The following are 2 different types of itinerary:
1 - This first itinerary example is with a smaller amount of bike time with more of an accent on tourism.
2 - The second itinerary example is where the biking is more important, with greater distances covered (and of course lots of sights taken in).
Remember most of us are somewhere in between these two groups.
It's also important to remember that our tours are very flexible, meaning that these itineraries are by no way set in stone. These are guides as to what your tour could look like. On your arrival, by using our comprehensive Ride Directory (of 60+ rides) and our input, we can easily put together the tour that is right for you, thus making the most of your time in Provence.
1 - A smaller amount of bike time with more of an accent on Tourism.
Day 1: Arrival @ 4pm - Pick up bikes & GPS. Short demo & a 5kms ride to get you used to your GPS. Then maybe a short ride before dinner.
Day 2 - Ride to the spectacular stone hill-top village of Gordes, take a seat at the cafe by the fountain & take in the view. Visit the ancient stone settlement just outside Gordes. Then onto one of the many vineyards. 25kms / 15 miles.
Day 3 - Walk to the Lavender museum in the village from the Farmhouse. Then on the bike to visit the beautiful riverside villages of Fontaine de Vaucluse & L'Isle sur la Sorgue. Admire the crystal clear water as you sit by one of the many riverside restaurants. L'Isle sur la Sorgue is the French Antiques capital - so dozens of shops to visit. 30 kms / 18 miles.
Day 4 - Ride along the Luberon valley then up to the beautiful village of Roussillon, famous for its terracotta landscapes and take a walk through one of the old ochre mines. Then down to the converted rail track (now a bike path) on the way back to the Farmhouse. 35 kms / 21 miles
Day 5 - Visit “Peter Mayle - Year in Provence†territory, with the choices of Lacoste, Menerbes and Bonnieux - all beautiful centuries old stone hill top villages, rich in history and culture. Chateaux, Churches, great views, excellent restaurants - the real Provence. 30 kms / 18 miles.
Day 6 - A lovely ride to the unique, and relatively unknown, Oppede le Vieux. Walk through the picturesque Rennaisance village and then up through the abandoned houses (due to an earthquake) to the rocky spur with its magnificent 360 views, ancient Chateau and Church - unforgettable. 30 kms / 18 miles.
Day 7 - Departure after breakfast.
2. Where the biking is more important.
Day 1: Arrival @ 4pm - Pick up bikes & GPS. Short demo & a 5kms ride to get you used to your GPS. Then maybe a short ride before dinner.
Day 2 - A tour of the spectacular Luberon villages and landscape. Take the superb, quiet bike track to Oppede le Vieux, Menerbes, Lacoste & Bonnieux - where sights abound. Head down the excellent 10km winding road, with great views of Mont Ventoux, to Apt. Jump on the converted rail track (now a bike path) and then climb up to Rousillon and Gordes. 72 kms / 45 miles.
Day 3 - Tackle the Tour de France classic - Mont Ventoux. Drive the 50 mins to the start point. Punch your time card at the bottom of the mountain and then it's the 25kms climb to the top. With the last 6kms at 10% it's fun. Punch your card and admire your time - then it's 25kms free wheeling. It's not a huge distance - but it's a lot of climbing with 1600 metres from Bedoin or 1200 metres from Sault.
Day 4 - Scenic tour around the Luberon Mountains. Head of along the flat, through the vines to the pretty villages of Robion & Maubec. Head around the spectacular Luberon mountain, through the orchards and into the mountain pass. Tackle the long climb up to Bonnieux, and then down into the valley along the converted rail track (now a bike path) on the way back to the Farmhouse. 76 Kms / 48 Miles.
Day 5 - Gordes & beyond. Climb up to the famous village of Gordes, keep going to the “Col de Murs†mountain pass and the magnificent calm that you'll find there, then the long downhill towards the pretty villages in the river plane, St Dider, Pernes & L'Isle sur la Sorgue. 68 Kms / 43 Miles.
Day 6 - Up into the hills. Take the scenic route to the unique village of Fontaine de Vaucluse, and into the quiet & beautiful hills behind. Down to picturesque St Didier for lunch, and then back via the river plane and fruit orchards. 76 Kms / 48 Miles.
Day 7 - Departure after breakfast.
Cabrieres : One of our Ensuite rooms... (enlarge)