Van Gogh’s playground, Provence is bursting withm colour, from dazzling sunflowers and lavender to emerald rivers and red cliffs.
Additional inclusions
Return scheduled or low-cost flights and return private transfers. 7-night Perfumes of Provence Cycling Holiday with fully-equipped bikes, luggage transfers between hotels, maps and route notes and services of a local representative.
Van Gogh’s playground, Provence is bursting with colour, from dazzling sunflowers and lavender to emerald rivers and red cliffs... best enjoyed with wondrous local food and a glass of dry rosé. A colourful landscape strewn with lavender fields, sunflowers and grapevines, Provence enjoys a wonderful Mediterranean climate - perfect for crafting its speciality dry rosé wine. This route takes you into the Luberon hills through lush green valleys and ancient villages. The light here is dazzling - no wonder so many artists have painted the region’s varying vistas. And the food is wonderful too...
What not to miss
Lavender, sunflowers and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence in all its inspiring colour
Mysterious Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, an emerald-green lagoon borne out of a powerful spring
Restaurant David in Roussillon
What's included
3 and 4 star hotel accommodation
Bed & breakfast included
Flights and transfers
Luggage transfers
Bikes, panniers and puncture repair kits
Route maps and instructions
Local support available whenever needed
Tandems and electric bikes on request
This is a BSpoke Original Tour
Day 1: Arrive at Avignon, Nîmes or Marseilles airport. Transfer by minibus, taxi or train to our base hotel in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.
Day 2: Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. After breakfast you’ll be equipped with your bicycle. The day is then yours to explore Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, a beautiful town of narrow streets, attractive old houses and historical buildings. Its enviable setting amongst lush green valleys full of wild flowers is part of what drew many writers and artists to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence – most notably, Van Gogh who painted some of his best work here. If you’d like to get on your bike today, we suggest venturing into the exquisite surrounding landscape to the village of Baux-de-Provence. From its wondrous stone fortress perched high on a rocky plateau, the views of the Alpilles are superb. Another hidden gem located a few miles from Saint-Rémy-de-Provence is Eygalières, a small village of lovely stone houses dripping in flowers. The chapel ruins here are worth a look, as well as the local history museum.
Day 3: Saint-Rémy-de-Provence to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse: 25 miles (40km). Today you’ll enjoy a beautiful scenic ride along quiet lanes, winding through sleepy villages. The route crosses the River
Vaucluse at Cavaillon, an attractive town renowned for its delicious melons. We suggest visiting the fruit market, picking out a perfectly ripe sample, and eating it there and then, before continuing on your way, through rich and fertile fields of fruit, towards Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, home to the most powerful water spring in France.
Day 4: Fontaine-de-Vaucluse. Start your day with a potter around this lovely village, heading to the source of its fame, a powerful spring situated at the foot of a steep cliff towering 230 metres high. With an annual flow of 630 cubic metres, the spring is the fifth largest in the world, feeding the crystal-clear Sorgue river, which soon turns a startling emerald. Once you’ve seen this mysterious wonder that draws so many tourists to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, we suggest hopping on your bike and cycling to L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. Hugged by the river Sorgue on all sides, it’s known as the ‘island city’, carved up by canals running through ancient streets. Alternatively, if the emerald-green of the River Sorgue is making you want to paddle rather than pedal, you could opt to book a canoe trip to L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue.
Day 5: Fontaine-de-Vaucluse to Roussillon: 23 miles. (37km). Today you’ll journey into the heart of the Luberon, stopping off at Gordes, one of the region’s most beautiful villages, perched on the southern edge of the high Plateau de Vaucluse. Tall, white and grey stone houses (some home to film stars) rise up out of the rock on which the village is set. At its summit lies an ancient castle overlooking the hills of the Luberon. The Abbey of Senanque is a must-see here. Hidden in the green valley, it’s still home to Cistercian monks who make honey, lavender essence, and liqueurs. From Gordes the route continues through the lavender fields to Roussillon.
Day 6: Roussillon. Time to explore Roussillon, a charming village situated at the foot of the Monts de Vaucluse. One of the biggest ochre deposits in the world, Roussillon is famous for its magnificent red cliffs and ochre quarries, rich reds and yellows contrasting with lush green pine trees and the vivid blue Provençal sky. In the afternoon we suggest cycling to the nearby village of Bonnieux. You’ll know you’re getting close when you spot its prominent church tower. Built on a plateau above the valley, the views from this cluster of ancient houses are amazing. At the top of 86 stone steps is the “Vieille Eglise”. From up here amongst the cedar trees you can see Gordes and Roussillon in the distance, amongst vast plains of grapevines and lavender.
Day 7: Roussillon to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence: 34 miles (54km). Your final day in the saddle will take you back to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, on part of the Luberon cycle route along the lower contours of the Luberon Mountains National Park. Winding your way through magnificent scenery, you’ll eventually find yourself in Oppède Le Vieux, another historic village of ancient buildings including a ruined châteaux and a 12th century church. Next, Ménerbes, an archeologically fascinating village which has been inhabited since pre-historic times. Ancient houses have been lovingly restored, making it yet another lovely village to wander around, stopping to admire the imposing citadel. Finally, relax back in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence to enjoy a glass or two of rosé on your last night.
Day 8: We say “Au Revoir” before transferring you direct from Saint-Rémy-de-Provence to Avignon, Nîmes or Marseilles airport by train, taxi or minibus.
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