France Bike & River Cruise: Lyon to Nice

8 days
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Group Tour
Discover the heart of French wine country on this luxurious Bike & Boat vacation. As your ship cruises through three iconic French regions, you’ll find yourself waking up to different sights each morning—a Gothic cathedral one day, followed by an ancient castle shrouded in mist, a charming riverside village, or a peaceful quayside scene on a clear Sunday ...
From$6,245
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Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Admire the magnificent vistas of France’s most renowned wine regions by river and by bicycle.
    • Enjoy the best of both worlds: an all-inclusive river ship cruise and VBT Bicycling Vacation.
    • Ride among the lush, fertile vineyards of Burgundy and Provence, pausing at your leisure for wine tastings and tours.
    • Learn the history of the magnificent Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct and UNESCO World Heritage site’s museum, and savor a delicious picnic lunch.
    • Walk the cobbled and historic streets of Lyon and Avignon as a local guide brings them alive with history and lore.

What's this trip about?

    Discover the heart of French wine country on this luxurious Bike & Boat vacation. As your ship cruises through three iconic French regions, you’ll find yourself waking up to different sights each morning—a Gothic cathedral one day, followed by an ancient castle shrouded in mist, a charming riverside village, or a peaceful quayside scene on a clear Sunday morning. After breakfast, your well-maintained, fitted VBT bike awaits—along with a pair of local VBT trip leaders to guide you on carefully curated routes through the famous vineyards of Burgundy and the Côtes du Rhône—culminating in Arles, the southern city that inspired Van Gogh. In the evenings, you’ll enjoy relaxing with your ship’s five-star amenities—including a pool, cinema, onboard putting green, bar, and restaurant serving a full menu of locally inspired cuisine.

Details

Itinerary focusActive and Outdoor Sports
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 24 people
Age range13 to 80 years
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityLyon
End CityArles

Travel Themes

  • Culinary & Wine
  • Cultural
  • Cycling & Biking
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Sailing
  • Photography

Destinations

Activities

  • Culture
  • Cycling
  • Nature
  • Photography
  • Sailing
  • Short Cruise
  • Wine Tasting
  • Guided Group

Min Group Size

  • Min Group Size: 10

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 24

Trip includes

    • Custom VBT Bike and Helmet
    • Two Local, Bilingual Trip Leaders
    • Support Vehicle
    • Luggage Transportation
    • Ride with GPS and Daily Route Notes
    • Welcome Reception
    • Facilitated Cultural Experiences
    • Your Choice of VBT Branded Gear for Your Adventure

Itinerary

Travel Map
DAY 1: Lyon / Embark ship

You are responsible for making your own way to Lyon, France, to meet your trip leaders and fellow travelers. Please note that you cannot embark before 12:30 p.m. as the ship is being prepared for you. If you fly to Lyon Airport, the flight arrival must be no later tha...

DAY 2: Chalon-sur-Saône / Burgundy vineyards / Visit Beaune

After cruising north along the picturesque Saône River, dock at Chalon-sur-Saône, where the river meets the Canal du Centre. You are in the heart of Burgundy, where more than 4,500 family-run wineries produce world-renowned wines in the Côtes de Beaune. Disembark to r...

DAY 3: Lyon city walking / Afternoon loop to nature reserve

Arrive back in Lyon this morning as you’re enjoying breakfast on board. Then disembark for a city tour of France’s gastronomic capital renowned for its coq au vin, or chicken with wine, and quenelles de brochet, or mousse of pike. The heart of the 2,000-year-old city ...

DAY 4: Tournon

Begin today with a ride along the Rhône, following the renowned Via Rhôna bike trail. When complete, this remarkable pathway will take cyclists from Geneva, Switzerland, all the way to the Mediterranean Sea, passing spectacular riverscapes, pretty villages in the typi...

DAY 5: Viviers

Disembark in Viviers, a historic town on the Rhône, you return to the scenic bike paths of the Via Rhôna and cycle toward Bourg-Saint-Andéol, home to handsome patrician houses, churches, chapels, and grand clerical residences. The second part of the ride leads you pas...

DAY 6: Avignon / Bike to Villeneuve-lès-Avignon

You dock early this morning in Avignon, the legendary City of Popes where the papacy was centered for 70 years in the 14th century. After breakfast on board, set out on a walking tour of this magnificent and historic city. Marvel at the mighty Palais des Papes, the Pa...

DAY 7: Arles / Bike to Pont du Gard / Farewell dinner

Begin the day with a morning walk to the magnificent old town of Arles with your trip leaders. Then board a 45-minute shuttle to the spectacularly preserved Pont de Gard. A UNESCO World Heritage site, this 2,000-year-old Roman aqueduct once transported water 31 miles ...

DAY 8: Disembark / VBT Bicycling Vacation ends

After breakfast, say goodbye to your ship crew and trip leaders as your tour ends. It is important that you disembark ship no later than 9:00 a.m. The Gare d’Arles train station is across the pier, a three-minute walk. Taxis will be available for transportation to the...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $6,245
Price per day$781
Last Updated: 11/21/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with VBT Bicycling Vacations.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

VBT Bicycling Vacations Reviews & Ratings

4.9/5  Excellent
Excellent
579
Great
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Average
11
Disappointing
4
Terrible
3
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Tour Operator

VBT Bicycling Vacations

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Since 1971, VBT has crafted immersive and authentic biking vacations for active travelers. When you travel with VBT, you’re not just another tourist—you’re a traveler. With us, you’ll experience your destination with the help of a local, bilingual trip leader with a passion for sharing their home with you. You’ll eat in local restaurants, stay in accommodations that have been family-owned for generations and cycle through vineyards, olive groves, and medieval villages. 


With VBT, you won’t just visit a place—you’ll immerse yourself in it. You might follow a centuries-old pasta recipe while taking a cooking class in Rome—or learn a folk dance in Croatia, followed by sharing a bottle of locally-produced Grk wine with your new friends. Exploring the world on two wheels lets you experience your surroundings on a deeper level.

 

VBT offers exceptional value without compromising on quality. Simply put, no other US-based active travel company offers an experience this rich for such a reasonable price. On our tours, you can see more sights, have more local experiences, and enjoy more delicious, authentic meals—all while staying in high-quality, boutique hotels and charming, family-run inns.

 

All you have to do is show up at the airport—we’ll handle the rest! From tour consultants who help you find the perfect vacation to expert local trip leaders who show you the best place for gelato, we take care of all the little details that make your trip memorable. We book your flights, arrange all your transportation and accommodations, and move your luggage between hotels. Our support vans are available to give you a lift up a hill or quickly fix a flat tire. VBT takes care of your travel details and creates unique itineraries so you can relax and enjoy your small-group vacation from start to finish.

 

Friendly camaraderie, cultural immersion, and casual comforts are the hallmarks of our vacations. Discover delightful people, beautiful hotels, foreign cultures, and fascinating lifestyles that will enrich your life and provide memories for years to come.

What they’re known for
VBT Cycling are renowned for offering exceptional guided and self-guided bicycle tours worldwide.

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Logistics

Accommodation

7 nights aboard a deluxe river ship

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included

21 meals: 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners

Age Requirements
13 to 80 years
Additional Information

On Shore: This tour offers easy riverside terrain, with a few climbs to reach riverside towns. Riding is primarily on bike paths of both pavement and packed gravel, with some road riding through both urban and rural areas. Our VBT support shuttle is available every day at designated points for those who need assistance.

On Board Ship: Your group of up to 24 VBT guests will be part of a larger group on board our 132-passenger river cruise ship. Every day will include your choice of exclusive VBT activities and opportunities to join others. While in port, your ship may be docked adjacent to other ships. This means you may walk through other ships while boarding or disembarking, and some views may be obstructed while in port.

Daily Mileage: 9 - 41 miles| Biking: 1 - 4 hours| Group Size: 24

Trip ID
vbt-vbt-FrBi

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