Provence – Roman Heritage

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

An easy start to our week’s touring as we cruise along tiny lanes in the shadow of Mont Ventoux towards Orange. A stop for coffee in the village of Bedarrides alongside the River Sorgues, then on to the highlight of the trip for wine-lovers - a tasting at a vineyard of the celebrated Châteauneuf-du-Pâpe. After picnicking amongst the vines, it's a short hop to Orange for our overnight stop. Here we will see some superb examples of triumphal Roman architecture, including the Theatre Antique, built around 10AD. The theatre, which is still used for concerts, is wonderfully preserved and seats over 10,000. A fascinating audio-visual tour is included in the trip.

Our hotel is in the heart of the pedestrianised centre of the town, so there is plenty of opportunity for exploring before dinner.

Total distance: 49km

Day 3

Today we set out across the flatlands of the Rhône River, which we cross at Coustellet. We are now entering the vineyards of the Côtes du Rhône Villages, where every hamlet has its own take on how wine should be made. Our rout brings us to the bustling town of Bagnols-sur-Cèze, where the town hall houses early Picassos, and works by Monet , Renoir and Gauguin in its low-key art gallery.

Back on the bikes, we trace our way through a landscape of vineyards and cherry trees, then after climbing a low ridge (with a fantastic picnic spot!), descend to St-Quentin-la-Poterie, which as the name suggests is a historic centre for ceramics, with artisan workshops selling their beautiful work direct to the public.

Our final stretch of the day brings us into the magnificent medieval city of Uzès. Boasting a beautiful cathedral with its "Tour Fenestrelle" or windowed tower, and the Chateau of the Duchy of Uzès, there is a wealth of medieval sites to visit in the town, as well as plenty of boutiques to satisfy any shopping urges! Our wonderfully characterful hotel is in the heart of the ancient quarter nestling under the cathedral, and includes a rooftop restaurant and a terrace swimming pool in its unexpected charms.

Total distance: 50km

Day 4

Today we have a circular route bringing us back to Uzès, so that we can make the most of this beautiful town (and the morning market is a great source for the makings of a picnic lunch !) The main destination of the day is the Pont du Gard, an aqueduct built by the Romans as part of a system to carry water from Uzès to Nîmes. It is an awe-inspiring feat of engineering, and its harmony with its setting over the River Gard is remarkable. Rather than cycling the whole way to the bridge, we can complete the final part of the journey by canoe, taking in the splendour of the Gard gorges - and the Pont itself - from the water.

We will have lunch within sight of the bridge, before making our along back roads to Uzès through the garrigue, the rugged, beautiful country of the départment of Gard, taking in the scent of wild thyme and basil, and maybe spotting a wild boar in the undergrowth or a red kite wheeling overhead.

Total distance: 28km (+ canoe trip to Pont du Gard 9km)

Day 5

Heading south from Uzès and skirting the city of Nimes, there is more dramatic, rugged scenery before we sweep out into the plains which reach to the Camargue and the Mediterranean. On the way we cross the Pont du Gard, this time on two wheels. From here it is easy cycling through a series of villages, each with a church the wrought ironwork belfries so characteristic of the area. A picnic lunch is folllowed by a wine tasting at the Chateau Morgue de Grès, a prestigious winery of the Costières de Nîmes appelation After lunch, we ride through the northern fringes of the Camargue, through paddies growing the red rice of the region, and fields of the black bulls which are bred for the bullrings of Arles and Nîmes. We then cross the Rhône to our hotel in the heart of ancient Arles.

We arrive early in the afternoon, so there should be plenty of time before dinner to have a look around the immaculately-preserved Roman Amphitheatre - or next door's equally-impressive Roman Theatre, or to take a short walk to the Alyscamps Roman cemetery or the 15th century St-Trophîme Cathedral, with its shaded cloister. Elsewhere in Arles is the Van Gogh museum – you are guaranteed not to run short of things to see in Arles!.

Total distance: 56km

Day 6

Our last day of riding takes us east towards the Alpilles massif. Although there are no high peaks, the jagged ridge gives the impression of being higher than it is. Riding out of Arles along tiny back roads - where meeting a car is an event in itself - we tackle a short stiff climb to the hill-top village of Les Baux. The bottom-gear effort is richly rewarded by the sublime views and the town itself, which is dramatically perched on a rocky outcrop.

Then it is on via a stunning twisty descent to the pretty little town of St-Rémy-de-Provence for lunch. St Rémy, the birthplace of Nostradamus, is also celebrated as the subject for many of Van Gogh's paintings and drawings. After lunch, we can stroll round the Roman arch and monuments known as les Antiques, or visit the hospital of St-Paul-de-la-Mauseole, the sanitorium where Van Gogh committed himself after his argument with his best friend Paul Gauguin. Our final stretch of riding takes on flat, quiet lanes through orchards and melon fields to cross the River Durance at Cavaillon, and from there it,s a short hop back to the Mas de Cure Bourse outside L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue for our final night’s celebration dinner.

Total distance: 58km

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.

“An excellent way to experience the French countryside, sampling gourmet food and local wines, and above all enjoying the camaraderie of the group”

Andrew Wainwright, Northampton UK.

“Great cycling, great routes, great accommodation, great company!”

David & Ali Swinburne, Gloucestershire UK.

“A fab holiday – will definitely be back for another one.”

David & Jacqui Currie, London UK.

“Really well thought out ; sumptuous meals, fantastic selection of hotels; knowledgeable, warm and caring guides in Mike and Dave. Wonderful!”

Ruth Rohan Jones, Sydney, Australia.

“A memorable experience – can’t wait to do our next one!”

Leanne Enright, Sydney, Australia.

“It was an excellent week, great guides, great food, good group size and great value for money. The picnics were awesome! Thank you for making our 27th wedding anniversary so memorable.”

Ian Hull & Lorraine Pierce-Hull, Ontario.

“A lot of fun – we all enjoyed ourselves immensely”

Bob & Denise West, Florida.

“Jeremy and David were wonderful, the trip couldn’t have been better”

Mo & Tony Conter, California.

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

Clive & Kristen, South Australia.

“Dear Ruth,

“I would like to thank you and the staff at French Cycling Holidays for a wonderful vacation in the south of France. We could not ask for a more perfect combination of great weather, excellent guides (David and Jeremy) and a lively group of cyclists. I will certainly recommend your company to friends here in the states who might be interested in this kind of holiday. I think this is the only way to see such beautiful towns and countryside. Hopefully I can talk my wife into the Villages of Luberon tour. I have no doubt that we will return for a future tour.

“Thanks again for a great holiday,”

Jeffrey Comitalo, Valerie Hendrzak, Florida.