dossier

Heart of Provence Cycling

Day 1 - Arrive at Draguignan
We meet you at Les Arcs station and take you to your hotel (25 mins) above Draguignan. Time for a relaxing swim before

Day 2 - Le Thoronet to St Antonin 33km/19mi or 40km/25mi
First stop is the atmospheric C12 Cistercian Abbaye du Thoronet then it’s a gentle cycle around pretty Lac du Carcès. Visit the mediaeval city - impressive ruined castle - and picnic perhaps by the shaded Argens River. Then along quiet country lanes, dotted here and there with small châteaux, to St Antonin. Our tiny hotel, in the centre of the village, is rustic Provençal in style, its swimming pool overlooking woodland.

Day 3 - At St. Antonin
It’s an easy cycle to mediaeval Entrecasteaux with its C17 château and delightful gardens. Or take a stroll to Cotignac and its troglodyte village returning, perhaps, via the Château du Mentonne where the wine cave is in an old chapel. The more sporty can explore the River Argens in a canoe or kayak whilst those wanting to be less active can simply relax by the pool.

Day 4 - St. Antonin to Tourtour 38km/24mi or 42km/26mi
It’s a lovely ride down the wooded Bresque Valley to Salernes (traditional tiles, lots of pottery shops and art galleries) and on to Sillans-la-Cascade - lovely picnic and swimming spot at the foot of the waterfall. The last stretch takes you either via Aups or Villecroze - fantastic views as you approach the picturesque village of Tourtour where you spend the next two nights in a beautifully converted C16 coaching inn with jacuzzi and private pool.

Day 5 - At Tourtour
From this picturesque “village in the sky”, complete with ramparts, you can see from the Med to Mt Ventoux. Explore the pretty squares with Provençal craft shops and pavement cafés - take time for lunch beneath the old lime trees. The more energetic can cycle to the picturesque villages of Ampus and Chateaudouble.

Day 6 - Tourtour to Le Thoronet 30km/19mi
Your day starts with a wonderful downhill whizz through garrigue and pine forests to the pretty mediaeval village of Flayosc - a good lunch stop. Then, on through vineyards and olive groves to Lorgues before a final swoop down through the Argens Valley and back to the hotel. Lots of time to relax, swim and soak up the sun before dinner.

Day 7 - Leave Le Thoronet