Wine Roads of Provence

Introduction
Provence France
Combine cycling and winetasting on this self-guided cycling tour at the foot of the Mont Ventoux summit!

The Rhône valley is the second vastest wine-making region in the world, a veritable carpet of vines draping a countryside dotted with picturesque villages.
Cycling along seldom-used country roads, you will discover Provence, famed for its beautiful landscape of rolling hills, dramatic mountainous backdrop and much loved for producing fabulous wines.

Your cycling adventure begins in the picturesque Isle sur la Sorgue city, with its amazing collection of antique stores. Then, it is on to Venasque, acclaimed as one of France’s most beautiful villages, in the heart of the fabulous wine-producing region of southern Rhone. From Venasque, your cycling tour meanders through the Vaucluse area, with countless vineyards and perched hilltop villages. Bedoin allows you to immerse yourself in Côtes du Ventoux country, riding between charming and traditional villages. Grapes grown here are at higher altitude and produce wines that are lighter and fruitier. You then continue towards the Dentelles de Montmirail with its small villages and its world-famous Côtes-du-Rhône wines.

HIGHLIGHTS
- Cycling along the wine country roads surrounded by vineyards at the foot of Mont Ventoux
- Stay at a wine estate surrounded by their own vineyards, taste their well-known wine
- Discover some of the most beautiful villages in France: Seguret, Beaumes de Venise, Gigondas

Accomodation

Accommodations
This is a progressive trip, so you will be staying in different establishments along the way. 

Description
We favour small local establishments, often family-run hotels or B&Bs, that employ local people. Selected by our track finders, our accommodations are chosen based on the friendliness of the owners, the quality of the service, the charm of the establishment and, quite often, the quirkyness (of both accommodation and owners!) that makes where you sleep an integral part of your adventure. 

Your package includes standard accommodation (with all basic comfort and services) but it is possible to upgrade to more comfortable accommodations for an extra fee.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Hotel Cantosorgue in Isle sur Sorgue
Night 2: Les Remparts in Vemasque
Night 3: L'Escapade in Bedoin
Night 4: Domaine de Cabasse in Seguret
Night 5: Evêché in Vaison la Romaine

Hotel Cantosorgue in Isle sur la Sorgue
This recently renovated hotel is ideally located close to the historic city center. It offers 35 comfortable rooms housed in 3 different buildings surrounding the hotel swimming pool. Each room has air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, an ensuite bathroom with shower and free Wi-Fi internet.

Hotel Les Remparts in Vénasque
Housed in a charming building, Les Remparts offers 8 recently renovated bedrooms. Each room has its own décor and includes air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, a TV and private facilities.

L'Escapade in Bedoin
In this hotel, you will find bright and simply decorated bedrooms equipped with private bathroom, TV, air conditioning and free Wi-Fi.

Domaine de Cabasse in Seguret

Riding

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Cycling from 16 to 35 km per day on small roads and tracks.
There will be some climbing along the way, especially to hilltop villages. None of the grades are extremely steep but the climbs last for a few kilometers.
Some bike riding experience is helpful to make the most of this holiday.
To get the most out of your trip, don’t forget to train once a week by walking, including climbing if possible, or by practicing another sport (1 to 1.5 hours).

Terrain
Our itineraries follow seldom-used back country roads, cycle paths, and tracks.

GPS & Travel Kit
We will send you the GPS files for your trip via email, before the start of your holiday. You will have to bring your own device whether it is a Garmin GPS or a Smartphone with the files already downloaded.
Your Travel Kit containing road book & vouchers will be sent to the first accommodation of the trip. The road book contains technical description of the itinerary, 1: 100 000 scale maps integrated in the book with itinerary traced out, contact listing and helpful recommendations (restaurants, museums, vineyards, craftsmen, where to find a bank machine…).

Equipment
If renting a bike with us, your bike is delivered at your accommodation on Day 1 with all the necessary equipment ( helmet, bike lock...).

No matter the kind of bike chosen for your holiday, if you borrow a bike through us, you will get the following items for your tour:
• helmet > our regular “helmet head tour” is 54cm > 58cm. If you need a larger helmet, please contact us
• security vest
• pump
• one inner tube and repair kit per two bikes
• bike computer
• front pannier
• two side panniers
• water bottle holder
• one lock per two bikes

E-Bike - extra cost
Provence is hilly and most of the prettiest villages are “hilltop”, meaning you have to climb to get there.
Our E-bikes becomes a wonderful compromise: while still doing exercise – you still have to pedal to get these things going after all – you can access the hilliest and most breathtaking of what Provence has to offer without being a great cyclist. You can also accompany a more athletic spouse or friend on one of our holidays. When you start pedalling, the electric motor is automatically triggered. You will have the choice between several levels of assistance.
Our E-bikes (E-Ride or equivalent) are equipped with a battery with about 90km autonomy, a low frame (easy to get on and off), anti-puncture tires (reducing the risk of flats), and hydraulic brakes, ensuring the highest standard of safety.
With our E-bike we provide:
• a briefing from a specialized mechanic, who will show you how to use and get the most out of your rides. During the briefing a credit card pre-authorization of 800€ will be asked as a guarantee.
• assistance, meaning if you have any problems whatsoever with your E-bike, our mechanic will come and repair it at no charge.

Bring your own bike
If you are bringing your own bike, make sure to also bring panniers, map holder, a bike computer and all of the other necessary equipment (inner tube, repair kit, pump, helmet).

Itinerary

Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

WARNING
Despite all our care to update the description of our itineraries, there can be changes on the ground that are not reflected in the notes.
Roadwork occurs every year: signs can disappear or change, new intersections can form or change... Remain vigilant while reading the notes, paying close attention to the cumulative mileage on your bike computer and in the route notes. In case of a doubt along the route, be aware of how to return to that spot easily if you’ve made the wrong turn.

Day 1: Arrival
Your trip starts with your arrival in the town of L'lsle-sur-la-Sorgue, surrounded by the crystal-clear waters of the Sorgue river. Your travel kit will be sent to your hotel. GPS files can be sent upon request before the start of the tour.
If arriving on a Sunday, the morning market is among the most colourful in Provence and definitely worth a visit. The town's canals are bordered by quaint cafés, restaurants, and antique shops so why not lose yourself among a labyrinth of narrow streets.
Meals included: none
Overnight in lsle-sur-la-Sorgue

Day 2: Isle sur la Sorgue to Venasque
You head towards Pernes-les-Fontaines along tiny country roads. Set in the heart of rural Provence, it is a charming town that carries its name well: 40 old stone fountains sprinkled around the town. The town also features 17th century mansions and many historical monuments, including churches, the clock tower, and the old town ramparts. You’ll get your legs warmed before climbing to the hilltop village of Venasque, listed as “one of the most beautiful villages in France”.
Cycling about 26 km + 430 m / - 200 m
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Venasque

Day 3: Venasque to Bedoin
The scenery that accompanies your cycling journey today is made of Vaucluse mountains, including the impressive Mont Ventoux (1900m). You enjoy leisurely riding in lower terrain close to the crystal clear waters of the Sorgue river. Many branches of the river flow through this area and irrigate the land, making it an oasis of cool, green countryside – and the ideal terrain for growing grapes. You eventually reach the town of Villes-sur-Auzon, where you can take a scenic detour to climb the Nesque Gorge: a narrow and winding road that hovers above the canyon, through tunnels carved into the natural limestone, with stunning views and lots of picnic opportunities.
At the foot of the Ventoux lies the village of Bédoin, which has retained an authentic Provencal atmosphere.
Cycling about 30 km + 450m / - 390m + possible detour up through the Gorges de la Nesque (up to 35km extra)
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Bedoin

Day 4: Bedoin to Seguret
Continuing along the foot of Mont Ventoux you ride through the town of Crillon le Brave, its homes tightly packed with narrow cobbled streets. Have a café on the square, with spectacular views of Mont Ventoux and the plains. The day’s ride also passes through the town of Beaumes de Venise where you can try its renowned muscat wine. You then cycle through some of the best vineyards in the Rhône Valley, including the town of Gigondas, known for its reds.
Your cycling day ends in the town of Séguret, classified as “one of the most beautiful villages in France”, perched above the Rhône valley. Stroll through its timeless streets before treating yourself to a well-earned dessert in the village café.
Cycling about 34 km +220 m / - 150m
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Seguret

Day 5: Séguret to Vaison la Romaine
Pedalling through the vines your itinerary passes through the medieval villages of Roaix and Villedieu before reaching Vaison la Romaine. Vaison, merits exploring at length. This perched medieval village is complete with a towering belfry, castle ruins, a 2000-year-old Roman bridge spanning over the Ouvèze River, and the largest Roman archaeological site in France. Its main square hosts a handful of quaint restaurants and cafés to watch the world go by.
Around Vaison la Romaine, the countryside is dotted with timeless villages, truffle oak plantations, and orchards. You’ll see Mont Ventoux from its more imposing side, after a tough but short climb to St. Marcellin. 
You can also choose to add an out-and-back ride of 4km, which takes you even closer to the foot of Mont Ventoux, and to the pretty village of Entrechaux.
Cycling about 9 km or 16km +220 m / - 150m (optional loop from Vaison - about 20km)
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Vaison la Romaine

Day 6: Departure 
After breakfast we transfer you back to Avignon (pick up around 10 am -If you wish to be picked up later/earlier please advise when booking the tour). Please leave your bikes & gear locked at the hotel.

Rates and Dates for Wine Roads of Provence

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Isle sur la Sorgue
Airport: Marseille
Transfer:

Climate:
                                    Isle sur la Sorgue area