The paradise around the magic Mont Ventoux.
On this bike tour you'll discover Provence and the Lubéron national park - a land of light, colors and scents, thus, many well-known painters have lived in Provence. The Mediterranean climate is pleasant and the sun shines more than 3000 hours a year. People live outside, even during the winter, play „Pétanque„ and drink their „Pastis„ or “Noisette” on the terrace. Numerous monuments testify to a long and great past since the Greek and Roman period going back to the Middle Ages and, even into the last centuries. Highlights of this tour are Avignon and the famous Pope's Palace, Orange with the Roman theatre and the triumphal arch or Vaison la Romaine, which is divided in a Roman city and a medieval town up on the hill. And you will cross the famous vineyards of the Cotes du Rhone and the lavender fields before arriving in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and at the 'Fontaine de Vaucluse' one of the deepest river resurgence worldwide. And let's not forget Gordes, a typical little Provencal village high up on a rock...or Sénanque abbey, one of the best conserved Cistercian abbeys in Europe and surrounded by its lavender fields...or Roussillon, famous for its splendid yellow and red ochre rocks. And don’t miss the Mont Ventoux descent from 1912m above sea level! That's cycling holidays with France-Bike.
Day 1: Avignon
Come to Avignon and settle down in your charming 3*** hotel on the Ile de Barthalasse (the hotel is situated 3 km outside the city center, in a quite location with a swimming pool and free parking).
Day 2: Avignon > Orange, ~29 km
Your welcome meeting is at 9:30am at the hotel reception. Then you will cycle across the biggest island in the Rhone through flourishing orchards to Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Make wine tasting here and ride on to Orange where the Roman theatre and the triumphal arch are worth to be seen.
Day 3: Orange > Vaison-la-Romaine, ~40 km
Today you ride through the vineyards of the Cotes du Rhone and pass typical villages like Sérignan, St. Cécile les Vignes, St. Roman de Malegarde and Villedieu before you arrive in Vaison-la-Romaine, a lovely Roman and medieval town.
Day 4: Vaison-la-Romaine > Isle-sur-la Sorgue, ~53 or 76 km
Continue your ride along the ‘Cotes du Rhone’ vineyards and pass wine villages like Rasteau, Gigondas, Vacqueyras and Sarrians. We can also take you and your bike up to the top of the Mont Ventoux (not included). And you will ride down on the other side to Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. Finally you arrive in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, the Venice of Provence, so called because of the numerous little canals running through the town.
Day 5: Isle-sur-la-Sorgue > Lubéron, ~15-39 km
This region is too beautiful to leave so quickly. So you'll stay a second night in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and explore the lovely Lubéron Valley today. Some highlights await you: The village of Gordes, the Cistercian abbey of Sénanque and the ochre rocks of Roussillon which have given Provence its colors.
Day 6: Isle-sur-la-Sorgue > Avignon, ~40 km
On little roads and along the Rhone River you cycle back to Avignon where you can visit the historical center and the Pope's palace before getting back to your hotel on the Île de la Barthelasse.
Day 7: End of the tour or continue your holiday with extra nights
