“I had imagined Provence as beautiful, gently refined, and hypnotic. I planned on spending seven days there stupefied with food and wine, rolling through the purple visage of lavender fields. Instead, I found a harsh, vertically-defined landscape. This was not the France of gentle postcards and feast-filled guidebooks. This was Haute Provence, the 1900-square-kilometer Geological Preserve where gorges sliced through crazed mountains and made driving a roller coaster adventure”.
Mon 23-May Paris to ManosqueTues 24-May Manosque to Moustiers-Saint-Marie 60Kms Direct route EARLY STARTWed 25-May Moustiers-Saint-Marie 96Kms Grand Canyon loopThur 26-May Moustiers-Saint-Marie to Forcalquier 57Kms Direct route EARLY STARTFrid 27-May Forcalquier to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse 102Kms Via Luberon ParcSat 28-May Fontaine-de-Vaucluse to Avignon 103Kms Loop through St RemySun 29-May Avignon Pont de Gard or rest dayCath & Tracy catch train from Avignon to Paris for 1535 Emirates Mon 30-May Avignon to Vaison La Romaine 65.9Kms Direct route Tues 31-May Vaison La Romaine 83.9Kms Vaison LoopWed 1-Jun Vaison La Romaine to Mazan 42.3Kms Direct routeThur 2-Jun Mazan 87.9Kms Ventoux Loop via Gorges NesqueFrid 3-Jun Mazan to Avignon 103Kms via Pont du GardSat 4-Jun Avignon to Paris Pack up and catch TGV
With its Mediterranean climate, the area enjoys arguably the best weather in France, with up to 300 days of sunshine per year, and little rain.Overall its great weather for cycling.
Spring (from March) - usually means great cycling in Provence and you could be forgiven for thinking it's Summer with temperatures between 16 & 23c. It will probably be warm enough to wear short sleeves & shorts during the day.Early mornings and late afternoons can be fresher, so long sleeves and leggings may be needed then.You could get the odd shower, so rain/wind jackets need to be brought just in case.
Provence is famous for the mistral wind, thankfully it's weaker in the Luberon valley than in many other areas.A normal wind speed is situated between 20 & 45 mph. It can make cycling harder but rarely is it a show stopper. Bring a wind jacket just in case.Its a dry wind that chases the clouds away bringing nice bright sunshine, so it's not all bad - its most frequent in Winter and then Spring
Manosque
Day one – Monday23 May
Train from Paris to ManosqueArrive early afternoon
Set up bikes & go for short ride
Le Pré Saint Michel, charming hotel in the South of France, is the ideal base from wich to visit places of interest, the Hotel overlooks Manosque and offers you all the charms of "Provencal" landscape.Charming hotel in the South of France built with traditional methods, the charm of Provence is conveyed by wooden beamed ceilings period doors. You will enjoy the panoramic views from the hotel hall. Breakfast to the sape of the cicada has its own charms
Le Pré Saint Michel - Manosque
Day two – Tuesday
24 May
Manosque to Moustiers Sainte Marie
Greoux –les-Bains
Sainte Croix du Verdon
Moustiers Sainte Marie
Manosque to Moustiers Sainte Marie
60 Kms
Early Start 7.30AM
Average 2%
Manosque to Moustiers Sainte Marie
60 Kms
Day three – Wednesday
25 May
Moustiers Sainte Marie – Grand Canyon loop
Trigance
Aiguines
Sainte Croix Lake
Grand Canyon Du Verdon
Grand Canyon Loop
96.4 Kms
Lunch at Trigance
Du Canyon Du Verdon Hotel
Aiguines for A/noon tea
Auberge Du Point Sublime
MoustiersSte Marie
Google map for comparison
Trigance
Moustiers Grand Canyon Loop
96.4 Kms
Average 8.5%
Average 4.5%
Average 3.5%
Lunch
Courtesy Bike Route Toaster
Moustiers Ste Marie Grand Canyon Loop
Day four – Thursday
26 May
Moustiers Sainte Marie to Forcalquier
Bras d'AssePop. : 378 . Alt : 485 m.
PuimoissonPop. : 691 . Alt : 781 m. La Brillanne
Pop. : 649 . Elevation : 350 m
OraisonPop. : 5092 . Elevation : 645 m
Saint Julien d'AssePop. : 114 h. Alt : 461 m
Forcalquier
Located only 2 km away from the village of Forcalquier, in the heart of Haute Provence region, La Bastide St Georges hotel is the perfect holiday destination for nature lovers and for all those searching for peace and relaxation. You will have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful heated swimming pool located in the large garden, or discover the wonderful landscape renting a bike at the hotel reception and you will enjoy the wonderful view over the Luberon hills from the comfortable terrace, sipping a drink or simply meditating. La Bastide St Georges hotel is also surrounded by a forest where you can find the biggest bories ... (old stone houses) in the area.
La Bastide St Georges - Forcalquier
Moustiers Sainte Marie to Forcalquier
57 Kms
Early Start 7.30AM
Moustiers to Forcalquier
57 Kms
Day five – Friday
27 May
Forcalquier to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse
Apt
Bonnieux
GordesAbbey Senanque
Forcalquier
Fontaine de Vaucluse
Hotel des Poètes -Fontaine Du Vaucluse
Forcalquier to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse
102 Kms
Apt for lunch
Forcalquier to Fontaine De Vaucluse
102 Kms
Apt
1% average
Lunch
Day six – Saturday
28 May
Fontaine-de-Vaucluse to Avignon
Hotel Le Cloitre St Louis
The "Cloitre Saint Louis", a 16th century building combining historic structures with the modernity of the wing of the hotel inspired by the work of Jean Nouvel is situated in the centre of Avignon. Originally a Jesuit seminary, the "Cloitre Saint Louis" has also been a military hospital and a hospice over the years. After meticulous restoration, the Cloister has found a new lease of life as a cultural centre and a four star hotel since 1990.Near the "Palais des Papes" and the famous "Pont d'Avignon", your stay at the "Cloitre Saint Louis", a truly enchanting place, invites you to discover the art of Provençal living.
Avignon
Saint Remy De Provence
Les Baux De Provence
Orgon
Fontaine-de-Vaucluse to Avignon
103 Kms
Topo map 1
Topo map 2
Topo map 3
Fontaine de Vaucluse To Avignon
Average 3%
103 Kms
Orgon
Lunch
Day seven – Sunday
29 May
Avignon rest /free ride
Cath departs for Paris
Day eight – Monday
30 May
Avignon to Vaison La Romaine
Vaison La Romaine
Avignon to Vaison La Romaine
65 Kms
Avignon
Vaison La Romaine
MalauceneBedoin
Carpentras
Avignon to Vaison La Romaine
65 Kms
Hotel Le Beffroi
Christine & Yann CHRISTIANSEN are happy to welcome you to the Beffroi and wish you an excellent stay. A residence built in 1554, this family house has been modernized and lovingly furnished by the owners of the past fifty years. We hope that now, you, our cherished guest will accept our "four walls" which have lasted the vagaries of 400 years of fashion and transformation
Optional Vaison La Romaine Loop as recommended by Discover France
Vaison Loop - Total 83 Kms
Recommended by Discover France
Vaison La Romaine
Vaison route of loopTotal 83 Kms
Day 10 – Wednesday
1 June
Vaison La Romaine to Mazan
2 Nights in Mazan
Vaison La Romaine to Mazan
42.3 Kms
Vaison La Romaine to Mazan
42.3 Kms
Steffi’s Room
Chateau De Mazan
Mazan
Ride Gorges Nesque Loop
Mazan Option
Gorges Nesque Loop
79 Kms
Mazan Mazan
Gorges Nesque Loop
79 Kms
Optional
Mont Ventoux via Sault out of Mazan
Mont Ventoux via Sault
Mazan
Sault
Mont Ventoux
88 Kms
Mont Ventoux via Sault
Mont Ventoux
Mazan
Sault
Malaucene
Bedoin
Mazan
88 Kms (55Kms of pain!)
Day 12 – Friday
3 June
Mazan to Avignon
Mazan to Avignon via Pont De Gard
103 Kms
Pont Du Gard
Mazan to Avignon
103 Kms
Day 13 – Saturday
4 June
All depart for Paris by TGV