All That You Imagine, and So Much More

Transcription

1 Activity Level: Moderate Duration: 6 Days/5 Nights All That You Imagine, and So Much More Experience Provence In some ways, Provence requires no introduction. We all have ready images of its bucolic landscapes painted purple with lavender, of gnarled olive trees, majestic cypresses and that magical light made famous by Van Gogh. Author Peter Mayle introduced us to the enduring charm of the locals, while the Tour de France has etched Mont Ventoux in our brains. Still, such images only scratch the surface in terms of the region s beauty, history, culture, and cuisine and our unique B&R itinerary takes in the less-discovered with the iconic with plenty of picturesque pedalling along the way. THE B&R DIFFERENCE This was our fourth B&R trip and it was magnificent. Provence was the most beautiful landscape yet! We are busy planning next year s trip as we are always so pleased with the quality of the guides, the food and wine, the activities and of course the cycling! Carolyn Zaslaw, Provence Biking WHY TRAVEL WITH B&R? We ensure you taste the very best of the fields, orchards and vineyards of Provence. This means hearty lunches of traditional specialties such as flowerwrapped chèvre, black and green olive tapénade and savoury tart pissaladière, paired with great Côtes du Rhône wines. at Viajes Le Grand (52) the journey p.2 view > / notes from the road p.5 view > / the details p.6 view > / next steps p.7 view >

2 The Journey Title. Provence was the first Roman province outside Italy. Blurb 2 the journey Days 1 & 2 Forcalquier & the Lure Massif AFTER A SHORT DRIVE (ABOUT ONE HOUR) FROM Aix to the high plains of the majestic Lure Massif, we start our warm-up morning ride from the little village of Mallefougasse-Auge. This picturesque village provides the perfect starting point as we meander through authentic Provence. After passing through several more charming towns and a lavender field or two, we tackle a short climb into the perched village of Pierrerue. Many years ago, the American couple who welcome us today decided to move here to experience this unique savoir vivre à la Française. Here, we ll enjoy a true organic lunch and an animated discussion of life in Provence around a first glass of rosé, which precedes the short stretch to the hotel, a modern interior housed in a medieval shell. Tonight we will dine at our hotel restaurant where Chef Jérôme Roy s creativity explodes in the newly renovated dining room but not before enjoying a pastis overlooking the lavender in the valley below. the enchanting countryside of the Lubéron, where there will be the option of some challenging hills for those interested in earning an extra helping at lunch, which will be on your own today in one of the many fine local bistros. After this rest stop, we hop on our bikes for the short ride back to the hotel, returning early enough that you have time to explore the spa or enjoy the pool. HOTEL Le Couvent des Minimes, Mane en Provence This early 17thC convent had its path marked early on as it specialized in the culture and study of plants and essences. Louis XIV s botanist wrote two important treatises within its walls and when the bishop of the nearby town of Forcalquier took it over, he used its unique location at the foot of the Alps, to transform it into a flourishing garden providing fruits and crops for the region. No surprise that the famous cosmetic and fragrance brand L Occitane decided to further transform the structure into a gem of a hotel combining it with a spa in harmony with its unique Provençal character and history. THE BIKING Day 1: A stunning 38 km (23 mi.) ride, of which 8 km (5 mi.) are during the afternoon on the high plains of the Lubéron, featuring a long downhill followed by moderately rolling hills through the gorgeous hilltop towns of the region. Day 2: A 32 km (22 mi.) ride through the rolling hills and little villages around Forcalquier. A longer option to the hilltop village of Lurs adds 25 km (15 mi.). Our second day is market day! If Aix and St-Rémy are well known to the foreign traveller, it is Forcalquier where locals prefer to do their shopping. Spiralling like a sea shell, Forcalquier s ancient narrow streets borrow the colours of the rainbow for one morning a week spices, flowers and ripe, freshly picked fruits abound; there is not a single one of Provence s bounties that isn t represented. Having explored every stand avidly, we bike out into

3 The Journey The Rhone River, on the western border of Provence, is one of the major waterways of France. 3 When the sun sets behind the mountains, we have our first go at Provence s trademark game, boules, or pétanque, as it is called here. For dinner, we ll enjoy a Provençale buffet served in the shade of the plane trees nearby the pétanque court of our hotel. Days 3, 4 & 5 The Valley of Ochres & the Petit Lubéron Today will have the most riding of the week and some of you who are up to an exciting challenge can choose to do our Century Ride. We start directly from the hotel and after climbing a gentle hill, we take it slow on a bike path leading to the town of Apt. For lunch on this day, we go back to school! La Petite École was an actual school until the late 1960s; it has now become a retreat for gourmands, where the young chef Olivier Lemoine makes the vegetable garden come alive. With most of the ride done in the morning, it is a short, flat afternoon to reach tonight s haven, La Bastide de Marie. This fantastic property is a Provençal dream come true. The location, the beauty of its rooms and the most exquisite attention to detail. B&R is proud to be the only company allowed there. Free time can be spent relaxing by (or in!) the hotel s heated outdoor pool. This evening we sate our appetites with a quick visit to the wine estate of the hotel (The Domaine de Marie by the wine maker Arnaud Bressy) followed by a great dinner at the hotel in the shade of secular olive groves and featuring wines grown right on the premises. We enter the heart of the Petit Lubéron valley today. The ride will be like the sea on a strong Mistral day: a flat mirror interrupted by steep (but short) waves. We pass through the spectacular village of Bonnieux before we continue downhill and across a two-thousand-yearold Roman bridge. We then bike up to the spectacular but hidden village of Goult, in which the main square is filled with inviting cafés and shops teaming with wonderful goods. For many, Provence is synonymous with olive oil, and our ride will lead us to a tasting stop in an authentic olive oil mill, in which your B&R guides await with a tasty picnic comprising delicious local fare. The afternoon is a relaxed one composed of a short ride back to the hotel and some downtime by the pool before our evening event. The Domaine de La Citadelle is a very short drive next to our hotel. Our expert Kelly McAulliffe welcomes us there for a very informative talk. Kelly worked with renowned French chef Alain Ducasse for many years and will help us explore the more subtle complexity of Lubéron and Ventoux A.O.C. as well as Chateauneuf du Pape, though we ll start with a refreshing local rosé that might help you process all the sights and smells experienced during this magnificent day. For

4 The Journey Vincent Van Gogh lived in Provence for many years, and many of his most famous paintings were done in Provence. 4 tonight s dinner on your own, your guides can propose many restaurants in the area, affording you the chance for some privacy and a return to your favourite village of the day with the golden evening light shining on it. For our last day, we have a rewarding and, at times, hilly ride (with our support van always nearby). We ride up to Gordes and enjoy one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France (one of the most beautiful villages of France.) We ll swing downhill before riding back up to the legendary village of Roussillon with its red houses forming a striking contrast with the lush green pine trees. Here, your B&R guides will be sure to pinpoint their favourite places for you to enjoy on your own. In the afternoon we ll enjoy some of the most gorgeous views of the Lubéron along the way, biking up to the village of Lacoste. There will also be some time to relax at the property and have a last sip of the estate s rosé before enjoying a gourmet dinner by Chef Laurent Houdart, who will amaze us with his creativity. Day 6 Homeward Bound HOTEL La Bastide de Marie, Ménerbes This beautifully restored, centuries-old farmhouse is set among 37 acres of the inn s own vineyards in the heart of the Lubéron Valley. With two pools and terraces that run the length of the house, you will be hard pressed to get up from your lounge chair. Fortunately, the chef, Laurent Houdart, is on hand to lure you to dinner with his acclaimed Provençal cooking. THE BIKING Day 3: A 54 km (33 mi.) bike ride through the valley of the river Calavon, passing by the city of Apt. A 101 km (64 mi.) Century Ride is also available. Day 4: A 46 km (28 mi.) ride that takes us through the hilltop villages of Bonnieux and then down into the valley of Petit Lubéron toward picturesque Goult, before ending in a privately owned olive oil mill down in the valley. It s only a short stretch away from the hotel in the afternoon. Day 5: A 46 km (29 mi.) rolling hill ride that passes Gordes and heads up to Roussillon and its century old oak trees and finally Marquis de Sade s home Lacoste, with its imposing castle. The ride is challenging in the morning, but rewarded by a stunning downhill in the afternoon after the village of Lacoste. (An extra option up to the village of Murs is available in the morning and adds up 10 km uphill.) After a final breakfast together, we drive to the Avignon train station in time for TGV trains to Paris. Bon voyage!

5 Notes From the Road Pastis is the traditional liqueur of Provence, flavoured with anise and typically containing 40-45% alcohol. 5 The Essence of Provence By Thilo Erhardt Who else described Provence better than famous writers Marcel Pagnol or Alphonse Daudet? Their delightful writing depicts a land that harbours the strong colours of the Mediterranean with its bright yellow sunflower fields, its shimmering olive groves and crimson coloured earth. They tell the story of tiny little villages nestled on gentle hills with, at their heart, the marketplace bathed in tones of grey with villagers peacefully enjoying their pastis under the shade of a plane tree. Here, the conversation would centre around the great play of some boule player, who scored an amazing point by choosing an unorthodox throwing method. The quiet atmosphere is disturbed three times a week, on market day! Be it fruits, flowers or spices, the soft hues of the countryside enter the city and tinge the narrow maze of winding streets with the colors of the rainbow. The square transforms into a frenzied anthill, where only the toll of twelve o clock by the church bell can call off the activities. Their books always had a plot centred around one vital element to Provence, an element that still feeds the lavender fields, the olive groves and the peach orchards. For it is water that paces the life of the whole of Provence. No village is without a spewing fountain, whose bubbling sound belongs to Provence as much as the shrill chirp of the crickets. Closing your eyes, you could picture yourself in one of Van Gogh or Cezanne s paintings, feel the mistral wind rushing through your hair and almost smell the dizzying scent of the lavender fields. Thanks to Marcel Pagnol and Alphonse Daudet, every French schoolboy can enjoy recreational reading to escape boredom but is ultimately failed at the final exam. For like Provence itself, the simple yet profound beauty of their writing is almost impossible to explain in words to the examiner. The traveller, who has seen Provence, will be luckier, for he can dwell on his memories. B&R REGIONAL EXPERT Thilo Erhardt Longtime B&R guide and Regional Expert Thilo returns to his childhood haunts around the Mediterranean whenever he can. He is also an economist with a passion for history who has guest lectured at Johns Hopkins University.

6 The Details Petanque, also known as boules, is a very popular sport played in towns and villages all over Provence. 6 UNITED KINGDOM BELGIUM PROVENCE Paris FRANCE SWITZERLAND Avignon Gargas Mane-en-Provence MONTAGNE DU LUBERON ITALY Aix-en-Provence SPAIN Mediterranean Sea 2014 Dates & Prices Jun 1-6 $5,295 Jun 29 - July 4 $5,395 Sep 7-12 $5,395 Sep 14-19* $5,295 Sep $5,295 Oct 5-10 $4,995 ($1,100 single supplement) _ Duration 6 Days / 5 Nights Start Aix-en-Provence Hôtel La Renaissance (Grand Hotel Roi René used for Jun 1-6 departure) 8:30 am Finish Avignon TGV Train station 10:00 am Prices are per person and in US dollars. *This departure uses a slightly different itinerary. Call for details. the details LEVEL OF ACTIVITY We rate this trip Moderate Most of the riding on this trip is quite manageable, becoming slightly more challenging on Day 3 when we head westward. However, where the hills are challenging, the B&R van is there to help out weary riders. All the riding is on quiet roads and even some bike paths. Daily distances average 50 km (31 mi.), with the option for a 100 km (62 mi.) on Day 3. WHAT S INCLUDED All hotel accommodation All breakfasts, three lunches, four dinners, including wine Services of B&R guide(s) and support van Use of a customized hybrid or a racing bike with drop bars, equipped with handlebar bag and helmet Detailed maps, route suggestions and water bottle All special events and private tours All baggage transportation All transportation from rendezvous to drop-off All gratuities for baggage, porters and hotel service MORE INFO How do I get to Aix-en-Provence? Since most transatlantic flights arrive in Paris, this will most likely be your point of arrival, unless you have pre-trip plans elsewhere in Europe. The closest town to Aix with a commercial airport is Marseille. There are numerous daily flights leaving from Paris-Orly (ORY) and it takes about an hour. There are also a few flights a day departing from Charles de Gaulle International Airport (CDG). The train is another easy way to get from Paris to Aix-en-Provence there are numerous direct TGV trains, and the travel time is about 3 hours. Trains to Aix-en-Provence leave from the Gare de Lyon in Paris. LE COUVENT DES MINIMES, MANE EN PROVENCE This early 17th century convent underwent many transformations before becoming the place of relaxation and well being that it is today. This luxurious hotel and a spa is surrounded by unique Provençal character and is centuries of history. Opening out onto the interior courtyard, the gardens or the swimming pool, every room offers the same high standard of comfort. The itinerary information may vary slightly for your specific departure as we continuously research and develop each trip. Inclement weather may also necessitate minor alterations Butterfield & Robinson Management Services Inc. Revised June 25, 2013.

7 Your Next Steps 7 FIND US ON FACEBOOK Like B&R on Facebook and get the latest news and photos from the road, updates from guides and more. ROOM UPGRADE If you would like to upgrade your accommodation on this trip, please enquire at time of booking to learn cost and availability. Weather: Aix-en-Provence your next steps month high low Jan/Feb Mar/Apr May/Jun Jul/Aug Sep/Oct Nov/Dec At Butterfield & Robinson, the guiding starts while you re still at home. We make sure you know everything you need to know before you ve even left your living room. READY TO BOOK? Call or Alejandra with any remaining questions, and to reserve your space. (52) / Reserve your flights to and from the region. Book your hotel accommodation for the night before your B&R trip. Make sure your passport is up to date. Enquire after travel insurance. Once you are confirmed on a B&R trip, you will receive a Confirmation that links to tons of information to help you prepare for your trip. Then, about a month before you leave, we will send you a list of your fellow travellers, final rendezvous instructions and your hotel contact numbers. YOUR BIKE We pride ourselves on having the very best equipment for each activity and locale, maintained by expert staff and custom tweaked just for you. To learn about our biking equipment and see pictures of what you ll be riding, visit us at butterfield.com/ about/equipment/bikes. And don t forget that we will modify your bike to accommodate most special gear requests. Just ask. EXTENDING YOUR TRIP Paris is one of the great cities of the world, so chances are you will want to spend time there either before or after your trip. There are several recommendations for where to stay and what to do while in Paris included in the Confirmation you will receive upon booking. We ll also happily recommend a city guide if you want an insider s tour of Paris. STAY IN TOUCH! Sign up to receive The Slow Road our e-newsletter that is full of travel news, unique offers and B&R insider info. PHOTO CONTEST While on your trip, keep in mind you can win some great prizes with the B&R Photo Contest. We ve created three categories that capture the true spirit of B&R adventure: Faces, Places and Moments. Submit your top shots and show us how you see the world with B&R. Full details are at The itinerary information may vary slightly for your specific departure as we continuously research and develop each trip. Inclement weather may also necessitate minor alterations Butterfield & Robinson Management Services Inc. Revised June 25, 2013.