Explore the Alpilles, a mountainous massif in Provence, on a 3-day gravel cycling trip. Explore the sun-drenched, rolling landscapes of this region, winding through vineyards and olive groves.
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3 days and 3 nights, from €1190
Tucked away in Provence, the Alpilles are known for jaw-dropping rocky ridgelines rising up from the Rhone valley, standing above rolling hills and valleys dotted with fields of vines and olive groves as far as the eye can see. Heaven on a bike… which luckily is the best way to explore the Provençal scenery!
Their authentic and preserved landscapes provide a unique setting that blends wild nature with Provençal culture. With its varied and peaceful trails, it’s an ideal destination to recharge away from the crowds, accompanied by the song of the cicadas.
Join one of our small group trips, with others of similar levels also in search of a getaway. You can also create your own private group from just 6 people…get in touch now!
Why GravelUp?
Expert guides to help you explore an authentic Provence, and be immersed in the rich local culture.
Awesome gravel routes built from local knowledge with fun and exploration in mind.
Super comfy accommodation and gourmet meals.
High end bike hire, with traditional and electric options.
⟶ Check out our bikes here.
You can find out more about our other destinations in our Trip Directory here.
By booking with us, you also do good for our planet!
Ride the superb gravel trails of the Alpilles with us, and enjoy 3 days of riding from our Basecamp in the heart of Provence. A hidden gem in the South of France, with striking and varied landscapes.
What to expect? With over 180km of trails to explore, the typically Provencal landscapes are a dream to ride on a gravel bike. Lavender fields and wooded hillsides dotted with vineyards and olive groves, the varied landscapes are perfect for the full immersion in nature that only a gravel bike can give. A huge variety of trails means that theres something for everyone, whatever your level or experience - smooth tracks, technical trails and challenging climbs if you’d like! Around every corner there will be jaw dropping landscapes to distract from your efforts, and local culture and delicacies to fuel your ride.
Our Basecamp is in the beautiful Mouriès, a fortified medieval village in the heart of the Alpilles, just a stones throw from Baux de Provence. We stay in a fort that has grown from an ancient Roman villa and surrounded by a couple hundred hectares of olive groves and woodland. Comfy and authentic in a blissfully peaceful setting, we’ll explore some of the best gravel trails right from the door. Not forgetting the delicious local cuisine from the kitchen and large pool for you to relax in after a great days riding, it’s a little slice of heaven that you won’t want to leave!
But it’s not just about the bike… we have complementary yoga and meditation for you to enjoy off the bike, with relaxation and recovery as important as each day’s riding efforts. We will visit wine cellars (Mas de la Dame) as well as typical Provençal villages (Baux de Provence). You will taste local specialties such as artisanal cheeses and regional wines. These experiences combine relaxation and discovery for a complete immersion in the region.
All our guides are super passionate about all things Gravel. Just as comfortable on the bike as off it in the workshop, they are best placed to show you all the sights of their local area and more. Stories and shared experiences, in a fabulous location, with great company. They are on hand to ensure your trip is everything you want it to be, and more.
Languages spoken - French and English.
Safety is our priority, and our guides will help with technique and tips to ensure you can ride the (sometimes rough!) trails with confidence.
In Mouriès, at the heart of the Alpilles and just 10 kilometres from Les Baux de Provence, lies the Château de Servanes, a family estate that was built in the early 18th century on the ruins of a Roman villa. Surrounded by 200 hectares of olive groves and woodland, this bastide exudes the warm atmosphere of homes from the past, with a restaurant offering refined cuisine that blends olive oil from the estate with fresh, local ingredients.
On-site, in addition to your guide, you’ll be supported by our GravelUp destination manager, who will ensure you have everything you need and take care of all logistics and support, so you can fully enjoy your stay.
We have both traditional and electric high end gravel bikes available to rent in Ventoux from our bike partner Origine. Extra price: €60/day for a non eBike, €80/day for an eBike. supplement to be added during your registration process).
Repeatedly voted Gravel Bikes of the Year, you can choose between the carbon framed Graxx (weighing only 8.1kg) or the Help eBike (not much more at 12kg). Both combine performance and versatility in a lightweight frame so that you can have faith your steed throughout the trip.
Note : Origine is offering you the first day's hire of your bike, fully refunded if you decide to buy a Graxx or Help afterwards. It's the perfect opportunity to try out these bikes for real before making a potential purchase.
Find out more about our bikes
This trip is suited for occasional cyclists.
This trip is for you if:
You engage in physical activity at least twice a week.
You are able to undertake bike rides of at least 4 hours (at a leisurely pace).
By train: Avignon TGV station - shuttle service provided by GravelUp between the station and accommodation.
By car: Head directly to our base camp in Mouriès.
As soon as you arrive, our team will take care of you and drive you directly to our base camp, where you can begin your disconnection.
Equipment
Yes, our trips will go on paths and small roads where neither road bikes nor mountain bikes will be suitable.
You can bring your own gravel bike or hire one from ours. Our well specced bikes with tubeless tires means a much lower risk of punctures and mechanical problems during your trip.
Level
We have 3 levels of expeditions - you can find them on this page HERE by clicking on the "Compare the levels" link. These levels have been designed to enable as many people as possible to join one of our trips. Our expeditions are adventures, not races. We start together and we finish together, it's the GravelUp speed.
If, however, you are still unsure, you can write to us at bonjour@gravelup.earth and we will contact you to help you assess your level. We can also help you prepare for your adventure, just ask us.
Safety
Our guides are carefully chosen based on their experience and local knowledge of each region to guarantee you an unforgettable adventure. All our guides have French State validated bike qualifications. They are also French levels 1 and 2 first aid trained as you would expect.
Booking
You can change the date of your trip free of charge up to 30 days before departure. You can also cancel at any time before the start of the trip subject to payment of a cancellation fee. If the cancellation occurs:
More than 90 days prior to Departure => Receive a Refund of 75% of all payments already made (including deposits) OR a Trip Credit of 100%
Between 61 and 90 days prior to Departure => Receive a Refund of 50% of all payments already made (including deposits) OR a Trip Credit of 75%
Between 31 and 60 days prior to Departure => Receive a Refund of 25% of all payments already made (including deposits) OR a Trip Credit of 75%
30 days or less prior to Departure => No Refund OR Trip Credit of 50%
Please note that a Trip Credit cannot be converted to a refund at a later date.
To protect yourself against last minute cancellation, we advise you to subscribe to our cancellation insurance through our partner Chapka insurance, with a guarantee which also covers you in case of contracting the Covid-19. Please note that such insurance can only be subscribed within 48 hours following the order of your trip. Subscription link available here.
Important: the realisation of the trip is conditional on the registration of a minimum number of participants to guarantee the departure. We commit ourselves to confirm a trip at the latest 30 days before the departure date. In the event that the trip cannot take place because the minimum number of participants is not reached, you will be reimbursed for any sums paid but will not be entitled to any compensation. You will be informed by email whether or not a trip is confirmed.
An unforgettable trip! Breathtaking scenery, but above all, flawless organization with attention to every detail. The atmosphere was incredibly friendly, and the shared experiences were truly enriching.
Pierre R.
My first gravel trip with the GravelUp team, and it was like stepping out of time. The atmosphere was super friendly, with no competitive spirit, just stunning and varied routes. Some were challenging, but always manageable, and the support was outstanding. No one was left behind, we all rode together as a group.
Jean-Yves
A perfectly organized weekend, especially when it comes to logistics and support for the riders. Meals were ready, and even coffee breaks were set up at key points along the route planned by the guide.
The guide, recruited by GravelUp for the weekend, knew the region inside out and adjusted the route based on the group’s abilities. Everyone, no matter their level, could enjoy the experience, and that was really appreciated.
What more can I say? It makes you want to do it all over again!
Arthur F.
An amazing experience, with great people and flawless organization! Honestly, I’ve rarely had such a fantastic time. I want to give a special shout-out to Colin for the incredible organization, and to our guide for the routes, his patience, and for sharing his passion for cycling.
André B.
An excellent experience with a top-notch team – friendly, skilled, and attentive to everyone’s needs. On top of that, we enjoyed ourselves every day, not just on the bike but also by tasting local specialties. In short, it was a dream come true.
Highly recommended!
Jacques B.
Join us for 3 days of gravel riding as we explore the stunning Alpilles Massif in Provence and its enchanting landscapes. During your bike trip, GravelUp takes care of everything to ensure an unforgettable experience: comfortable accommodation, delicious meals, support van, local guide, yoga sessions, and cultural visits.
All you need to do is pick your departure date and pack your gear for this memorable journey under the Provençal sun!
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