is certainly the highlight. In 1994 near Vallon Pont d'Arc at the bottom of this amazing canyon researchers found what could be the oldest cave in the world. The prehistoric Chauvet-Cave is over 31,000 years old and approximately 420 paintings and engravings have been found. And the cave is now open to public. Tickets can be bought on internet in advance. Once again, France-Bike is raising the stakes, not only does this bike tour feature breathtaking landscapes and highly interesting culture and history, but we have also found the most classy and stylish hotels in the region. As usual with France-Bike, our restaurants on the tour serve real treats ranging from regional specialties to 'Haute cuisine'.
Day 1: Arrival in Avignon
Day 2: Avignon > Bagnols-sur-Cèze, ~39 km
Your welcome meeting is at 9:30am at the hotel reception. Then you will cycle across the biggest island in the Rhone through flourishing orchards to Roquemaure and continue on through the Rhone valley to Bagnols-sur-Cèze.
Day 3: Bagnols-sur-Cèze > Vallon-Pont-d'Arc, ~50 km
Crossing the amazing landscapes south of the Ardèche-Canyon you will cycle to Vallon-Pont-d'Arc, located at the northern entrance to the gorges where the Ardèche river flows through a natural rock arch (see picture above).
Day 4: Vallon-Pont-d'Arc > Joyeuse > Vallon-Pont-d'Arc, 51 km
Today you either can make a round trip on your bicycle that will lead you through the foothills of the Cevennes featuring several magnificent villages such as Joyeuse. Or you can rest from the saddle and discover the Ardèche Canyon with a canoe.
Day 5: Vallon-Pont-d'Arc > Ardèche Canyon > Pont-Saint-Esprit, ~47 km
This day will be the highlight of the tour since you will cycle through the entire Ardèche Canyon. Today is the most “sporty” day with some longer climbs (and descents!).
Day 6: Pont-Saint-Esprit > Orange > Avignon, ~57 km
On this last cycle day you are pedaling on smaller roads down the Rhone valley and through vineyards back to Avignon.
Day 7: Departure or extra nights
