Wine Trails of Provence

The trip starts in Avignon.  Arrival any time during the day.  Stay inside Avignon’s fortified city for the first night.  Discover the beauty of one of Provence’s great cities.

Your first taste of cycling in this picturesque, off-the-beaten-track region takes you from Avignon to L’Isle sur la Sorgue, which is also known as the Venice of Provence because of its location amid a maze of canals and several branches of the Sorgue river. The town is most famous for its many antique shops. While away a few hours visiting the antique shops before enjoying late lunch or a snack in a café. You’ll need the energy for the final climb of the day, up to the sleepy village of Venasque. Here, you’re treated to stunning valley views and a chance to explore one of France’s most beautiful villages

The scenery that accompanies your cycling today is of the mountains of Vaucluse, including dramatic Mont Ventoux at 1900m. But don’t worry, as you don’t have to cycle this huge mountain. Instead, you can enjoy leisurely riding in lower terrain close to the crystal clear waters of the Sorgue river. Many branches of the river flow through this area and irrigate the land, making it an oasis of the cool, green countryside – and the ideal terrain for growing grapes.

At the foot of the Ventoux lies the village of Bédoin, which although a tourist hotspot has retained an authentic Provencal atmosphere. You can take an optional detour up the Gorges de la Nesque today which adds a further 21 miles 35km to the route.

Today’s cycling starts and finishes in the village of Bedoin. You can now immerse yourself in Côtes du Ventoux country and enjoy pedalling through charming and atmospheric villages, all nestled prettily beneath the mighty Mont Ventoux. Wines have been made here since the 1st century AD and have been consumed and written about by popes and kings for centuries. The increased altitude of the grapes grown in this region give rise to lighter, fruit-driven white, red and rose wines, which make a tasty distraction during your cycling circuit of the region.

Today you will be cycling through some of the most prestigious winemaking villages in the southern Rhône Valley, such as Vacqueyras (red wines) and Beaumes de Venise (sweet muscat whites). Along the way you will have several chances to sample the wines in the various vineyards. You hit the plains before climbing slightly to Chateauneuf du Pape, where you can see the ruins of its old castle.

A short cycle ride today surrounding Chateuneuf du Pape. You will pass renowned estates, and touring around the small Oiselay island before returning to the village. You can get a picnic lunch in Chateauneuf du Pape and find a quiet place to eat on l’Ile de l’Oiselay, or complete the ride in the morning and eat when you get back to town.

Once back in Avignon you are free to make your onwards travels.