Vineyards and Lavender of Provence

Maps & Profiles

NOTE: Please click on the profile image to see the complete profile in true relief; the thumbnail version below is automatically made small and this distorts the actual relief of the terrain.

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PROVENCE_Vineyards&Lavender_Avignon-Chateauneuf	PROVENCE_Vineyards&Lavender_Chateauneuf-St Paul 3C	PROVENCE_Vineyards&Lavender_St Paul 3C-Grignan	PROVENCE_Vineyards&Lavender_Loop Grignan
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PROVENCE_Vineyards&Lavender_Grignan-Vaison la Romaine	PROVENCE_Vineyards&Lavender_Vaison la Romaine-Bedoin via Gigondas

Tour Map

PROVENCE_Trip map_Vineyards&Lavender

Itinerary

Click on a day to see that days itinerary.

DAY 1: Arrival in Avignon. You can visit Avignon today and take in its many sites. Your excellent 4 star hotel is located in the center of Avignon, within a short walk of all the sites in Avignon. We will provide and orientation with bike delivery and set up to get you all ready to ride out the next day. Dinner on your own in Avignon, we will include some excellent suggestions.

Hotel Cloitre Saint Louis

4

Avignon

Situated in a historical building dating back to the XVIth century, Hotel Cloitre Saint Louis Avigno...

Day 2: From Avignon to Chateauneuf du Pape (30 km): Today, you ride through the vineyards of the renowned appellation “Cotes du Rhone” de Chateauneuf-du-Pape and if you like, stop to visit and taste in one of the cellars of the village. On your way, you can stop at the village Roquemaure, where you can see the remains of the 12th century medieval castle, where Pop Clement V died in 1314. Night and dinner at a charming, deluxe chateau hotel in Chateauneuf du Pape. (B,D)

Chateau Des Fines Roches

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Chateauneuf Du Pape

Chateau des Fine Roches is located in the tranquil Provence country side where you will find yoursel...

Day 3: From Chateauneuf to Rochegude & St Paul les 3 Chateaux (31-47km): On this itinerary you will pass Serignan du Comtat, an important medieval village (origins go back to 6C BC) in the history of the Counts of Toulouse and the domain of Diane de Poitiers. Continue on to Rochegude in the Drome department and lavender country and then on into the town of St Paul les 3 Chateaux where you can walk through its old cobbled streets and visit the historical church. Deluxe 4 star hotel at the walls of the old center. (B)

Villa Augusta

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St Paul les 3 Chateaux

Ideally situated in the heart of countryside, La Villa Augusta will charm you with the art of good l...

Day 4: From St Paul to Grignan (31km): Todays ride will bring you to the village of Clansayes before Grignan. In Clansayes, you will find the Templar knights tower, which offers a beautiful panoramic view of the area. Also on your itinerary are the villages of Colonzelle and La Baume de Transit, with remains from a medieval castle. In Grignan, you stay below its famous chateaux in a very comfortable 3 star chateau/manor house. (B)

Le Clair De Plume

3

Grignan

Le Clair de Plume was created in the 17th century as housing for monks because the court believed th...

Day 5: Grignan loop tour or day off (41km): : If you choose to ride, you will travel to the lavender areas around Grignan to La Garde dAdhemar. This village is a classical provencal village with exceptional beauty. La Garde dAdhemar has preserved its medieval structure and ramparts and was originally colonized during the Roman era by veterans of the Roman legions in the 1st century. Return to Grignan. If you stay in Grignan, you can explore this beautiful 16-17C chateau and learn the story of Madame de Sevigne. (B)

Le Clair De Plume

3

Grignan

Le Clair de Plume was created in the 17th century as housing for monks because the court believed th...

Day 6: Ride from Grignan to Vaison la Romaine (47km). Vaison, a town of art, has a rich cultural heritage. It was built up in the middle ages and modern times but the town owes its fame to the ancieant Roman foundations and its ruins. "La Romaine" was added in 1924! Stay in an historic 15th century mansion in the center of town. (B,D)

Le Beffroi

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Vaison La Romaine

Christine & Yann CHRISTIANSEN are happy to welcome you to the Beffroi and wish you an excellent stay...

Day 7: Ride from Vaison to Bedoin; 2 options:
Option 1: the easier ride, it passes through the wine villages of Gigondas, Vacqueras, and Beaumes de Venise to finish in Bedoin (38km).
Option 2 crosses the Dentelles de Montmirail involving some climbs (40km). A variant of option 2 is to ride Mont Ventoux, famous Tour de France climb fondly known as the Giant of Provence! This will add 25 km and at least 1-2 hours of climbing up to 1909 meters (approx 6000 ft). Tonight you stay at the edge of the village of Bedoin in a very charming inn. The scent of lavender is in the air during June and July in this countryside! (B,D)

Hotel les Pins

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Bedoin

Blue, green, white... Mont Ventoux towers skyward watching over the hills and vineyards. At the foot...

General Tour Information

Vineyards & Lavender of Provence
7 Nights / 8 Days

Dates 2012
Season: April 1 -Nov 1
This tour can start any day of the week except Sunday. Best season for lavender: mid-June to mid-July. Note: July travel does have supplements of 65 euros per person for standard priced tours.

Level - Level: 2-3 Moderate
Day 2: 27 km
Day 3: rolling 47 km
Day 4: rolling 31 km
Day 5: rolling 41 km (optional)
Day 6: rolling 47 km
Day 7: rolling to mountainous depending on option 38km, 40km, 65km

Details - Arrival city is Avignon, which accessible via train from Paris Gare de Lyon (2hrs 45min) or Paris CDG airport (3 hours). Taxi from rail station to hotel is approx. 15 euros. Departure from Avignon; same return travel time to Paris.

Book a Hotel in Provence
What is self-guided touring?

Misc Info

Triple rooms occassionally available but only as double plus single.

Optional Services:

Travel insurance, Paris museum & metro passes, Paris day tours, Lido shows, and other services. Cell phone rental and luggage storage services.

Note: prices subject to change based upon currency fluctuations. See Booking Terms and Conditions.

What's Included

The Trip Includes:
Very comfortable country lodgings & deluxe hotels all nights, 3 dinners and daily buffet breakfasts,, daily bag transfer, arrival orientation, road book with detailed maps and directions, GPS - 1 per 2 persons, site/visit information, emergency support. We also provide travel planning to add Paris hotels, car rentals, France hotels, trains, airport transfers, trains, and more.

To learn more about the road books and GPS units we included, visit this link: GPS & Road Book Details

For hotels included in this tour, please see the Itinerary tab; each hotel is shown for each day.

UPGRADE: an upgraded hotel version is available for supplement (see price tab); the hotels on this version are: La Mirande, Chateau des Fines Roches, Chateau de Rochegude, Manoir de la Roseraie, Hotel le Beffroi, Hostellerie Crillon le Brave.


Additional Nights: TBD - please inquire

Tour Rates

***Bike Rentals are available for a supplement of 105 euros, please see the Bike Rental tab for all details about the bikes we offer. *NOTE: a supplement of 65 euros/person applies for travel in July.

(convert from euros)

Photos & Videos

Bike Info

Scott Sportster P3/P4 & P40 hybrids; see link for full details and picture. Helmets and add on materials included in the rental rate of 105 euros.

Pedals with or without straps available. Clients can bring their own Clipless pedals to be changed over. Carbon road bikes available as well as children trailers.