| During
this tour you will discover all the places that Peter Mayle described in his book
"A year in Provence". You will also enjoy the atmosphere shown in films
like "Manon des Sources" and "Jean de Florette". In charming
villages like Ménerbes, Lacoste, Lourmarin and Vaugines you can discover
the Provençal culture. And you will cycle on little roads which will take
you to the sweet-smelling garrigues where vast numbers of flowers bloom from April.
Everyday you will see new sceneries on your way: wide farming plains with typical
provençal houses called "Mas", stony plateaux where lavender
and sage grow, relief limestone with golden cliffs and much, much more. |
Ref:
Fr/c/1.1/TRA
Unguided
8 days/7 nights
Daily departures middle of March until middle of November
Contact
info@bikeandhike.co.za
for rates and specials.
PROGRAM Day
1
Arrival at Avignon hotel. Free time in Avignon, reception and introduction
of tour. Day
2
Riding toward the east, you leave Avignon behind. First you will see
farms with lots of fruit trees, then the landscape changes as you near the Plateau
des Monts de Vaucluse. Here you encounter small villages built on cliffs with
their old castles in the middle. You will soon reach the famous Fontaine de Vaucluse
and its village on the edge of the river. Overnight in Isles sur Sorgue, a village
known for it's antique shops. There is a secondhand market every Saturday, Sunday
and Monday. You can choose one of two itineraries: 50 km without any change in
altitude OR 70 km with about 355m difference in altitude. Day
3
You will ride toward the Luberon (Peter Mayle often referred to the
villages Oppède le Vieux, Ménerbes, Lacoste and Bonnieux). Here
you discover Dewels at the bottom of the hill. You can stop and have a drink in
small cafés in spots covered with plane trees around fountains. A little
road will take you close to Apt. [44 km and 240 m difference in altitude.] Day
4
Tonight you will sleep in the same hotel. The following itineraries
are suggested:
A) Discovery of Roussillon and its surroundings
The village of Roussillon
is built on a rock on the top of the plain and surrounded by "golden"
cliffs whose colours change from red to yellow. All the houses are coloured with
the natural ochre and this is a wonderful sight. It's soft colours giving a real
unity to the village from where the view is absolutely fantastic. There is a chance
to taste local wines. [24 km and about 130 m difference in altitude to the village]
B) The villages of Roussillon and Gordes
Gordes is a village with
stone houses, a big castle and has a beautiful sight over the Luberon and the
vallée du Rhône towards Avignon. Then you will go to Roussillon.
This tour gives you the opportunity to see a windmill and you can taste wine.
[38 km and about 326 m difference in altitude.]
C) The "Colorado Provençal" and the forgotten villages
A large detour to discover the Colorado ochre and its red, yellow and white chimneys.
On the beautiful plateau you will see some quiet villages with children playing
in the streets while the older people keep an eye on them sitting and talking
in front of their houses. There will be time to taste the local honey and nougat.
[64 km and about 570 m difference in altitude. For experienced cyclists.] Day
5
A wonderful itinerary which takes you to the protected area of the
Luberon. Depending on the season you will be astonished by the wonderful colours
of the blue rosemary, the red poppies or the white blooms of cherry trees. You
will be able to admire stone houses with different shapes, called "Bories".
Overnight in Vaugines the village where "Manon des Sources" was filmed.
[40 km and about 500 m difference in altitude.] Day
6
This tour will give you the opportunity to go all the way down to the
south east of the Grand Luberon. On your way you will see old castles, testimony
of the rich past of Provence. A famous one like Le Château d'Ansouis has
to be seen. Overnight in the same hotel.[about 50 km] Day
7
The river La Durance flows down to the south of Luberon before it flows
into the Rhône, south of Avignon. Taking little roads you will either ride
on the river side or on the farming plains' side where you will see different
farming gardens such as the famous "Cavaillon Melons". The bicycle tour
ends at the Cavaillon train station (SNCF), from where you can take the train,
with your bike, to Avignon and then back to your hotel where your luggage will
be waiting. Day
8 Departure INCLUDED
- Comfort Category
A) 6 Nights in 2* hotels, 1 night in 3* hotel. Swimming pool, except in Avignon.
In double bedded room. Bath or shower. OR
-
Comfort Category B) 2 Nights in 4* hotels in Avignon, 4 nights in 2* hotels,
1 night in 3* hotel. Swimming pool at all hotels. In double bedded room. Bath
or shower.
-
Transfer of luggage from hotel to hotel.
-
Fact sheets, maps and itineraries.
-
21 speed bicycles, fully equipped.
MEALS
-
Continental breakfast [except Day 1]
- Luch
to be paid by client
-
Dinner in hotels / restaurant [except on days 1, 7, 8 and additional nights]
- Drinks
are not included
ACCESS By
train: Gare SNCF in Avignon. By air: Avignon - Caumont airport. LEVEL
Roads: Most roads are tarred and very quiet with little traffic.
Kilometres:
Between 41 and 50 km daily, 25 to 70 km for optional trips.
Physical shape:
You should be able to ride about 5 hours a day. Children older than 12 are also
able to do this tour.
RATES
Contact
info@bikeandhike.co.za
for rates and specials.
Comfort
Category
* Day 1: 2 star or 4 star in Avignon
* Day 2: 3 star in Isle sur Sorgue
* Day 3 & Day 4: 2 star in countryside
* Day 5 & Day 6: 2 star in Vaugines
* Day 7: 2 star or 4 star in Avignon
Rates
for March, April, October, November
Contact
info@bikeandhike.co.za
for rates and specials.
Option A:
Per person sharing in a double room
Single supplement
Option B:
Per person sharing in a double room
Single supplement
Rates
for May, June & September
Contact
info@bikeandhike.co.za
for rates and specials.
Option
A:
Per
person sharing in a double room
Single supplement
Option B:
Per
person sharing in a double room
Single supplement
Rates
for July Option
A:
Per
person sharing in a double room
Single supplement
Option B:
Per
person sharing in a double room
Single supplement
Rates
for August Option
A:
Per
person sharing in a double room
Single supplement
Option B:
Per
person sharing in a double room
Single supplement
| 
