Itinerary summary:

 

Highlights

 

Market days

Mt Ventoux

Aix-en-Provence

Grand Canyon du Verdon

Clue St Auban

Moustier-Santa Marie

Bedoin

Gordes

Rousillon

Fontaine en Vaucluse

Vaison la Romaine

Gigondas

Route du Vin

Grape harvest

 

Day 1 — Vence arrival

Day 2 — Seillans. 63k, 85k, 100+k.

Day 3 — Mossaic-Bellevue 76k -100k

Day 4 — Mossaic-Bellevue loop rides

Day 5 — Aix-en-Provence. 70-90k dinner out. Late departure next day. 

Day 6 — Gordes. 72-128k

Day 7 — Gordes loop rides.

Day 8 — Vaison-la-Romaine. 68-120k. Optional Mt Ventoux add-on

Day 9 — Loop rides or rest

Day 10 — Sault. Lots of options. 60-100+k.

Day 11 — Manosque, 67 – 82k

Day 12 — Manosque,  loop rides or rest

Day 13 — Moustier-Sainte Marie,  73km

Day 14 — Castellane,  65-80km

Day 15 — Vence,  74-110km

Day 16 — Nice departures

· Vineyards of Provence harvest time

· Uncrowded villages in south France

· Pleasant weather for bike riders

· Abundant photo opportunities

· Varied cycling routes and options

Early fall in Provence is almost magical; the grape harvest filling the air with sweet fragrances and cool evenings to enjoy.  The hordes of American tourists are mostly back home, so the locals can return to their more relaxed lifestyles.  It is the time of year when cyclists seek to extend their summer riding for a few more weeks before the leaves fall marking the beginning of wet weather.  The chanterelle mushrooms are plentifully served with meals at this time. 

 

We designed this tour for couples to enjoy shared cycling pleasure with vast varieties of distance, elevation and endurance options.  Whether you are seeking a leisurely 60km roll thru the countryside or a strenuous 90km loop over the Giant of Provence (Mt Ventoux), you get to choose your tempo and distance with our expert guidance each day.

 

Provence, the South of France and leisurely meals are almost synonymous terms for describing a way of life that is far from the hustle-bustle of big cities and the stresses of life.  In keeping with a more leisurely approach to life, our cycle-tour of Provence incorporates a few of the many wonderful villages for our nightly rest and repas.   Fall fragrances of ripe grapes in carts going from vineyard to winery will intoxicate our senses as we enjoy Provencal  feasts prepared by masterful chefs using only the freshest of ingredients.. 

Provence, perhaps more than any other region, stimulates all of the senses with fragrances, flavors, friends and foto-opportunities beyond words.  The colors of Provence are rich and vibrant, dominated by yellow, red, lavender, blue and olive.  The leaves on shrubs and trees of the Haute-Provence (upper Provence) will blend into our consciousness to create a visual tapestry of color and texture that one must experience slowly. 

The produce and products displayed at the weekly markets are changing from summer wear, herbs and fruit to heavier textiles and squashes as the local people of Provence prepare for winter winds that await.  The days will be sunny and the evenings cool; ideal riding weather for cyclists looking for a few more great weeks of riding, before the rains and snows blow out of the north.