Classic road cycling holiday in Provence

A beautiful road cycling holiday to one of the most popular and most visited regions in the whole of France - Provence; and with its diverse landscape, ranging from snow-capped mountains, pancake-flat lavender plains and a stunningly beautiful coastline it’s not difficult to see why.

These things, combined with fantastic food, over 300 days a year of sunshine and an extremely agreeable climate make Provence an irresistible holiday destination. It’s also home to some of the best road cycling in Southern Europe.

Taking advantage of a host of low cost flight options from numerous regional airports in the UK, your holiday starts and finishes in Nice, the glittering capital of the French Riviera. A transfer on arrival day takes us from the coast inland to the medieval village of Saignon in the Luberon Region. The following day we begin our ride which will ultimately bring us all the way back to the Cote D'Azur.

It's an incredible journey which will take in some of the most impressive routes in Provence, including the Gorges de la Nesque and an ascent to the famous "moonscape" summit of the mighty- Mont Ventoux . Another highlight of the trip is the incredible and dramatic Verdon Gorge, the deepest and most beautiful in Europe and often referred to as the “Grand Canyon du Verdon”.

We end the week with a thrilling descent of the Col de Vence which spits us out in th 12th Century Medieval town of Vence where we will spend our final evening together.

Detailed Itinerary:
Day One - Arrival - Transfer to Saignon
Following a short flight to the "jewel in the crown" of the Côte d’Azur (Nice) we will transfer to Saignon, one of the oldest villages in France with a long and rich history predating the Roman period to Antiquity and Prehistoric times. Here we will have time to prepare ourselves and our bikes for the forthcoming trip before dining together as a group.

Day Two - Saignon to Sault (via Gorges de la Nesque) (approx 90km)
We'll begin the day with sweeping 3 km downhill from Saignon to Apt. Don't be lulled into a false send of security , it really isn't "all downhill" from here! A leg-warming climb out of the town will soon bring us to our senses!  It’s only a short sharp shock though and soon enough the road flattens out a little and we cruise along quiet lanes through vineyards and lavender fields until we reach the tiny village of Saint-Saturnin-Les-Apt from where we will begin to climb again. It’s a challenging yet thoroughly manageable ascent which takes us over our first col and just shy of 1000 m above sea level from where the views of the mighty Mont Ventoux are unnervingly clear. The Giant of Provence or, perhaps more fittingly "The Bastard" as it was famously described by Lance Armstrong, watches over us for much of the day. A tricky little descen t is waiting for us on the other side of the col as we drop down in the direction Monieux, the gateway to the Gorges de la Nesque. We'll spend the rest of the day riding through this impressively-beautiful Gorge before settling down in Sault, the centre of the Provençal lavender trade where we will spend the next 2 nights. Since Gorges de la Nesque is a loop from Monieux, tired riders who want a shorter day can potentially opt out an head directly for the hotel in Sault.

Day Three - Sault - Mont Ventoux - Sault
Today we have a date with one of the most famous and notorious mountains in the world and one which has featured in the Tour De France in the Tour De France no fewer than 14 times since 1951. There are 3 ways up the Ventoux and you'll be happy to learn that we will be taking the "easiest" route. On the way there will be an opportunity to visit the Tom Simpson Memorial and pay respects to Britain's most famous cyclist who tragically died on the slopes of the mountain during the 1967 Tour. After reaching the summit we'll descend back to Sault where we will spend our second evening

Day Four - Sault to Forcalquier (approx 55 km)
Leaving Sault we begin our day by tracing a series of minor and virtually traffic-free roads through a series of small Provencal villages and towns as we make our way to Forcalquier. It's very pretty route in a region virtually untouched by tourism. The roads are generally undulating but do have the occasional challenging climb to keep us on our toes. Intentionally a shorter than average day to allow a little recouperation from yesterday's challenge!

Day Five - Forcalquier to Moustiers Ste Marie (approx 70km)
Moving out of Forcalquier we drop into the Plateau de Valensole, as the name suggests it’s a (relatively!) flat start to the day as we wind our way through the primary lavender growing region of Provence. The morning is spiced however with a climb or two as we wind our way through the almond woods that grow in the area. Of course, "what goes up…………must come down" and we’re soon enjoying a thrilling descent into the charming and picturesque village of Moustiers Saint Mariesituated just a few km from the shores of Lac de Sainte Croix and the gateway village to tomorrow's challenge; the Gorge du Verdon.

Day Six - Moustiers Ste Marie to Castellane (approx 75km)
Today will probably be one of the most memoral rides of the tour. Leaving Moustiers we head for the lake, riding the shoreline for a few km to the entrance of the gorge where the climbing begins almost immediately. The southern rim of the gorge, which we will be riding, is the more challenging option but it is certainly the most dramatic and the most rewarding way to experience this area of outstanding natural beauty. It is also the least visited side of the Verdon Gorge and has considerably less traffic. Well climb steadily for an hour or so, drop down dramatically and then finally rising again out the gorge. Things ease up on the road to Comps-sur-Artuby becoming considerably more gentle as the road flattens on the approach to Coms-sur-Artuby. From here we head north on a very minor road, rising and dropping all the way to our destination today in Castellane.

Day Seven - Castellane to Vence (approx 95 km)
A longer than average day but with a good proportion either on the flat/gently undulating roads or descending. Castellane itself is at the bottom of a hill so the day begins with a couple of climbs. Soon enough things level out and we'll begin to make good progress as our journey down to the coast starts to really take shape. An "optional extra" for the brave is the Col de Vence which overlooks our destination. If we decide to ride the col we'll be approacing it from the easier of the 2 sides ending the day with a suberb and fast descent into Vence. This 12th Century Medieval city was once home to the artiste Henri Mattise and it is here that the famous Rosaire Chapel remains as a monument to his talents. The town and its little brother, St Paul du Vence are very beautiful and we should arrive with enough time to explore and enjoy them both to the full.

Day Eight - Departure

Equipment
We provide everything except a bike, personal equipment and clothing. If you are taking your own bike it should preferably be a road bike or, alternatively, a mountain bike fitted with slick tyres.

Although we will be taking things at a relatively leisurely pace, on occasions the route is hilly, we recommend that you have either a triple or compact chainset or a 27 bottom sprocket to ease the climbing. Please contact us if you are unsure whether your bike will be suitable.

It is imperative that your bike is in good mechanical order. If you are not mechanically minded, we advise you to take your bike to a local bicycle dealer for a service. Our guide(s) will of course be taking a full tool kit and a selection of spares, which we will provide should the need arise but please be sure to carry your own basic tool kit, pump, spare tubes, and any specific spare parts you may require for your bike - especially unusual spokes.

You will need to bring your own accessories including, helmet, gloves and hydration pack / bottles for drinking water. It is also a good idea to bring shoes suitable for walking along with your cycling shoes as well as a light, but waterproof rain jacket and a fleece / sweater for mornings and evenings.

What the price doesn't include
A) Personal clothing and equipment.
B) Evening meals
C) Alcoholic drinks.
D) Travel insurance (if required, £26)
E) Bar bills, telephone calls, souvenirs, etc.
F) Bike hire (if required).