France
Provence and Camargue by Bike & Boat, Between Avignon and Aigues-Mortes
This unique self-guided program offers the best of both worlds: the comfort of a boat that follows you along the waterways and complete freedom for your cycling days. Starting from Avignon or Aigues-Mortes, you chart your own route through the wild Camargue and the landscapes immortalized by Van Gogh.
Here, there is no group to follow: you manage your stops at the Pont du Gard, your leisurely wanderings in the Alpilles and your discoveries of Roman remains as you wish, while knowing that your cabin and dinner await you each evening at the next quay.
Highlights
Vineyards, mountains and the foothills of the Alpilles
Two millennia of Roman and medieval history in eight days
The comfort of the boat, the freedom of the bike
Itinerary
The markers on the map locate each stage approximately. They do not correspond to the exact address of your accommodation. The overnight stays indicated in the itinerary may change depending on availability. The exact address appears in your travel booklet.
Day 1 | Avignon
Arrival in Avignon. The boat is moored at Quai de la Ligne, just steps from the Pont Saint-Bénezet, built between 1177 and 1185, of which only four arches remain out of the original twenty-two. The Palais des Papes dominates the quay: this Gothic fortress was built in less than twenty years (1335-1352) when the papacy fled the unrest in Rome to settle here from 1309 to 1377. The crew welcomes you from 5 p.m. The old town, listed by UNESCO in 1995, is accessible on foot from the quay.
Day 2 | Loop from Avignon (45 km)
Cross the Rhône to reach Île de la Barthelasse (9.8 km²), one of the largest river islands in Europe, cultivated with orchards and market gardens since the Middle Ages. The route then heads up through garrigue landscapes and vineyards toward Roquemaure, before crossing toward Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, the city of the cardinals, whose Fort Saint-André was built between 1360 and 1380 under the reigns of Jean le Bon and Charles V. Return to Avignon along the Rhône.
Day 3 | Avignon – Aramon (45 km)
Morning navigation on the Rhône to Aramon, then departure by bike toward the Pont du Gard. The UNESCO-listed Roman aqueduct was built around 40-60 AD to carry drinking water from the source of Uzès to Nîmes over 50 km. Picnic on the banks of the Gardon. Return to Aramon by country roads, with Mont Ventoux in the background.
Day 4 | Aramon – Vallabrègues (45 km)
The day begins with a short navigation of Vallabrègues, a Provençal village on the banks of the Rhône. By bike, you reach Barbentane and its imposing château, before crossing the Montagnette to the Abbey of Saint-Michel de Frigolet. The route continues downhill toward the medieval village of Boulbon, then returns to the boat.
Day 5 | Vallabrègues – Arles (65 km)
The most demanding stage of the route. You reach Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, where Van Gogh painted some of his most significant works, before tackling the climb toward Les Baux-de-Provence, a perched village in the heart of the Alpilles. After a pause in its stone lanes, a long descent leads to Arles, an ancient Roman city with numerous remains. The boat awaits you on the quays of the Rhône.
Day 6 | Arles – Aigues-Mortes (30 km)
Morning with a guide in Arles: the amphitheater built around 80 AD (25,000 seats, listed by UNESCO in 1981), the ancient theatre and the Baths of Constantine. Van Gogh lived in this city from February 1888 to May 1889, in the Yellow House on Rue Lamartine, and produced more than 200 works here, including the Sunflowers series. After lunch, ride 30 km through the rice fields of the Camargue to reach Franquevaux, where the boat resumes navigation to the ramparts of Aigues-Mortes.
Day 7 | Loop from Aigues-Mortes (45 km)
Immersion in the Camargue. You ride on small white roads between ponds and salt marshes, in an open landscape where pink flamingos are often present. Cross the villages of Le Cailar and Saint-Laurent-d’Aigouze, deeply rooted in Camargue traditions. Tasting in the estate of the Costières de Nîmes appellation. The day ends in Aigues-Mortes, a fortified city founded by Louis IX in the 13th century.
Day 8 | Aigues-Mortes : End of Stay
Disembarkation after breakfast on board.
Departures Possible in Both Directions
This tour can also be done in the Aigues-Mortes – Avignon direction.
The itinerary remains essentially the same but travelled in reverse. The stages cross the same landscapes and emblematic towns.
Depending on the navigation schedule, some days combine cycling and navigation differently, but the experience remains the same : cycling during the day, then returning to the comfort of the boat at the end of the day.
Dates and pricing
All prices are indicated per person and in CAD. They vary depending on the period and availability at the time of booking.
Possible departures : Saturdays, from March to October
Double Occupancy Package :
- Starting from $2,250
Single Occupancy Supplement :
- Starting from $755
Bike Rental :
- Hybride : 210 $
- Electric assist : 550 $
These prices cover bike rentals for the entire stay, including transport accessories and safety essentials.
Options Offered :
- Flight booking
- Vegan, gluten-free or lactose-free diet
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The Price Includes
- 7 nights in a double cabin with private bathroom, on board a comfort boat
- All meals during the cruise: breakfasts, picnics during cycling outings and dinners on board the vessel, except one dinner in
- Aigues-Mortes or Avignon
- Bedding and towels
- Services of a local English-speaking guide on board the boat and during cycling outings
- Guided visits in Arles as well as a few short walking tours
- Port fees
- GPX tracks to follow the itinerary by bike
- A digital travel kit 30 days before departure, including the essential logistical details for your trip
- An assistance service with an emergency number
- Participation in the Fonds Plein Air 1% for the Planet program: Ekilib donates 1% of its revenue to support nature protection projects in Québec
The Price Does Not Include
- Air transportation and all costs associated with transporting your bike and bike box if you choose to bring your own
- Transfers from the airport to the boat and vice versa
- Bike rental
- Personal expenses, including drinks on board
- Dinner on Day 1, in Avignon or Aigues-Mortes depending on the embarkation point
- Tips for the crew, approximately €10 per day per person
- Entrance fees for museums and attractions not included in the program
- Travel insurance
- File processing fees of CA$75, plus taxes
- Financial protection from the Compensation Fund for Customers of Travel Agents. Free of charge as of January 1, 2024
Practical Information
Difficulty Level
The route is mostly flat through the lowlands during the two stages in the Camargue at the start of the trip, while the stages north of Arles feature rolling hills that require more energy. Toward Les Baux de Provence, there are a few demanding climbs, but you’ll be fully rewarded with an extraordinary landscape. You have the option of renting an electric-assist bike, which makes climbing much easier.
The route runs mainly along bike paths or quiet secondary roads. Some sections are on busier roads, which are unavoidable. There will also be a few moments of travel by boat to make the experience more enjoyable.
Bike Type and Equipment Provided
Bike type
For this trip, you can choose between a hybrid bike and an electric-assist bike. The boat crew takes care of charging the electric-assist bike batteries.
Equipment provided
Regardless of the type of bike chosen, the equipment provided includes a rear pannier for carrying your personal belongings during the day, a puncture repair kit, and a lock. A helmet is not always included, so we recommend bringing your own for added comfort and safety.
Bottle cages are uncommon on the bikes. We therefore recommend bringing a bottle that can be placed in your pannier. You may also want to bring an elastic cord with hooks at each end to secure the bottle to the rear rack and keep it more accessible.
Guidance
Although this is a self-guided trip, you’ll have support throughout your stay. Each day, you have the option of following a local English-speaking guide during the cycling outings, with no obligation to do so. The guide rides with travelers during the cycling stages, ensures the route runs smoothly, and remains available to answer questions or offer assistance as needed. Depending on their experience, they also share local and historical knowledge about the regions you pass through. You remain free to ride at your own pace and according to your preferences. If you choose to go independently, you’re never left on your own. The crew remains available on board throughout the trip to answer any logistical questions. In addition, an emergency number accessible 24/7 is provided to assist you in case of unforeseen circumstances or special needs.
Extending your trip
It’s possible to add extra nights at the beginning or end of the trip. However, the added days do not include additional cycling routes. If you wish to extend your cycling adventure, you’ll need to organize these outings independently.
Luggage Transport
During bike-and-boat trips, your main luggage stays on board the boat for the entire trip. Each day, you cycle with only what you need for that stage, generally carried in the pannier provided with the bike. This setup allows you to ride light while finding your personal belongings back on board at the end of the day. We recommend traveling with soft-sided luggage and keeping the weight down to make boarding and disembarking easier.
Formalities
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is essential for participating in an Ekilib trip. It should cover emergency medical expenses abroad, assistance, and repatriation, in particular. Cancellation and trip interruption coverage is also strongly recommended. Cycling travel involves physical activity and daily movement. Suitable insurance allows you to handle unexpected events calmly, whether it’s a health issue, an injury, or a change in circumstances before or during the trip. Before departing, it’s important to check that your policy covers cycling as part of a trip. We also recommend checking the protections offered by your credit card or insurance company to confirm your coverage. Our advisors can help guide you toward the best protections so you can travel well-insured and with peace of mind.
Plane Tickets
For self-guided bike-and-boat trips, international flights are generally not included in the trip price. We recommend waiting for official confirmation of the trip before booking your flights. You can book them yourself or ask our team to assist you with this process. In any case, it’s advisable to check arrival and departure times to help facilitate the transfers included in your itinerary.
The boat Caprice offers an intimate cruising experience, ideal for a group looking for a friendly and simple atmosphere. Its compact format encourages natural exchanges after your active cycling days.
Boat
- Length: 39 m
- Width: 5.2 m
- Maximum capacity: 21 passengers
- 11 cabins of 7 to 9 m²
Cabins
- 8 cabins with twin beds
- 2 cabins with double bed
- 1 cabin with single bed
- Private bathroom with shower, toilet and sink
- Hair dryer
- Hair, hand and body soaps
- Porthole in each cabin
- Air conditioning
- Storage
Aire commune
Wi-Fi available in the restaurant and bar
Please contact our cycling specialists to obtain the price according to your departure date and to check availability.
The boat Estello welcomes a small group in a comfortable and functional setting, ideal for relaxing after your cycling stages.
Boat
- Maximum capacity: 20 passengers
- 10 cabins of 7 to 9 m²
- Cabins
- 9 cabins with two twin beds
- 1 cabin with double bed
- Private bathroom with shower, toilet and sink
- Hair dryer
- Hair, hand and body soaps
- Air conditioning
- Storage
- iPod docking station
- Wi-Fi
Common Area
- Large lounge
- Terrace
Please contact our cycling specialists to obtain the price according to your departure date and to check availability.
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