PROVENCE, FRANCE / BICYCLE TOUR
Montpellier to Montpellier.

ITINERARY

DAY 0

Montpellier. Today we’ll meet at our hotel on the outskirts of Montpellier; we’ll help you assemble bikes, taste some local wines, and rest from traveling.

DAY 1

Vezenobres, (pop. 1391) (76 km or more if you are into it). We’ll go through beautiful towns, mostly on small roads. After close to 870 m of climbing, a dip in the pool, will prepare us for a wonderful dinner at our hotel. Vezenobres stands on a steep hillside, its thousand years of architecture makes it worth while to take a stroll up to the “Medeival City”, which it is beautifully lit up at night time, and it will take you back trough time.

DAY 2

Orange, (pop. 28 889) (86 km). 993 m of climbing. As with all days, people can choose longer routes if they wish. Our ride will take us through vineyards, wheat fields, olive groves, almond and cherry trees etc. We’ll make sure not to miss beautiful St. Quentin-la-Poterie, known for its pottery works since the 14th century.
Orange is a high density, historical town. World heritage attractions here are: the great Roman Amphitheatre and the Triumphal Arch, plenty of restaurants, cafes etc.

DAY 3

Orange, exploratory day. We’ll ride through the heart of one of the most famous wine areas in France (Cote du Rhone) with its 13 authorized appellations. Villages like Chateauneuf du Pape, Vaison la Romaine, Seguret etc. have lots to offer including great tasting cellars, Roman castles ruins from the 12 and 15C, and pedestrian only streets with several cafes and restaurants. Our day trip could be a 60 km loop, or shorter if you’d like.

DAY 4

Sault, (pop. 1206) (70km). Altitude 706 m. Couple of options to get to Sault, either way there will be some climbing involved, therefore we’ll enjoy spectacular vistas as we ride (996m summit). Sault is an old fortified village, situated along the top of a high ridge overlooking a wide valley with large lavender fields; these fields are surrounded by the Ventoux and the Loure mountains.

DAY 5:

L’Isle-Sur-la-Sourge, (pop. 16 971) (60 km). The 60km route is via Gordes, Lacoste, Opeede-le-Vieux, Fontaine de Vacluse. This good size, medieval town is built on the islands of five branches of the Sorgue River, which runs through, past, in and around the town; water adds a special beauty and character to it. Plenty of dinner options by the river

DAY 6

L’Isle-Sur-la-Sourge, (pop. 16 971) (60 km). We will be cycling by beautiful towns like Joucas, Bonneiux, Rousillon.

DAY 7

St. Remy de Provence, (pop. 9 340) (60 km or longer). 732 m of climbing. Many ride options to here. Saint Remy is a busy, active village, with a good selection of restaurants, museums, galleries, shops etc. Vincent Van Gogh lived a period of his life in Saint Remy, here he painted two of his most notable works: Starry Night and Self-Portrait. Short distance to charming Le Baux, a stone and cobblestone medieval village, worth the climb to it.

DAY 8

Uzes, (pop. 8 500) (65 km). 740 m climbing. Uzes is full of history and abundant architectural heritage, while riding to it, we’ll go through vineyards and olive groves which have been present in the sunny slopes of the Uzes area for over 2000 years.

DAY 9

Uzes, exploratory day. Within a short distance we’ll find Pont du Gard, world heritage site, the rose wine town of Tavel, and the quite large city of Nimes (pop. 140,000) famous for its many important remains of the Roman Empire, and textile industry.

DAY 10

Cycle back to Montpellier (75km). Last day of riding, very scenic. We’ll pack up, relax, taste some wine from the region and maybe try out some of the good restaurants in town for dinner. Montpellier, “where the sun never sets”, is a beautiful city, a blend of cultural events, scientific activity, artistic life and abundant heritage, plenty of restaurants to choose from, hope you can spend some extra time here after or before the trip.

DAY 11

Travel Day.----------- We will help you logistics to board a train, bus.

DAY 0

June 7th. Arrival day. Meet at our Hotel in Nice. Assemble bikes, taste some local wines, rest from your travels.

DAY 1

June 8th. Cycle to Vence, (pop 15 330) altitude 325 m, option for a 80 km or 60 km ride.Vence is also called “City of Arts” is an old town in a tight walled circle of medieval buildings, it has lots to offer from galleries, museums to food markets and lots to explore.

DAY 2

Fayence, (pop 3 502) altitude 325 m, 76 km, today’s ride will take us by many interesting towns like St. Vallier- Thiey and St. Cezaire Sur Saigne. Fayence once a fortified town, is a lively place with plenty of cafes, restaurants, local crafts etc, Fayence was on route of the 2009 Tour de France, stage 2, Monaco to Brignoles.

DAY 3

Aups (pop 152) altitude 600 m, 60 km but longer if we take side trips riding Châteaudouble Gorge and town also some beautiful villages like Tourtour, Flayosc, Villecroze, etc.

DAY 4

Exploratory day out of Aups. Today we have 75 km or 45 km bike ride options.

DAY 5:

Moustiers Ste. Marie, (pop 580) altitude 631 m, 48 km ride. Situated in the Parc Naturel du Verdon, this village is famous by its earthenware, (fine painted ceramics) and its architectural heritage, sits along a rushing mountain stream with small waterfalls down and medieval houses above. One of the most picturesque Provençal villages.

DAY 6

Exploratory day out of Moustiers Ste. Marie. Stunning 60 km loop ride by the Gorge of Verdon or a great day for a hike if you feel like give your bike a rest.

DAY 7

Castellane, (pop 1349) altitude 724 m, options for 50 km or 85 km. This city dates back to the 16th century is located at the crossroads of the Route Napoleon and the Upper Verdon Road, truly spectacular views of the Lac de Ste. Croix, and the Grand Canyon du Verdon while riding to it.

DAY 8

Day trip out of Castellane. 56 km

DAY 9

June 16th. Cycle back to Nice, your choice of 75 km to 85 km ride, swim, pack bicycles, explore Nice, or just relax.

DAY 10

Travel Day June 17th. We will help you with logistics to board a train, bus or plane.

Tour Dates

To Be Announced

10 riding days / 11 nights

COST: TBA (based on double occupancy), + TBA for single occupancy.

There is no GST charged on trips outside Canada.

Please check for availability and make sure to send in your deposit to secure your reservation.

 

Photo Gallery
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France 2009, Courtesy D. Hinchcliffe




Pont du Gard 2009, Courtesy D. Hinchcliffe




France 2008, Courtesy LH Wilson