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Provence - Luberon cycling trip
- Wonderful cycling tours through one of Europe's most traditional and impressive landscapes
- Beautiful 12th and 13th century villages, like Gordes and Roussillon
- The 'Venice of Provence': L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgues
- The natural beauty and unspoilt countryside of Lubéron Regional Nature Reserve
- Experience the mysterious water world of Fontaine-de-Vaucluse
- A stroll through the colourful world of the 'Colorado Provençal'
From: 665 €
Tripcode: FRSC025
3 Comfort
Level 1 - EN:
Simple accommodation, often with multiple rooms like huts, cottages or guesthouses. Sometimes with bunk beds and often with shared bathrooms. All camping trips fall into this category.
Level 1 - EN:
Simple accommodation, often with multiple rooms like huts, cottages or guesthouses. Sometimes with bunk beds and often with shared bathrooms. All camping trips fall into this category.
Level 2:
Simple to good inns, small family hotels, B&Bs and agriturismo (farmsteads), generaly with private bathroom. Often chosen for their excellent location in relation to the itinerary.
Level 2:
Simple to good inns, small family hotels, B&Bs and agriturismo (farmsteads), generaly with private bathroom. Often chosen for their excellent location in relation to the itinerary.
Level 2:
Simple to good inns, small family hotels, B&Bs and agriturismo (farmsteads), generaly with private bathroom. Often chosen for their excellent location in relation to the itinerary.
Level 3:
Good hotels, inns, B&B, agriturismo (farmstead) with ensuite private bathroom, often wel located and serving good meals
Level 3:
Good hotels, inns, B&B, agriturismo (farmstead) with ensuite private bathroom, often wel located and serving good meals
Level 3:
Good hotels, inns, B&B, agriturismo (farmstead) with ensuite private bathroom, often wel located and serving good meals
Level 4:
Special hotel with excellent food, ambiance and service. Accommodations with a special touch.
Level 4:
Special hotel with excellent food, ambiance and service. Accommodations with a special touch.
Level 4:
Special hotel with excellent food, ambiance and service. Accommodations with a special touch.
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3 Difficulty
Level 1:
Walking levels:
Trips with short walks of generally three to four hours (excluding breaks) and/or optional day excursions; flat or slightly hilly terrain using well kept paths.
Cycling levels:
Easy biking in nearly flat landscape; also possible for people with little or no bicycle experience. The daily distances are approximately 30-50 km in general. Bicycles with up to 3 gears can do the job. All our adult rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 1:
Walking levels:
Trips with short walks of generally three to four hours (excluding breaks) and/or optional day excursions; flat or slightly hilly terrain using well kept paths.
Cycling levels:
Easy biking in nearly flat landscape; also possible for people with little or no bicycle experience. The daily distances are approximately 30-50 km in general. Bicycles with up to 3 gears can do the job. All our adult rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 2:
Walking levels:
Moderate day walks, 4-5 hours per day (excluding breaks) on hilly to mountainous areas using well kept, sometimes stony paths.
Cycling levels:
Biking on gently undulating terrain, you may encounter short climbs from time to time. The daily distances vary between 30 and 65 km. A bicycle with minimum 7 gears will do. All our rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 2:
Walking levels:
Moderate day walks, 4-5 hours per day (excluding breaks) on hilly to mountainous areas using well kept, sometimes stony paths.
Cycling levels:
Biking on gently undulating terrain, you may encounter short climbs from time to time. The daily distances vary between 30 and 65 km. A bicycle with minimum 7 gears will do. All our rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 2:
Walking levels:
Moderate day walks, 4-5 hours per day (excluding breaks) on hilly to mountainous areas using well kept, sometimes stony paths.
Cycling levels:
Biking on gently undulating terrain, you may encounter short climbs from time to time. The daily distances vary between 30 and 65 km. A bicycle with minimum 7 gears will do. All our rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 3:
Walking levels:
Trips with strenuous day walks or trekking in mountainous areas. 5 to 7 hours walking maximum per day, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for one night; height differences between 500 & 1000 m. per day
Cycling levels:
Strenuous biking trips in areas where you cannot avoid steep slopes. Some bicycle experience in short trips is needed. The daily distances range from 30 up to 75 km.
Level 3:
Walking levels:
Trips with strenuous day walks or trekking in mountainous areas. 5 to 7 hours walking maximum per day, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for one night; height differences between 500 & 1000 m. per day
Cycling levels:
Strenuous biking trips in areas where you cannot avoid steep slopes. Some bicycle experience in short trips is needed. The daily distances range from 30 up to 75 km.
Level 3:
Walking levels:
Trips with strenuous day walks or trekking in mountainous areas. 5 to 7 hours walking maximum per day, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for one night; height differences between 500 & 1000 m. per day
Cycling levels:
Strenuous biking trips in areas where you cannot avoid steep slopes. Some bicycle experience in short trips is needed. The daily distances range from 30 up to 75 km.
Level 4:
Walking levels:
Trips with heavy excursions in high mountains, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for several nights. 6 to 8 hours maximum per day; height differences up to 1200 meters per day; only for participants with an excellent condition and without fear of heights.
Cycling levels:
Serious and strenuous biking trips in mountainous area, the slopes are longer and/or steeper than at the previous category. Requires a good physical condition, a broad cycling experience and adequate mountain climbing bicycle. The daily distances range between 30 and 80 km.
Level 4:
Walking levels:
Trips with heavy excursions in high mountains, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for several nights. 6 to 8 hours maximum per day; height differences up to 1200 meters per day; only for participants with an excellent condition and without fear of heights.
Cycling levels:
Serious and strenuous biking trips in mountainous area, the slopes are longer and/or steeper than at the previous category. Requires a good physical condition, a broad cycling experience and adequate mountain climbing bicycle. The daily distances range between 30 and 80 km.
Level 4:
Walking levels:
Trips with heavy excursions in high mountains, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for several nights. 6 to 8 hours maximum per day; height differences up to 1200 meters per day; only for participants with an excellent condition and without fear of heights.
Cycling levels:
Serious and strenuous biking trips in mountainous area, the slopes are longer and/or steeper than at the previous category. Requires a good physical condition, a broad cycling experience and adequate mountain climbing bicycle. The daily distances range between 30 and 80 km.
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Duration: 7 days
Details
Cycling Provence-Luberon
Lubéron: classic Mediterranean countryside with the aroma of garlic, rosemary and thyme, adorned by old grapevines, knotty olive trees and weather-beaten stone walls. Enjoy this blessed land of 'tapenade' and 'chèvre' and visit Medieval villages painted in earth tones, with splashing fountains, rustling plane trees and singing cicadas. This is a journey which will make you tingel, stimulating all your senses, from the start of a relaxing cycling day until dinner time in the evening. Like 'Dieux en France' you'll stay in charming family-run Provençal country houses with all the comforts imaginable.
Itinerary
Expand itinerary Collapse itineraryDay 1: Arrive in Lagnes
Arrival in the typical Provençal village of Lagnes with squares shaded by plane trees. Take a short walk to the 18th-century castle, nestled at the foot of the Mont Pieï.
Villages along the way: Lagnes
Day 2: Circular route from Lagnes
A gentle and nearly flat tour through the land of Sorgues. From Lagnes you first go to the watery village of Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, hidden away the narrow green valley of 'Vallis Clausa'. In this vivid place, which inspired poets like Petrarca and Mistral, you can visit the source of the river Sorgue, one of the most powerful in the world. You then cycle to L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, also called 'the Venice of Provence', a small and cozy town with narrow canals and lanes brimming with antiques shops. Following the river Sorgue you'll cycle back to Lagnes.
Challenge: 22km
Villages along the way: Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
Day 3: From Lagnes to Gargas
A slightly more strenuous cycling tour, from Lagnes to Apt. En route, just outside the limits of Luberon Nature Reserve, you reach the mystical fortress villages of Gordes and Roussillon. Both of these jewels of Medieval architecture belong to 'Les Plus Beaux Villages de France' (the most beautiful villages of France). You will also visit the magnificent Romanesque Abbey of Sénanque, the mysterious 'bories' and the ochre quarries. A palette of yellow 'garigue', white limestone, earthy red and golden ochre, blue skies and purple lavender form the backdrop for lovely castles, Cistercian abbeys and ancient mills.
Challenge: 39km
Villages along the way: Gordes, Roussillon
Day 4: Circular route from Gargas
Today you choose a shorter or longer circular ride through the pastoral landscape around the lovely villages of Villars, surrounded by cherry orchards, and Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt, with its castle and small windmill. You cycle through rolling lavender fields and orchards which provide the fruits for the delicious fruits confits. If you opt for the longer trip, you'll also visit the beautiful Colorado of Provence in Rustrel: with its red-ochre cliffs and narrow canyons.
Challenge: 20 or 40km
Villages along the way: Villars, Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt, Rustrel
Day 5: From Gargas to Ménerbes
A marvellous well-marked route across the Plateau des Claparèdes. Along the way, you'll enjoy splendid panoramic views of the Coulon River Valley. Stop for a rest in Bonnieux, a wonderful spot, where you can visit the Bakery Museum and catch your breath on a terrace before you pedal on to Ménerbes, one of the 100 most beautiful villages, and the source of inspiration for Peter Mayle's successful book 'A Year in Provence'.
Challenge: 26km
Villages along the way: Apt, Bonnieux, Ménerbes
Day 6: Circular route from Ménerbes
You start off with a visit to Lacoste, former residence of the Marquis de Sade. The ruins of his 18th century castle still dominate this picturesque village. The route passes the wineries which create the delicious A.O.C.'s of the Côtes-du-Lubéron. Taste and (maybe) buy a fine bottle of rosé at one of the several vineyards along the route, among the best in Provence. Passsing the Roman Pont Julien bridge, you come to Goult, where you can take an interesting walk through old, restored agricultural terraces, which were once so typical of this area.
Challenge: 20 or 32km
Villages along the way: Lacoste, Goult
Day 7: From Ménerbes to Lagnes
A pleasant ride along the northern slope of the Grand Luberon. First you ascend to an elevastion of 300 metres to the beautiful Renaissance village Oppède-Le-Vieux, with its city walls, castles, small churches and narrow cobblestone lanes. Some short up and downhill sections for the first part of the route. Then for the last 10 kilometres, you cycle across flat terrain. If you're still feeling energetic (or just reluctant to conclude this scenic tour!) you can take the optional detour to the lively town of Cavaillon before you end your journey.
Challenge: 30km
Villages along the way: Oppède-Le-Vieux
Practical info
Included:
- 6 nights accommodations on B&B basis
- Two dinners at the second accommodation
- All rooms have en-suite bathrooms
- Luggage transport
- 24-hour telephone assistance, just a phone call away
- Detailed maps and road book in English
Not included:
- Flights and public transport
- Bike rental
- Travel insurance (mandatory)
- Admissions and entrance fees of any kind (when not previously agreed upon)
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal extras and expenses such as meals, drinks, phone calls, etc.
- Any items that have not been mentioned in the program
Optional services:
- 21-speed hybrid bike hire, helmet (puncture repair kit, pump, lock). Bike is delivered to accommodation
- Train station arrival and/or departure transfers
Extra overnights:
Additional night/s at the country houses or any other destination in Provence or elsewhere in France
How to get there:
The best airport of arrival is Avignon or Marseille which is also served by several low cost carriers. From the train station in Avignon you can book transfers from and to the first accommodation.
About the bikes:
You are provided with a high quality 21-speed hybrid bike, mountain bike or tandem which will be reserved for you in advance, together with a standard repair kit, pump, locker and helmet.
Reviews
Start: Lagnes
Finish: Lagnes
Dates & prices
Trip availability: Daily from April 1st until June 28th & August 22th until September 24th.
| Dates of the trip | Price |
|---|---|
| In twin room: | 665 €/person |
| In double room: | 665 €/person |
| In single room: | 1075 €/person |
| One traveller, in single room: | 1235 €/person |
Other prices
| Dates of the trip | Price |
|---|---|
| Bike rental (hybrid bike, 7 days): | 106 €/person |
| Bike rental (mountain bike, 7 days): | 130 €/person |
| Transfer Avignon-hotel: | 88 € |
| Bike rental (tandem, 7 days): | 196 €/person |
| Bike rental (e-bike, 7 days): | 190 €/person |