Cycling Tour - Provence, France

Duration: 5 nights

From €1,899pp

12 June & 11 September 2025

Experience the ultimate cycling holiday through the heart of Provence and the towering Alps, where stunning landscapes, historic villages, and exhilarating climbs await. This guided six-day itinerary is designed for cycling enthusiasts seeking quiet, rolling country roads for a more leisurely ride, or steep, challenging Alpine climbs that will test your limits. Staying in a local guesthouse, we’ll soak in the rich culture, deep history, and natural beauty that define southern France.

From the serene valleys of the Provence Alps to the rugged heights of the Ecrins National Park, you’ll ride through iconic mountain passes, quaint villages, and alongside sparkling alpine lakes all under the expert guidance of your local cycling guide. Whether you're taking on the legendary climbs of Mont Colombis and Col du Noyer or enjoying the rolling hills around Gap each day brings new challenges and breathtaking views, with plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in local traditions and culinary delights.

Join us for an epic cycling adventure that combines the thrill of the ride with the tranquillity of Provence and the majesty of the Alps—an experience you'll remember for years to come!

This guided holiday is graded as a moderate cycling holiday. A good level of fitness and previous cycling experience is required for this holiday. Rides range from 65km- 80km with climbs between 850m-2000m. For those craving an extra challenge additional options will be provided to ride further.

Day 1 - Travel to Marseille

Our cycling adventure through France begins today! Departing from Dublin, we’ll take a direct flight to France before transferring to our base for the week—an idyllic Provençal village called Clamensane. Our accommodation is in a charming traditional French guesthouse, known locally as a "gîte." Nestled in a quiet, unspoiled environment along the old Marseille route from the Alps to the coast, Clamensane offers the perfect backdrop to start our cycling journey. This evening, we'll meet with our local guide to discuss the week’s cycling routes and make the final preparations to our bicycles.

Day 2 - Ride the hills and villages of Provence Alps

We’ll kick off our cycling adventure with a scenic loop ride starting from our gîte. We’ll ride through the Durance Valley to the village of Bayons, where we can explore its historic Romanesque church, a classified monument. From there, our route climbs through the “Clue de Bayons”—a dramatic, narrow gorge—leading to the Col des Sagnes (1,182 m), a stunning mountain pass with 548 m of ascent.

Expect a series of switchbacks, locally known as the "Tourniquets," offering a challenging yet rewarding climb before a thrilling descent into the village of Turriers. The return ride takes us through La Motte-du-Caire, a typical Provençal village, completing a well-rounded day of cycling.

For those craving a greater challenge, there’s an option to tackle Mont Colombis (1,727m)—a 11km climb from Remollon with over 1,000m of ascent. Despite its shorter length, this climb is considered one of France's more demanding routes, offering a thrilling challenge to cyclists.

Distance approx. 65km

Ascent approx: 1200m

Day 3- Ecrins National Park

Today’s ride takes us deep into the heart of the Alps! In the morning, we’ll travel to the Alpine town of Gap and head towards Orcières Merlette, located in the stunning Ecrins National Park. This protected area, established in 1973, is France’s largest national park and a sanctuary for rich plant and animal life. Cycling options abound today: For an easier ride, explore the Champsaur Valley’s traditional villages, where we can indulge in local delicacies like tourtons and ravioles. For those seeking an epic ride, the Col de Manse or the iconic Col du Noyer—both featured in the Tour de France—await with serious climbs and breathtaking views.

Distance approx. 70km

Ascent approx: 2000m (dependent on route chosen)

Day 4 - Ride around Gap

Today’s ride offers a more relaxed pace as we explore the picturesque surroundings of Gap. Our morning ride will follow the rolling terrain of the Durance Valley. Known as "la Capitale Douce" (the Sweet Capital), Gap is a small mountain town surrounded by incredible alpine views. Take a break from the saddle to explore the town’s narrow streets, visit local markets, or relax in one of the many cafés scattered across its lively squares.

After some free time for lunch, we’ll take a scenic return route along the foot of the Dévoluy Mountains, with gentle climbs and rolling hills offering spectacular views.

Distance approx. 80km

Ascent approx: 850m

Day 5 - Serre Poncon Lake

Our final full day of cycling takes us around the stunning Serre-Ponçon Lake, one of the classic rides of the Hautes-Alpes, where the views are nothing short of spectacular. We’ll pass through the scenic villages of La Bréole and Saint Vincent les Forts, with its ancient fortifications marking the entrance to the Ubaye Valley—a high mountain route connecting France to Italy.

Crossing the Ubaye River, we’ll enter the Hautes-Alpes, making our way to Savines-le-Lac, a charming lakeside town offering incredible views of the Grand Morgon Peak. Here, you can take a breather or explore the town’s watersports options. If you’re up for more climbing, continue towards the high-altitude town of Embrun or ascend quiet roads to the mountain villages of Saint Apollinaire and Réallon, perched on the southern edge of the majestic Ecrins.

Distance approx: 80km

Ascent approx: 850m

Day 6 - Return home

Today marks the end of an incredible time of cycling through some of France’s most breathtaking landscapes. After checking out of our gîte, we’ll head to the airport with unforgettable memories of our cycling journey through Provence and the Alps.