Provence Multisport

Cycling and walking in Provence is a sensual experience. As you move slowly through the landscape smell the wild thyme and rosemary. Stop to admire the texture of olive trees against old stone walls. Taste fresh chèvre mingled with piquant tapenade. Listen to the splash of fountains in village squares lined with rustling plane trees.

Day 1 - Arrival in Vaison-la-Romaine, where you stay for three nights. Visit the famous Roman ruins, then explore the medieval quarter perched high over the town. Your bicycle is waiting for you, so you can go for a warm-up ride.

Day 2 - Today’s activities are up to you. You have the full dossier of rides and walks to choose from. You could cycle through apricot and cherry orchards to Malaucène, a quintessentially Provençal town. There’s a pleasant walk from Malaucène part-way up Mont Ventoux to a chapel. Or explore the Dentelles with a walk to the remote, perched village of Crestet, now home to an art centre.

Day 3 - Today ride to Entrechaux, set against Mont Ventoux and with a ruined castle looming high over the village. Add loops to Mollans-sur-Ouvèze, or Buis-les-Barronies. From Mollans there’s a walk to Pierrelongue, where a church perches high on a rocky spire. Or wind your way among wine villages, past Cairanne and then Rasteau, known for a sweet dessert wine. Add a loop to Sablet and Séguret hugging the Dentelles mountains. Extend your Route du Vin tour to Gigondas and beyond. Consider a walk into the heart of the Dentelles de Montmirail, among vineyards and lacy, rocky peaks.

Day 4 - Today you’re transferred to Gordes, your base for two days. Take time to explore Gordes, then walk to Sénanque Abbey, enjoy the peace and tranquility of its valley setting, and explore the Bories Village, made up of round stone huts some of which are hundreds of years old.

Day 5 - Today bike to Roussillon, a village of red ochre. Add a ride to the perched village of Lacoste, home of the Marquis de Sade. Or explore L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, called the “Venice of the Comtat”, then Fontaine de Vaucluse, on your way to Ménerbes, on it rocky promontory.

Day 6 - Begin with a transfer to St-Rémy-de-Provence, where you’ll stay for three nights. Stroll through this pretty town, then walk to Glanum and Les Antiques, ancient sites with magnificent Roman ruins, then continue to Les Deux Trous, a scene painted by van Gogh.

Day 7 - Enjoy a ride to Eygalières, an artists’ village on a mostly flat ride, with fine views of the Alpilles range from nearby St-Sixte Chapel. Extend to the ruined “eagles’ nest” village of Les Baux. Take a more direct route to Les Baux through the Val d’Enfer, the “Valley of Hell”. or head there on foot.

Day 8 - Cycle to Mas Blanc-des-Alpilles. Follow tiny canals through the garden of Provence on this flat ride. Extend your easy ride to the castles of Beaucaire and Tarascon.

Day 9 - Take a final stroll in St-Rémy before heading off for your next adventure.

Length: 9 days/8 nights. This Fact Sheet describes one possible itinerary. The multi-sport formula is very flexible. You can choose as few as 3 days/2 nights. Each day you decide which activities you’d like to do. Contact us for further details.
Dates - Start any date between April 1 and October 31, 2005.
Level of Activity
Rides: 10 to 50 km (6 to 31 miles). Some hills every day of minor to moderate difficulty. Shorter or longer rides possible.
Walks: 10 to 16 km (6 to 10 miles), 3 to 4 hours.
Your Route Descriptions provide information on each walk and ride, so that you can select the ones appropriate for you.
Cost Per Person: Classic: US$2080 Single supplement will apply.

Price Includes:
-eight nights’ accommodation in small, family-run hotels, all with private bath or shower
-transfers between Vaison, Gordes, and St-Rémy
-all breakfasts
-detailed Route Descriptions and maps
-suggestions on where to eat and interesting side trips to take
-use of a 21-speed hybrid bike complete with panniers, pump and flat-changing accessories for all days. Helmet included.
-emergency support from area manager

Accommodations - In Vaison stay at Le Burrhus, a charming hotel located in the busy main square in the heart of Vaison. In Gordes, you’ll stay at the delightful Les Romarins, just on the outskirts of town. In St-Rémy-de-Provence, you’ll stay at Le Soleil, just a step from the old town and close to Glanum.

Getting There - Vaison-la-Romaine, Gordes, and St-Rémy-de-Provence are all about 650 km southeast of Paris. Access is via either Orange or Avignon, which can be reached via the TGV (high speed train), and are only a three to four hour journey from Paris. Transfer to Vaison, The region can also be reached by air or from other gateway cities such as Lyon or Nice. This tour works well if you have a rental car.
Randonnée can now arrange car rentals for clients travelling to Europe. Ask us for details

Provence Multisport 9 Days