Have you ever wanted to cycle through France?
Some local and international travel operators offer amazing and award winning tours throughout France and Europe, but at a steep cost. Some trips can be over €3000 pp for some 8-10 day trips.
But do you really need a tour guide?
Here’s a cheaper alternative…
Use their trip itinerary to plan your trip, but travel independently. You can still see the same locations, but travel for much less.
Below is an example – I went on a week long cycling trip taking in some of the most beautiful locations in Provence and priced it.
Feel free to steal this trip and modify it to your need, it really is one of the most scenic ways to see Provence by bike for a one week duration.
Provence Cycle (8 day trip)
From one of the tour operators websites: “Provence – the name itself signifies much that is desirable in life: beauty, art, fine food and wine, and an irresistible joie de vivre. If your travel revelries revolve around A Year in Provence, our eight-day trip captures the very best of the fantasy. “
What they don’t tell you. With a good map and a little internet research (for this article it took me less than an hour to research) and you can recreate this entire trip. These aren’t hidden areas of France. Every place on the trip is easily google-mapped, located on a major road and sometimes is a famous area (one part traces part of the Tour de France).
Notes: REI doesn’t include flights or lunches in the price. I have included only what it includes, to give a fair comparison. I have purposefully NOT picked the absolute cheapest hotels. Some of these places are very nice, so there is room for further discount, but I wanted to show the savings even if you splurge a little.
Day 1
Fly into Charles de Gaulle airport and take the train to Orange, France.
Here are three options for hotel:
• L’herbier d’Orange 18.33 Euros/night for a private
• Hotel Le Louvre 39.50 Euros/night for a private
• Villa de l’Arc 92.50 Euros/night for a private
Day 2
Enjoy breakfast (10 Euros) then start cycling towards Bédoin. Stop and spend the night at the gorgeous Château de Mazan ($118/night). Enjoy dinner at your budget (15-35 Euros).
Day 3
In the morning, ride down to the market for breakfast (10 Euros) and start riding towards Mont Ventoux. After summiting return to Bédoin for another night and dinner. Château de Mazan ($118/night). Enjoy dinner at your budget (15-35 Euros).
Day 4
Enjoy breakfast (10 Euros). Then head out to the Dentelles de Montmirail, stopping in Séguret and continuing on to Vaison la Romaine. Stay at the amazing Château Le Martinet (56 Euro/night). Enjoy dinner at your budget (15-35 Euros).
Day 5
Enjoy breakfast (10 Euros). Pick your own route, as you explore the neighboring area. Return to the Château Le Martinet (56 Euros/night). The tour operator I copied does not include dinner for this night.
Day 6
Enjoy breakfast (10 Euros). Head into the Drôme Provençal. Continue to the Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux. Stay in a deluxe single room at the L’Esplan. Enjoy dinner at your budget (15-35 Euros).
Day 7
Enjoy breakfast (10 Euros). Head to the village of Grignan (tour the historic Château de Sévigné is desired). Ride through the country side. Stay next door to the castle at La Bastide De Grignan (65 Euros/night). Enjoy dinner at your budget (15-35 Euros).
Day 8
Heading out. Enjoy breakfast (10 Euros). Head back to the airport or onto further travel.
Totals
Hotel and meals US$600-800.
Flying with your bike, renting one or buying one in France $100-$400.
Some tour operators price: $3499
My price: $1000
Go ahead, try it. I bet you could save even more with a little research and depending on the time of year.
Did you like this idea? Go online and check other itineraries and steal more ideas for amazing routes and places to go. (Just don’t tell them I told you).
I must mention that booking with a tour operator is a lot of fun, especially if you plan on cycling solo, so if you are after the social aspect, then the organised option might be best.
