This tour of Provence takes in the region made famous in Peter Mayle’s ‘A Year in Provence’, with its lavender farms and olive groves, charming villages with bustling markets overlooked by apricot-coloured houses with pastel blue shutters. Menerbes, Gordes, Roussillon with its ochre cliffs, Vaison-la- Romaine and its Roman bridge – all will enthrall you, as will the earthly delights of the wineries of Gigondas and Beaumes-de-Venise. Dine on seafood from the Mediterranean, lamb from the high pastures, glorious fruit and vegetables, and culinary masterpieces suffused with herbes de provence. This cycling tour of Provence is a feast for all the senses as you take in the sights, sounds, tastes and smells that make this region so unique.
Tour de VinesProvence, from the Roman Provincia Gallia, lies between the Côte d’Azur and the Rhône, stretching inland to the Alps. Provence is more than a geographical area – olive trees, lavender, sunflowers, and sunshine give it an identity all of its own. The quality of the light in Provence has attracted artists like Van Gogh and Gauguin, who lived in Arles, and Cézanne, with his many studies of Mont Ste-Victoire. The cuisine of the region is as distinctive as the light, with emphasis on fresh fruit and vegetables, olive oil, seafood and the herbes de provence which grow wild on the hillsides. There are also great wines, such as the grands crus like Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas in the Rhône Valley above Avignon.
Aside from the incredible daily ‘Provence’ experiences, the cycling itinerary on this tour also includes optional elements, perfect for couples, friends or groups that have varying cycling experience. For example, on Day 5 of the cycling tour you may choose to climb the famous Mt Ventoux, or simply take the scenic leisurely route to beautiful Bedoin, both fully guided and supported.