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Cycling from Ventoux to the perched villages of Provence
    • France - Provence
    • 7 days
    • Cycling
    • Self-guided
      • From March to November
    • 2 - 10 travellers
      • Simple
      • Comfort
      • Charming
      • Superior
      • Trip code : A1214
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About the Cycling from Ventoux to the perched villages of Provence trip

About the trip in Provence

Your self guided Provence cycling holiday: This cycling trip goes along the cherry orchards and vineyards of the Mont Ventoux, the perched villages of the Luberon and the olive groves in Van Gogh's Alpilles, cycling along the back roads of Provence.

During this Provence cycling trip, you ride at the foot of the legendary Mont Ventoux (Tour de France). Through cherry orchards, you reach the Luberon hills and explore its hilltop villages: Gordes, Roussillon, Bonnieux. And finish in the footsteps of Van Gogh in the plains and hillsides of Provence - through olive groves and vineyards - to the medieval perched village of Les Baux in the Alpilles! 

Highlights of your trip

  • Authentic countryside at the foot of Mont Ventoux
  • The perched villages of the Luberon: Gordes, Roussillon, Bonnieux, Lacoste 
  • The vast olive groves of the perched medieval village of Les Baux
  • The "Provencal Venice" Isle sur la Sorgue and its famous market & antiques
  • The cafés and restaurants of Saint Remy de Provence
  • A paradise of rolling hills and small back roads along cherry orchards & vineyards 




    Go Private or go guided ! Customize your holidays with a local specialist here 

From the blog

Cycling from Ventoux to the perched villages of Provence:  Day by day

Day 1 - Mazan, at the foot of Mont Ventoux

Avignon heart of provence pope palace

  • Transfer in the afternoon from Avignon to Mazan, set at the foot of Provences highest mountain: the Mont Ventoux.
  • Night in Mazan

  • We recommend : 
    . Have an extra night in Avignon and take the time to discover this beautiful medieval town, with the famous Pope's palace !

  • Access: 
    . Regular train lines from Paris and Marseille city/airport > Avignon on the SNCF train website. Access information here

Day 2 - Cycling around the Mont Ventoux

venasque famous perched village pernes les fontaines beautiful cherry orchards in blossom

  • Ride - Mazan > Crillon > Beaumes de Venise > Mazan 
    37 km / 23 miles - Ascent: +350 m / Descent: -350 m
  • You cycle towards the foot of the Ventoux on small roads lined with orchards and vines. You visit the town of Bédoin, the start of the infamous Tour de France climb of Mont Ventoux. A bit further is the village of Crillon le Brave, a handful of medieval homes set atop a hill with wide-sweeping views of the plains below. You continue your ride to Beaumes de Venise known for its sweet muscat wines before returning to Mazan.
  • Night in Mazan
  • MEALS included: Breakfast

  • Market on Monday & Thursday morning in Mazan
  • Market on Monday morning in Bedoin

Day 3 - Cherry orchards and vineyards of Pernes and Gordes

gordes spectacular ride

  • Ride - Mazan > Pernes > Isle > Gordes
    50 km / 31 miles - Ascent: +600 m / Descent: -400 m
  • From Mazan you head southwards and through the heart of the countryside you reach the pretty town of Pernes les Fontaines, the centre of which is home to no less than 40 old stone fountains. A bit further is Isle sur la Sorgue, a small town located on the river Sorgue with a lively quayside lined with antique shops and cafés. Your day’s journey ends with a spectacular climb to the village of Gordes, perched high on the rock, where your hotel sits at the very top.
  • Night in Gordes.
  • MEALS included: Breakfast 

  • Market on Monday & Thursday morning in Mazan
  • Great market on Saturday morning in Pernes les Fontaines
  • Market on Thursday & Sunday (big & famous one) in Isle sur la Sorgue

Day 4 - The most beautiful perched villages of Provence

roussillon ochre quarries

  • Ride - Gordes > Roussillon > Bonnieux > Gordes 
    41 km / 25.5 miles - Ascent: +650 m / Descent: -650 m
  • From Gordes you head eastward through the rolling hills laden with thyme and lavender fields. Up on the hill in front of you is Roussillon, a village painted in colourful reds, orange, and yellows from the former ochre quarry below. Visit Roussillon before reaching the heart of the Luberon and exploring the villages of Bonnieux and Lacoste, the latter crowned by the ruins of the Marquis de Sade’s castle. Return to Gordes for your second night.
  • Night in Gordes
  • MEALS included: Breakfast

  • Market on Thursday morning in Roussillon
  • Market on Friday morning in Bonnieux

    Day 5 - From the Luberon villages to the Alpilles mountains

    les baux de provence medieval perched village among olive trees and vineyards

    • Ride - Gordes > Orgon > St Remy > Les Baux 
      32 km / 19.9 miles - Ascent: +300 m / Descent: -200 m
    • A short transfer takes you and your bikes across the Durance River. You cycle on quiet roads and quickly reach the foothills of the Alpilles mountains blanketed by olive groves, vines and sunflower fields, passing lone farmhouses and cypress trees. You pass through the quiet village of Eygalières and then reach St. Rémy: an artists’ village where Van Gogh spent the last year of his life. You then climb up the heart of the mountain on a narrow and windy road and at the pass you have a majestic view to the south taking in the village of Les Baux.
    • Nght in Les Baux de Provence
    • MEALS included: Breakfast 

    • Market on Friday morning in Eygalières
    • Market on Wednesday & Saturday morning in St Remy de provence

    Day 6 - The Roman city of Arles

    arles coliseum rome of provence

    • Ride - Baux > Maussane > Arles > Les Baux 
      49 km / 30.5 miles - Ascent: +400 m / Descent: -400 m
    • You cycle around the base of the Alpilles mountains along shaded streets lined with old villas and through quaint villages. You visit Maussane - famous for its olive oil mills - before reaching the plains taking you to the Roman city of Arles, complete with its coliseum and other Roman monuments.
    • Night in Les Baux
    • MEALS included: Breakfast

    • Market on Thursday morning in Maussane
    • Great Market on Wednesday & Saturday (big one) morning in Arles

    Day 7 - End of your Provence cycling stay

    typical market in provence

    • After breakfast, transfer from les Baux to Avignon. End of your trip in Avignon

    • We recommend :
      . Have an extra night in Arles and enjoy the great lively atmosphere of Arles, and the famous Saturday morning market
      . Enjoy a half-day safari in Camargue ! Pick up in Arles at 9am or 2pm 
      4 hours excursion in a 4x4 car through the Camargue with an english-speaking guide. You drive through the flat lands of the Camargue and observe wild horses, native bulls, pink flamingoes and birds.  You stop in a "manade" (a typical bull farm), and have a  free half hour in Saintes Maries de la mer. Saintes Maries is a charming little town located by the Med sea, with whitewashed homes, a beautiful fortified church, and is renowned in the  gypsy community with the yearly pilgrimage. See all details in the Book - Extension section
      . Continue your exploration of Provence in the Luberon !

    • Return: 
      . Regular train lines from  Arles to Avignon, Paris and Marseille city/airport on the SNCF website. Acess  information here. 

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    Trip details
    Cycling from Ventoux to the perched villages of Provence
        • France - Provence
        • 2 adults (2x1310€)
        • 0 children (0x1310€)
      • 7 days
      • Simple
    Total 2620€
    Deposit 900€
    Book now !