Under a Mediterranean sun we take you through the diversity of the Provençal landscapes of Vaucluse, Luberon & Alpilles. Place of departure is Bedoin at the foot of the Mont Ventoux, the famous Giant of Provence. You will discover the vineyards of the Ventoux wine region, the lavender fields of Sault, the smooth hilly landscapes of Luberon & Vaucluse and the wine-and olive-yards of les Alpilles. As in Provence every location has its weekly market where you have the opportunity to add to your riding with Provençal culture and atmosphere. Your itineraries are studied with care and patience; they avoid the traffic and visit the highlights. The terrain around Gordes, Luberon and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence is rolling and sometimes hilly. During this trip The Mont Ventoux can be an option and a great challenge ! Enjoy the select hotels and restaurants... you’ ll be accommodated in charming hotels at Bedoin, Gordes & Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.		"The trip exceeded my expectations in just about every way. It was awesome and challenging to be alone on a bike in a foreign country." – B. Van Hook "Really everything was as good or better than expectations. I have bragged about and recommended this vacation to several of my biking friends. Great job!" M. Odell

DAY 1: Arrival in Avignon train station and transfer to Bedoin at the foot of Mont Ventoux. Our rep will give an orientation and deliver bikes at 4:30 PM. You can explore the village, take walk, swim in the pool, or relax for the rides ahead. Dinner included tonight. Option for orientation at 8:30 am on next day. (D)

Day 2: Riding the vineyards of Ventoux & Rhône valley (58km): This smooth loop trip is a great way to warm up and will bring you to the famous wine villages of Beaumes-de-Venise, Vacquéras, Gigondas and more famous Rhône wine villages in Upper-Vaucluse. In June and July you may come across lavender fields that will perfume the air. Return to Bedoin tonight. (B,D)

Day 3: Different ride options including the famous Mont Ventoux… 42 km or Gorges de la Nesque & the lavender fields of Sault 80km
The first itinerary starts with a warm-up tour between the vineyards of Bedoin, followed by the challenging climb and descend of Mont Ventoux. An alternative itinerary will take you through the Nesque River Canyon (Gorges de la Nesque) to the lavender plateaus and the village of Sault.
As a cherry on the cake you can climb the Ventoux and join Bedoin through Sault and the Nesque River Canyon: an unforgettable experience (105 km) (B,D)

Day 4: Ride from Bedoin to Gordes... (39km)
This itinerary will bring you through the village of Venasque – ranked as one of the “most beautiful villages of France” – and to the Romanesque 12th century built Sénanque abbey. After a last climb you will reach the perched village of Gordes. The garden of the hotel and swimming pool offer a great view on the stone houses across the hillside, winding up around the chateau.
Accommodation at Gordes – Mas des Romarins - Dinner on your own. (B)

Day 5: Luberon loop tour (63km):
We propose a cycle tour through the Luberon regional national park, famous for its vegetation. A varied itinerary through vast forests with amazing viewpoints will take you to the following superb perched villages: Bonnieux (cedar forest), Lacoste (Marquis de Sade castle) , Ménerbes (“A year in Provence…”) and the ruins of Oppède le Vieux. Return to Gordes tonight, dinner on your own again. (B)

Day 6: Ride the Ochre road… 74km (or alternative short itinerary of 35km):
This loop brings you to “Ochre (colored) Land”. In this area you’ll appreciate all the varieties of the ochre colour, which is everywhere in the landscape: in the ochre-wash stone houses and steep cliffs of the scenic village Roussillon and in the cliffs and canyons of the “Provençal Colorado “ in Rustrel. A stroll on the marked “Ochre Trail” in Roussillon learns you more about the geology and mining of the ochre. Return to Gordes – Dinner on your own. (B)

Day 7: From Gordes to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence (51 km):
To day we leave the Vaucluse to join the Bouches-de-Rhône department. Our itinerary takes us via Coustellet (Lavender museum) to melon-town Cavaillon where we have to cross the Durance river. A scenic route wil take you to Eygalières, a beautiful “one horse”-town of some hundreds inhabitants. A short steep walk (or ride) will take you the top of the village, a panoramic viewpoint from where you see the Durance valley, Alpilles mountain range and the rock of Les Baux de Provence. A gentle trip through the Alpilles hills will take you to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, the centre of Provençal culture, native town of Nostradamus and residence of Vincent Van Gogh. Dinner in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. (B,D)

Day 8: Departure, transfer to Avignon rail station.