Heart of Provence Cycling, France

This popular cycling holiday follows a triangular route, exploring the heart of “secret” Provence. It is almost wholly unspoiled, combining rural tranquillity with beautiful landscapes, and it hardly seems to have changed in centuries.

You’ll see dozens of châteaux, and lovely churches, chapels and abbeys. The cycling is relaxed with rural routes taking you through vineyards, woodlands and up to pretty perched villages with the most amazing views. The summer sun is softened by breezes coming in from the Mediterranean and, everywhere, there’s the scent of the garrigue to remind you you’re in Provence.

This holiday starts and ends at our hotel in Le Thoronet. In between, you stay in a lovely 8-room auberge in St Antonin, and a beautifully converted 16th century coaching inn in Tourtour. All hotels offer private outdoor swimming pools and there’s a jacuzzi in Tourtour.

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1 - Arrive at Le Thoronet
We meet you at Les Arcs and take you to your hotel (35 mins) - time for a relaxing swim before dinner.

Day 2 - Le Thoronet to Ponteves 32km/20mi or 37km/23mi
First stop is the atmospheric C12 Cistercian Abbaye du Thoronet then it's a lovely leisurely cycle beneath huge pink cliffs, dotted with white villages, vineyards and tempting picnic spots. Highlights include Carces (great wine tasting and lake) and picturesque Cotignac with its C13 church, fortress and amazing troglodyte dwellings!

Day 3 - At Ponteves
Walk to the ruins of the castle or cycle to nearby Barjols, a little town utterly dominated by water (it has four rivers running through it, 16 lavoirs and 27 fountains) - pottery and tambourines are made here too!

Day 4 - Ponteves to Tourtour 37km/23mi or 44km/27mi
It's a lovely ride today to Tourtour, with the longer route taking you through the Foret de Pelenc and on to the pretty hill village of Moissac Bellevue. Both routes take you via Aups, a great spot for lunch. Time to explore its narrow streets before heading on to the picturesque village of Tourtour where you spend the next two nights in a beautifully converted C16 coaching inn with jacuzzi and two private pools.

Day 5 - At Tourtour
This may be a small village, but it packs quite a punch! Explore the mediaeval old quarter, art galleries and lovely little church before lunch beneath the old lime trees. The more energetic can cycle to the picturesque villages of Ampus and Chateaudouble.

Day 6 - Tourtour to Le Thoronet 42km/26mi or 47km/29mi
Your day starts with a wonderful downhill whizz through pine forests to Villecroze, a picturesque village founded by a retired Roman General and later the site of a Templar commandery. On to Salernes - famous for its colourful tiles and pottery - then via the Bresque Valley to mediaeval Entrecasteaux: fortified Gothic church and C17 chateau. Your final stretch takes you up through a series of sleepy hamlets and back to Le Thoronet in time for a swim and laze by the pool before dinner.

Day 7 - Leave Le Thoronet

Is this trip for you?
This is a 2 Cycle independent holiday (See Headwater’s Cycle Rating System). We feel it is the mid-upper end of a 2-Cycle (a couple of challenging climbs!) Anyone who likes France, good food and sunshine will love this holiday!