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Cycling in Provence
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A Self guided cycling holiday: the mountains, gorges and plateaux of Haute Provence |
Ref: EX-DFY
9 days
from £729 (minimum 1 passengers)
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Destination:
France
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Go Back
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Highlights: Gorges & plateaux - Lavender fields - Mediaeval architecture - 'Villages Perches'
Provence is renowned for its beautiful landscapes, traditional cuisine, famous wines, ancient traditions and fragrant lavender. Until mid-summer the plateaux and hills of Provence are carpeted with fields of sweetly aromatic, purple lavender flowers, stretching to the horizon where mauve field meets blue sky. This lavender-roads cycle tour goes up to where the lavender grows; winding its way between charming rural villages, across high plateaux, through deep gorges and tackling some of the finest mountain passes in Provence.
During centuries of struggle and invasion local people were forced into the hills, building the easily defended ‘perched villages’ that are such a feature of this area. The trip starts and ends in the ancient fortified village of Sisteron, an important mountain gateway to Provence. From here you head up through the gorges of the Meouge, a dry steep sided valley with spectacular ravines, rivalled only by the gorges of the Nesque which you encounter on your day trip from Sault. Fields of vines, and groves of apricot and olive alternate with the more dramatic limestone terrain. There are plenty of excuses/opportunities to stop along the way and the beautiful scenery should certainly make the effort seem worthwhile. The two hardest days cycling are optional as they are on days when you do not change hotels, so you will not feel compelled to be energetic every day!
Travelling by car/ferry: If you wish to drive to Provence from the UK we can provide ferry crossings or Eurotunnel to cross the English Channel. Fares depend on season and timings please call us.
This trip departs any Wednesday or Saturday from 29 March to 04 October 2003. Please call or email us for availability and prices.
Trip Profile:
Is this for you? The main route averages approx 32km a day with 350m of ascent: the two optional days are longer averaging 57km with 530m of ascent. In summer you may want to make an early start to avoid the heat of the day. 5 days involve moving from hotel to hotel and 2 are circular rides. Where possible, routes follow quiet lanes but occasionally it is necessary to ride on a busier road.
Group & Staff:
Min 1, self-guided. Luggage is transported for youand telephone contact numbers are supplied.
Accommodation:
Where possible we have chosen our accommodation to emphasise local character but, situation is also important to balance the cycling days. Standards will vary slightly from place to place but all rooms have ensuite facilities and a certain French ‘charm’. Accommodation is mostly in small 2 star hotels but on occasion we may use ‘chambres d’hote’, the French equivalent of ‘bed and breakfast’. In Ferrassieres we stay in a beautifully-restored house complete with round tower.
Food:
The price includes 8 breakfasts and 8 dinners. Breakfasts are taken in the hotels and are continental style. Lunches are at additional expense and on many days can be purchased at cafes and bars along the way or you may prefer to take a picnic. Dinner is also taken in the hotel (perhaps an associated restaurant on one or two nights) and is the daily menu included in half-pension arrangements. The typical food of the area is served on these menus and is generally good tasty simple food flavoured with many herbs. |
Day 1 | Fly London to Marseille, transfer by shuttle bus to the railway station and take a train to Sisteron. Our hotel is about 500m from the station. Sisteron is an ancient fortified town with a gothic Citadel built in the 13th century and perched on a rocky outcrop 500m. above the River Durance. This is well worth a visit, as is the beautifully restored, late mediaeval chapel Notre Dame du Chateau. | Day 2 | After collecting our hire bikes, we head north west from Sisteron, at first climbing gently along the valley of the river Buech, lined with orchards and vineyards, and then more steeply as we head up the Meouge gorge, with its limestone cliffs. Our destination is the small village of Eygalayes. Ascent 300m, distance 41kms. | Day 3 | An easier day as we head on eastwards to St Auban sur l’Ouveze. Much of our route is lined with fields of lavender and lime trees - the blossom is harvested in June to make the ‘tilleul’ infusion which is very popular locally. Ascent 320m, distance 26kms. | Day 4 | Details of an optional circular route from St Auban are supplied to enable you to see more of this spectacular area. Ascent 650m, distance 43kms. As an alternative however you can relax in St Auban or try your own shorter ride. | Day 5 | Today head south to Ferrassieres, passing through the village of Montbrun les Bains with its spectacular overhanging houses and on through Aurel; both are mediaeval ‘villages perches’. Ascent 500m, distance 30km. | Day 6 | An optional cycling day. An easy ride is to Sault. Situated on a rocky outcrop, Sault has fine views of the surrounding bucolic landscape, with forests and lavender fields, so you may well feel like a more relaxing day. However, details of a ride to the Gorge de la Nesque are supplied. Although the hardest ride on the trip it is well worth the effort as this is some of the wildest scenery in Haute Provence, with views across the Carpentras plain, with the Rhone and the Cevennes in the distance. To the north we see Mont Ventoux and the lofty crags of the Dentelles de Montmirail. Ascent 750m, distance 54km. A less demanding route of 33km closer to Ferrassieres is also provided. | Day 7 | Ride to St Vincent sur Jabron, first crossing the Albion plateau with its superb lavender fields, then crossing the col du Negron (altitude 1242m.). The scenery here is truly mountainous and the views make all the effort seem worthwhile. Ascent 550m, distance 40km. | Day 8 | A relatively easy day heading back to Sisteron, with time to appreciate fully the Jabon valley and the views over the Lure mountains. There should also be time to stop and enjoy the enchanting old town of Noyers sur Jabron. Ascent 100m, distance 20m. Hire bikes should be returned during the afternoon. | Day 9 | Take the train to Marseille, transfer by shuttle bus to the airport for the flight back to London. |
Departures Between | Price from | 29 Mar 04 - 04 Oct 04 | *£729 | | *Prices subject to confirmation |
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FLIGHT INCLUSIVE PRICE
Depart any Wednesday or Saturday from 29 March to 04 October 2004
Prices are based on two people sharing a room.
Bike hire €80 paid on booking.
Single supplement £110 (£175 if travelling alone).
Insurance £33
This holiday is operated by Exodus Travels Ltd. ATOL 2582.
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Cycling in Provence
A Self guided cycling holiday: the mountains, gorges and plateaux of Haute Provence
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