Tour Summary
Tour Dates: See Schedule.
Location: Located in the far southeast of France, Provence is known for its lovely Mediterranean climate, fields of sunflowers,
vineyards, the Impressionists, Roman ruins, and that most famous mountain stage of the Tour de France race, the climb up Mont Ventoux, France's highest peak
between the Pyrenees and the Alps. For those who dream of completing a Tour de France mountain stage, this tour incorporates the climb up Mont Ventoux into one
of its stages. For those who prefer to leave Tour de France mountain stages to the professionals, however, an incredibly beautiful alternate route is provided.
The tour begins and ends in Avignon, 3.5 - 4.5 hours from Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport by express train. Overnight destinations include Avignon, Gordes, Sault, and Vaison-la-Romaine.
Tour Type: Circuit tour available with
standard support or gold support.
Terrain: The terrain, like everything about this region, is diverse. While there are lots of ups and downs on this tour (some
challenging), you will also enjoy long, relatively flat stretches of effortless cycling.
Length: 7 days / 8 nights
Distance: Total: 173 miles / 279 km. Average per day: 34.6 miles / 55.8 km
Highlights:
Some of France's most beautiful perched medieval villages -- Gordes, Roussillon, Menerbes, Goult, etc. -- bathed in the warm Provencal sun.
The climb up Mont Ventoux, the roof of Provence and location of the popular Tour de France mountain stage.
The sheer beauty of the Mediterranean landscapes and the play of light that so captivated Impressionists like Van Gogh.
The charming riverside villages of Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and Fontaine de Vaucluse.
The gorges of the Nesque and the Toulourenc Rivers.
Vineyards, wine villages, and free wine tasting opportunities.
Avignon, the region's most colorful and cultured city, with its medieval wall surrounding the city and its former Papal palace.
Daily Itinerary
Day 0: Arrival Day in Avignon.
We ask that all tour participants arrive in Avignon no later than the evening before the first day of the tour. This reduces any stress associated with travel delays, as no
activities are required until Day 1 of your tour.
Day 1: Free Day in Avignon.
During your first full day in Avignon, you'll pick-up your bicycle and have the opportunity to take it for a leisurely spin around Avignon or on the beautiful island
in the Rhone called the Isle de Barthelasse. In addition, you'll have plenty of time to sight-see, shop, dine and prepare for your next day's departure.
Avignon is a vibrant, sunny, southern city, full of historical sights. Must-sees include the Palais des Papes, the palatial residence of the Popes
who moved here from Rome in the 14th century when Rome was politically unstable, and the city's collection of art museums and
Romanesque, gothic and renaissance churches. In addition, you will be fascinated by Avignon's centuries old ramparts which completely surround the
city's medieval center, as well as the 12th century bridge which partially spans the mighty Rhone River. You'll be staying within the city's walled
center, just a few short steps from a multitude of fabulous restaurants and shops. For more information, click to visit
Avignon on the web.
Day 2: Avignon to Gordes - 47 km / 30 miles. Spend 2 nights in Gordes.
Following your departure from Avignon and its environs, you'll begin your first full day of cycling on quiet
country roads winding through the famous vineyards of the Rhone river valley. Your route today is largely flat with just a couple of climbs and
includes numerous opportunities to explore the warm, quiet and welcoming villages for which Provence is widely known. On your way to Gordes, you'll
pass through the sleepy village of Jonquerettes, the often lively market town of
le Thor, and magical
Isle-sur-le-Sorgue with the five branches of the Sorgue River meandering through it. You'll end your day by entering into the region of Provence known as the Lubéron staying for two nights in one of
it's most magnificent hilltop villages, Gordes.
Day 3: Circuit of the perched villages of the Lubéron - 45 km / 28 miles.
Having entered the Lubéron -- that part of Provence made famous by Peter Mayle in his bestselling memoir, A Year in Provence -- on this day's circuit trip,
you will see and experience more of the region's magnificent natural beauty, as well as an incredible sampling of southern France's most beautiful villages all perched high atop the cliffs of the foothills. Your route today
is largely, gently rolling hills interspersed with some short to mid-length climbs. You'll cycle through deep green forests laced with ochre-colored rock formations and visit quintessentially Provencal villages such as
Lacoste, Roussillon,
Menerbes and Goult.
Like your approach into Gordes yesterday, you'll marvel at the picturesque beauty of these medieval
enclaves with their stone cottages clinging to their hillsides overlooking the majestic landscapes below them.
Day 4: Gordes to Sault - 60 km / 37 miles. Spend 1 night in Sault.
On today's ride, you'll turn your sights almost exclusively toward the raw, unspoiled, off-the-beaten path natural
beauty of the Lubéron. Shortly after your departure from Gordes, you'll skirt the nearby mountains cycling alongside jagged rock walls. Your route
today is largely a steady climb, with some exciting roller coaster-like ups and downs. The highlight of this day's ride however is the magnificence of the
Gorges de la Nesque with its expansive vistas, hairpin switchback turns
and Grand Canyonesque drama. After leaving the Gorges, you'll soon arrive in Sault,
the staging point for your Mount Ventoux adventure.
Day 5: Sault to Vaison-la-Romaine - 57.1 km / 35 miles via Mont Ventoux or - 46.6 km / 29 miles via alternate. Spend 2 nights in Vaison-la-Romaine.
For couples and groups consisting of individuals with different fitness, skill and / or interest levels, the climb-up
Mount Ventoux, the mountain made famous by five-time Tour de France
champion Lance Armstrong, is optional. The alternative route consists of gently rolling hills interspersed with stretches of flat, effortless cycling
and a couple of climbs. The alternative route includes the spectacular scenery of the
Valley of the Toulourenc and passes through several beautiful
villages as well.
For our adventure seekers, our climb up Mount Ventoux begins in
Sault, the most popular approach to the summit due
to its more manageable grade overall. From Sault to Chalet Reynard (the point at which all approaches up the mountain converge) the grade ranges
from 1% to 6%. Midway through your climb up the mountain's forested eastern slope you'll encounter an average grade of slightly less than 6% for 7
consecutive kilometers.
From Chalet Reynard to the summit, the grade ranges from 6.5% to 10.4% with the steepest grade occurring at the
very summit for 1.1 kms. By the time you've reached the mountain's barren summit, you will have climbed 1150 meters over 21.1 kilometers. Of course,
your descent to Vaison-la-Romaine is a spine-tingling, hair- raising, thrill-a-minute, once in a lifetime experience as well.
Day 6: Free day in Vaison-la-Romaine.
You'll appreciate a full day to explore magnificent
Vaison-la-Romaine. We recommend beginning your exploration of Vaison in the medieval upper town with its narrow, winding streets lined with
beautiful gardens, charming shops and wonderful restaurants. Perched above the upper town you'll find the ruins of a 12th century castle and it's once
mighty fortifications. As mid-day approaches, you'll want to descend the hill on which the upper town rests to experience the convivial ambience of
Vaison's lively new town. There, we recommend having lunch and shopping for locally crafted treasures before descending further to spend your afternoon
exploring the excavated ruins of an extensive Roman settlement including the homes of its wealthiest residents with their still intact mosaic floors and
indoor plumbing. Vaison is indeed a sensual delight! For more information, click to visit
Vaison-la-Romaine on the web.
Day 7: Vaison to Avignon - 70 km / 44 miles - Spend 1 night in Avignon.
Dominated by exquisite natural beauty and a numerous villages, each lovelier than the last, you may be tempted to devote the entire day to this
final stage of your tour itinerary. From Vaison, you'll travel along the edge of the Dentelles (French for lace) Mountains down the Route du Vin to
the charming winemaking villages of Séguret,
Sablet, and
Gigondas. From there, you'll head east for more level cycling, passing through one of
France's most exclusive wine appellations, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a wonderful
place to have lunch and explore.
After lunch, you'll cross the Rhone back into the Gard region. Your route will take you down the west side of the Rhone to Roquemaure and then, onto
to the Isle de Barthelasse where you'll cycle on tiny back roads through apple, peach and pear orchards and fields of sunflowers. Before returning to
Avignon however, we recommend stopping in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, just across the Rhone from Avignon. Villeneuve is where the cardinals settled
when on their arrival in the 14th century in Avignon they found no place to build. In addition to its many splendid sights such as the
massive citadel known as Fort St André and the Tour Phillipe le Bel, from here, you'll enjoy incredible views of Avignon and Mount Ventoux.
