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Where Van Gogh landscapes come to life...lavender lanes and olive covered hills in the South of France. Van Gogh, Cézanne and Gauguin were lured to Provence by the magical light and untouched beauty of the land. Today, lovers of sun, history and delicious food and wine make their pilgrimage to this spectacular part of France. And rest assured, Provence is pure heaven for cycling! Rows of purple lavender, fields of tiny orange poppies and hills dotted with sweet cherry trees accent our routes as we pedal through a perfect Mediterranean landscape. From bustling open air markets to Cistercian abbeys, our journey follows in the footsteps of painters, and places us with in a colorful canvas, unique to the legendary region of Provence.
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• Sampling the region's Côte-du-Rhône wines
• The Roman ruins in Glanum
• Sipping an ice-cold Pastis
• Wandering among the lavender fields of the Abbaye de Sé nanque
• Open-air markets brimming with herbs, olives, fresh cheeses, and French baguettes
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Day 1 & 2 St. Rémy & Les Baux
Our warm up ride rolls down sycamore-lined roads and along cherry orchards irrigated by the Rhône. We cycle on to St. Rémy where we are free to wander the cobble stone streets and browse through the chic boutiques. The Gallo-Roman ruins at Glanum and the limestone village of Les Baux highlight our afternoon. Our inn's manicured gardens and pool await before sumptuous dinners at our inn.
• Two nights at Hôtel les Ateliers de l'Image, a 4 star luxury hotel in St. Rémy.
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Day 3 & 4 Gordes, Isle sur la Sorgue & Fontaine de Vaucluse
Leaving St. Rémy our route is framed by the jagged mountain chain of the Alpilles. Our day's ride is rewarded with our entry into Gordes, a stunning village carvedout of a rocky hillside. Relax in the town square while sipping a licorice Pastis, or pedal on to the Abbaye de Sénanque, with its famous lavender-lined paths. Wevisit the sprawling outdoor market in Isle sur la Sorgue, a town known for its canalsand waterwheels, and also as a center for antiques. A short ride brings us to theFontaine-de-Vaucluse, a spectacular sight where the crystal clear Sorgue River first bursts into daylight after its lengthy course under the Vaucluse Plateau.
• Two nights at the Bastide de Gordes, a stylish hotel in Gordes.
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Day 5 & 6 Roussillon, Lacoste & Lourmarin
Through the Imergue Valley to Roussillon, an ochre-tinted village perched above the valley floor. On to the hamlet of Lacoste, once home to the Marquis de Sade, and then on to the medieval streets of Bonnieux. We cycle by vineyards lined with gnarled grape vines, stately plane trees and canals that channel water to this sun-drenched land. We raise a glass of crémant before our farewell dinner at our hotel's gourmet restaurant. Chef Edouard Loubet entices us with specialties such as roast pintade seasoned with wild rosemary and sage and paired with crisp haricots verts. We finish our meal over a glass of Côtes-du-Rhône while savoring a sampling of rich goat cheeses.
• One night at Bastide de Capelongue, a luxury 4 star inn and restaurant.
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"Our guides were beyond all expectations. They led, they encouraged, they advised, they smiled...what more could be asked for?"
Patrick and Marilynn Denison
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Dates: May 12-17, Jun 16-21, Sep 15-20, Sep 29-Oct 4, Oct 20-25, May 11-16, 2009, Jun 8-13, 2009
See Provence Guest Chef Biking for additional departures.
Length: 6 days/5 nights
Level: 1 B
Daily Mileage: 15-35 miles on gently rolling to rolling terrain, some hills.
Cost: $3880
Single Supplement: $800
Meals: All breakfasts, all dinners but 1; picnic lunch
Hotels: Stylish 4 star hotels and country inns.
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