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ROADS OF PROVENCE
Provence, bike-magic
  This moderate graded Provencal bike ride takes you through the spectacular
beauty of the lower Provencal hills: The Alpilles and the Luberon. This encompasses large areas of inspiring landscapes, highlighted with Mediterranean luminescence. There are famous towns and villages filled with history; loved the World over for ‘art de vivre’, gastronomy, olive groves and vineyards. Leave the main roads behind and discover a place of time and tradition.
You commence your ride in Avignon, along the banks of the River Rhône, underneath the lofty Gothic Popes’ Palace, and head for the Alpilles beside vineyards and olive groves. Here we stay at Fontvielle from where pedalling forays can be made firstly to Les Baux de Provence, a village with a spectacular position in the hills, set atop a rocky outcrop crowned with a ruined castle overlooking the plains to the south. This was once renowned for its ornate chivalric court life, before becoming the home of bandits.
From here cycle on to Saint Rémy de Provence, adopted home of Van Gogh which has an attractive Wednesday street market. A day can easily be spent in Greco-Roman Arles, famed for its Roman baths, cathedral, and amphitheatre where local tradition lives on with bull fights. Wheeling away from Fontvielle, we cross the Baux Valley via Maussanne to stay at Provence’s Antiques capital L’Isle sur la Sorgue. A day is spent visiting the Luberon and some interesting sites such as
Roussillon which stands on a hilltop in the heart of “ochre country” and boasts houses in every shade of burnt orange, dusty pink and russet red that take on a particular brilliance at sunset.
Then there is Gordes: one of the ‘le plus beau village de France,’ a town of silk painters, weavers and potters with houses built of golden stone that rise to the Renaissance château crowning the top. A final day is spent visiting villages around Mont de Vaucluse including Venasque overlooking Mont Ventoux: a venue for many a Tour de France epic.
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Accommodation
7
nights/8 days -Night 1 is spent in the heart of Avignon
in a comfortable town hotel (2* Logis de France). All the major sites are an easy walk away. There are generous continental breakfasts provided.
Our next 3 nights are in the village of Fontvieille (2* Logis de France), an attractive rustic logis with a small pool and terrace garden. A really peaceful place to spend your evenings. Our last 3 nights are spent in the village of
L’Isle sur la Sorgue. Our usual hotel is a modern 2*hotel, beautifully situated along the Sorgue river, bordered with chestnut trees. It is a very peaceful, location and has a
roof top pool and serves home made jams at breakfast.
Terrain This is generally quiet roads: There are flattish sections following river valleys, rolling sections and some longish hills in order to reach the hill villages.
Sherpa
Notes Bike Hire
The cost of bike hire is included in the trip price. 21-speed hybrid bikes equipped with a tool bag, pump, panniers and a helmet. Available day 2 at the information meeting in Avignon. Clients leave their bikes at the hotel day 8 in L’Isle sur la Sorgue. Accommodation and Meals
7 nights accommodation with breakfast, including 5 dinners. Double occupancy in 2* hotels or Logis de France with private facilities.
Start and End of Tour
Nearest Airport Marseilles or Nimes. Then TGV or local train to Avignon. (Not included in tour price).
Day 8 taxi to train station at La Sorgue included. Train to Marseilles or elsewhere not included.
Alternatively take the train from London to Avignon.
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vacations
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