Provence & Cotes du Rhone

"La Vie est Belle"- Pedaling the Roman Path

Highlights

Stays in luxurious chateaux and charming country inns
Legendary fields of lavendar
Provencal culture & history lecture with local expert
Walking tour to discover the sites painted by van Gogh with English-speaking art historian
Introduction to the wines of Provence with renowned local producer
Stops at artists’ studios to view the production of traditional handicrafts

What do you associate with Provence: quiet roads… vineyards… fields of lavender and sunflowers… rustic cuisine? Experience the landscapes and culture described in Peter Mayle’s “A Year in Provence” and discover the region’s Roman heritage on a sensory journey that will become one of your most treasured travel experiences!

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 – Bagnols-sur-Cèze
Settle into the magnificent 19th-century Château de Montcaud, then join a warm-up ride through a wild and fragrant landscape towards the Cascade du Sautadet- unique falls that have carved beautiful passages through the rocks.

Day 2 – Rhône Valley
Discover an unspoiled part of the valley on today’s ride featuring a stop at a winemaking cooperative. On our return to Bagnols, we'll bike through fields of sunflowers and past Renaissance stone houses. Over cocktails, a special guest introduces us to Provençal culture and geography.

Day 3 – St-Quentin-La-Poterie
Today, we visit the Maison de la Terre, a center for ceramics and home to local artists. Later, we'll enjoy a guided walking tour of Uzes, a medieval marketplace. The day ends with Michelin-starred dining in a hilltop village.

Day 4 – Mas de la Brune
Today’s ride begins with a stop at the Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct built in 19 B.C. to supply the city with water. We then wind through quaint villages on the way to 16th c. Mas de la Brune, where you can take a dip in the pool, join an informal cooking class or wander the property's Alchemist's Garden!

Day 5 – Les Baux-de-Provence
Our art historian guide will introduce us to the artwork of Van Gogh through the very sites he painted! Travel on quiet vineyard roads past cypress trees and fruit orchards. The medieval hillside village of Les Baux-de-Provence affords some of the best views of the region. Outside of St. Remy, we'll have an olive oil and winetasting at a local producer's shop.

Day 6 – L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
Meander along quiet roads to this charming island city, and tackle the famous climb to Gordes, perched high above the Luberon—a regional nature park known for its limestone ridges and pretty villages. Along the way, the extra loop will take you through the Senanque Abbey, an example of primitive Cistercian architecture which currently houses a group of practicing monks.

Day 7 – The Luberon
An outstanding day of biking has us visiting Luberon’s most famous villages: Lacoste, which resembles a Tuscan village, and Roussillon, boasting red rocks, red stone and red roof buildings.

Day 8 – Au Revoir!
After breakfast we'll provide a group shuttle to the train station in Avignon, where you can easily make connecitons. Whether you'd like to stay for an extra few days or head home, we are happy to assist you with travel plans.