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 Gineste
Map
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: 235 km
Maximum elevation: 1893 m
Cumulative positive difference: 3980 m
The essentials:
- Montmirail’s Lace
- The Mont Ventoux
- The Luberon
- Aix en Provence
- Marseille
Bike in the heart of the Luberon
Mont Ventoux
Village of Lacoste, Luberon
Map
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/
Pdf map of Provence bike routes
3 Nîmes-Marseille: Camargues and Blue Coast
Train journey time: approx. 1h10
Cycling time: 1 day to 1 week
Distance:D istance: 178 km
Maximum elevation: 209 m
Cumulative positive difference: 850 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 and nice little towns
- Marseille
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
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: 262 km
Maximum Altitude: 1208 m
Cumulative positive difference: 3500 km
The essentials:
- Lower Verdon Gorge
- Cross Health Dam
- High gorges of the Verdon
- Var small towns
- Marseille
The gorges of the Verdon
Lake of St. Croix
Hermitage of the Holy Balm
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