Provence Bike Tour
8 days / 7 nights
Location: Provence (St Remy de Provence, Les Baux-de-Provence, Alpilles, Gordes, Oppède le Vieux, Ménerbes, Saint Saturnin-les-Apt, Roussillon, Lacoste, Bonnieux, Lourmarin, Sénanque, Venasque, Mazan, Mont Ventoux, Gorges de la Nesque, Avignon)
Price: From €3,480
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* Click right arrow in photo to continue reading the itinerary *
Highlights
Fantastic French wine & food, the best villages in France, epic History and top notch cycling. With its unique micro climate and picture postcard views, Provence embodies the very best that the Mediterranean lifestyle has to offer. Riding on roads that have long been part of cycling folklore, we take you a sensory journey that will live long in the memory.- The opportunity to visit and/or stay in no less than 8 Les Plus Beaux Villages - 8 villages voted the most beautiful in all France.
- Wander the streets of St Rémy, birthplace of Nostradamus and the site of the sanitarium where Van Gogh painted his final works.
- History across the ages from the Roman ruins of Glanum to medieval castles and abbeys in Les Baux-de-Provence, Gordes, Lourmarin, Ansouis and Venasque.
- Be a part of the quintessential Provencal experience - the weekly market - and delight in the sensory overload.
- Sample the sophisticated wines of Côtes du Rhône at an informative wine tasting.
- Take up the challenge of one of the most iconic cycle routes of them all – climbing Mont Ventoux. Note that this is an extra loop!
- Most importantly embrace the elements of the good life that Peter Mayle so articulately depicted in his 1989 book ‘A Year in Provence’!
♦ Advanced cycling level (average 40 km per day): this tour has been designed for the discerning cyclist who wishes to explore a region in depth without too many hotel changes. By its nature, this tour provide scope for participants to ride as little or as much as they would like. As such this tour is suitable for non-riders since there are plenty of activities to keep them busy. It also provides scope for more experienced riders to push themselves on our extra loops (up to 92 kms per day).
Day 1: Arriving in Saint-Rémy - Warm up ride
> Warm Up ride – 13km
A gentle start to the tour as we do a loop ride around our home for the first couple of nights - St-Rémy-de-Provence - to ensure our bikes are fit and ready for travel.
In the afternoon, we explore this atmospheric town with its rich Roman heritage which was also the birthplace of Nostradamus and where Van Gogh painted some of his seminal works.
Day 2: St Rémy loop to Les Baux-de-Provence
> Regular ride – 38km / Extra Loop – 59km
We explore the Alpilles area today on a rolling loop ride that meanders through vineyards and olive groves. With an astonishing array of aromas and colours, this arid area is characterised by limestone peaks which give the impression of being higher than they really are – who’s to know the difference between conquering the Alpilles and the Alps!
Heading back towards St Rémy, we visit the iconic fortified town of Les Baux-de-Provence and give you the option to investigate Glanum as well. For those of you wanting further cycling or even more Roman ruins, we also offer the opportunity to ride to the Pont du Gard’s younger brother the Pont du Barbegal.
Day 3: St Rémy to Gordes via Ménerbes
> Regular ride – 51km
We head east into the Vaucluse region of Provence towards our base for the next couple of days: Gordes. After bridging the Durance, we head past some of the quieter but best villages of Provence. We lunch in one of favourites off the tourist trail - Oppède le Vieux with its medieval ghost town, a must wander after lunch.
We then head to Ménerbes, which is perched on a long limestone ridge overlooking vineyards and olive groves before turning north to Gordes. The houses of Gordes cling to the side of the Vaucluse plateau, overlooking Cavaillon plain. They are arranged in tiers around the imposing Renaissance castle and church and narrow cobbled streets wind their way through them. Gordes is a village of artists and has been extolled by Marc Chagall, Victor Vasarely and Pol Mara; it is a must on Provence’s cultural trail.
Day 4: Gordes loop to Roussillon
> Regular ride – 48km / Extra Loop – 92km
Gordes gives us amazing access to this beautiful area. Today, we enjoy a short loop to two beautiful villages Saint Saturnin-lès-Apt and Roussillon. Roussillon is known as the ocre-red village which contrasts fantastically with the deep green pine forests we ride through to get there.
The roads are quiet and stunning and we loop either clockwise or anti-clockwise to these fantastic locations enjoying coffee and lunch in each, depending on the prevailing winds. The optional extra loop takes us deep into the Provincial hinterland as we head towards more of our local favourites - Viens and Saint-Martin-de-Castillon.
Day 5: Gordes loop to Bonnieux and Lourmarin
> Regular ride – 52km / Extra Loop – 77km / Extra Extra Loop – 91km
Many more fantastic villages to visit today - Lacoste for a coffee with a spectacular view, we then climb through Bonnieux before descending the Combe de Lourmarin to Lourmarin for lunch under the Château. The cycling is again spectacular as we roll down towards these picturesque villages. Lourmarin with is Renaissance castle, churches, Proches Bastides, a large fortified farmhouse dating to the Middle Ages, is a great stop for lunch.
We then have the option to roll on to Ansouis, another spectacular stop.
Day 6: Gordes to Mazan
> Regular Ride – 42km / Extra Loop – 75km
We now head north, cruising past the Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque on our way to Venasque with its Roman and medieval ruins. After enjoying overlooking the fantastic countyside, riders can choose to head north directly to Mazan or take the longer meander over the Col de Murs. Today’s options are a little shorter considering the optional challenge tomorrow of Mont Ventoux!
Tonight, we stay in the Château Mazan, once home to the Marquis de Sade. Don’t worry, he no longer has any involvement in the running of the hotel!
Day 7: Mazan loop to Gorges de la Nesque or Mont ventoux
> Regular Ride – 32 or 63km / Extra Loop - Mont Ventoux - 70km
Our final day on the bike takes us towards the monolith known as Mont Ventoux, as we head north towards Bédoin. For the foolhardy and the brave, this iconic Tour de France climb is an option.
For those of you looking for a more relaxing end to the tour, we will head past the mountain known to the locals as ‘the giant of Provence’ up one of the best riding roads in France - the Gorges de la Nesque. Here we will picnic overlooking the spectacular ravine before rejoining the hill climbers and returning to our Château in Mazan for wine tasting and a final dellectible dinner.
Day 8: Au revoir in Avignon
After a leisurely breakfast, we organise a shuttle to the TGV train station on the outskirts of Avignon from where fast trains can be caught to a number of European cities.
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Provence Bike Tour – 8 days / 7 nights
Price from €3,480 per person in twin or double occupancy.
Single supplement applicable.Available departure dates:
– 20 to 27 May 2017
– 23 to 30 September 2017 [Sold out]* Minimum of 6 participants for a guaranteed departure. Maximum 16 participants.
Included in prices
- All accommodation (3 to 4-star hotels)
- Support vehicle
- 2 expert bike guides
- Meals (all breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners)
- Bike hire
Not included in prices
- Other meals not mentioned in the inclusions
- Wine kitty
- Personal spending
- Insurance
- Other services not mentioned in the program
CONTACT US TO BOOK*
* Please quote the following reference: FV17RS1PR
