PennyWise Cycle Tours
Specialists in Affordable Tandem Bicycle Tours
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Provence - April 21 - May 5, 2007
Day by Day
15 days, 14 nights

Please click on the hyperlinks to discover more.

The itinerary is subject to change based upon accommodations quality and availability, and road conditions.

Day 1 – Saturday, April 21, 2007 – We rendezvous at Marseille airport in the early afternoon for a bus transfer to Pertuis. Our home for the next two nights is the Hotel Sevan, with lovely grounds and excellent restaurant. After lunch, assemble your bicycles and socialize with your fellow participants. A short ride to test out your equipment is in order, so there are no surprises tomorrow.

Meals: D

Day 2 – Sunday, April 22 - Pertuis to Pertuis - 40 miles & 2,000 feet of climbing - We head east into wine growing area. We ride through the town of La Tour d'Aigues, where there are remains of a 16th Century chateau. Continuing on, we pass close to Grambois, worth a detour if you like to walk old streets and 14th century ramparts. Continuing on, we keep climbing to the town of La Bastide des Jourdans. Here are a 14th century church and ruins of a 13th century chateau.

We ride through vineyards on narrow lanes taking in Provencal charm. At our turn-around point, we have arranged for a tasting at Domaine de Regusse. Pack your panniers with local wines and head west. We pass by Etang de la Bonde, an active swimming place in the summer. There is a nice cafe overlooking the lake.

It's almost all downhill back to our hotel.

Meals: B, D

Day 3 - Monday, April 23 - Pertuis to St Rémy de Provence - 60 miles & 1,000 feet of climbing - New places are calling and it's time to move on. We meander so as not to miss a sight. We begin by heading northwest to visit Ansouis, full of tiny streets dotted with boutiques and artists' workshops.

A short ride takes us to Loumarin, one of the "prettiest villages in France". Leave the route to discover this charming and beautiful place. There's plenty of time.

From Loumarin, we turn south so we can cross the Durance River. We pass by Cadenet, where you may choose to visit the basketworks museum. After we cross the river and turn west, we come to La Roque d'Anthéron, site of a renown piano festival each summer, held at the 12th century Cistercian abbey Silvacane.

After a few more miles, we come to Eyguières, which claims to have the most wells and fountains in the area. It's a good spot to take a rest. We can see the Alpilles, a mountain range. Our route takes us to Eygalières.  This village has managed to preserve its authentic charm with stone buildings.

Another 7 miles and we are in Saint Rémy de Provence, our home for the next two nights. Clearly one of the "must-sees", you will quickly understand why. We have chosen the Hotel Gounod, located on the Place de la Republic as your home. Its charm and convenience are outstanding.

Meals: B

Day 4 - Tuesday, April 24 - St Rémy de Provence to St Rémy de Provence - 22 miles & 700 feet climbing - After breakfast, we depart for the short ride to Les Baux de Provence. This pedestrian-only village has been meticulously restored and its 500 full time residents feel as if they are living in a museum. Plan on spending the morning and having lunch here. We have included an audioguide tour of the Château des Baux.

After lunch, we continue to the lovely village of Fontvieille, with stone houses taken from 15th Century quarries. Fontvieille was home to author Alphonse Daudet, and a visit to the windmill is in order. The views from the easily reached hilltop are outstanding. 

Be sure to return to St Rémy de Provence in time to explore further.

Meals: B

Day 5 - Wednesday, April 25 - St Rémy de Provence to Uzès - 38 miles & 700 feet of climbing - We continue our trip heading northwest. We cross the Rhone River and visit the famed Roman aqueduct, the Pont du Gard. You can ride your tandem from one side to the other. We have included a guided tour of the site.

Continuing on, we pass by Collias, and aarrive in Uzès. This charming town is often overlooked and we can't understand why. Our hotel tonight is the Hôtel du Général d'Entraigues, located in the heart of town. You will be enchanted.

Meals: B

Day 6, Thursday, April 26 - Uzès to Barjac - 33 miles & 1,800 feet of climbing - After breakfast, we have arranged for a guided walking tour of Uzès. We only have 30 miles to ride, so leaving after a nice lunch works well.

Leaving Uzès, we pass through Saint Quentin la Poterie, which, as you can guess from its name, is renown for its pottery artisans. You may choose to visit the Museum of Mediterranean Pottery.

A few miles further, we catch sight of the hilltop town of Lussan. While it is sleepy, you may choose to ride up and explore. There's plenty of time.

Continuing on, we experience a spectacular downhill. This is beautiful countryside.  We stay outside of Barjac at the delightful Le Mas du Terme. The old well-restored building is charming, the rooms comfortable, and the food excellent.

Meals: B, D

Day 7, Friday, April 27 - Barjac to Orange - 50 miles & 1,000 feet climbing - Leaving Le Mas du Terme, we ride down into the Cèze River valley. Downhill is a great way to start the day. :-)

Along our way, we visit Saint Andre de Roquepertuis, Goudargues, Cavillargues, and Tresques. Entering the Côte du Rhône, we ride through Laudun-l'Ardoise and Orsan before we cross the Rhone and enter the famed village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, named for the new castle of the Pope. In the 14th Century Pope Jean named this village as the summer residence. Today the village is dedicated to wine with domaine tasting rooms everywhere. Have a great time enjoying your tastings.

A few miles further and we reach Orange and Hotel Le Louvre. There are many dining opportunities in Orange. As you walk, be sure not to miss the 2,000 year old Roman Theater and the Arch of Triumph.

Meals: B

Day 8, Saturday, April 28 - Excursion to Avignon - 0 miles - No visit to Provence would be complete without a visit to Avignon. We have chosen to do this unencumbered by bicycles. After breakfast, we walk a few feet to the train station for the short ride to Avignon. Upon arrival we will take a guided walking tour in order to get oriented. Train transportation and guided tour are included in your tour cost.

The rest of the day is free for you to explore.

Historic sites to see include: Palace of the Popes, the Pont d'Avignon( Pont de St. Benezet), the Opera, the Hotel de Ville, various churches, Cloître St. Louis, and the Rocher des Doms.

After dinner, catch a train of your choosing back to Orange.

Meals: B

Day 9 - Sunday, April 29 - Orange to Bedoin - 40 miles & 2,000 feet of climbing - Over the next days, we will be cycling in the Department named Vaucluse. Our vistas are dominated by Mont Ventoux, "le géant du Provence", the Giant of Provence. At 1,919m or over 6,000 feet in elevation, it is visible from most of Provence.

Our first village to visit Gigondas. This is a well-known appellation. Wine cellars (and sellers) are there for degustations. Just a few miles further and we reach Sablet, located in an area noted for its fine wines.

Further on we visit Séguret, another of the "most beautiful villages in France", a distinction this village definitely deserves. And yet another opportunity to taste and buy a well-known appellation.

Less than 10 miles and we are in Vaison la Romaine, the Jewel of Roman Provence. The new town offers all services, but it is the old town that delivers charm. Leave your bike at the gate at the bottom and wander the streets. A climb to the chateau ruins is rewarded with outstanding views.

Heading south for six miles we reach Malaucène, one of the three starting points for ascents of Mont Ventoux.

Today's destination is Bédoin, where the Tour de France ascent of Mont Ventoux begins (after 100+ miles of racing and several cols). The town is alive with cyclists, many of whom harbor ambitions of climbing the Giant. Are you one of them?

To maximize the probability of making your dream of riding to the top of Mont Ventoux a reality, we are staying in Bédoin three nights, hopefully improving our chances of good weather. It's a challenging ride, even at tourist speed. High quality singles are available for rent if a tandem team member would rather go it alone.

Our accommodations are at Hotel des Pins, located just out of town. The food is excellent and they are used to cyclists' appetites.

Meals: B, D

Days 10 & 11 - Monday, April 30 & Tuesday, May 1 - The next two days are mix and match. We have set up multiple riding options for you to choose from.

Click here to view the profiles of the climb to Mont Ventoux from Malaucène, Bédoin, and Sault.

Meals: B, D both days

Day 12 - Wednesday, May 2 - Bedoin to L'Isle sur la Sorgue - 33 miles & 600 feet of climbing - A gentle, generally downhill day to recover from Mont Ventoux. We first encounter Méthamis, a little mountain village. Next, we ride though Malemort du Comtat, with narrow streets and beautiful stone houses. We enjoyed Saint Didier, with its stone gate, fountain, and cafes. Further on is Pernes les Fontaines, the fountain town. Take the time to wander the streets of the old town and see them.

Just about 7 more miles and we are in L'Isle sur la Sorgue, another of the must sees. This town is called the Venice of Provence, with many canals running through the town. There are quaintly painted signs in front of the stores and antiques everywhere (I'm not referring to us). Tourists are everywhere, but there is a reason why L'Isle sur la Sorgue is popular. Go find out why.

Our hotel is the well situated Les Nevons, just 3 minutes from the center of town.

Meals: B

Day 13 - Thursday, May 3 - L'Isle sur la Sorgue Loop - 42 miles & 2,700 feet of climbing - Today is market day in L'Isle sur la Sorgue. Wander through before leaving to explore the Luberon.

We ride through villages that on other days would captivate us - Langes and Saint Pantaléon. But today they will be footnotes, for we visit three of the very special places in Provence.

Roussillon is noted for ochre. The red, yellow and brown shades of the earth form a striking contrast with the lush green pine trees. Wander the streets. The ochre façades of the houses are magnificent... shades vary subtly from light yellow to dark red, set off by the brightly painted shutters and doors.

Gordes is one of the "in" places in Provence. Its position on the edge of the Luberon plateau makes for magnificent scenery. Gordes has been listed as "one of the most beautiful villages of France". Peter Mayle's book A Year in Provence certainly helped make this a destination.

Fontaine de Vaucluse is another of the most visited places in the Vaucluse. What you will notice first is the water. It is everywhere and that's only right, since this is the Fountain of the Vaucluse. Take the time to explore, climbing to the old ruins, or just to find the source.

Meals: B

Day 14 - Friday, May 4 - L'Isle sur la Sorgue to Pertuis - 40 miles & 2,000 feet of climbing - Our tour is ending and we must head back to Pertuis. The climbs let us reflect on our increased fitness over the last two weeks. But we are far from done with the beauty. Today will be memorable as well.

Robion is a small lovely village at the foot of the Luberon.

Just a few miles further is Ménerbes, considered by many one of the finest villages in France. Picasso was one of its residents.

The church tower at Bonnieux is what you see first as you approach. Don't leave Bonnieux without visiting the Boulangerie Museum where you will see a collection of bread and learn about its history and manufacture. All this will certainly whet your appetite - but don't worry, Bonnieux has some excellent restaurants, complete with charming terraces.

A wonderful descent takes us back to Loumarin and Ansouis, which we first visited 11 days ago. Revisit today.

Too quickly we are back at Hotel Sevan, where we pack our bikes and savor our experiences in Provence over our traditional celebratory dinner.

Meals: B, D

Day 15 - Saturday, May 5 - Pertuis to Marseille airport - We will depart after breakfast for the 90 minute transfer to the airport.

Total Riding Distance - 488 miles

Total Climbing - 21,800 feet

It'll be fun! Come join us!