Provence, Luberon & Lavender - bike tour

Numerous monuments testify a long and great past since the Greek and Roman period going to the Middle Ages and, at least, to the last centuries. Avignon: the famous Pope’s Palace (World Heritage Site), the medieval town and its imposing wall; Orange: Hast he best kept Roman monuments such as the theatre and the triumphal arch, Vaison la Romaine: is divided between an roman city and a medieval town on the hill. You’ll cross the famous vieneyars of the Cotes du Rhone, the lavender fields when you approach the Lubéron – well known by Peter Mayle – with stay in the lovely town of Isle-sur-la Sorgue. Beautiful landscapes await you such as Fontaine de Vaucluse supposedly the deepest river resurgence in the world, as they still don’t know how deep the cave is! Gordes is a typical little village in Provence. Sénanque is, with Fontenay in Burgundy, the best conserved Cistercian abbey in Europe surrounded by lavender fields. Roussillon: this village is known for its splendid ochre rocks. Lastly, we have to mention the quality of wine and food. During the cycle tour you will discover good Provencal dishes and their delicious Mediterranean flavours.

Many countries have beautiful landscapes, but no country in Europe possesses so many and different beautiful landscapes as France. This is in part due to its unique geography. And nowhere else can you eat so well either, indeed French Cuisine is now UNESCO classified! France- Bike is a specialist for cycling tours in France and especially in Provence, no wonder really as some of us have lived, travelled and eaten here every day for the last 30 years! As they say, just ask the locals!

TIP: The lavender fields generally bloom from the beginning of June to the end of July and are mostly around the village Sault (if you choose the option to bike down Mont Ventoux, you will pass there).

TOUR PROFILE: Mainly on quiet paths and flat roads, some hills but anybody can do it. In addition to our detailed road books and maps, you’ll be guided by red signs with white arrows that help you find the route all along the bike tour.

Arrival in the 3*** hotel with excellent cuisine on the Isle of Barthelasse in a very quiet area, approx. 5 km / 3miles from Avignon Centre, parking free.

Meeting at the hotel reception at around 09:30 am for more explanations on the tour and distribution of bikes- if rented. From Avignon to Villeneuve-lès-Avignon and then along the Rhône river to Roquemaure. You cross the Rhône and arrive in Orange.

Today you ride through the wine yards of the Côtes du Rhône and cross typical villages such as Sérignan, Ste Cécile les Vignes, St. Roman de Malegarde and Villedieu before you arrive in Vaison-la-Romaine, lovely roman and medieval town.

Either: You continue riding through the wine yards of the Côtes du Rhône and cross wine villages such as Rasteau, Gigondas, Vacqueyras and Sarrans on little roads and paths.

Or - very spectacular: Only possible between 15. May to 15. September. We will bring you and your bike up to the top of Mont Ventoux (1909m) by van and then you will cycle 30km down through the lavender fields around Sault and further down to the Lubéron- Valley (surcharge, pay on site in cash). An unforgettable highlight!

Arrival in Isle sur Sorgues, called the Venice of the Provence due to its many little rivers with clean water.

This region is too beautiful to leave. Sou you stay at Isle sur Sorgue and explore the lovely valley of the Lubéron described by Peter Mayle. Many highlights await you. The village of Gordes or not too far from it the Cistercian abbey of Sénanque is surrounded by lavender fields (sportive). And the Ocre rocks near the lovely village of Roussillon which have given the so typical colurs to the Provence, are also worth a visit.

On little roads and along the Durance river back to Avignon where you can visit the historical centre and the Papal Palace (World Patrimony).

Individual departure or extension.

• 6 nights in comfortable 2**, 3*** and 4**** Hotels - some with swimming pool
• 6x breakfast
• Welcome briefing if you have booked a rental bike
• Luggage transport (1 piece of luggage per person)
• Signal vests
• Tourist tax
• Signs along the route
• Detailed travel material
• GPS tracks on request
• Service hotline

• rental bike (21-gears touring bike) - € 90,-
• E-Bike - € 200,-
• Surcharge for Half board  € 210,- per person
• GPS- data for free upon request
• Surcharge for special dates for 3 persons € 80,- (p.P.)
• Surcharge for special dates for 2 persons € 120,- (p.P.)
• Surcharge for special dates for single traveller € 240,-

You will stay in comfortable 2**, 3*** and 4****- hotels (some with pools)

Arrival by car: motorway until Avignon

Arrival by train: TGV- railway station Avignon

Arrival by airplane: airport Avignon, Nîmes, Marseille, Montpellier.

Transfer from Nîmes, Marseille, Montpellier to Avignon: 300,- / drive, pay on site in cash.

Parking: free at Hotel La Ferme for duration of trip.

2 persons