Guided Mont Ventoux
Itinerary Virtual Tour Tour Map
NEW TOUR FOR 2010 - A trip to accommodate both cycling and non-cycling partners/spouses!
For those people who prefer to travel as a couple or for those couples who may not have the same tastes and it is hard to leave for France and leave the other behind at home! Here is the perfect excuse for any of those couples - a cycling trip that offers challenging riding, comfortable lodging, and non-cycling activities! We have many clients over the years who search for just such a program, so finally here it is.
This tour is guided, so full support is included, and though it is short, the tour offers a great cross section of Provence and its famous lifestyle as well as some cycling challenges on one of the most famous climbs in cycling lore; the Giant of Provence, Mont Ventoux!
Itinerary
Click on a day to see that days itinerary.
DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4 DAY 5
Day 1: Arrival Day in Avignon See the dates at the right to know the start of each of these programs. This first day starts with a group transfer from Avignon rail station to Mazan and our deluxe chateau hotel at the foot of Mont Ventoux. Meet at 2pm at Avignon rail station and transfer 1 hour to Mazan. After check in, your guide will organize a short orientation to go over the program, and then set up bikes. A welcome drink and aperetif followed by dinner is included tonight. (D)
Chateau De Mazan
4
Mazan
The Chateau de Mazan has plenty of history and was built around 1720, during France's early Regency ...
Day 2: Ride Day & Wine Tasting After breakfast the guides will start out with the cyclists. Non-cyclists will have a half day cooking program provided in the morning which includes lunch. Cyclists: warm up ride through the Dentelles de Montmirail and then down into Malaucene for a first ascent of the Ventoux! The route via Malaucene is not the most challenging route, but a great warm up. Down via Bedoin, regroup at the hotel for a late afternoon wine tasting at the hotel. Dinner included tonight. (B,D)
Chateau De Mazan
4
Mazan
The Chateau de Mazan has plenty of history and was built around 1720, during France's early Regency ...
Day 3: Ride & Lavender Day With a good day already in the legs, its time to try the main Ventoux route up from Bedoin. At 21 km, this is a long ride with very little relief. On the climb: between 2 and 6% during the first kilometers but after Saint-Esteve between 9 and 10,5% until Chalet Reynard... and then there are still six kilometers to go to the peak winding up in a steep stone-desert landscape. Return down via Sault and the Gorges de la Nesque - a fantastic route overlooking the gorge with light traffic. Non-cyclists, today you will be picked up at the hotel and taken on a lavender theme journey: visit some of the nearby fields, distilleries, and learning centers to discover the many uses of lavender! (subject to seasonal variations). Regroup back at the hotel, dinner included again tonight. (B,D)
Chateau De Mazan
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Mazan
The Chateau de Mazan has plenty of history and was built around 1720, during France's early Regency ...
Day 4: Ride & visit of Vaison La Romaine Cyclists and non-cyclists will travel together, sort of, today. First, non-cyclists will be taken to a local market, subject to what day of the week it is, and left to shop! Cyclists will ride in or meet up at Vaison La Romaine for a discovery visit of this Roman village. Non-Cyclists will join the cyclists in Vaison for lunch. Cyclists move on into wine country of the Cotes du Rhone. Regroup together later for a tasting at one of the famous wine villages of the Cotes du Rhone, and return to the hotel for a last night. (B,D)
Chateau De Mazan
4
Mazan
The Chateau de Mazan has plenty of history and was built around 1720, during France's early Regency ...
Day 5: Departure Depart the hotel at 10:00 for arrival at Avignon TGV by 11:00 am. End of services.
Virtual Tour
See more of this region by clicking below for the virtual tour
Tour Map
Tours Details
Region: Provence Cote d'Azur/Vaucluse
Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
Dates: Private Groups of 4 or more persons can request custom dates, subject to hotel availability. Any date from Mid May until October.
Guided Trip Dates for 2010 open booking for anyone : May 5-9, May 19-23, June 15-19, June 27-July 1
Accommodation: all hotel nights are in deluxe 4 star chateau hotel with superior category rooms; always with private bathrooms 'en suite'. We can also offer a charming 3 star hotel in alternate which saves 300 euros/person over the prices below. Breakfast and dinner is served each day at the hotel. Contact us for details.
Meals: breakfast and dinner included daily. We include picnic lunches on all rides for cyclists and non-cyclists have lunches daily in function of their activities. Breakfasts are buffet style, and dinners are gourmet and exceptional usually consisting of local, traditional cuisine.
Bike Rent: Our Look carbon bikes - 170 euros on the guided version. You bring your pedals.
Tour level: the cycling is only recommended for experienced cyclists. Fitness is important, but being able to spend 4-6 hours in the saddle each day is key. Speed is not a matter, but your ability to climb is important. This is a climbing trip; there are easy options around, but they are not supported. As a guided trip, this offers vehicle support during the rides.
Guided Trips include: all lodging in 4 star hotels all with en suite bathrooms, all meals, professional licensed bilingual guides, professional support vehicles with roof mounted bike carriers or enclosed trailers, route books, all transportation from arrival meeting until departure transfer, cooking class, lavender visit, wine tastings, arrival drink, entrance fees in Vaison; pre and post trip travel assistance.
GUIDED TRIP PRICING: 1575 euros/person based on double occupancy. We price based on 6 participants. Prices can change with more or less participants. 1 guide & 1 van for up to 8 persons. Additional vans and guides can be added as needed.