Itinerary

Day 1:  25km/15 miles
Meet your guides in Avignon at 09:00 or St. Remy at 10:30 for bike familiarization. After lunch in St.Remy, ride to the hilltop ruin of Les Baux, to explore this medieval courting ground before returning to St. Remy.  Today is planned as an easy introduction to your bikes, to give you time to unwind after the rigors of travelling, and to give you time to explore St. Remy by foot later in the afternoon. LD (Meal inclusions provided for guided trips. Self-guided trips include breakfast only)
La Cigalle et la Fourmi; or
La Fragrance, Saint-Rémy de Provence; or
*Upgrade option Domaine de Valmouriane (additional $175per room/night)

Day 2:  65km/40 miles
Beginning at the hilltop of Les Baux, you will cycle through Les Alpilles on your way to Cavaillon. After crossing La Durance, you will make your way along the cycle route to Ménerbes, on the North slopes of the Luberon, seeing your first “perched village” at Oppède le Vieux. You will finish at one of the most famous and photographed villages in Provence, where your swimming pool and exquisite dinner will complement a walk around this medieval enclave. BL
Hotel Les Bories; or
Le Mas des Romarins, Gordes

Day 3:  95km/55 miles with shorter options
Today’s loop ride is a fabulous exploration of some of Provence’s extraordinary sights.  First, you will stop in Roussillon, painted in the red, orange, and yellow hues of ochre, mined in the nearby hills. Optional hike through the forests to visit the monks in their secluded valley at Abbaie de Senanque. En route to Menerbes, you will pass through perched villages and gorgeous countryside. Menerbes was made famous in Peter Mayle’s books “Toujours Provence” and “A Year in Provence”. You will also pass through Lacoste, with its castle ruins, and Bonnieux, where you can enjoy views from the church at the top of the village before returning to Gordes for dinner.  BL
Same lodging

Day 4: 70km/42 miles
A big day with several climbs and a spectacular ridge ride. Your first stop is the Abbaie de Sennanque, where the monks grow lavender and fill their peaceful valley with melodious chants between work.  Mid-morning stop in Venasque to see the ruins there, then on to Gorges de la Nesque for an out of this world ride. Finish near Sault. BLD
Hostellerie du Val de Sault; or
Pierre de Lune, Sault

Day 5: 68km/43 miles
Circumnavigate Mont Ventoux. Finish at the remarkable “hotel village” - Crillon le Brave. The exceptionally comfortable hotel includes all the houses at the top of the village, and offers restaurant choices. BL
Villa Noria, Modène; or
La Condamine, Crillon-le-Brave; or
Upgrade: Hotel Crillon-le-Brave (additional $175per room/night)

Day 6: 63km/39miles
Loop ride including Mt. Ventoux. The first half of this ride is an uphill climb (understatement), one of the most famous in the Tour de France. Those who want can take the van to or from the top. The second half is a rapturous descent, to be navigated with caution. The summit is 1909m/6263ft, and it’s usually about 11°C (–20°F) cooler at the top than at the bottom. The van will be close by throughout the ride and cyclists are asked to use caution and good judgement in their attempt to ride this loop. There is an alternative self-guided 50km (30 miles) option for those who prefer, cycling through Villes sur Auzon, and the historic village of Mazan, at the foothills of Mt. Ventoux. BLD
Same lodging

Day 7:  09:00 departure for transfer to Avignon train station, TGV station, or hotel. B

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