Cycling in Provence

Itinerary – Cycling in Provence

Day 1: Arrive in Carpentras
Meet your France Outdoors guide at Marseille Provence airport (or Marseille/ Avignon train station) and transfer to Carpentras. 3* Hotel best Western Comtadin (3 nights), family run, modern rooms in an 18th century Provençal-style building, 5 min walk to the village.
Day 2: Loop ride – Beaumes de Venise – Dentelles de Montmirail
Cycle along the canal of Carpentras, pass through lovely vineyards, Splendid views of Dentelles de Montmirail.
Total Distance: 38 km Ascent : 460 m
Day 3: Loop Ride – Cycle the foot of Mont Ventoux
Cycle through many different cultivated fields, strawberries, asparagus, vineyards. Views of the giant Mont Ventoux as a background. Visit the villages of Bedouin (tour de France), Mormoiron (superb scenery) and Mazan (old 12th century fortified town). Vineyard visit during the ride.
Total Distance: 44 Km Ascent: 480 m
Day 4: Carpentras to Lumieres – ride of the fountain villages.
Visit superb villages like Pernes les Fontaines (40+ ancient fountains !), Fontaine de Vaucluse (the most visited village of vaucluse, spring of river sorgue), L’isle sur Sorgue (know as the island town of provence), beautiful view points at the end of the ride to Luberon mountains.
Arrive at 3* Hostellerie Notre Dame Des Lumieres (one night), built in an old monastery, swimming pool and large park where you can relax.
Olive Oil Mill (Moulin des Jeannons or equivalent) visit during the ride.
Total Distance : 43 Km Ascent : 370 m
Day 5: Lumières to Roussillon
Today you will pass by the most iconic villages of Provence with amazing views at the foot of Luberon and Mont Ventoux at the back ground. Menerbes (12th century citadel, and prehistorical dolmen de la Pichouno), Lacoste (castle of the controversial writer writer Marquis de Sade, Bonnieux (up market village with Parisians holiday homes). Then pass by the town of Apt (many pedestrian streets), to 3* hotel Maison des Ochres in Roussillon (3 nights), family run, swimming pool.
Goat Cheese Tasting during the ride.
Total Distance: 42 km Ascent: 590 m
Day 6: Free day in Roussillon
Enjoy Thursday market day and visit the Ochres site and museum.
Day 7: Gordes and Senaque abbaye
If there is only one village to visit in Provence it has to be Gordes. Magnificent perched village, where many movies stars and artists have made their home. Then get to Senanque splendid 12
th century Cistercian abbey which you can visit, (optional).
Total Distance: 30 km Ascent: 560 m
Day 8: Transfer to Marseille airport or Marseille/ Avignon train station
We hope you enjoyed your cycling in Provence trip!