Itinerary
Upon your arrival in Avignon, we will transfer you to your first hotel, in Mazan, in the heart of the Vaucluse region of Provence (please note, the CLASSIC+ itinerary is based in nearby Bedoin). The countryside is spectacular, with the impressive Mont Ventoux as a backdrop, and small Provencal villages dotting the plains and vineyards that spread out around you. This typical small Provencal town will enchant you, with its rich 2000 year old history. Before dinner, our Trip Manager will meet up with you to go over your trip package and make sure your bikes are fitted properly. A delicious first dinner is included tonight.
Your ride today is beautiful, taking you through several picturesque villages, such as Bedoin, Flassan, and Ville sur Auzon, each worth some meandering, and always with the impressive Mont Ventoux as your imposing backdrop. You will pedal along lovely quiet roads, and through some of the oldest vineyards in all of France. We recommend the detour into the town of Beaumes de Venise; not only is the town quite charming, but if you feel like it, after finding some lunch, you can stop for a tasting of their wonderful sweet white wines, or some of the Cotes de Rhone reds. If you prefer, take some time to explore at the shop of the local olive mill to taste the fruity artisanal olive oils. The ride finishes back on the flats to return you to Mazan for your second evening.
After a leisurely breakfast, you ride southwards towards the Rhone plains. You’ll ride through the small village of Venasque (considered by many as the most authentic village of the Venaissain region, and on towards Isle Sur la Sorgue. This compact town, built on the islands of five branches of the Sorgue River, is most well-known today for its huge weekend antique markets. During the week as well, it is worth taking the time to visit the many antique shops and boutiques, and to find lunch or at least a cool refreshment in one of the many cafés. From there it is not far to your destination, you may decide to add on a few kilometres to visit the village of Fontaine de Vaucluse, with its beautiful spring; save a little energy for the very end as you approach Joucas, as you pass via Gordes, perched spectacularly on the top of a hill.
Your final ride is a great one: a loop ride including many of the classic Luberon villages (originally made famous in Peter Mayle’s book, A Year in Provence), allowing lots of exploration. You’ll ride through Roussillon, with its ochre cliffs, mined for the rich pigments, Bonnieux, with its shady squares and twisting streets and panoramic view, and Lacoste, with the ruins of the castle of the Marquis de Sade. There is an option to add the village of Menerbes, sitting on an ancient Roman Road, site of one of Picasso’s homes, and rich with history. The village boasts a small truffle museum and shop and a winery – both where you can taste before heading back to Joucas for your final night. Even if you don’t want to taste – stop in to admire the unique and vast corkscrew collection in their little museum.
After a final breakfast, we transfer from your hotel back to Avignon for your further travels. Bon Voyage!
What's included
- 4 nights’ accommodation of the comfort level of your choice * CLASSIC, CLASSIC+ or DELUXE
- Hotel taxes
- All breakfasts, 2 dinners (drinks not included with dinners)
- Orientation with our Trip Manager at the start of the trip
- Fully equipped quality touring bike **
- Detailed maps and step-by-step route instructions
- Regional information and advice
- Uploadable GPS file of the route to use on a free APP in your smartphone ***
- Transfer to first hotel from Avignon centre or train station
- Transfer back to Avignon on departure day morning
- Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel
- Phone call support 7 days a week
* Price based on double room occupancy – please contact us for details on single room supplements
** E-bikes and Road bikes are available on request (supplement)
*** Can be used without international internet plan (offline)
Hotel Details
Classic Tour
1240 € / pers.
2 nights
Hotel des Pins – Bédoin
2 nights
Hotel le Joucas – Joucas
Classic + Tour
1550 € / pers.
2 nights
La Maison de Crillon – Crillon le Brave
2 nights
Hotel la Bergerie – Joucas
Deluxe Tour
2250 € / pers.
2 nights
Hotel Crillon le Brave – Crillon Le Brave
2 nights
Hostellerie Phebus – Joucas
Our bikes
The high quality, light touring bike is the default bike included on the tour. It is perfectly suited to riding with lots of stops for explorations.
Upon request, and for a supplement, you can have a road bike or a pedal-assist electric bike – contact us for details.
All our touring bikes come equipped with removable handlebar bag with clear map case, flat tire kit (with extra inner tube), pump, lock, rear rack and back panniers, water bottle holder and new water bottle, bell and kickstand.
Ahead of the tour, we will ask you if you wish to use our helmets, and if you want toe cages on the pedals (both free of charge).
Each of our regions has its own bike fleet, often with a couple of different bike makes depending on sizing – if you want to know the specific bike details for your tour, just contact us, and we’ll be happy to send you the specs!
TOURING BIKE - men's frame (included in trip cost)
TOURING BIKE - women's Frame (included in trip cost)
E-bike - men's frame (supplement charge)
E-bike - women's frame (supplement charge)
Road (racing) bike (supplement charge)