©Child On His Bike In Winter 1|Yan Krukau

Saddle up!

Brrr, it stings! That's it, winter is here!

As always, I start the new year with a whole raft of good resolutions, one of which is to take up sport. As it happens, I’m the mum of a little stuntman who loves cycling, even when the Mistral is blowing a gale, so I’ve got no more excuses….

Chloé Mariani

A native of Avignon and very attached to my city, I've been working at the Tourist Office for the past fifteen years. Passionate about culture and food, I love to share my tips, favorites and discoveries with you!

Cycling in winter? Of course you can!

If, like me, you’re more of a sofa/TV/plaid person than a two-wheeler rider, winter and cycling are not mutually exclusive! There are, however, a few good practices to adopt, notably favouring short outings at the best times of the day and being perfectly well equipped. After all, nothing can make a cycling trip more unpleasant than the cold. That’s why it’s vital to know how to dress properly and follow a few simple rules: wear plenty of underlays, protect yourself from the damp and choose good gloves. If you’re a toddler, don’t forget an ear muff to prevent ear infections.

Once you’ve found your motivation,Avignon is the ideal destination for discovering Provence by bike: just an hour from the mythical Giant of Provence – Mont Ventoux – and at the crossroads of two international cycle routes. The city also offers a number of cycle routes for exploring the heritage and natural sites close to the city centre. I’d like to take you on a “leisurely” tour in the winter sunshine.

Barthelasse Island

Avignon’s green lung! Europe’s largest river island has a 13 km (1h30) itinerary in a privileged natural setting close to the historic centre. It’s the ideal place to take a deep breath of fresh air and greenery. We often go there for family outings. My little boy loves going there on the free river shuttle (from mid-February), it’s great fun!

We stroll along the towpath and enjoy the exceptional view of the Pont d’Avignon. And if the sun is shining, we can have a snack on one of the many lawns. Along the way, you may be lucky enough to come across hedgehogs, shrews, weasels and badgers, dormice and beavers… The island is an exceptional biodiversity reserve for many protected species. For gourmets, you can buy local produce at La Reboule farm and visit the Manguin distillery.

Bike rides

Another idea for a walk is the Canal Walk, an 8km round trip linking the city centre to the city’s largest park, Parc Chico Mendes. This car-free route is ideal for families.

Bike ride

The canal path

A fun, family-friendly walk from the town centre to the Parc Chico Mendès!

The Chemin des canaux, a greenway linking the inner city to Montfavet, is the creation of a soft mobility link along the banks of the Canal de Vaucluse.

Water, canals and roubines are fundamental elements of Avignon’s heritage. The canal system has forged the area’s landscape and economic identity, as well as its prosperity.
The Canal de Vaucluse was used to drain the marshy areas of the Sorgue plain, creating new land for farming. It runs from Le Thor to the Rhône via Avignon.
The canals have brought wealth and prosperity to our region for 10 centuries, and have forged its identity over the years.

Distance: approx. 8 km (return)
Departure point: Avignon Tourist Office
Duration: 30 minutes
Difficulty: Very easy – wide cycle path along the ramparts, greenway following the provisional route of the Via Rhôna from the Chemin de l’Epi.