Self Guided Cycling: Provence & The Luberon - France

Cycle through hilltop villages
Beautiful rolling hills and lavender fields
Attempt to climb Mont Ventoux

Fields of lavender and Forcalquier town, Provence

This eight day trip gives you plenty of time to really enjoy this beautiful region. Provence is renowned for welcoming cyclists to its quiet roads and for its rolling lavender fields and picturesque hill-top villages.

As a cycling destination it couldn't be more perfect. As one of the first provinces outside of Roman Italy, its significance was realised early on in European history. Cycling along the Durance River, we pass through many picturesque market towns and quaint villages under the shadow of the Luberon and its national park.

Amid the lush colours of the lavender fields we make our way towards the majestic Mont Ventoux. Standing at almost 2000m this mountain has become legendary as one of the most grueling climbs of the Tour de France and the summit offers magnificent views across the plains of Provence. By anyone's standards Mont Ventoux is a challenging climb, however, as you will be your own leader you can set your own pace and tackle it in your own way, whether that is challenging yourself to a specific time or breaking your journey with stops to admire the view.

Nestled between Sault and the Luberon are the beautiful Nesque Gorges with many ancient Roman ruins to explore before heading back to the market town of Cavaillon.

This is one of the more challenging self-guided itineraries that we offer, but you can really adapt it to suit your needs, with so much fantastic cycling in this area and three ways to climb Mont Ventoux you can extend your daily rides as much as you wish. There is also a 6 day itinerary if you don't have as much time.

What makes this trip responsible?

Cycling is a fantastic way to travel while minimising your impact on the environment. Pedalling under your own steam we help the economy of the small villages and communities that we pass through and we use a local operator who employs local staff and uses small, family run hotels.

Take the Train

Here at Exodus we feel the need to offer our clients an alternative to air travel within Europe and to destinations where taking the train can be a viable alternative to flying.

Working in cooperation with Rail Europe, our sales team will be happy to reserve your seats and tickets can be booked 3 months prior right up until the day of departure, subject to availability. Suggested train times and further information can be found within the Trip Notes.

Itinerary

[detailed itinerary...]

Countries visited: France

Day 1

Start Cavaillon.

Day 2

Follow the flow of La Durance before the first climb of the day through the historic villages of Merindol and Lauris before continuing to the Provencal village of Cadenet, at the foot of the Grand Luberon.

Day 3

Ride through rolling hills on our way to the lavender fields surrounding the charming market town of Forcalquier.

Day 4

Explore the narrow streets and shady squares of Forcalquier. Alternatively ride a loop to the foot of the Lure Mountain and the village of Saint-Etienne-les-Orgues.

Day 5

A gradual climb on rugged terrain passing through the ancient town of Saint-Christol with its underground caves, and eventually reaching Sault.

Day 6

For an easier day ride, a circular loop through the Nesque Gorges to some of the most beautiful places in Provence. For the ultimate challenge, we are very close to Mont Ventoux, and we have the opportunity to climb almost 1200m to the summit, a legendary

Day 7

Cycle south across the Vaucluse Plateau, then west through some delightful villages to Cavaillon.

Day 8

End Cavaillon.

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