Best of Provence – Relaxed – 7 Night

There is no more romantic place in France than Provence.  Great wines, oceans of sunflowers, acres of lavender.  And the food is world renowned. This tour takes in all of the best that Provence has to offer.  This tour is designed for those who are not interested in conquering the 1,912 meter “Giant of Provence”, Mont Ventoux.  Rather this tours is made for the luxury rider looking for a relaxing bike tour. We offer the best Provence bike tours.

Day 1:  Arrive Avignon by Train, stay Le Thor
We pick you up at the Avignon train depot and taken to your first hotel outside the village of Le Thor, La Bastide Rose.  Your bikes will be waiting for you if you are renting.  You should have time for an afternoon loop to warm up.  Visit the Grotte de Thouzon and the ruins of Chateau de Thouzon. Your welcome dinner is included tonight at the Inn prepared by one of our favorite chefs, Emmanuel.  He is the son of the proprietor and also a professional clown.

Day 2:  Le Thor to Gordes
It is a short rolling ride to Gordes via Fontaine-de-Vaucluse.  There is also a flatter option which bypasses the Fontaine, as well as a hilly option.  Today you visit Gordes and at the end of the day coast down to your Inn, La Ferme de la Huppe.  Settle in for 2 nights.  Dinner is included.

Day 3:  Luberon Loop Ride
You are in the heart of the Luberon, made famous by Peter Mayle in his book “A Year in Provence”. Todays ride is a classic.  Your ride 45 hilly kilometers through one beautiful hill village after another, right out of Peter Mayle’s book; Roussillon, Bonnieux, Lacoste and Menerbes.  An awesome ride which can be shortened as desired.  Dinner is again at the hotel.

Day 4:  Gordes to Crillon La Brave or Le Barroux
This is a beautiful ride with almost all the hills in the morning. On the way you can visit Abbaye de Senanque and Venasque.  You have a choice of hotels tonight:  Hostellerie Crillon le Brave is a Relaix et Chateau, beautiful and luxurious.  It is a $150 upcharge.  Please let us know if you prefer this option when registering.  Hotel Les Geraniums in Le Barroux, the standard hotel, is very nice but with smaller rooms.  Both villages are hilltop villages with Le Barroux being the most interesting.   Dinner is on your own at Crillon le Brave and included at Hotel Les Geraniums.

Day 5:  To Vaison la Romaine
Today is a wine tasting day!  You go through one quaint wine village after another in the Rhone wine region on your way to the lovely old Roman town of Vaison la Romaine.  You will ride through Seguret, Gigondas, Vacqueyras and Beaumes-de-Venise. Tonight you will stay in a magnificent B&B in the Old Town overlooking the main town.  Settle in for 2 nights.  Dinner is on your own both nights and finding the perfect places is easy.  Ask your hosts for ideas.

Day 6:  Vaison la Romaine Exploration
You can walk the entire town or use your bikes and extend your exploration.  We suggest enjoying the Roman sites, and storlling through the shops and cafes.  Dinner is again on your own.  Tomorrow you ride!

Day 7:  Vaison la Romaine to Le Thor
You head back to Le Bastide Rose and have several new wine towns along the way.  You can take in the beautiful views of the Dentilles riding in this direction.  Your farewell dinner is included tonight at Bastide Rose.

Day 8:  Departure.
After breakfast we return you to the Avignon train station.

To find out more about how our Self Guided Tours operate, what is included, and what is not, click HERE.