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May 29 - VENCE (NICE)
We’ll meet your flight at the Nice/Côte d’Azur airport and transport you to our hotel in Vence. This ancient walled
village, only six miles from the beaches of the Côte d’Azur, is high enough in the hills to be free of the crush of beach cruising tourists that can ruin anyone's vacation. We’ll all be busy assembling bikes, fighting fatigue,
sightseeing, or just relaxing from our travels, so we offer several suggestions for a shakedown ride before our welcome dinner tonight. Most of this trip will be on small country roads and we will seldom be in dense tourist areas. Many of
the following days show a fair amount of elevation gain, though there are very few hard climbs, most being gradual or rolling. Dinner will be at our hotel in, or overlooking the pool and garden, depending on the weather.
May 30 - ST CÉZAIRE - 27mi, 1000ft -or- 42mi, 3000ft altitude gain
We’ll have a leisurely breakfast - no rush this morning. The hustle of city life and responsibilities of home left far behind us, we set out on a truly great adventure. We parallel
the coast as we wind our way toward Grasse, the world leader in the distillation of perfumes. With continued views of the Mediterranean along the way, we stop in St Cézaire for our first of many French lunches. Whether it is a five course
meal, a picnic, or just a salad and baguette, lunch is always a grand experience in Provence. The longer route departs early in the day and climbs to the cliff hugging village of Gourdon, 1500 ft above the road taken by the other cyclists.
Still more climbing to the Plateau de Caussols, and we have an exhilarating descent all the way to St Cézaire where the others will just be finishing lunch and preparing for an afternoon at the pool.
May 31 -
CALLAS-Pennafort - 37mi, 1100ft or 47mi, 2550ft
Today we descend into and climb out of the first of many
beautiful gorges, passing through or near many typical Provençal
villages, all worth exploring. Along the way we pass an
ancient Roman aqueduct carved into the stone cliffs above the
gorge. A short detour allows for the exploration of the
village of Mons and an early lunch. A gradual descent
brings us to Callian and the possibility of a late lunch in the
shaded plaza. Near Seillans an old railroad bed provides
us with a forested roadway to Claviers. An easy climb to
Bargemon rewards us with a long descent to our beautifully
situated hotel with its first rate restaurant. If you
didn't take a dip in the river earlier today, a swim in the
hotel pool is a must. JUNE
1 - MOISSAC-BELLEVUE - 34mi, 2700ft - or - 38mi, 3400ft
The inspiration for this bike tour of Provence is the many small, beautiful hilltop villages that for centuries have given safe
haven to the inhabitants of this mountainous region of France. Today we explore many of these gems, Châteaudouble, Ampus,
Tourtour and, Aups. A stop in Châteaudouble for lunch with a sweeping view from the
tree-shaded terrace of the village restaurant is a must; it’s perhaps the best lunch of the trip, the epitome of the long,
relaxing ritual of a French lunch. Tourtour is certainly one of the best villages in Provence with its shaded central plaza, the old men
playing boules, and the interesting small shops. Of course
the many outdoor bars and restaurants make for a perfect afternoon break, or even lunch for the faster riders. Aups is a lively, bustling village and a good stop for an ice cream or beer
before arriving at our hotel just outside Moissac.
JUNE 2 – AIX EN PROVENCE - 51mi,
3000ft
We start the day shopping for a grand picnic to be shared this afternoon. Today’s ride
has no special villages, but the countryside is typically Provence and beautiful. How can a place be so perfect for cycling?! Wonderful scenery, small winding roads with very little traffic, fragrant scents from wild herbs growing along
the roadside, excellent weather, friendly people, delicious food - what more can we ask for? This morning’s ride is mostly rolling hills through scrub oak, from one small village to the next. After our picnic lunch, we climb into the
hills around the famous Mont Ste. Victoire; and as we traverse the moonscape-like southern side, we are not surprised that this mountain has inspired so many artists - particularly Cézanne. One is left wondering if this mountain was
formed by the forces of nature or by the paintbrush of Cézanne. A thrilling descent off the flank of the mountain takes us into Aix-en-Provence, the vital and cosmopolitan setting for our evening’s stay. Here is the perfect sized
Provencal town for a night out; dinner will be on our own at any number of restaurants or cafes – perhaps on the famous Cours Mirabeau.
JUNE 3 - BONNIEUX - 27mi, 2000ft
This morning we'll head en masse out into the country, as we
ride toward the Montagne du Luberon, gateway to the Vaucluse.
We'll pause on our ascent of the Luberon in Lourmarin for lunch
and a visit to the 16th century château located just outside
town. A pleasant climb through a gorge brings us to our
lovely hilltop hotel, perfectly situated for grand views all
around. The stone buildings and 2 1/2 acre gardens
surrounding the pool help create a wonderfully relaxing
atmosphere infused with that famous Provençal mystique. If
you feel you are not yet in heaven, then wait for one of
Provence's great meals, the gourmet dinner served on the
terrace. JUNE 4 - GORDES
- 20mi, 1200ft - or - 39mi, 2900ft
The hilltop villages of the Luberon with their warm colors
and exquisite fragrances will intoxicate our thoughts with
visions of a simpler and richer life. En route to Gordes,
we'll explore some of the towns made famous in Peter Mayle's
books, A Year in Provence and Hotel Pastis;
Lacoste, Saignon, and Roussillon. this area is known as
the Luberon; it really is a magical place, where the residents
are friendly and hospitable, the vineyards and gardens are
lovely, and lunch at just about any little bistro is worth
writing home about. One of our favorite villages is
Roussillon, which teeters on an ochre-colored hilltop, from
which magnificent views of the surrounding lowlands may be
enjoyed. We climb to Gordes, probably the most
photographed hilltop village in France. Nearby is
the fascinating Village of the Bories, where all the buildings
are constructed of flat stone carefully piled into cone-shaped
dwellings. Our hotel is just walking distance from town.
JUNE 5 - GORDES - 0 mi or up to
30mi and 3000ft
Continuing our exploration of the Luberon we’ll visit any villages we missed yesterday. We’ll start with Goult, because if we hurry, we might be able to purchase some of the famous
sourdough bread fresh from the oven of the tiny village bakery. Then, on to Oppède-le-Vieux, Menerbe, and finally back to Gordes.
Another possibility is to visit Fontaine de Vaucluse.
Here, a large river emerges from the ground beneath towering
limestone cliffs, its source probably from far away Mont Ventoux.
If the essence of Provence were to be distilled down to a
single day's bike ride, this valley would be it. Of
course, another way to experience this part of France is to do
as the French do: pick any one of these gemstone villages,
find a restaurant or boulangerie in the town square, order a
café and patisserie, relax and enjoy!
JUNE 6 - VAISON LA ROMAINE
- Route du Vin, 44mi, 2800ft
A
short climb and a cool descent bring us to the Abbey de Senanque.
The neat rows of lavender ready to bloom, framed by
the stone towers of the abbey, create one of Provence’s most
memorable scenes; time to get the cameras out. After descending
a small gorge, the short climb to Venasque is rewarded by one of
Provences 'most beautiful' villages. After a delicious lunch in Bedoin, we circle the Dentellis de Montmirail, tooth like
mountains bordering the Rhone Valley. This is the 'Route du Vin' through some of the more famous Côte du Rhone vineyards. As we
pass through Beaumes-de-Venise, Vacqueras, Gigondas, and Seguret,
stop at any of the wineries for wine tasting and be sure to make
arrangements with van to help with any purchases. Our hotel
high above town in the old city is a perfect setting for the end
of a beautiful day. The restaurant is well known for its
excellent Provençal style menus.
JUNE 7 – VAISON LA ROMAINE
- Rest Day
A
much-needed rest day is most appropriate for today, market day
in Vaison la Romaine. Vaison’s market is considered one of the
best in all of Provence. Market day is France’s answer to the
mall; it comes once a week, and offers an experience far greater
than just buying and selling – it is a happening, a social
event, ‘showtime’, and of course a visual feast. Beautifully
laid tables of fruits, vegetables, spices, olives and tapenades,
breads, honeys, stalls of meats and fish, cheeses, pizzas, and
other prepared foods, not to mention clothes, fabrics, hardware,
jewelry, and wines. A great gastronomic adventure is to
wander the market in a group, with each person picking out a
local specialty, and returning to the hotel with a bottle of
wine where you can arrange to have a picnic.
JUNE 8 - SAULT - 32mi, 2400ft - or - 36mi, 6000ft
An option
for today, if you're up to a very serious challenge, is to climb
the nearby Mont Ventoux, a mere 5000 ft of altitude gain - much
of it at 8-11% grade. This is one of the hardest climbs
made famous by the Tour de France. The view from the
summit and the thrilling descent back into Sault, not to mention
the bragging rights, make this climb an experience of a
lifetime. The more intelligent choice, and a wonderful
route on its own, is the valley road around the northern face of
Mont Ventoux. This is a beautiful valley with lavender
fields ready to bloom. The short climb to the village of
Brantes is worth it for the views of Mont Ventoux looming high
above this quiet, picturesque village. After a late lunch
in Sault, it is a short ride ouut of town to our hotel, hidden
in an oak grove. This is a perfect setting in which to
relax after a hard ride, and, dinner on the patio will be...Provençal
and superb!
JUNE 9 –
la BASTIDE
des-JOURDANS - 40MI, 3400ft, - or - 50mi, 3700ft
Lavender
grows in many environments around the world, perhaps even in
your own garden at home. But it produces a superior essence
when grown under harsh conditions. At 2000-4000ft, the high,
arid, sparsely populated Plateau de Vaucluse is just such an
environment; cold and dry during winter, hot and dry during
summer. The fields of lavender will just be blooming,
attracting honeybees and butterflies. It’s hard to
overlook these vast fields with their tidy, rounded rows; yet
we’ll see many other wildflowers in bloom this time of year, as
well as wild herbs—thyme, rosemary, marjoram, basil, savory, and
sage—producing a heavenly medley of sweet smells. This
will be one of the loveliest, most fragrant,...and one of the
longest days of cycling. The last climb of the day will be hard
on tired legs, but the descent to la Bastide will be fast and
exhilarating. A dip in the pool will renew us in
preparation for one of our best evening meals yet.
JUNE 10 - MOUSTIERS Ste. MARIE
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45mi,
2400ft-or-49mi, 3600ft
After an enormous gourmet French breakfast, an
easy ride brings us to the bustling city of Manosque. The ring
road is quite busy but pedal into the center, where no cars are
allowed and meander through the many small streets, visiting the
myriad of shops, and of course this is a must stop for pastry and a
coffee. Greoux is a good village to find picnic supplies
for an en pleine aire lunch. Another great lunch stop is in Riez
with its shaded
streets and numerous restaurants. This area is one of the
largest lavender growing regions in all of Provence, the evenly
spaced rows stretching as far as the eye
can see. Moustiers, known for its delicately painted ceramics,
sits at the base of two sheer cliffs, whose summits serve as a
springboard for many colorful parapenters. This village,
designated one of the most beautiful in Provence, is well worth
exploring, including the hike up to the small chapel on the
cliffs above town. Dinner tonight is ‘no host’; choose from a
tantalizing selection of cozy restaurants in the village.
JUNE 11 - CASTELLANE - 32 mi, 3000ft - or -
53mi,
4000ft
The Grand Canyon du Verdon is one of the most impressive natural wonders of Europe,
yet it was not discovered until 1905. Of course the locals knew it well, but its remoteness kept it hidden from the world. Agriculturally useless and almost inaccessible, the 13 mile canyon has sheer limestone cliffs 1000 to 3000 feet high
and less than one-half mile apart. As we begin our climb at the beginning of the canyon, we see the first of many spectacular views, the brilliant opaque blue-green of Lac de Ste. Croix, formed by a dam at its western end. Far below
numerous breathtaking viewpoints is the Verdon river snaking its way westward. From our favorite viewpoint we will enjoy a leisurely picnic lunch while watching rock climbers honing their skills on the vertical rock walls. We descend into
the narrow gorge at the east end of the Verdon on our way to the mountain village of Castellane. Although there is plenty of climbing and descending, the short route is fairly easy. The optional loop, though steep, is highly recommended
for its incredible scenic beauty.
JUNE 12 - VENCE - 47 mi,
2800 ft -or- 53 mi, 3800 ft We’ll make the most of today, our last day of cycling through this wonderfully varied and amazing part of France, and choosing a route is the hard part,
with so much from which to choose! The short route climbs up the Col du Luens, then turns off into a series of sub-alpine valleys, and finally plummets toward the village of Gourdon perched high on the cliffs above the Gorges du Loup. A
‘must’ for lunch, Gourdon has a most impressive view of the Côte d’Azur and Mediterranean beyond.
The shorter route avoids the climb to Gourdon by traversing a
high valley until we pass through the Clue de Greolières, where
we start descending - almost all the way to Vence. The tiny
backroads and the uplifted limestone slabs of the region create
a route with immense views for the entire day. Lunch is
best taken in Greolières, or even in Vence. After packing
up, we'll enjoy our farewell dinner at the hotel
JUNE 13 – Departure
Van transportation is provided to the
Nice-Côte d'Azur airport (or train) in Nice.
COST $2900 per person based on Double Occupancy
$500 Single Supplement
INCLUDES
·2-3 star Hotel Accommodations ·
·Breakfast daily (except arrival day) ·Dinner daily (except one night and arrival/departure
days)
·Airport transfers from/to Nice airport
·Bike mechanic and van
support with cellular phone
·Ground transportation for all passengers, luggage & bikes
·Regional map plus detailed daily route maps & cue sheets
NOT INCLUDED
·International airfare
·Tips, gratuities, laundry, telephone, & items of a personal
nature
·Lunches and alcoholic beverages (a supplemental fee will be
charged for those who want wine with dinner, and can be prepaid
before departure)
PRE-TRIP PLANNING
A complete trip packet will be sent upon receipt of your final payment, including tour t-shirt, hotel lists, maps, and luggage tags. Our guidebook containing
information on what to bring, how to pack your bike for flying, equipment list, and changing currencies, will be sent upon receipt of your secondary deposit (due by March 1). All participants must possess a current passport.
TRAVEL
INSURANCE Erickson Cycle Tours strongly recommends purchasing insurance for trip cancellation, injury, illness, and loss of effects. A traveler's insurance brochure will be included in your confirmation letter.
AIRFARE
We offer the services of
our travel agent, Rogue Travel, in obtaining economical,
expedient air reservations, and we are happy to assist with pre-
and post-tour accommodations. Please contact Shannon or
Steven for flight information:
800.443.9216 or shannon@mind.net
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