insider’s PROVENCE: Cycling, wine, food, and art

Itinerary:

October 9: Welcome to Provence!
We will meet you at 12 noon at the Avignon TGV Train Station and transfer you to the beautiful village of Montclus (1 hour) and your home for the week, the Maison Papillons! Following check-in, we’ll get your bike built up or adjust your rental bike so you’re all ready to go. Afterwards, we’ll enjoy a short spin through the nearby countryside as we ride past cherry orchards and lavender fields while enjoying the sleepy villages of Orgnac l’Aven and Le Garn. This evening, we’ll enjoy cocktails and a delicious chef-prepared “Welcome Dinner” with fresh ingredients from the surrounding farms and vineyards!
Ride Stats: 22 km / 350 meters of elevation

October 10: Provence Cycling, Hilltop Villages, and Ceramic Art Studio
Begin your day with a full Provence breakfast and coffee before slowly rolling out with an easy warm-up through fields of lavender along the Ceze River. Today’s highlights include riding to the perched village of Lussan, ranked as “one of the most beautiful villages in France,” before continuing to Verfeuil, where we will enjoy a delightful lunch with a local ceramic artist near her studio. Afterwards, we’ll continue cycling to Goudargues, a colorful village known as “le petite Venise” due to its canals. Following our return to our hotel, relax with an afternoon dip in the pool or choose a relaxing massage (your own expense) before exploring the brasseries of Montclus for dinner this evening.
Ride Stats: 70 km / 1000 meters of elevation

October 11: Tour of the Grand Canyon of the Ardeche
Today you will enjoy one of the best rides in the region as we ride the Grand Canyon of the Ardeche River. We have ridden this area in past years during the Tour de France and it has always been one of our client’s favorites! Along the way, we’ll visit Vallon Pont d’Arc and Aigueze, another one of the “most beautiful villages of France” with its dramatic views of the valley below. This evening, we’ll celebrate the day’s adventure in the Ardeche with a delicious group dinner at the Maison!
Ride Stats: 75 km / 1500 meters of elevation

October 12: The Cevennes National Park and Wine Tasting
Following breakfast, we’ll enjoy a short transfer (30 minutes) to the village of Banne, where we’ll enjoy coffee in the town square before departing on our ride. Today’s route through this area is a cyclist’s dream of small roads that wind through the mountains, hills, and quiet villages of the Cevennes with it’s unforgettable views! We’ll conclude the ride with a visit to our host’s favorite winery, the Chateau de la Selve, where we’ll sample their organic wines before returning to our hotel. This evening, we’ll venture out to the nearby villages to explore the options for dinner on your own.
Ride Stats: 73 km / 1300 meters of elevation

October 13: Classical Provence Villages Tour
Our final day of cycling in Provence will feature many of the classical villages in this corner of France! Our highlight of the day will be the postcard village of La Roque sur Ceze, where we’ll enjoy a delicious lunch at the quaint restaurant of Karine and Philippe, two close friends of our hosts. Afterwards, we’ll visit the nearby waterfalls at Cascade du Sautadet before riding back to our hotel through orchards and fields of lavender. This evening, we’ll conclude your week with a festive “Farewell Dinner” in true Provence style!
Ride Stats: 53 km / 800 meters of elevation

October 14: Transfer Day.
Enjoy your final breakfast at the Maison before departing for the Avignon TGV Station for your return trip home or extend your trip throughout France or Europe. Estimated arrival time is 12 noon.