Overview

Welcome to the start of your Provence bike tour! You'll meet your guides at Place Crillon in Avignon at 11:30 AM. After a private 40-minute shuttle, you'll arrive in Mazan, a quiet village in Provence's Vaucluse region, home to Mont Ventoux. Join your guides for a delicious lunch at Château de Mazan, your first hotel, and spend time getting a perfect fit to your Trek bike. Then head out on a warm-up loop, taking your first pedal strokes toward Beaumes-de-Venise with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Vine-covered hillsides dotted with villages accompany your ride, with Mont Ventoux rising prominently in the distance. This evening, gather with your new traveling companions for introductions over drinks and your first Provençale dinner paired with regional wines at the hotel, the château once frequented by the notorious Marquis de Sade.

Overview

Today you’ll pedal through the Gorges de la Nesque, one of the most stunning rides in the Vaucluse and a Trek Travel guide favorite. This limestone massif, carved over millennia by the Nesque River, holds traces of Neanderthal habitation and is celebrated in Frederic Mistral’s poetry. Cliffs rise 600 feet as you climb, rewarding you with incredible views with each twist and turn in the road. Once at the top, you'll descend to a family farm for lunch. At Auberge de la Maguette, Magali welcomes us with a homemade meal, reflecting her commitment to sustainable agriculture and French culinary heritage. In the afternoon, ride back to Château de Mazan for a relaxing break before enjoying a decadent dinner at La Colombe in Bédoin, expertly prepared by a celebrated chef showcasing the region’s finest ingredients.

Overview

Today you’ll face the Géant de Provence: le Mont Ventoux, renowned as one of the most challenging ascents in the Tour de France. From forested switchbacks to a stark, moonscape summit, this iconic climb has crowned champions like Chris Froome and Alberto Contador and witnessed historic moments like Tom Simpson’s story. Our guides provide support along the route, offering encouragement every step of the way. You can choose to ride the full ascent, tackle select sections, or cheer on friends from the van. Lunch is on your own at the restaurant at Chalet Reynard, perfectly positioned before the last, most difficult section of the climb. In the afternoon, descend toward Sault and the Vaucluse Plateau, winding through valleys and villages to the romantic medieval village of Gordes. Unwind at the hotel pool before joining the group for dinner at a local favorite.

Overview

Following your morning café au lait and pain au chocolat, set out for another ride in Provence’s quintessential landscapes. Pause for photos as you pedal through Gordes, a stone-built village perched high above the Luberon Valley. Next, see the iconic Abbaye de Sénanque, a 12th-century Cistercian abbey where monks still produce lavender and honey, and admire its meticulously lined lavender gardens before continuing on. Stop for a coffee in Saint-Didier, a charming town with tree-lined streets and a picturesque church. Lunch today is a highlight, hosted by the Jaumard family, who have tended their own truffle fields since the first seeding by Albert Jaumard in the 1970s. Today, Albert’s grandsons Franck and Alexis carry on the family’s passion with a three-course truffle meal in their private oak tree garden. In the afternoon, shuttle back to the hotel to relax by the pool or enjoy a soothing massage. Tonight, explore Gordes and choose from its many excellent restaurants for dinner.

Overview

Today you'll explore an area of Provence celebrated for its medieval hilltop villages and quiet winding roads. Orchards of cherry trees and vineyards line your route as you pedal to Lacoste, where you can admire its château, then continue to Bonnieux to wander cobbled streets lined with art galleries and cafés. Cross the 2,000-year-old Pont Julien spanning the Calavon River before arriving at the Roussillon open-air market for lunch on your own, taking in the striking ocher cliffs and vibrant local stalls at leisure. In the afternoon, ride through villages along the Luberon ridge back to the hotel, where the group can relax with a glass of wine or enjoy a few rounds of pétanque, one of Provence’s favorite pastimes. Before dinner, join Laetitia, our local sommelier, for a private Rhône wine tasting, then celebrate the day with a meal at one of our favorite local restaurants, where fresh Provençal ingredients are expertly prepared as you reminisce with newfound friends about your 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 10:30 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 12:00 PM on the last day of the trip to allow plenty of time for any unforeseen delays.