Top 4 Bike-train routes from Marseille

Here we offer a selection of bicycle tours from Marseille and accessible by train in the Paca region.

The latter offers a superb playground

These itineraries are given as an indication and open the way to many variations.

The advantage of taking the train is not being forced to make a loop that limits the field of action. And starting from Marseille, the destinations are not lacking…

St Charles train station

Ter Line Blue Coast

Bike Train

Map of the TER Paca Network

Note that the topos of these itineraries as well as their variants are available on request.

We also propose to organize your stay to the map: lodgings, bicycles of hiking or electric, ATV, free or accompanied,…

1-Nice Marseille: French Riviera and Hinterland Varois

Train journey time: About 2:30

Cycling time: 1 day to 1 week

Distance: 253.7 km

Maximum elevation: 748 m

Cumulative positive difference: 3946 m

The essentials:

  • The Corniche of the Esterel between Théoule sur Mer and St Raphael
  • The Massif des Maures between Grimaud and Collobrières
  • The chain of the Ste Baume
  • The road to the George

Cornice of the Esterel

Collobrières

Descent Col de la George

Map

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Three Day itinerary Suggestion

Day 1: Nice-Sainte Maxime

Distance: 92 km Altitude: + 410 m

On this first stage, one crosses at first the urban areas by the sea, starting of course by the promenade of the English

Then from Cannes la Boca, the coast is wilder. We then follow the sea all the time.

The Corniche between Théoule and Saint Raphael is superb with many coves and small beaches that invite to bathing stops.

Then you enter the Golf of Frejus then of St Tropez

Possible detour to Cap d'antibes, to the botanical garden of the Villa de Thurt, to the peak of the bear in the Esterel for the most courageous, the almost it of Saint Tropez

Day 2: Sainte Maxime-Hostellerie de la Sainte Baume

Distance: 100 km Altitude: + 410 m

We leave the seaside and the Côte d'azur for the hinterland Varois and the Massif des Maures.

The atmosphere is very different. Much read wild and Woody with de'immenses forests of oak cork and green.

The terrain is also much more hilly.

A detour to the magnificent Chartreuse de Verne is possible from the cross of Anselme.

At the end of a beautiful descent, you reach the small vllage of Collobrières conducive to the raviraillement and the lunch break.

Leaving the village you quickly arrive in the Cuers wine-growing plain which is quickly crossed for Replombger in a vast forest area.

The foothills of the Holy Balm are not far away.

At the foot of the Rrocheuse bar which houses chapel and oratory, there is an inn open to the public within the monastery.

Day 3: Hostellerie de la Sainte Baume-Marseille

Distance: 70 km Altitude: + 600 m

We start the day on the plateu of the Holy balm that we go down under the peak of Bertagne.

Before arriving at the pretty village of Gemenos, you can stop at the old Abbey of St Pons, well rehabilitated.

We then cross the Fetile plain of Aubagne towards Carnoux and then Cassis. The Detour by Levillage and the cove of Port Miou is strongly recommended.

Attention however to the difficult ascent to reach the wheel of the George. Once past the pass of the same name it remains only to let itself slip to Marseille.

2-Orange-Marseille: Côtes du Rhone, Ventoux, Luberon and Aix country

Train journey time: approx. 1h30

Cycling time: 1 day to 1 week

Distance:D istance: 214.3 km

Maximum elevation: 1893 m

Cumulative positive difference: 4159 m

The essentials:

  • Montmirail's Lace
  • The Mont Ventoux
  • The Luberon
  • Aix en Provence
  • Star Massif

Bike in the heart of the Luberon

Mont Ventoux

Village of Lacoste, Luberon

Map

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The Luberon Cycling route network

The variants are not lacking on this route especially in the Luberon.

The network of small roads is very dense. As the altitude is quite low, these routes are accessible.

Information and maps: https://www.provence-a-velo.fr/

3 Nîmes-Marseille: Camargues and Blue Coast

Train journey time: approx. 1h10

Cycling time: 1 day to 1 week

Distance:D istance: 195 km

Maximum elevation: 209 m

Cumulative positive difference: 668 m

The essentials:

  • Nîmes and its bullring
  • The small Camargue and its wine landscape
  • Aigues Mortes and the Holy Mary of the Sea
  • The beaches and Salines of Camargues
  • Martigues between Leo's Pond and the sea
  • The Blue coast of Cape Crown at the Estae

Important Information

There are two ferry crossings on the itinerary:

  • Ferry of Barcarin between the sound of Giraud and Port Saint Louis du Rhône
  • Ferry from the wild that crosses the small Rhone between Aigues Morte and Sainte Marie de la Mer.

Part of the itinerary takes place on tracks. A bike type hike, gravel, travel, trekking or cyclo will do the trick rather than a road bike.

The arenas of Nîmes

The Camargue

Village of Lacoste, Luberon

Map

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Network of cycling routes and hiking in camargues

The Camargue is the paradise of the family bike.

A large network of small roads and trails makes it possible to vary the routes. It is therefore easy to go from the vine to the north to the beaches of the south, passing through the sansouires and the salt marshes.

Attention however to the wind, the mosquitoes and the sun especially in the summer for the latter.

Information and maps: https://www.provence-a-velo.fr/

4 Manosque-Marseille: Sainte Croix Lake, Verdon Gorge and Var

Train journey time: approx. 1h30

Duration by bike: 2 days to 1 week

Distance:D istance: 250 km

Maximum Altitude: 1208 m

Cumulative positive difference: 3600 km

The essentials:

  • Lower Verdon Gorge
  • Cross Health Dam
  • High gorges of the Verdon
  • Saint Balm
  • The beaches and Salines of Camargues
  • Star Massif

Important Information

There are two ferry crossings on the itinerary:

  • Ferry of Barcarin between the sound of Giraud and Port Saint Louis du Rhône
  • Ferry from the wild that crosses the small Rhone between Aigues Morte and Sainte Marie de la Mer.

Part of the itinerary takes place on tracks. A bike type hike, gravel, travel, trekking or cyclo will do the trick rather than a road bike.

The gorges of the Verdon

Lake of St. Croix

Hermitage of the Holy Balm

Map

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Network of cycling routes and hiking in camargues

The Camargue is the paradise of the family bike.

A large network of small roads and trails makes it possible to vary the routes. It is therefore easy to go from the vine to the north to the beaches of the south, passing through the sansouires and the salt marshes.

Attention however to the wind, the mosquitoes and the sun especially in the summer for the latter.

Information and maps: https://www.provence-a-velo.fr/