Provence – Villages Of The Luberon

Day 1

Transfers are from Avignon TGV station; other transfers (eg Nîmes airport) can be made by arrangement. We arrive at our hotel near the market town of Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, where bikes are fitted and adjusted to your individual requirements. Spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool, or take a short trip into the village, which is famous for its antiques and bric-a-brac market and stores. Early arrivals may wish to ride to the Fontaine de Vaucluse to see the famous resurgent spring of the river Sorgue.

In the evening, after a briefing on the week's ride, we will sit down to the first of many gourmet meals, washed down with one of the excellent wines from the slopes of Mont Ventoux, whose imposing profile dominates the region.

Day 2

Today we are heading into the heartland of Provence - the Luberon - and the picturesque villages depicted in Peter Mayle's 'A year in Provence'. The first, and most westerly of the Luberon's villages, is Oppede-le-Vieux, followed by Ménerbes. We will take a leisurely route through these villages, maybe stopping for a coffee or a pastis.

For lunch we will visit perhaps the most photogenic of the Luberon villages, Gordes, perched on a hilltop and overlooked by its 16th century Château. We will be staying in Gordes tonight, and the afternoon can be spent in the village itself, or by the pool at the hotel. There are also optional excursions to the Abbaye de Senanque - a perfect example of romanesque architecture dating from the 12th Century, set in a valley amongst picturebook fields of lavender – or the nearby Village des Bories – a fascinating hamlet of traditional Provencal dry-stone dwellings.

Total distance: 37km / 53km optional (hilly)

Day 3

Heading north from Gordes, we swing east and south to arrive at Roussillon, perching above the ochre cliffs. Roussillon was one the major producers of ochre for paints and pigments, and boasted 17 different colours. A sign-posted trail leads to the quarries where the shades of red, orange, yellow and purple rock contrast startlingly with the deep blue provencal sky.

Stopping in St-Saturnin for lunch, we then climb past spectacular gorges and the ancient Chateau de Javon, before emerging into the lavender fields and sheep pastures of the Plateau d'Albion, with immense views of Mont Ventoux dominating the horizon.

Sault, our final destination for the day, is a local centre for wild products - wood mushrooms, pheasant, wild boar and other game - and they feature on the menu tonight as a reward for the hard work. Before that, a dip in the hotel pool will help to ease any aching limbs!

Total distance: 53km (hilly)

Day 4

Today can be an easy day, or a tough one! The easy option is to descend along the southern flank of Mont Ventoux, nearly 50 kilometres of freewheeling and flat pedalling, into Bedoin. Our route takes us down the spectacular Gorges de La Nesque where a heart-stopping panorama is around every tun. After coffee in Bedoin, a climb over the Col de la Madeleine brings us into Malaucène. For those who would like a bit more exercise, and to take a home little piece of cycling legend, we can climb to the summit of Mont Ventoux. At over 1,900 metres this is not for the faint-hearted, but the approach from Sault (which is already at 900m) is very steady until reaching Chalet Reynard at the tree line. One kilometre from the top stands a memorial to Tom Simpson, a British cyclist who died here during the Tour de France in 1967, his last words 'put me back on my bike'. The final approach to the summit, which is devoid of vegetation, is tough, but the effort is more than worth it as you are rewarded with one of the most exceptional panoramas in Europe. You will have conquered 'the Giant of Provence'!

The exhilarating descent is another reward as you reach improbable speeds on smooth roads that are resurfaced every time the Tour de France comes to the mountain.

Our destination for the day is also deserving of the effort. Vaison-la-Romaine is the jewel of northern Provence, with a stunning setting perched above the river Ouvèze, Roman ruins, a Cathedral dating from the 6th Century and a wonderfully-preserved medieval quarter. Our hotel, le Beffroi, is perched in the medieval town and is a marvellous base for exploration.

Total distance: 67km (2 options, 1 flat 1 hilly)

Day 5

Today can be an easy day, or a mighty tough one! We are based in Vaison, so no packing up in the morning. The easier option is a loop ride out to Nyons in the heart of lavender country. On the way we will stop for a tasting in the newly classified Vinsobres region. Previously a "Village Côtes du Rhone, in 2006 it was elevated to its own Premier Cru ranking because of the exceptional quality of its wine.

Nyons itself, with its Roman bridge and medieval fortifications is an idyllic place for lunch overlooking the River Eygues. The return to Vaison is through lavender fields and is via Mirabel-les-Baronies, another perfectly preseved village with a 12th C lookout tower dominating the town.

The second option today for those looking for a big challenge is an ascent of Mont Ventoux the 'traditional' way from Bedoin - a 'must-do' for cycling fanatics who will be determined to add the monster climb to their cycling palmares. The climb is around 1600m vertical over 21km from Bedoin, and will probably be the toughest thing you ever do on two wheels! The view from the top and the descent to Malaucene are reward for aching legs, but you'll probably feel that several beers and a dip in the hotel pool are also deserved!

Total distance: 55km

Day 6

Our final day in the saddle takes us into the spectacular landscape of the Dentelles de Montmirail, a range of jagged edged hills edged by prestigious wine producing areas. The first of these that we visit is Gigondas, home to a red wine that can equal Châteauneuf-du-Pâpe using similar grape varieties - principally Grenache, with Syrah and Mourdevre. We stop at a prestigious vineyard for a tasting and a visit of the caves. Continuing on our tour of the vineyards, we come to Beaumes-de-Venise. A very different wine, the muscat grape is used to produce a golden dessert wine. After lunch in the village, we will visit the Cave des Vignerons for a degustation.

After lunch quiet flat roads bring us back to the Mas de Cure Bourse. Along the way we can visit the Grotte de Thouzon, a fascinating cave system with stunning stalactite and stalagmite formations. At the Mas we can wash off the dust of the trail with a dip in the pool before our final celebratory dinner.

Total distance: 62km

Day 7

After breakfast, taking the opportunity to exchange phone numbers and e-mail addresses with newly-made friends, and maybe take the opportunity to pop into the village for the amazing Saturday morning market, before we depart on our onward journeys.

Dear Mike,

I meant to drop you an email as soon as I arrived back in Honolulu, a 2 day trek from France, with an overnight in SFO, but was smashed with things to do before returning to work.

I want to tell you how much we enjoyed "Villages of the Luberon," on 28 Sept 2008. It surpassed our exceptions on all counts: the 3-4 star accommodations in lovely places, the gourmet dinners, with wine each night, in the most pleasing settings, and of course, our guides, Chris & John. Their combined skills and experience complimented each other and made for great company at dinner, and along the tour.

We found the bikes, helmets, and convenient bike bags, with plastic covers for the daily maps and directions, to be excellent. And although, my friends and I were the oldest and slowest on the tour, we found Chris and John to be very patient, helpful, and determined to give us all a great experience. They succeeded. Our group of seven, plus guides, could not have been more harmonious and fun, and the three of us had a ball being the "cheerleaders" for the other four, who rode the Mont Ventoux Challenge with Chris.

We will recommend your company to everyone: great organization, superior taste in accommodations and cuisine, and wonderful guides to ensure that your product is delivered at it's best. Thirty-five years in the travel business has taught us what an achievement that is to succeed.

Merci Beaucoup for the Grande Experience!

Aloha,

Melanie Marshall, Stancie Amon & Eileen Provenza, Hawaii

Hi Ruth,

I just wanted to send a short note thanking you and French Cycling Holidays for such a great trip. It really was a fabulous experience. The guides were excellent, the routes were easily travelled and the accommodations were great. It was a great group of people on the tour and we had a lot of fun. Even the “rain day” was not bad :-). I would highly recommend French Cycling Holidays and hope to do another tour one day.

Cheers,

Lana Driscoll, Ontario

“The most fun you can have with your pants on!”

Paul Roffey & Lee Anderson, Hong Kong.

“Fabulous! Jeremy and David were really great, they made the trip fantastic!!! They’re lots of fun and very caring and attentive to make sure we had the best time. Thank you!”

Tom & Elizabeth Diamond, Alberta.

“An excellent experience – I would do it all again!”

Gil Chavez, California

“Totally Awesome!“

Ralph Courtney , Ontario

“A unique experience – superb cycling, stunning scenery, luxury accommodation, and wining and dining with a terrific group of people, one of the best holidays I’ve had!”

Kevin Scott, New Zealand.

“A wonderful way of seeing the less touristy areas of southern France and keeping fit at the same time. David and Jeremy were outstanding – thank you for a memorable holiday.”

Tim and Chris Everdell, Ontario

“Beyond expectations. The best tour we have been on – we will recommend widely!”

Clive & Kristen, South Australia.

“An awesome experience. We’ll be back!”

Joanne St.Onge, Alberta

“David and Chris our guides were excellent. The whole week was great fun yet just the right amount of challenge. A great international group and laughs all the way!”

David and Julie Rolton Northants, UK

“A luxury holiday where every detail was planned for us – all that we had to do was enjoy the ride”

Joanne Troutman and Stuart Hickson, New South Wales.

“The Luberon trip was the best yet – which one do we do next year to beat it?”

Claire Sweeney, Victoria Australia.

“The guides did a great job. Exceptional, beyond expectations – the best holiday we’ve had.”

Chris & Sue Cummuskey, Western Australia.

Mike, a Grande Merci to John and Chris for organizing a little birthday surprise for Susan Barss and myself on 1 October at Le Beffroi. We were turning 45 and 60 and having a ball... which illustrates, how life just gets better with age!

Melanie Marshall, Hawaii