France Provence Road Cycling Tour 2019 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.
Itinerary Day to Day Day 1: Individual journey to Orange Orange is regarded as the gateway to Provence. Celts lived here before the Romans invaded and settled for almost 300 years. For the Romans Arausio which was the old name of Orange, was one of the most important towns in the Provincia Gallia Narbonensis. Of the numerous Roman buildings and monuments originally built, you still can see parts of the City Wall, the Arc de Triumph and the Theatre, the stage wall of which the Sun King, Louis XIV, described as the most beautiful wall in his country. Day 2: Orange Vaison-la-Romaine 61-112 km From Orange to Vaison-la-Romaine the route is predominantly flat. This stage will take you through some of the best vineyards in Provence, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Vacqueyras, Gigondas, Rasteau and Séguret, just the names of which make the hearts of the 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: Vaison-la-Romaine is a city with a rich Roman heritage. One fifth of the Roman town, then called Vasio, has so far been excavated. You can see remains of houses of wealthy Roman citizen, an ancient water canalisation system, the columned hall of Pompeius, a 2000-year-old bridge and an old theatre. 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 + 522 Hm - 354 Hm Option B 83 km: Orange -Buisson Vaison-la-Romaine Minimum + 888 Hm - 720 Hm Option C 112 km: Orange - Buisson Valreas - Vaison-la Romaine Minimum + 1.126 Hm - 958 Hm
Day 3: Vaison - Mt. Ventoux - Vaison 75-110 km Today we have to face the giant of Provence the Mont Ventoux. The 1909 meter high mountain rises abruptly from the countryside. In totally deforesting, the mountain the Romans left the Mt. Ventoux with its characteristic bald appearance. Wind speeds of up to 250 km/h have been measured at summit. The first road over the mountain was built in 1882. 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 1,000 m 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 90-110 km Today you cycle on quiet roads to the city of the candied fruits - Apt. Crossing through the Montagnes de Bluye and d'albion we reach the centre of lavender cultivation, the village of Sault. Then crossing the Plateau d'albion we will cycle downhill to Apt, nestled in the valley of Calavon. Apt - capital of candied fruits: Apt, situated on the river Calavon, is 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
Day 5: Apt - Luberon - Apt 80-105 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 88-103 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, from which one of the best olive oils in France is produced. 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. Here you find the whole myth of Provence in one place. Two famous people are closely connected with St. Rémy: Michel de Nostredame, better known as Nostradamus, was born here in 1503 and in 1889/90 Vincent van Gogh was treated here in the madhouse after cutting off his ear. Option A 88 km: Apt Bonnieux Mallemort Eyuieres - St. Remy Minimum altitude: + 635 Hm - 780 Hm Option B 103 km: Apt Bonnieux Mallemort Eyuieres Paradon - St. Remy + 944 Hm - 1,105 Hm
Day 7: St.Remy-Orange 80-103 km First you cycle 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 + 571 Hm - 534 Hm Option B 103 km: St. Remy Les Boux Tarascon - Remoulins St-Laurent - Orange + 775 Hm - 793 Hm Day 8: Departure or extension of your stay
Route Technical Characteristics: Route Profile: Difficult. 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: 496-635 km Travel Season: Departures every Saturday from April 13 to October 19, 2019 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).
Price per Person: Double Occupancy April 13 June 22 and September 7 October 19 870.00 Single Occupancy April 13 June 22 and September 7 October 19 1160.00 Double Occupancy June 29 August 31 895.00 Single Occupancy June 29 August 31 1185.00 Single Traveler Supplement 230.00 Road Bike Rental Carbon Frame 260.00 Cycle delivery charge to the starting hotel (per booking) 80.00 Extra Nights Orange Double Occupancy 65.00 Extra Nights Orange Single Occupancy 90.00 Included: 7 nights in nice 2 and 3 star hotels 7 x breakfast Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel Tour book and leaflets per room GPS files
Bikes Carbon Bike Triple Full ultegra, Spécialzed Roubaix Comp Assisting people in realizing their touring dreams worldwide is our passion. www.okcycletours.com 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 1-888-621-6818 Local 613-702-5350 TICO Ontario Registration No: 50022848