Overview

Welcome to Southern France and the start of your Provence bike tour! After meeting your guides at the Place Crillon in Avignon and a private one-hour shuttle, you will arrive in Mazan, a quiet village in the Vaucluse department of Provence, home to Mont Ventoux. You’ll join your Trek Travel guides for a delicious lunch, then spend some time ensuring you have a perfect fit to your Trek bike. Afterwards, head out on a warm up loop as you take your first pedal strokes and test your bike on your way to Beaumes-de-Venise with its stunning views of the surrounding region. Hillsides covered in lush vineyards speckled with sleepy villages accompany you on your ride with the mighty Mont Ventoux in the background. Tonight, you’ll gather with your new traveling companions for conversation and a short round of introductions. Savor your first provençale dinner and wines of the region together at your charming hotel, Château de Mazan, once frequented by the notorious Marquis de Sade.

Overview

The Gorges de la Nesque awaits today, as you pedal along one of the most beautiful rides in the Vaucluse. This ride is a Trek Travel guide favorite, and is arguably one of the most gorgeous rides in the world. An enormous limestone massif, the gorges have been carved over millenia by the meandering Nesque River. Remains of Neanderthal inhabitants have been discovered in this river valley and its beauty is immortalized in Frederic Mistral’s poetry. With cliffs measuring 600 feet, your climb is rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views as you descend to a family farm for lunch as a group. For lunch, we will share a true farm-to-table meal. Magali opens her farm and her kitchen to us and prepares for us a simple, fresh, and homemade meal. Committed to offering quality farm products and to being an ambassador of sustainable and responsible agriculture, she has created the Ferme Auberge de la Maguette with the vision of sharing the true French heritage. This afternoon’s ride takes you back to Château de Mazan for a relaxing afternoon and then it's on to a decadent dinner in the beautiful setting of the restaurant La Colombe in Bédoin, expertly prepared by the celebrated chef, known for his refined homage to the ingredients of the region.

Overview

Today is set to be a memorable day as you'll get the chance to take a try at the Géant de Provence (Giant of Provence): le Mont Ventoux. This classic climb from Bédoin is renowned throughout the cycling world as one of the most challenging ascents in the Tour de France. This is one of France’s most unique climbs, with forested switchbacks giving way to a long ascent across a moonscape to cycling’s famous landmark – the distinctive tower on top of Ventoux. This mountain has both crowned champions like Chris Froome and Alberto Contador, and witnessed tragedy, like the stories of Tom Simpson. Each is a heralded chapter in the pageantry of the sport of cycling, and if you take the challenge, you’ll inscribe your own name in its history. Our guides will be there with you every step of the way! You will also have the option to either cheer on your friends from the van as they ascend or take on only certain sections of the ride. Lunch is on your own today at Chalet Reynard, a restaurant ideally located before the most challenging part of the ascent to the summit of Mont Ventoux. This afternoon ride takes you down toward Sault then over the edge of the Vaucluse Plateau and into the magical heart of the Luberon. Winding roads and beautiful descents lead you through breathtaking valleys and villages to your destination: Gordes. This romantic medieval village perched high on a cliff overlooking the valley was once the heart of the area’s resistance during World War II. Relax at the pool of our hotel before joining the group for a dinner at one of our favorite local spots.

Overview

Following your morning café au lait and pain au chocolat, head out for another ride in paradise. Today's ride is indicative of the quintessential beauty and simplicity of Provence. Be prepared to take many photos this morning as you ride through Gordes, a picture-perfect, stone-built village that sits perched high above the Luberon valley. You'll then head to the iconic and often photographed Abbaye de Senanque – a Cistercian abbey dating to the 12th-century, whose monks still produce lavender and honey. Here you can admire the meticulous lavender-lined garden in the front of the abbey before getting back on the road. Afterwards, make your way to Venasque, which boasts one of the most wild, rugged, and breathtaking passes in all of Provence. You'll then stop for a coffee break in the charming town of Saint-Didier, where you can appreciate the beauty of its church and tree-lined streets. This is a day of highs, as lunch today is also an experience to remember. We'll be welcomed by a family of truffle hunters who will host a three-course truffle lunch in their private oak tree garden. This afternoon we will shuttle back to the hotel, where you can relax by the pool or indulge in a soothing massage. Tonight, you are free to explore Gordes for dinner at one of the many fantastic restaurants.

Overview

Today you'll visit an area of Provence legendary for its medieval hilltop villages, rolling hills, and quiet winding roadways. Orchards of cherry trees and vineyards line your route as you pedal to the Roussillon open-air market. We will stop briefly, to explore the market and make sure you've had the chance to admire the stunning ocher cliffs of Roussillon. Then, ride over the Pont Julien, a 2,000-year-old Roman bridge that spans the Calavon River. Explore the cobblestone streets and art galleries of Bonnieux and admire a spectacular view of the Château Lacoste beckons as you climb to this quaint village to find your perfect bistro lunch. Post-lunch will lead you through villages tucked along the Luberon ridge, all the way back to the hotel. This afternoon, relax as a group with a glass of wine and perhaps enjoy a few rounds of pétanque, one of Provence’s favorite pastimes. Before dinner, we'll gather for a private wine tasting of Rhône wines with Laetitia, our local sommelier. We'll then spend the evening celebrating from a beautiful terrace in the heart of the Luberon. Enjoy dinner tonight at one of our favorite local restaurants, where our host and chef perfectly blends fresh ingredients with cooking styles from Provence, as we reminisce with newfound friends about our incredible Provence bike trip.

Overview

All good things must come to an end, and now, sadly, it’s true for our cycling adventure in Provence. This morning you'll have the chance for one last loop in the Luberon; a beautiful spin along the valley floor to the dramatic limestone cliff that towers over the village of Lioux. Or if you’d rather skip the ride, you are welcome to sleep in and enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel. A private Trek Travel shuttle will depart from the hotel at 11:00 AM. You will say farewell to your guides before the one-hour huttle to the Avignon Central Train Station or the TGV station. Please do not schedule a train out of Avignon before 12:30 PM on the last day of the trip to allow plenty of time for any unforeseen delays.