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| Day 1 : Vaison : Roman ruins and medieval village
Vaison-la-Romaine
Rendezvous in your hotel in Vaison la Romaine. Explore the town’s Roman ruins, cross a 2000 year-old bridge, and then up to the Medieval village, its cobbled streets winding up to the ruins of the 12th century castle, from where the view extends to the whole city. Dinner on your own (not included). Night in Vaison la Romaine.
Day 2 : Forgotten towns and olive groves of the Drôme Provençale
Vaison-la-Romaine > Puyméras > Vaison-la-Romaine
- About 40km cycling -
It is a day to discover these hidden roads behind Mont Ventoux, where France’s most prestigious olive groves stand beside truffle oak plantations. Lots of opportunities to taste local wines and olive oils along the route. Dinner on your own (not included). Night in Vaison la Romaine.
Day 3 : The Grands Crus of Côtes du Rhône wines
Vaison la Romaine>Séguret>Gigondas>vacqueiras>Beaumes de Venise
- About 30km cycling -
Beneath the imposing limestone teeth of the Dentelles de Montmirail, it’s a day devoted to the most celebrated of the Côtes du Rhône wine making villages, with plenty of opportunities to stop at local estates along the way: Séguret and its cobbled streets, Gigondas and its wonderful reds, Vacqueyras, and then Beaumes de Venise, its sweet Muscat wines bursting with flavour. In Beaumes de Venise you’ll check into a charming auberge for the next two nights. Dinner and night in Beaumes de Venise.
Day 4 : At the foot of Ventoux, the highest peak in Provence.
Beaumes de Venise > Bedoin > Beaumes de Venise
- About 35km cycling -
Today’s route takes you toward the imposing Mont Ventoux, its barren limestone peak a Mecca for cyclists from around the world. You’ll pass through charming villages before reaching Bedoin, the mythical starting point used in the Tour de France to tackle the summit: only 21km of climbing to reach the summit from here, if you want to test your legs… Back to Beaumes de Venise, dinner on your own and night in the auberge.
Day 5 : Villages of the Monts de Vaucluse
Beaumes de Venise > Pernes les Fontaines
- About 35km cycling -
In the Monts de Vaucluse, the hills that link Ventoux to the Luberon, you’ll cycle through a succession of tiny hamlets lost in the countryside: Le Beaucet and La Roque sur Pernes, each seemingly timeless, each just a handful of homes perched high above the valley. Through small roads lined with cypress trees and cherry orchards you then reach Venasque, one of the most beautiful villages in France. Its 6th century baptistery is one of the oldest religious monuments in Provence. The day’s journey ends in Pernes-les-Fontaines: its 40 fountains scattered around town, its beautiful Saturday market, its Romanesque church. Dinner and night in Pernes les Fontaines.
Day 6 : The Waters of the Sorgue and its mysterious spring.
Pernes les Fontaines > l’Isle sur la sorgue > Lagnes > Cabrières d’Avignon
- About 25km cycling -
The Sorgue river will guide you to l’Isle sur la Sorgue, veritable island of a town, encircled by the clear green waters of the river. Its Sunday market fills the entire town, the colourful stalls bursting with the tastes and scents only Provence can offer. The town’s antique shops line the quays, its cafés offering shade by the riverside. Ride right up to the source of the waters, the mysterious Fontaine de Vaucluse, creative wellspring of the 14th century poet Petrarch, its underwater spring so deep no one or machine has ever measured its depths. Dinner and night in Cabrières d’Avignon, in the countryside.
Day 7 : Perched villages of the Luberon
Cabrières d’Avignon > Roussillon > Bonnieux > Cabrières d’Avignon
- About 45km cycling -
You enter Peter Mayle’s Luberon of A Year in Provence, its villages perched high above the plains below, its small back roads rich in the scents of thyme, sweet almond flower, and fig. Reach the top of Bonnieux, its 12th century church kept cool under the shade of giant cedars, from where the view extends to far-reaching towns sprinkled on the hills. Your journey will also take you to Roussillon today, set on the world’s largest ochre deposit, its homes painted in all hues of yellow, orange, and red, highlighted by the ever-present Provencal sun. Stroll through the abandoned ochre mines, mounds and paths of indescribable colour. Back in the plains you will pedal past dry stone huts and alongside vineyards, passing the lavender blue shutters of lone farmhouses. Dinner and night in Cabrières d’Avignon, in the countryside.
Day 8 : Cypress trees and fruit orchards
Cabrières d’Avignon > Cavaillon then return to Avignon
- About 15km cycling -
Freewheel down to Cavaillon, hovering above the plains and via the quaint towns of Robion and Taillades. Monday morning market in Cavaillon. Transfer to Avignon, city of the Popes. End of your trip.
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