Provence’s History, Landscapes, and Luberon National Park

Day 1: Arrival in Villeneuve Les Avignon

Arrive at the hotel in Villeneuve Les Avignon. Most people arrive in Avignon by TGV, either from Paris or London, although there are some direct flights to Avignon and Nimes. Your first night is spent at the Residence les Cedres, hosted by Christophe.

Overnight in Villeneuve Les Avignon.

Day 2: Avignon – St. Remy de Provence
22 miles/35 km

An easy cycling day awaits, as well as your first glimpse of the glorious Rhone River! Enjoy wonderful cycling along the river path as far as Aramon, where you'll cross the Rhine and continue on to St. Rémy de Provence.

In St. Rémy, you'll visit the intriguing Roman ruins of Glanum just outside town. Dating back to 27 BC, Glanum was part of the Romanisation of Provence, but was abandoned 300 years later when the town was overrun by the German Alamanni tribe. Before the Romans left Glanum and headed for St. Remy, they built two huge monuments - a mausoleum and triumphal arch. The town of Glanum itself, with its underground water systems, was unfortunately submerged in mud and scree sediment from the nearby Alpilles and had virtually disappeared until the 1920s, with only the two Roman monuments visible. It wasn't until 1921 that anyone realized a hidden Roman town was waiting to be found on the other side of the road!

On the way to St. Rémy, pass by the asylum where Vincent Van Gogh voluntarily committed himself after his tempestuous time in Arles (scene of the infamous ear incident). It was here that one of his most famous works was painted - Starry Night.

St. Rémy itself is a quaint village. You'll stay at the Castelet des Alpilles and dine in the heart of the village.

Overnight in St. Rémy de Provence.

Day 3: St. Remy de Provence – Cavaillon
30 miles/48 km

Your beautiful route leads you through the Alpilles today. You will face a tough climb but be rewarded with incredible views from Les Baux de Provence. To get there, you'll follow the little river - the Gaudre de Valmouriane - which winds through spectacular scenery with the Alpilles towering on either side. The climb into Les Baux is decent, but you'll love the fascinating, ruined fortress you'll find at the top. Ruled over for centuries by (alleged) descendants of Balthazar - one of the Three Kings of the Bible - this fortress wreaked havoc throughout Provence and as far afield as Toulouse. It eventually became part of France, but was destroyed by none other than Cardinal Richelieu, of Three Musketeers fame. Ten years later, the fortress was given to Monaco and, in the 19th century, was the site of a discovery of aluminium ore, hence 'bauxite'.

Astonishingly, Les Baux became such a backwater that it effectively disappeared until the Second World War. It was rediscovered after WWII, excavated, and restored to the town we see today. Les Baux is fascinating, and offers some of the best views you could imagine.

Moving along to Maussane Domaine Plaines Marguerite, you'll pay a visit to your first olive farm. After lunch, savor a wine tasting at Domaine de la Vallongue, proud producers of AOP Les Baux de Provence - one of France's newest appellations. Your day will end in Cavaillon, in a delightful old quarter of town, home to the Hotel de Parc.

Overnight in Cavaillon.

Day 4: Cavaillon – Monteux
29 miles/47 km

Leaving the Alpilles behind, you'll enter Lubéron National Park, visit the beautiful village of Gordes, and view the iconic Abbaye de Senanque. Michelin describes the area as "... beautiful, isolated Cistercian Abbaye de Sénanque surrounded by a sea of lavender".

Leaving the abbey, you'll climb a beautiful road through stunning Lubérion scenery, then experience a spectacular descent into Carpentras. You'll overnight just outside Carpentras in Monteux, with stunning views of Mont Ventoux, the 'Giant of Provence'.

Overnight in Monteux.

Day 5: Monteux Loop Ride
26 miles/41 km

Today you'll visit three notable appellations - Beaumes de Venise, Gigondas, and Vacqueyras - and enjoy a wine tasting at Domaine de Durban and Caveau Gabriel Meffre. Today features more climbs, but fewer than yesterday, and the scenery is beautiful. You'll loop back to your hotel in Monteaux for another night in this lovely town.

Overnight in Monteux.

Day 6: Monteux – Orange
18 miles/29 km

Today you'll leave the hills of the Lubéron region behind and pedal deeper into the Rhône wine region. Here, you'll see vines everywhere you look! Little rural roads lead to Courthezon where a visit to a very interesting winery - the Caves Jamet - is on the agenda. The motorway cut the vineyard here in half, and as a result, the owner produces both Chateauneuf du Pape and Vin de France. It's the same wine!

Orange is your day's destination. Until recently, this town was home to the French Foreign Legion, but it's more famous as a retirement town for Roman soldiers. You'll visit a truly spectacular Roman theater and the huge triumphal arch that dates back to the reign of Augustus. The theater and arch are both classified as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Overnight in Orange.

Day 7: Orange – Villeneuve-les-Avignon
22 miles/36 km

A relatively easy day is in store with just a short climb at the end of it. Leaving Orange, you'll cycle to Caderousse and then onto a series of islands in the Rhône as far as Avignon, picking up a picnic along the way.

There will be ample time to explore fascinating and historical Avignon, enclosed by its 3-mile-long wall. In the 14th century, fleeing chaotic violence in Rome, Pope Clement V moved the papacy to Avignon, which became the base for seven popes. One of these - Benedict XII - supervised the completion of the largest Gothic building in France - the vast, fortified Papal Palace, which will stun you with its magnitude. There's a marvelous atmosphere in the center of Avignon, home to open squares full of cafes, restaurants, and street performers.

Leaving Avignon, you'll cross the Rhone for the last time and climb the short hill back to Villeneuve les Avignon. At the Hotel Les Cedres, you'll enjoy a final dinner together before everyone parts company tomorrow.

Overnight in Villeneuve Les Avignon.

Day 8: Departure

You will depart individually for your onward travels.