Cycling in Luberon
8 days / 7 nights
Location: Provence (Avignon, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Cairanne, Vaison-la-Romaine, Mollans-sur-Ouvèze, Puyméras, Séguret, Gigondas, Beaumes-de-Venise, Bédoin, Pernes-Les-Fontaines, Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Cabrières d’Avignon, Gordes and Roussillon)
Price: From 2,695€
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* Click right arrow in photo to continue reading the itinerary *
Highlights
Beginning in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and through the heart of a sea of vines, we cycle gently from village to village to village, remaining off the beaten track. Our route takes us to the Roman town of Vaison-la-Romaine, home to France's largest Roman archaeological site.
Small country roads then lead us to the foot of Provence's highest peak: Mont Ventoux. We'll tackle the upper slopes to the very summit (optional), where a 360° panorama includes the entire chain of the Alps. We then head southbound to the Luberon Mountains, whose stunning and colorful villages are perched high above the Calavon valley. It's a cycling holiday of contrasting countryside and local encounters, in one of the world's top cycling locations.- Cycling through the famous vineyard of Châteauneuf-du-Pape
- Cycling to the summit of Mont Ventoux (optional)
- The Roman ruins and medieval village of Vaison-la-Romaine & its famous market
- The vineyards & cherries blanketing the foot of the Ventoux
- The famous hilltop villages of the Luberon: Gordes, Roussillon
- The quaint town of Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and its famous market & antiques
- Excellent accommodation throughout the holiday
♦ Level 2 cycling: the longest day is 45 km, which is about 3 hours of cycling time. There will be some climbing along the way, especially to hilltop villages. None of the grades are extremely steep but the climbs last a few kilometers. You can always dismount and walk for these sections: there is no hurry. Some bike riding experience is helpful to make the most of this holiday.
Day 1: The Popes of Avignon
Your Luberon cycling tour begins at 6:00pm , meeting with your guide in the heart of Avignon, city of the Popes.
Explore the 14th century Gothic palace that once served as home to the papacy, the old walls that still remain intact and circle Avignon completely, and the 12th century Pont d’Avignon that today spans only partway over the mighty Rhône. Enjoy a traditional and authentic Provencal meal in Avignon with your group.
Night in the heart of the old city.
Day 2: The vineyards of the Côtes du Rhône
Châteauneuf-du-Pape > Cairanne > Vaison-la-Romaine (42 km, +300m / -200m)
A short transfer by taxi whisks us away from the bustle of Avignon and to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the most prestigious of the Rhône Valley wine villages. With our trusty bikes, we take small country roads through a veritable sea of vines, taking the time to stop along the way and discuss everything wine-related. After all, we're cycling through the world's second largest vineyard.
After lunch we head eastward and climb ever-so-slightly, following the Ouvèze river, to Vaison-la-Romaine, our home for the next two nights. Our hotel is nestled in the heart of the medieval village, while the new town and Roman ruins are sprawled out in the plains.
Dinner at our hotel and night in Vaison-la-Romaine.
Day 3: Market day in Vaison-la-Romaine
Vaison-la-Romaine > Mollans-sur-Ouvèze > Puyméras > Vaison-la-Romaine (28 km, +300m/-300m)
It’s tuesday morning, market day in Vaison! The streets and squares are full with market stalls and bursting with fresh produce, spices, local specialties, and intricate Provencal crafts and textiles. We take the time to explore the market and pick up our picnic fare.
Our loop ride takes us along the banks of the Ouvèze river and past the sleepy village of Mollans-sur-Ouvèze. A short but steep climb leads us to our secluded picnic spot before a freewheeling descent to the village of Puyméras. Here we visit the local wineries and enjoy a wine-tasting of some of the local vintages.
Dinner is not included this evening but there are plenty of great options in town. Second night in Vaison-la-Romaine.
Day 4: From one wine-making village to another
Vaison-la-Romaine > Séguret > Gigondas > Beaumes de Venise > Bédoin (35 km, +450m/-350m)
The cycling tour continues to the medieval town of Séguret, listed among the most beautiful in France, offering you an opportunity to dismount and stroll along the old cobbled streets. The village of Gigondas isn’t much farther, world famous for its red wines, tucked under the imposing limestone cliffs of the Dentelles de Montmirail.
Pedalling into the village of Beaumes de Venise, the local specialty is naturally sweet white wines made from Muscat grapes, sipped in the shade with a single ice cube.
The picturesque back country roads lead you to the foot of Mont Ventoux, Provence’s highest peak. You reach the town of Bédoin, legendary for its role as the start of Tour de France climb. Rather than tackle the 22 km climb, arguably the hardest in France, you can check into your hotel, just outside Bédoin, hidden in the pine forest, where you can take a refreshing dip in the pool.
Dinner and night in Bédoin.
Day 5: Mont Ventoux, the Nesque Gorge and lavender fields
Bedoin > Transfer to the upper slopes of the Mont Ventoux > Mont Ventoux summit > Lavender fields of Sault > The Nesque Gorge > Bédoin (71 km, +700m/-1800m)
Don't be discouraged by the long distance covered today: it's mostly downhill. Or not: it's your choice! We've organized a transfer to take us to the upper slopes of the coveted Mont Ventoux, so that we only tackle the final 6km to the top. We soak up the incomparable ambiance of cycling on Mont Ventoux and test our legs on what is arguably the most arduous bike climb in France. Some of you may wish to complete the entire climb from the base, and others may wish to begin at the summit itself. Whichever your choice, we'll all be at the summit together, all of Provence at our feet, the entire chain of the Alps visible in the distance.
After an exhilarating descent along the eastern slopes, we reach the lavender fields of Sault. Looping back to the west, we cycle down the Nesque Gorge, a breathtaking canyon road whose gentle slopes hang vertiginously above the canyon, the narrow road winding through tunnels carved into the limestone.
We return to Bédoin for dinner included and a second night.
Day 6: To the Luberon mountains
Bédoin > Pernes-Les-Fontaines > Isle-sur-la-Sorgue > Cabrières d’Avignon (50 km, +100m/-300m)
Biking southward on gentle slopes downhill, we pass cherry orchards, truffle-oak plantations and muscat vineyards before reaching Pernes-les-Fontaines. A lively town, Pernes boasts 40 magnificent fountains, quaint village streets and squares.
Farther south we reach the town of l’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, real island of a village, entirely surrounded by the crystal clear waters of the Sorgue river. The quays are lined with waterwheels, cafés and antique shops, while the old heart of town boasts a labyrinth of tiny streets and squares to stroll through. Beyond l’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, we tuck into the Calavon valley and hop on a bike-only path along a disused railway line. It leads us to our small hotel, in the heart of the Luberon countryside, home for the next two nights.
Dinner included and night in Cabrières.
Day 7: Famous Gordes and Roussillon
Cabrières d’Avignon > Gordes > Roussillon > Cabrières d’Avignon (40 km, +400m/-400m)
In a décor of old stone walls and centuries-old shepherd’s huts, the Luberon Mountains are dotted with some of the most spectacular villages in Provence. Today we visit two of them:
- Gordes: its massive stone buildings rising vertiginously from the Calavon valley and crowned by its renaissance castle.
- Roussillon: set on the world’s largest ochre deposit, its homes painted in every hue of pale yellow to deep red, a rainbow-of-a-village highlighted by the ever-present Provencal sun.
For lunch (weather permitting), we’ll visit a unique herb farm and enjoy a home-cooked meal by our host. After lunch, we hop back on the Calavon cycle path, leading us right back to our hotel.
Dinner included and night in Cabrières d’Avignon.
Day 8: Market in l'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
Cabrières d'Avignon > Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (15 km, +100m /-150m)
A short ride past the quiet villages of Cabrières and Lagnes leads us back to l'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, just in time to enjoy their famous Sunday market. A return transfer to Avignon is included but we recommend that you book your ongoing travel from Avignon no earlier than 5pm to be able to enjoy a leisurely lunch in l'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue after the market.
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Cycling the villages of Ventoux and Luberon – 8 days / 7 nights
Price from 2,695€* per person in twin or double occupancy.
Single supplement: from +580€Available departure dates:
21-May-2017 / 16-Jul-2017 / 27-Aug-2017 / 24-Sep-2017* Minimum of 4 participants for a guaranteed departure. Maximum 8 participants.
Included in prices
- 7 nights double occupancy with private facilities
- 7 breakfasts, 5 picnic or bistro lunches, 6 dinners
- Day 1 to 8: all taxi transfers and luggage transfers
- A private English speaking guide during the whole tour
- High quality hybrid bikes for the duration of the tour
- A support vehicle with driver from 6 or more participants
- All activities described in the itinerary
Not included in prices
- Lunches & dinners not mentioned in the itinerary
- Entrance fees to museums
- Drinks
- Personal spending
- Insurance
- Services not mentioned in the program
CONTACT US TO BOOK*
* Please quote the following reference: FV17WIP2C
