15 Jan 2026 02:26 PM

Cycling Vacations in the South of France

The South of France is a premier destination for cycling vacations, offering everything from the grueling climbs of Mont Ventoux to leisurely gourmet tours through the lavender fields of Provence.

Here are the top 10 cycling vacation providers for the South of France in 2026, categorized by their specialty: (from Le Chat)

1. DuVine Cycling + Adventure Co.

Specialty: Ultra-luxury and "Chef on Wheels" tours.

The Vibe: High-end boutique hotels and Michelin-starred dining.
Top Tour: The Provence 4-Day or 6-Day tours focus on the Luberon Valley and the foothills of Mt. Ventoux, often featuring private wine tastings and local culinary experts.

2. Backroads

Specialty: World-class guided group tours with high support.

The Vibe: Impeccable service with multiple "Trip Leaders" and support vans for every group.
Top Tour: Provence to the French Riviera, a 6-day journey from the inland vineyards of Aix-en-Provence to the glamorous coast of St-Tropez and Cannes.

3. Trek Travel

Specialty: Performance-oriented tours using top-of-the-line Trek bikes.

The Vibe: Great for serious road cyclists who want professional-grade equipment without the hassle of shipping their own.
Top Tour: Their Provence Road Bike Tour is designed for those who want to tackle the legendary "Giant of Provence," Mont Ventoux.

4. Marmot Tours

Specialty: Dedicated road cycling challenges.

The Vibe: Serious, fully-supported "Raids" and challenges for club-level cyclists.
Top Tour: The Classic Provence tour, which offers flexible pacing but provides the expert van support needed for the region’s toughest climbs.

5. Cycling for Softies

Specialty: Leisurely, gourmet, self-guided tours.

The Vibe: "Soft" cycling—shorter distances, e-bike options, and a heavy focus on long lunches and beautiful scenery.
Top Tour: Their Provence routes are famous for staying in "château-style" accommodation and prioritizing hidden gems over busy tourist tracks.

6. Le Vélo Voyageur

Specialty: Accessible, turn-key self-guided trips.

The Vibe: A great "entry-level" provider for those who want the independence of self-guiding but with the safety net of a 24/7 hotline and a custom navigation app.
Top Tour: 5-Day Heart of Provence, starting in Avignon and winding through the vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

7. France Bike Trips (Vélorizons)

Specialty: Local expertise and variety (Road, MTB, and Gravel).

The Vibe: Deeply rooted in France; they offer more rugged "backroad" and gravel options that international companies often miss.
Top Tour: Their Drôme Provençale gravel tours are perfect for escaping the crowds and exploring the wilder side of the South.

8. Bike Weekender

Specialty: Short-break road cycling.

The Vibe: Efficient 4-day "fly-in, fly-out" trips for busy professionals.
Top Tour: Their Southern Alps & Provence short breaks are based in hubs that allow you to hit 3–4 major Tour de France climbs in a single long weekend.

9. Discover France

Specialty: Highly customizable self-guided adventures.

The Vibe: They provide the logistics (luggage transfers, hotels, and GPS) but let you dictate the pace.
Top Tour: Provence Deluxe, which upgrades the standard self-guided experience to 5-star hotels like La Mirande in Avignon.

10. Intrepid Travel (Cycling)

Specialty: Social, small-group adventure cycling.

The Vibe: More affordable and focused on local culture and "basix" to "comfort" level accommodations.
Top Tour: Cycle Provence, an 8-day trip from Avignon to Arles that includes visits to the Pont du Gard and the Camargue wetlands.