Provence Road Bike Tour - Enjoy the beauty of Provence from the seat of your bike. Discover the countryside and delight in the colors and lighting which have attracted many famous painters. Admire the Roman influence in the area, and the theatre in Orange with its magnificent theatre wall. Also explore the Pont-du-Gard, the excavation sites in Vaison-la-Romain and the medieval village of Les Baux-de-Provence. Don't forget to sample the culinary delights of the region, with wines, cheeses and a cuisine seasoned with herbs from Provence.
You will find plenty of sporting challenges on this tour - the Plateau de Vaucluse, the Luberon, the Alpilles, and don't forget the giant of Provence - Mont Ventoux. Boasting 300 sunny days a year, Provence is an ideal region for cyclists from mid-March until the end of October. Tour Details: This tour gives you the option of choosing between two routes every day. This means you can ride around 75km or 115km daily. You'll spend two nights in both Vaison-la-Romaine and Apt. This saves you unpacking and packing your suitcase as well as giving time to explore the surrounding area. A customized road-book gives details on the route to make this trip easy to navigate. Our Provence tour has been created for cyclist with a high level of physical fitness. Provence is a mountainous region with demanding "ups" and rewarding "downs". Sometimes the climbs are often as long as 10km to 20km, the longest being to Mont Ventoux. In between there are always flat stretches where you can regain your strength. The route follows mostly well paved roads and avoids the busier main roads where possible. Heavier traffic is unavoidable at the entrances and exits in the larger towns. You will book a Bestseller Travel product.
Arrival every Saturday from April till October
Minimum persons: 2 (supplement single traveller). Please note that the Mont Ventoux is closed till Mai 1st. (Depending on the snow). If it is closed we cycle around Mont Ventoux (and up to Le Chalet Reynard). Arrival: Orange, Departure: Orange
- 7 nights in nice 2 and 3 star hotels
- 7 x breakfast - Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel (1 piece per person) - Tourbook per room - GPS files Please find prices and information about additional services (e.g. single room) on the first page under "Additional services". We recommend the conclusion of a travel insurance. Please ask if you need information or if you want us to book the insurance for you. Day 1: Arrival to Orange You still can see parts of the historic City Wall, the Arc de Triumph and the Theatre. The theatre's stage wall is described by the Sun King, Louis XIV, as " the most beautiful wall in his country." Spend the night in your hotel in Orange. Day 2: Orange - Vaison-la-Romaine (61 to 112 km) Begin this portion of the route on a predominantly flat ride from Orange to Vaison-la-Romaine. You have three routes to choose from, depending on your fitness ability. This stage will take you through some of the best vineyards in Provence, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Vacqueyras, Gigondas, Rasteau and Séguret. Just those names make the hearts of wine lovers flutter! On the way to Vaison-la-Romaine you will pass the impressive range of the Dentelles de Montmirail. Vaison-la-Romaine - the French Pompeii: You can see remains of houses from wealthy Roman citizens, an ancient water canalisation system and the columned hall of Pompeius. Vaison-la-Romaine also has a beautiful medieval quarter and some magnificent buildings dating from the 16th to 18th Century - Option A - 61 km, + 552 Hm, - 354 Hm - Orange - Vaison-la-Romaine - Option B - 83 km, + 888 Hm, - 720 Hm - Orange - Buisson - Vaison-la-Romaine - Option C - 112 km, +1.126 Hm, - 958 Hm - Orange - Buisson - Valreas - Vaison-la Romaine Day 3: Vaison- Mt. Ventoux - Vaison (75 to 110 km) This morning you'll face the giant of Provence -Mont Ventoux. The 1909m high mountain rises abruptly from the countryside. It's characteristically bald appearance makes the climb even more bleak. Wind speeds of up to 250 km/h have been measured at the summit. The first road over the mountain was built in 1882. Ride this mountain and pretend you are part of the Tour D'France! - Option A - 110 km, +2.590 Hm, -2.592 Hm - Vaison-la-Romaine - Sault - Mont Ventoux - Vaison-la-Romaine - Option B - 104 km, +2.198 Hm, -2.200 Hm - Vaison-la-Romaine - Sault - Chalet Reynard - Bédoin - Vaison-la-Romaine - Option C: 105 km: Vaison-la-Romaine - Sault - Flassan - Bédoin - Vaison-la-Romaine. Cycle tour around Mont Ventoux if the road is closed. About 1.000 less of difference in altitude - Option D: 75 km: Vaison-la-Romaine - Malaucène - Mont Ventoux - Chalet Reynard- Bédoin - Malaucène - Vaison-la-Romain Day 4: Vaison-la-Romaine - Apt (90 to 110km) Today you'll leave Vaison and cycle on quiet roads to the city of the candied fruits, Apt. The path continues by crossing through the Montagnes de Bluye and d'Albion where you reach the center of lavender cultivation, the village of Sault. Continue the route by crossing the Plateau d'Albion and cycle downhill to Apt, nestled in the valley of Calavon. Apt is known as the capital of candied fruits. The city is situated on the Calavon River and surrounded by numerous fruit trees. Here, since the 14th century, fruits were picked, blanched and glazed (the preparation method for candied fruits). The results can be admired in numerous displays of the many pastry shops and of course sampled. Like most towns in Provence, Apt was also a settlement of the Celt-Ligures followed by the Romans. But in Apt, unlike other towns, the ruins are invisible - buried four to ten meters below the town. - Option A - 90 km, +1.391 Hm, -1.374 Hm - Vaison-la-Romaine - Sault - Apt - Option B - 109 km, 2.084 Hm, -2.067 Hm - Vaison-la-Romaine - Barret - Sault - Apt Day 5: Apt - Luberon - Apt (80 to 105 km) The route today takes you into the Parc du Luberon and through some of the most beautiful villages in France. From Apt you cycle on a flat stretch to Céreste before crossing the Luberon for the first time. On the south side of the Luberon you pass typical small provincial villages with their preserved charm. On your way back, ride through the gorge of Lourmarin with its high white rock walls. - Option A - 82 km, +1.188 Hm, - 1.188 Hm - Apt - Céreste - La Bastide - Lourmarin - Apt - Option B - 106 km, +1.469 Hm, -1.469 Hm - Apt - Céreste - La Bastide - Lourmarin - Bonnieux - Roussillon - Apt Day 6: Apt - St.Remy (88 to 103 km) The day starts with a climb to Bonnieux followed by a 10km downhill run. On the other side of the Luberons you continue towards the Durance River. Through the flat valley of the Durance you cycle in the direction of the Alpilles, a small but charming mountain range between the Rhône and the Durance. The Alpilles (the small Alps), is fascinating because of its rock formation. About 300,000 olive trees grow in this area, known for some of the best olive oils in France. St. Rémy - the pleasure of pure Provençal life: The old town of St. Remy, with its many squares and cafes, is an ideal place for strolling around. Here you find the whole myth of Provence in one place. - Option A - 88 km, +635 Hm, -780 Hm - Apt - Bonnieux - Mallemort - Eyuieres - St. Remy - Option B - 103 km, + 944 Hm, -1.105 - Apt - Bonnieux - Mallemort - Eyuieres - Paradon - St. Remy Day 7: St.Remy - Orange (80 to 103 km) Your day begins by cycling to the idyllically located Abbey St.-Michel-de-Frigolet, nestled in a low range of hills. Then you leave the Provence crossing the Rhone River, and continue to Remoulins, where a trip to the famous Pont du Gard is an absolute must. Crossing the foothills of the Cévennes you cycle back to the Rhône and pass through the wine growing regions of Tavel and Lirac. - Option A - 80 km, +571 Hm, -534 Hm - St. Remy - Graveson - Remoulins - St-Laurent - Orange - Option B - 103 km, +775 Hm, -793 Hm - St. Remy - Les Boux - Tarascon - Remoulins - St-Laurent - Orange Day 8: Departure from Orange
Provence Road Bike Tour - Enjoy the beauty of Provence from the seat of your bike. Discover the countryside and delight in the colors and lighting which have attracted many famous painters. Admire the Roman influence in the area, and the theatre in Orange with its magnificent theatre wall. Also explore the Pont-du-Gard, the excavation sites in Vaison-la-Romain and the medieval village of Les Baux-de-Provence. Don't forget to sample the culinary delights of the region, with wines, cheeses and a cuisine seasoned with herbs from Provence.
You will find plenty of sporting challenges on this tour - the Plateau de Vaucluse, the Luberon, the Alpilles, and don't forget the giant of Provence - Mont Ventoux. Boasting 300 sunny days a year, Provence is an ideal region for cyclists from mid-March until the end of October. Tour Details: This tour gives you the option of choosing between two routes every day. This means you can ride around 75km or 115km daily. You'll spend two nights in both Vaison-la-Romaine and Apt. This saves you unpacking and packing your suitcase as well as giving time to explore the surrounding area. A customized road-book gives details on the route to make this trip easy to navigate. Our Provence tour has been created for cyclist with a high level of physical fitness. Provence is a mountainous region with demanding "ups" and rewarding "downs". Sometimes the climbs are often as long as 10km to 20km, the longest being to Mont Ventoux. In between there are always flat stretches where you can regain your strength. The route follows mostly well paved roads and avoids the busier main roads where possible. Heavier traffic is unavoidable at the entrances and exits in the larger towns. You will book a Bestseller Travel product. |