France Provence Road Cycling Tour 2018 Individual Self-guided 8 days / 7 nights

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1 France Provence Road Cycling Tour 2018 Individual Self-guided 8 days / 7 nights Panoramio.com Enjoy the beauty of Provence from the saddle. Discover the countryside and enjoy the colours and lights which have attracted many famous painters. Admire the Roman influence in the area, the theatre in Orange with its magnificent theatre wall, the Pont-du-Gard, the excavation sites in Vaison-la-Romain and the medieval village of Les Baux-de- Provence. Not forgetting the culinary delights of the region, wines, cheeses and a cuisine seasoned with herbs of Provence. You will find plenty of sporting challenges on this tour - the Plateau de Vaucluse, the Luberon, the Alpilles, and not forgetting the giant of Provence - the Mont Ventoux. Boasting 300 sunny days a year, Provence is an ideal region for cyclists from mid-march until the end of October.

2 Itinerary Day to Day Day 1: Individual journey to Orange You still can see parts of the City Wall, the Arc de Triomphe and the Theatre. The theatre's stage wall is described by the Sun King, Louis XIV, as "the most beautiful wall in his country." Spend the night in your hotel in Orange. Day 2: Orange Vaison-la-Romaine 61 to 112 km Begin this portion of the route on a predominantly flat ride from Orange to Vaison-la-Romaine. You have three routes to choose from, depending on your fitness ability. This stage will take you through some of the best vineyards in Provence, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Vacqueyras, Gigondas, Rasteau and Séguret. Just those names make the hearts of wine lovers flutter! On the way to Vaison-la-Romaine you will pass the impressive range of the Dentelles de Montmirail. Vaison-la-Romaine - the French Pompeii: You can see remains of houses from wealthy Roman citizens, an ancient water canalisation system and the columned hall of Pompeius. Vaison-la-Romaine also has a beautiful medieval quarter and some magnificent buildings dating from the 16th to 18th Century Option A 61 km: Orange Vaison-la-Romaine Hm Hm Option B 83 km: Orange -Buisson Vaison-la-Romaine Minimum Hm Hm Option C 112 km: Orange - Buisson Valreas - Vaison-la Romaine Minimum Hm Hm

3 Day 3: Vaison- Mt. Ventoux - Vaison 75 to 110 km This morning you'll face the giant of Provence -Mont Ventoux. The 1909m high mountain rises abruptly from the countryside. It's characteristically bald appearance makes the climb even more bleak. Wind speeds of up to 250 km/h have been measured at the summit. The first road over the mountain was built in Ride this mountain and pretend you are part of the Tour D'France! Option A 110 km: Vaison-la-Romaine Sault Mont Ventoux - Vaison-la-Romaine Minimum + 2,590 Hm -: 2,592 Hm Option B 104 km: Vaison-la-Romaine Sault Chalet Reynard Bédoin - Vaison-la-Romaine + 2,198 Hm - 2,200 Hm Option C: 105 km: Vaison-la-Romaine Sault Flassan Bédoin - Vaison-la-Romaine Cycle tour around Mont Ventoux if the road is closed. About less of difference in altitude Option D: 75 km: Vaison-la-Romaine Malaucène Mont Ventoux Chalet Reynard- Bédoin Malaucène Vaison-la- Romain Day 4: Vaison-la-Romaine - Apt 90 to 110 km Today you'll leave Vaison and cycle on quiet roads to the city of the candied fruits, Apt. The path continues by crossing through the Montagnes de Bluye and d'albion where you reach the center of lavender cultivation, the village of Sault. Continue the route by crossing the Plateau d'albion and cycle downhill to Apt, nestled in the valley of Calavon. Apt is known as the capital of candied fruits. The city is situated on the Calavon River and surrounded by numerous fruit trees. Here, since the 14th century, fruits were picked, blanched and glazed (the preparation method for candied fruits). The results can be admired in numerous displays of the many pastry shops and of course sampled. Like most towns in Provence, Apt was also a settlement of the Celt-Ligures followed by the Romans. But in Apt, unlike other towns, the ruins are invisible - buried four to ten meters below the town. Option A 90 km: Vaison-la-Romaine Sault Apt + 1,391 Hm - 1,374 Hm Option B 109 km: Vaison-la-Romaine Barret - Sault Apt + 2,084 Hm - 2,067 Hm

4 Day 5: Apt - Luberon - Apt 80 to 105 km The route today takes you into the Parc du Luberon and through some of the most beautiful villages in France. From Apt you cycle on a flat stretch to Céreste before crossing the Luberon for the first time. On the south side of the Luberon you pass typical small Provencal villages all with their preserved charm. On your way back you pass through the gorge of Lourmarin with its high white rock walls. Option A 82 km: Apt Céreste La Bastide Lourmarin - Apt + 1,188 Hm - 1,188 Hm Option B 106 km: Apt Céreste La Bastide Lourmarin Bonnieux Roussillon - Apt + 1,469 Hm - 1,469 Hm Day 6: Apt - St.Remy 88 to 103 km The day starts with a climb to Bonnieux followed by a 10 km downhill run. On the other side of the Luberons you continue towards the river Durance. Through the flat valley of the Durance you cycle in the direction of the Alpilles, a small but charming mountain range between the Rhône and the Durance. The Alpilles (the small Alps), is fascinating because of its rock formation. About 300,000 olive trees grow in this area, knows for some of the best olive oils in France. St. Rémy the pleasure of pure provençal life: The old town of St. Remy, with its many squares and cafes, is an ideal place for strolling around and enjoying the provençal life. Option A 88 km: Apt Bonnieux Mallemort Eyuieres - St. Remy Minimum altitude: Hm Hm Option B 103 km: Apt Bonnieux Mallemort Eyuieres Paradon - St. Remy Hm - 1,105 Hm

5 Day 7: St.Remy-Orange 80 to 103 km Your day begins by cycling to the idyllically located Abbey St.- Michel-de-Frigolet, nestled in a low range of hills. Then you leave the Provence crossing the Rhone, and continue to Remoulins, where a trip to the famous Pont du Gard is an absolute must. Crossing the foothills of the Cévennes you cycle back to the Rhône and pass through the wine growing regions of Tavel and Lirac. Option A 80 km: St. Remy Graveson Remoulins St-Laurent - Orange Hm Hm Option B 103 km: St. Remy Les Boux Tarascon - Remoulins St-Laurent - Orange Hm Hm Day 8: Departure or extension of your stay

6 Route Technical Characteristics: Route Profile: The tour has been created for cyclist with a high level of physical fitness. Provence is a mountainous region with demanding ups and rewarding downs. Sometimes the climbs are often as long as 10 km to 20 km, the longest being the Mont Ventoux. In between there are always flat stretches. Mostly the routes are well paved roads avoiding the busier main roads where possible. Heavier traffic is unavoidable at the entrances and exits in the larger towns Distance: km Travel Season: Departures every Saturday from April 14 to October 21, 2018 Please note that the Mont Ventoux is closed until May 1st. (Depending on the snow). If it is closed we cycle around Mont Ventoux (and up to Le Chalet Reynard).

7 Price per Person: Double Occupancy April 14 June 30 and September 2 October Single Occupancy April 14 June 30 and September 2 October Double Occupancy July 1 September Single Occupancy July 1 September Single Traveler Supplement Road Bike Rental Carbon Frame Cycle delivery charge to the starting hotel (per booking) Extra Nights Orange Double Occupancy Extra Nights Orange Single Occupancy Included: 7 nights in nice 2 and 3 star hotels 7 x breakfast Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel Tour book per room GPS files

8 Bikes Carbon Bike Triple Full ultegra, Spécialzed Roubaix Comp Assisting people in realizing their touring dreams worldwide is our passion. THIS IS A PARTNER TOUR FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT OK Cycle & Adventure Tours Inc. 666 Kirkwood Ave - Suite B102 Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1Z 5X9 Toll Free Local TICO Ontario Registration No: