Provence in summer looks like a postcard: rows of lavender to the horizon, a turquoise canyon in white rock, honey-colored villages on the hills. The trouble is everyone has seen the same postcard. A motorbike changes that: you park in thirty seconds, take the back road no one knows, and roll out at seven when the light is best.
A note for visitors from the US
France rides on the right, just like home, and a US license with an International Driving Permit is what you'll want for the rental. If a manual bike isn't your thing, an automatic scooter like the Piaggio Liberty handles the whole loop. Distances are short: you're never more than an hour from the next view.
The lavender fields of Valensole and Sault
Valensole is the region's largest stretch of lavender. Timing is everything: it blooms mid-June to mid-July, peaking between late June and early July; Sault, higher up, runs early July into mid-August. Since 2026 has been a hot year, check a bloom report the week you travel. The buses arrive around ten, so leave Aix early. A 125 is enough; a trail like the Honda NX500 makes the connecting roads easier.
The Verdon Gorge
An hour away, the Verdon carved Europe's largest canyon, up to 2,300 feet deep. The highlight is the Route des Crêtes from La Palud-sur-Verdon: about 14 miles, fifteen overlooks, one of the finest rides in France. Below sits the turquoise Lac de Sainte-Croix; above, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. Ride it early or late. The terrain wants a capable trail like the Yamaha Ténéré 700 or the Honda Transalp.
The Luberon and its hilltop villages
West again for the Luberon's stone villages: Gordes on its rocky spur, Sénanque Abbey in front of its lavender field, Roussillon's ochre cliffs, and the ridge roads linking Bonnieux, Ménerbes and Lacoste. Arrive before nine to beat the crowds (really, that's a must). Narrow roads and switchbacks suit even a nimble scooter or an easy 125cc.
How to do it
Pick up on your own in minutes at Aix-en-Provence, Avignon or Marseille. From an automatic scooter to a roadster or adventure bike, there's a ride to match your plan.
Browse and book: full catalogue.
