French Riviera
France Bike Tours
A sun drenched bike tour along the Côte d’Azur
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length8 days
- Prices from€913 Rates
Overview
A bike tour in the French Riviera? Sounds elegant, charming, romantic, and sunny! Did you know that the Côte d'Azur (Azure Coast) has over 300 days of sun per year? Once the hotspot of the rich and famous, the allure of this captivating region goes far beyond that reputation.
This is an all-around stunning place with an aristocratic history, beautiful architecture, stunning beaches, limestone cliffs, and forests of oak and pine. Its clarity of light, vibrant colors, and temperate climate have inspired famous artists, writers, and thinkers, such as Picasso, Matisse, and F. Scott Fitzgerald. Your tour begins in Hyères - Plages on the peninsula of Giens, providing a relaxed rural start.
Throughout your cycling days, you will discover medieval towns, romantic and small fishing villages, and dreamy bays outlined by the turquoise blue of the sea. You will finish your French Riviera vacation in the fashionable metropolis of Nice, France's 5th largest city. Here, you can enjoy strolling the ochre-colored streets, the Promenade des Anglais, and world-famous beaches.
Highlights
- Old town of Hyères
- Porquerolles Island
- Le Lavandou and the old village of Bormes-les-Mimosas
- Antibes, the cultural heart of the Côte d' Azur
- Nice
- Provençal cuisine
- Sun, sun, and more sun!
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Itinerary
Day 1: Hyères - Plages
Day 2: Roundtrip around Hyères or cycle onward to Pierrefeu, 9 - 38 mi. (15-62 km)
Day 3: Porquerolles Island, 19 mi. (30 km)
Day 4: Roundtrip Le Lavandou, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 5: Train ride Hyères - Nice / Nice (day of rest)
Day 6: Nice, day or rest or city sightseeing by bike, 6 mi. (10 km)
Day 7: Roundtrip to Antibes, 25 to 31 mi. (40 to 50 km)
Day 8: DepartureAll distances are approximate. Due to circumstances beyond control, weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, along the way you may find temporary deviations/detours caused by roadwork, In this case, please follow the directions posted on site.
Day 1: Hyères - Plages
Individual arrival to your first hotel, located in close to the town of Hyères, close to the beach. Hyères-Plage is located 6km from the town of Hyères and consists of a sand beach on the border of pine woods. It is among the numerous seaside resorts located in the vicinity either on the coast or on the offshore islands, collectively called the Hyères.Day 2: Roundtrip around Hyères or cycle onward to Pierrefeu, 9 - 38 mi. (15-62 km)
The medieval old town with its narrow alleys and colorful houses is small, charming, and typically French. A special highlight is the Villa Noailles, built in the 1920s for a French patron of arts, this example of the modern architectural heritage is now an art center of national interest and presents exhibitions, festivals, and workshops. Picasso, Giacometti, and Jean Cocteau all spent time at Villa Noailles. The mansion has an awesome setting, near the highest point of the town, and boasts a Cubist Garden and lovely views all around. If vistas are your thing, you can also visit the medieval ruins of Château d'Hyères which dates to around the 1000s. Nestled on a hilltop, the landscapes here are exceptional and there are special platforms from where you can gaze out over the wooded Maurettes hills to the north. Alternatively, those that want some distance can cycle through the remote hilly hinterland on tiny country roads to the small village of Pierrefeu in the middle of the "Côte de Provence" wine growing area and through endless vineyards back to Hyères. Though known by tourist as a hotspot, Hyères also lies at the center of a rich agricultural area, where fruits and flowers are grown and wine is producedDay 3: Porquerolles Island, 19 mi. (30 km)
Are you ready for paradise? It awaits! At the harbor, La Tour Fondue, you (and your bike) will enjoy a 10-minute boat ride away from the coast to this magical island world with white sand beaches, limestone cliffs, and forests of oak and pine. (Ferry tickets are not included and may be purchased on the spot). 80% of the island is part of the Parc National de Port-Cros, and was once privately owned. The island is car-free, characterized by olive plantations and vineyards, drenched in sun, and infused with romance, your bike is the best way to explore. Well worth visiting are the beach of Notre Dam, Fort Sainte Agathe, built in the 14th century, and the lighthouse. The interior of the island has several paths shaded by Eucalyptus trees that make for a lovely scented hike.Day 4: Roundtrip Le Lavandou, 31 mi. (50 km)
Via well-developed cycle paths, you bike over the old saltworks, past vineyards, and olive groves with the sea as your constant companion to the fishing village of Le Lavandou, at the foot of the Moorish massif. With a little perseverance or by e-bike, you can take a detour inland up to the old village of Bormes-les-Mimosas, built into the hills. The streets are steep, many with built-in steps. and cobblestones. The bright Provencal pastel houses and little squares add to the charm.Day 5: Train ride Hyères - Nice / Nice (day of rest)
Today you will not only change your hotel, but you will also find yourself in a whole new world. From the unspoiled coast, you travel by train (included) to the charming capital of the Côte d’Azur, Nice. Elegant, simple, graceful, city of art and culture, this has always been a hot spot for the world's elite.Day 6: Nice, day of rest or city sightseeing by bike, 6 mi. (10 km)
In the morning you have the opportunity to take part in an interesting city tour by bike (optional) or explore on your own by bike or on foot. The Principality of Monaco is only 25 minutes away by train.Optional city tour by bike
You will enjoy a unique perspective of the city, different from the typical tourist experience. It’s an introduction to "the Best of Nice" on roads that are mostly flat and smooth. There is one hill climb to climb up to Chateau Hill, where you’ll experience breathtaking panoramic views of Nice. The pace of the tour is very relaxed. Daily departures are offered April 15 to October 15 beginning at 10 am.
Duration: 2.5 hours
Price: €38Day 7: Roundtrip to Antibes, 25 to 31 mi. (40 to 50 km)
The famous Promenade des Anglais, one of France's best known and iconic seafronts, takes you along the Mediterranean coast to Antibes. Be sure to visit the Old Town, surrounded by 16th-century ramparts and crisscrossed in a maze of ancient streets. Some call it the cultural heart of the Côte d' Azur. Visit the Musée Picasso, formerly the Grimaldi Castle, where Picasso worked for two months drawing and painting, many of which he left for the city. for its splendid artwork, sculpture terrace, and breathtaking views of the Mediterranean.Day 8: Departure
Official end of tour, but you will not want to depart. Be sure to stock up on Provençal specialties at the famous market, Cours Saleya and drink a café au lait before you start your return journey. Or, extend your tour. Nice and the surroundings have a lot to offer and the sun and beaches beckon.You can view all of our bike tours in Europe or look at our featured bike trips, specials, and news.
Map
Hotels & Bikes
Accommodations
On this tour, you will be accommodated in two hotels. In Hyères, the preferred hotel is Hotel La Potiniere, located next to Port de Plaisance, facing Porquerolles island, featuring its own private beach. Decorated in typical Provençal style the guest rooms are functional, comfortable, and peaceful. Many rooms feature a balcony or terrace with a sea view and free Wi-fi. In Nice, the preferred hotel is Hotel Villa Rivoli, a privately-run villa in a 19th Century Belle Époque Building in the historic center, just a short walk from the beaches and Promenades des Anglais. All rooms feature flatscreen TV and free Wi-fi. Some have a balcony and a view of the garden and the surrounding area. Please note, and this is very important, hotel accommodations are based on availability and the above hotels are provided to you as an example of the level of accommodations used on this tour.
Bicycles
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodation for 7 nights with breakfast (4 nights on the Giens Peninsula & 3 nights in Nice)
- 1 train ride: Hyères – Nice
- 1 transfer from the hotel in Hyères Plage to the train station
- 21-speed hybrid touring bike with an aluminum frame, upright riding position, equipped with comfort gel saddles, mudguards, &Schwalbe Marathon puncture-resistant tires
- Bike accessories: One Ortlieb pannier (20 liters), repair kit, helmet, and lock
- Route book, maps, and tourist information material (one set per room)
- 7-day service hotline
What’s Not Included
- Lunches & dinners
- 1 roundtrip boat ride La Tour Fondue – Porquerolles & back (approx. €30)
- Bike Protection
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
Daily arrivals are possible between March 1 to October 31, 2024
Season 1: March 1 to March 31, 2024
Season 2: October 1 to October 31, 2024
Season 3: April 1 to May 31, 2024
Season 4: June 1 to June 30 | September 1 to September 30, 2024Arrivals during the summer, July and August are not possible.
Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
2024
Regular room
Season 1 Season 2 Season 3 Season 4 Double/twin $ 1518 £ 801 $ 1,373 € 913 kr 140068 ₪ 3742 ¥ 156374 Mex$ 16844 NZ$ 1668 NOK 10884 zł 4011 S$ 1360 kr 10905 $ 1,004 $ 1767 £ 933 $ 1,598 € 1063 kr 163080 ₪ 4357 ¥ 182066 Mex$ 19611 NZ$ 1942 NOK 12672 zł 4669 S$ 1583 kr 12697 $ 1,169 $ 1834 £ 968 $ 1,659 € 1103 kr 169217 ₪ 4520 ¥ 188917 Mex$ 20349 NZ$ 2015 NOK 13149 zł 4845 S$ 1643 kr 13174 $ 1,213 $ 2033 £ 1073 $ 1,839 € 1223 kr 187627 ₪ 5012 ¥ 209470 Mex$ 22563 NZ$ 2234 NOK 14579 zł 5372 S$ 1822 kr 14608 $ 1,345 Single $ 2282 £ 1205 $ 2,064 € 1373 kr 210639 ₪ 5627 ¥ 235161 Mex$ 25330 NZ$ 2508 NOK 16367 zł 6031 S$ 2045 kr 16399 $ 1,510 $ 2532 £ 1337 $ 2,290 € 1523 kr 233651 ₪ 6242 ¥ 260852 Mex$ 28098 NZ$ 2782 NOK 18156 zł 6690 S$ 2269 kr 18191 $ 1,674 $ 2598 £ 1372 $ 2,350 € 1563 kr 239788 ₪ 6406 ¥ 267703 Mex$ 28836 NZ$ 2855 NOK 18632 zł 6866 S$ 2328 kr 18669 $ 1,718 $ 3047 £ 1609 $ 2,756 € 1833 kr 281210 ₪ 7512 ¥ 313948 Mex$ 33817 NZ$ 3348 NOK 21851 zł 8052 S$ 2730 kr 21894 $ 2,015 Seaview room in Hyeres
Season 1 Season 2 Season 3 Season 4 Double/twin $ 1601 £ 845 $ 1,448 € 963 kr 147739 ₪ 3947 ¥ 164938 Mex$ 17766 NZ$ 1759 NOK 11480 zł 4230 S$ 1434 kr 11502 $ 1,059 $ 1933 £ 1021 $ 1,749 € 1163 kr 178422 ₪ 4766 ¥ 199193 Mex$ 21456 NZ$ 2124 NOK 13864 zł 5109 S$ 1732 kr 13891 $ 1,279 $ 2000 £ 1056 $ 1,809 € 1203 kr 184558 ₪ 4930 ¥ 206044 Mex$ 22194 NZ$ 2197 NOK 14341 zł 5284 S$ 1792 kr 14369 $ 1,323 $ 2199 £ 1161 $ 1,989 € 1323 kr 202968 ₪ 5422 ¥ 226597 Mex$ 24408 NZ$ 2416 NOK 15771 zł 5812 S$ 1971 kr 15802 $ 1,455 Single $ 2449 £ 1293 $ 2,215 € 1473 kr 225980 ₪ 6037 ¥ 252289 Mex$ 27175 NZ$ 2690 NOK 17560 zł 6470 S$ 2194 kr 17594 $ 1,619 $ 3047 £ 1609 $ 2,756 € 1833 kr 281210 ₪ 7512 ¥ 313948 Mex$ 33817 NZ$ 3348 NOK 21851 zł 8052 S$ 2730 kr 21894 $ 2,015 $ 3113 £ 1644 $ 2,816 € 1873 kr 287346 ₪ 7676 ¥ 320799 Mex$ 34555 NZ$ 3421 NOK 22328 zł 8228 S$ 2790 kr 22371 $ 2,059 $ 3562 £ 1881 $ 3,222 € 2143 kr 328768 ₪ 8783 ¥ 367043 Mex$ 39536 NZ$ 3914 NOK 25547 zł 9414 S$ 3192 kr 25596 $ 2,356 Extra Options
Electric bike rental $ 133 £ 70 $ 120 € 80 kr 12273 ₪ 328 ¥ 13702 Mex$ 1476 NZ$ 146 NOK 954 zł 351 S$ 119 kr 956 $ 88 City bike tour in Nice (Tuesdays and Fridays) $ 63 £ 33 $ 57 € 38 kr 5830 ₪ 156 ¥ 6508 Mex$ 701 NZ$ 69 NOK 453 zł 167 S$ 57 kr 454 $ 42 Extra night in Nice Season 1 Season 2, 3 & 4 Double/twin $ 158 £ 83 $ 143 € 95 kr 14574 ₪ 389 ¥ 16271 Mex$ 1753 NZ$ 174 NOK 1132 zł 417 S$ 142 kr 1135 $ 104 $ 198 £ 104 $ 179 € 119 kr 18256 ₪ 488 ¥ 20382 Mex$ 2195 NZ$ 217 NOK 1419 zł 523 S$ 177 kr 1421 $ 131 Single $ 274 £ 145 $ 248 € 165 kr 25313 ₪ 676 ¥ 28260 Mex$ 3044 NZ$ 301 NOK 1967 zł 725 S$ 246 kr 1971 $ 181 $ 341 £ 180 $ 308 € 205 kr 31450 ₪ 840 ¥ 35111 Mex$ 3782 NZ$ 374 NOK 2444 zł 901 S$ 305 kr 2449 $ 225 Extra night in Hyères Season 1 & 2 Season 3 Season 4 Double/twin $ 108 £ 57 $ 98 € 65 kr 9972 ₪ 266 ¥ 11133 Mex$ 1199 NZ$ 119 NOK 775 zł 286 S$ 97 kr 776 $ 71 $ 141 £ 75 $ 128 € 85 kr 13040 ₪ 348 ¥ 14558 Mex$ 1568 NZ$ 155 NOK 1013 zł 373 S$ 127 kr 1015 $ 93 $ 175 £ 92 $ 158 € 105 kr 16109 ₪ 430 ¥ 17984 Mex$ 1937 NZ$ 192 NOK 1252 zł 461 S$ 156 kr 1254 $ 115 Single $ 175 £ 92 $ 158 € 105 kr 16109 ₪ 430 ¥ 17984 Mex$ 1937 NZ$ 192 NOK 1252 zł 461 S$ 156 kr 1254 $ 115 $ 224 £ 118 $ 203 € 135 kr 20711 ₪ 553 ¥ 23122 Mex$ 2491 NZ$ 247 NOK 1609 zł 593 S$ 201 kr 1612 $ 148 $ 274 £ 145 $ 248 € 165 kr 25313 ₪ 676 ¥ 28260 Mex$ 3044 NZ$ 301 NOK 1967 zł 725 S$ 246 kr 1971 $ 181 Extra night in Hyères Seaview Season 1 & 2 Season 3 Season 4 Double/twin $ 125 £ 66 $ 113 € 75 kr 11506 ₪ 307 ¥ 12846 Mex$ 1384 NZ$ 137 NOK 894 zł 329 S$ 112 kr 896 $ 82 $ 163 £ 86 $ 147 € 98 kr 15035 ₪ 402 ¥ 16785 Mex$ 1808 NZ$ 179 NOK 1168 zł 430 S$ 146 kr 1171 $ 108 $ 208 £ 110 $ 188 € 125 kr 19177 ₪ 512 ¥ 21409 Mex$ 2306 NZ$ 228 NOK 1490 zł 549 S$ 186 kr 1493 $ 137 Single $ 224 £ 118 $ 203 € 135 kr 20711 ₪ 553 ¥ 23122 Mex$ 2491 NZ$ 247 NOK 1609 zł 593 S$ 201 kr 1612 $ 148 $ 293 £ 154 $ 265 € 176 kr 27001 ₪ 721 ¥ 30144 Mex$ 3247 NZ$ 321 NOK 2098 zł 773 S$ 262 kr 2102 $ 194 $ 366 £ 193 $ 331 € 220 kr 33751 ₪ 902 ¥ 37681 Mex$ 4059 NZ$ 402 NOK 2623 zł 966 S$ 328 kr 2628 $ 242 Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy
This self-guided bike tour in France based in two hotels is rated easy. Every cycling stage takes place on Asphalted cycle paths or side roads with very little traffic. Your daily distance can be adjusted to your level!
Airport Info
Fly to Nice (NCE) or Marseille (MRS)
Local Travel
There are direct TGV train connections between the city of Nice and Toulon and onward to Hyeres (approx. 2 hours) and regional trains as well. Travel time is from 2 1/2 to 3 hours. If you are coming directly from the airport, there are several bus services (some direct) that run to Hyères From Marseille Airport you can travel by bus and train to Hyères which takes approx. 2 1/2 hours with two transfers. Upon arrival to Hyères, please use a taxi service to arrive to your first hotel in Hyères Plage. You will be sent more detailed travel information before your tour.
Climate
Please check local conditions before your arrival. There are many good websites to use to research regional weather including average high/low temperatures, average rainfall, and more. The Côte d’Azur is protected by hills in the west and the Mercantour Alps in the northwest, meaning a mild Mediterranean climate year-round. This is an area known for its amount of sun per year. In March, well before the tourist season begins, the average high temperatures is 60° F. In June, before the peak of the season, the average high is 77° F. September and October are lovely as well with 77° and 70° F as the average high temps.
Day of Rest
This itinerary features one rest day but also roundtrip rides in which you can opt to stay off the bike and stroll the town or beaches.
Remarks
You will be receiving two different bike rentals on this tour. One in Hyères, and the other in Nice.
Important to know
DOCUMENTS
Before you travel, please check the passport and visa requirements of the country/countries you plan to visit. For US citizens, the US Department of State website is a good source of information. The Country Information tab in the International Travel section provides details about passport validity, blank passport pages required, etc.
*Important note: Please check the status of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) as once implemented, will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.
Extra Stay
We are confident that you will want to book extra nights either before or after your tour!
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Rad und Reisen.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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