Vineyards of Vaucluse Cycling
Vineyards of Vaucluse Cycling
Vineyards of Vaucluse Cycling
9 Days Starting and ending in Pernes-Les-Fontaines
Visiting: Pernes-les-Fontaines, Mazan, Bédoin, Malaucène, Vaison-la-Romaine, Séguret, Vacqueyras, Orange
Tour operator:
Tour code:
C08PV
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 6
Physical rating:
Leisurely / Moderate
Age range:
8 to 99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
In the heart of Provence, the Vaucluse is steeped in history. Originally Celtic, it was conquered by the Romans and is now rich in well-preserved Roman remains, especially at Orange and Vaison-la-Romaine where the large site is comparable to Pompeii. The skyline is dominated by the majestic silhouette of the Dentelles de Montmirail and dramatic Mont Ventoux.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive In Pernes-Les-Fontaines
Location: Pernes-les-Fontaines
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel l'Hermitage
Meals Included: Dinner
Your 3-Star hotel is just north of the village of Pernes-les-Fontaines.
Plenty of time to relax and explore the hotel grounds before
dinner.
Day 2 : Pernes Les Fontaines To Bedoin
Location: Mazan, Bédoin
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Les Pins
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Leave Pernes-les- Fontaines this morning and head to the popular village of
Saint-Didier, where you can opt to make the climb up the hill to the
mediaeval settlement of Venasque (one of the prettiest villages in France)
with its three Saracen towers. You'll then follow lanes and tracks up past
Malemort-du-Comtat and then dropping down into the mediaeval village of Mazan
with its church wall that is made up of more than 60 Roman sarcophagi.
Continue on through the vines with a back drop of Mont Ventoux as you climb
steadily towards Bedoin.
Day 3 : At Bedoin
Location: Bédoin
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Les Pins
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Explore the lively village of Bedoin, named for the C8 Bedouins who settled
there and home to the imposing church of Saint-Antonin, with its unique
Spanish style - so different from any other in Provence. Bedoin is also the
gateway to Mont Ventoux for more hardy cyclists seeking a challenge! Follow
established cycle routes to the Chateau Pesquie, which offers everything from
a stroll in the vines, to a guided cellar tour, to a tasting, to a full
picnic lunch in the gardens.
Day 4 : Bedoin To Vaison-La-Romaine
Location: Malaucène, Vaison-la-Romaine
Meals Included: Breakfast
After the picturesque perched village of Crillon-le-Brave you swing across
the gentle Carpentras plain to Caromb, a partly fortified little town. A
short, steep ascent takes you to the Lac du Paty, hidden amongst the trees.
Continue downhill through forest, vineyards and cherry orchards to the
fortified village of Malaucene (where Pope Clement V once lived). The final
section is a flat bowl along country lanes to the Roman garrison town of
Vaison la Romaine.
Day 5 : At Vaison-La-Romaine
Location: Vaison-la-Romaine
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Burrhus
Meals Included: Breakfast
Vaison has France's most extensive Roman remains including a 6000-seat
theatre, baths, houses and streets. There's a fine C13 cathedral and
cloisters, castle ruins and fortified gateway, and squares with cool central
fountains. The two halves of the town are joined by a 2000-year-old single
arch Roman bridge which, amazingly, is still in use; it's well worth crossing
to explore the narrow mediaeval streets and little squares of the Haute
Ville.
Day 6 : Vaison-La-Romaine To Vacqueyras
Location: Séguret, Vacqueyras
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today it's via Roaix and across the Ouveze River to mediaeval Seguret -
officially ranked among the most beautiful villages in France; its streets
hug the slopes of the Dentelles de Montmirail. There's a C15 fountain, a C14
belfry and a ruined feudal castle offering far-reaching views out across the
Rhone Valley. Then it's on through pretty Sablet and extensive vineyards to
our friendly little hotel near Vacqueyras.
Day 7 : At Vacqueyras
Location: Orange
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Montmirail
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Orange, a thriving regional centre, is 20km away. It has two marvellous
UNESCO World Heritage Sites, an elaborately decorated triumphal arch and a
beautifully preserved Roman theatre which hosts regular evening performances;
your hotelier will help organise a taxi. Alternatively, why not simply relax
by the hotel pool?
Day 8 : Vacqueyras To Pernes-Les-Fontaines
Location: Vacqueyras, Pernes-les-Fontaines
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Your final day's cycling takes you through the Cotes du Rhone vineyards,
stops first at charming Vacqueyras where there are lots of caves. From here
there's an optional detour to mediaeval Carpentras - with a cathedral,
atmospheric cobbled streets and weekly (Fri) market - before returning to
fountain-filled Pernes-les-Fontaines.*
*
Day 9 : Leave Pernes-Les-Fontaines
Location: Pernes-les-Fontaines
Meals Included: Breakfast
LEAVE PERNES-LES-FONTAINES
What's Included
-
GPS route directions
-
Luggage transfers between hotels
-
All continental breakfasts and 6 evening meals
-
/RideWithGPS/ navigation app
-
All accommodation
-
High quality bikes
What's Not Included
-
Visas and vaccinations
-
Single supplements
-
Optional electric bikes
-
Travel insurance
Accommodation
Our hotels, which are all family-run, pride themselves on their Provencal cuisine and cellars full of fine local wines - one of which is located between the three world-famous vineyards of Beaumes de-Venise, Gigondas and Vacqueyras.
Food
All continental breakfasts and 6 evening meals included. Provencale cuisine is a blend of many influences from the plentiful sea, to neighbour Italy and the early Roman occupation. The soil is rich and the climate is conducive to producing a wide variety of fruit and vegetables. Whilst not the most sophisticated of the French cuisines, most dishes use the excellent tasting local fresh produce. Cooking à la Provencale uses local olive oil, garlic, peppers, tomatoes, courgettes, aubergines and wild herbs, all ripened by the sun to give an intensity of flavour. You can browse among the colours and smells, and make picnic purchases at the lively local markets. The proximity of the sea makes fish and seafood an important element of the local cuisine. Regional dishes include the famous bouillabaisse, a rich fish stew served with aioli and rouille; the bourride – a lighter version of the bouillabaisse; pistou soupe (summer vegetable soup with a blend of garlic, basil and olive oil); authentic ratatouille, large colourful salads and delicious courgette flower fritters. Tapenade and anchoïade are savoury dips made with local olives and anchovies; pissaladière is an onion tart with olives and anchovies and is very likely to have come from the Romans.
Check out our Q&As
-
Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
8+ age people can go on his tour.
-
Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Only Luggage transfers between hotels
-
Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
-
What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
-
What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
-
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
-
Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
Reviews of this Operator
Book with Confidence
-
Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.
-
Low Deposit
Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.