The Mediterranean by bike

Your 9-day adventure begins in Tarascon with a delightful tour of this attractive town, home to the beautifully-preserved Château de Tarascon and Collegiate Church of Sainte-Marthe, before saddling up. This first stage between Tarascon and Cavaillon follows a pleasant route, perfect for a warm-up, with quiet roads and shared lanes crossing typical Provençal farmland. Along the way, we highly recommend taking a detour to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence to stroll through the town’s lively streets and soak up the southern atmosphere. Finally, your arrival in Cavaillon marks the gateway to the Luberon, between orchards and limestone hills. This relatively short section is ideal for finding your pace and enjoying a tranquil pedal in the Mediterranean sunshine.

This stage crosses the Luberon on a greenway set on a former railway line, perfect for a leisurely ride. After Cavaillon, you will reach Orgon and the Musée Urgonia, offering fascinating insights into local geological history. A few kilometres away, the hamlet of Coustellet, in Cabrières-d’Avignon, is home to the Musée de la Lavande where you will learn all there is to know about local know-how associated with Provence’s iconic bloom. After the gentle climb to Ménerbes, one of “France’s Most Beautiful Villages”, enjoy a tour of the Maison de la Truffe et du Vin – a truffle and wine centre boasting fabulous panoramic views. A little further on, the route crosses the Pont Julien, a remarkably well-preserved Roman bridge. The rest of the way to Apt is fairly flat and offers a delicious immersion in scenery of dry stone walls, vineyards and fragrant fields.

This is a more challenging stage, spanning 83 km between Apt and Manosque. As you leave the Luberon behind, the route winds through open landscapes, alternating gradual slopes and long stretches of steady pedalling. Swathed in sweet-scented gardens, the Artemisia Museum at the Couvent des Cordeliers, in the charming village of Forcalquier, is a great place for a cultural delve into the secrets of perfumed, aromatic and medicinal plants. The route continues through olive groves and lavender fields to Volx, where the Olive Ecomuseum whisks you into the world of olive growing in Provence. It’s important to pace yourself today, but the roads remain pleasant and quiet. Nestled among hills and fragrant garrigue, your arrival in Manosque promises a well-deserved rest after this magnificent voyage across Provence.

Your fourth day begins in Manosque with a visit to the Centre Jean Giono, exploring the writer’s profound love of Provence and the landscapes you have crossed over the last few days. Set inside Hôtel Raffin, the accessible exhibition offers great insights into Giono’s life and work. Located on the edge of town, L’Occitane en Provence invites you to enjoy a tour of its museum-shop and factory, where you’ll learn all about the brand’s inimitable plant know-how. To reach Meyrargues, we recommend hopping on a train at Manosque, as this section is devoid of proper cycling routes – a welcome rest for your calves after yesterday’s marathon, promising to recharge your batteries before tomorrow’s route to Draguignan.

Between Meyrargues and Draguignan, the route crosses more hilly inland scenery – take time to tackle it at your own pace. The little roads wind through hills to Saint-Martin-de-Pallières, a hilltop village standing under an ancient chateau. It’s a bit of a climb, but the sweeping views over the Var countryside really are worth the effort. Further on, Barjols’ ancient fountains and tanneries promise a change of atmosphere. Take time to rest on a shaded square before saddling up again. As you head south, the scenery becomes more typically Mediterranean. Spanning 83 kilometres, this stage is a road trip unto itself, crossing rural heritage and beautiful Provençal landscapes. When you reach Draguignan, enjoy a tour of the Artillery Museum unveiling 700 years of military history.

With a 90-km stretch ahead of you, this day marks your descent to Mediterranean shores. From Draguignan, the route winds through changing scenery, alternating steady climbs, narrow roads clinging to the hillsides and faster descents. The terrain gradually becomes rockier, dotted with pine and olive trees. Callian’s medieval castle, perched atop the village, offers a delightful heritage stop-off with sweeping views over the surrounding hills. Further on, Grasse invites you to discover its time-honoured perfumery expertise and historic perfume houses. Revel in a stroll through the lanes before getting back in the saddle to continue your descent towards the coast. The final kilometres offer a welcome breath of sea air and glimpses of the sea as you leave the inland behind and plunge into the buzzing Mediterranean atmosphere of Cannes.

This very-pleasant shorter stage follows the coast from Cannes to Nice, often along cycle paths or coastal roads. Stop off in Villeneuve-Loubet to visit the Musée Escoffier, paying homage to the famous chef of the same name. Just next door in Cagnes-sur-Mer, the Musée Renoir, set inside the Impressionist painter’s last home, nestles in the heart of a magnificent estate planted with olive and citrus trees – perfect for a cultural break. The remaining route is pretty easy, with a few small hills typical of this stretch of the coast, alternating beaches and marinas all the way to Nice. And why not revel in a ride along the famous Promenade des Anglais to wind up this beautiful seaside day in style?

Before saddling up again and leaving Nice, you might like to take time to roam the winding lanes of the historic quarter or visit the Musée des Arts Asiatiques – an impressive glass and white marble building basking at the edge of the Parc Phoenix artificial lake. Next, the route heads east along the coast, alternating urban sections and wilder scenery. The atmosphere and colourful façades take on a decidedly Italian air as you approach the nearby border. Gorgeous sea views accompany and encourage every turn of the wheels, and you’ll need to tackle a few climbs before reaching Col d’Èze pass. It’s not an easy route but the prize – a stunning balcony gazing out over the Mediterranean Sea – is well worth the effort.

Your cycling odyssey ends with a final day promising plenty of rest and relaxation in the soothing sunshine of Menton, just a few kilometres from the Italian border. Take time to explore the old town quarter lined with pastel façades or tackle the steps climbing to Saint Michael’s Basilica. From beaches to remarkable botanical gardens and sea-facing terraces, everything here is an invitation to unwind. The Jean Cocteau Museum, set inside a former waterside bastion, harbours a major collection of Cocteau’s works including drawings, ceramics and graphic paintings echoing the artist’s deep ties with Menton. From leisurely strolls to cultural tours, the town’s gentle Mediterranean atmosphere promises the perfect end to your cycling tour in the sunshine of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.