A Taste of Provence: Vineyards & Villages

Bienvenue en Provence! We collect you from Avignon TGV or L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue train station . If you arrive early, wander through the historic old town, famous for hosting Europe’s third-largest antique market. Often called the Venice of Provence, this charming town is laced with beautiful, crystal-clear canals fed by the Sorgue River.

Once settled into our authentic 17th-century mas, we will perfectly fit your bike so you are ready to roll. Take a relaxed afternoon spin to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse to witness the dramatic source where the Sorgue surges from deep underground, or simply relax by the pool.

In the evening, we host a brief orientation meeting followed by a delicious gourmet dinner paired with local Ventoux wines.

We roll straight into the heart of the Luberon, cycling along scenic country lanes past Robion and Maubec. Our first challenge is the steady climb to the atmospheric ruins of Oppède-le-Vieux, a medieval village once abandoned and later revived by a community of artists during the Second World War.

After a sweeping descent, we pedal through the beautiful village of Ménerbes, a favorite retreat of artists and writers. From here, we tackle the final, rewarding climb to Gordes, an iconic hilltop village crowned by its 16th-century château .

In the afternoon, enjoy an optional climb to the stunning 12th-century Sénanque Abbey, nestled in a quiet valley surrounded by fragrant lavender fields, before a well-earned dinner .

We descend from Gordes toward the striking, fiery red cliffs of Roussillon, officially listed among the prettiest villages in France. The landscape here shifts dramatically into surreal quarry trails of vibrant orange, gold, and crimson red.

We cross the ancient Pont Julien, a beautifully preserved 2,000-year-old Roman stone bridge, before climbing to the historic village of Lacoste, dominated by the ruins of the Marquis de Sade’s castle. We continue to Bonnieux for panoramic valley views and a perfect local lunch stop.

A steady, quiet climb takes us onto the high Luberon plateau before a spectacular descent carries us into the chic medieval village of Lourmarin, our home for the next two nights.

No packing today! Enjoy a glorious, uninterrupted loop through the tranquil southern Luberon, or choose to rest your legs and soak up the local café culture in Lourmarin. For those riding, we follow quiet roads to Cucuron, a beautiful village bordered by medieval walls and giant plane trees.

We ride through La Motte-d’Aigues to reach La Tour-d’Aigues, home to a magnificent Renaissance château, where we stop for a relaxed lunch. In the afternoon, we glide through vineyards and olive groves into postcard-perfect Ansouis, dominated by its 1,000-year-old fortress.

We return to Lourmarin for a relaxed evening. Tonight, you are free to dine independently at one of the village’s highly regarded local bistros.

We climb back over the Luberon range via the dramatic gorge of Buoux, followed by a fast, thrilling descent into Apt, the world capital of candied fruits. After exploring the bustling town, we climb steadily to the perched village of Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt for lunch against a backdrop of medieval ruins.

The afternoon route takes us through wild gorges and deep green oak forests on the southern slopes of Mont Ventoux. We finish our day on the high plateau of Sault, surrounded by sea of lavender fields.

Celebrate the day’s achievement with a refreshing dip in the hotel pool and a hearty dinner showcasing the unique alpine-Provençal flavors of Sault.

Today brings the crown jewel of our tour: the legendary ascent of Mont Ventoux . We tackle the climb from Sault, the gentlest of the three routes, ascending steadily through pine forests before emerging onto the famous, lunar-like limestone summit at 1,912 meters . We stop at the memorial to Tom Simpson before enjoying a breathtaking descent to Bédoin .

Scenic Cruise Option: If you prefer a gentler day, enjoy a magnificent, traffic-free descent through the majestic Gorges de la Nesque, sweeping through rock-cut tunnels and past sheer canyon cliffs .

Both routes meet in Bédoin for a lively celebratory lunch. We roll through sun-drenched vineyards to our final boutique hotel, gathering in the evening for a spectacular farewell dinner.

Sadly, the tour draws to an end today, and all that’s left to do is say our goodbyes and prepare for the journey home.