dossier
Provence Gastronomic Cycling
Day 1: Arrive for dinner in St Didier
Our hotel is comfortable and modern in its own grounds with a pool and tennis courts.
Day 2: St. Didier to Beaumes de Venise (21km/13mi)
An easy flat cycle across the Comtadine plain, with the majestic Mont Ventoux (1912m) and the jagged limestone pinnacles of Les Dentelles de Montmirail as a dramatic backdrop. A quick stop at Mazan - look out for the strange church wall made up of more than 60 Roman sarcophagi - then up winding country lanes to our friendly family-run hotel set in a scented pine forest on the lower slopes of Mont Ventoux in the heart of the Beaumes de Venise vineyards. Each of the 8 Provençal style bedrooms opens on to its own terrace and garden, and meals are taken on the vine-covered terrace by the pool.
Day 3: At Beaumes de Venise
You are spoiled for choice today: Beaumes de Venise vineyards, olive oil museum, mediaeval Carpentras, or the cobbled streets of nearby picturesque Bédoin, named after the C8 Bedouins who settled here. You might like to make a leisurely visit to the nearby château at Crillon-le-Brave or Mormorion with its museum of ‘mechanical’ music made on instruments like fairground organs, pianolas and musical boxes.
Day 4: Beaumes de Venise/Vaison-la-Romaine (28km/17mi)
Fabulous views of Les Dentelles this morning as you wind your way up to the pretty village of Suzette and then on to Le Barroux with its château. A nice downhill run continues through forests, vineyards and cherry orchards, to a lunch stop at the fortified village of Malaucène (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, where a warm welcome awaits you at our charming hotel in the heart of the town centre. Evening meals are taken at La Bartevalle restaurant and are one of the gastronomic highlights of your trip!
Day 5: At Vaison-la-Romaine
Vaison has France’s most extensive Roman remains including a 6000-seat theatre, baths, houses and streets. There’s a fine 13C cathedral and cloisters, a castle and fortified gateway, and squares with cool central fountains. The town straddles the River Ouvèze, which burst its banks in 1992 when 37 people lost their lives. The flood level is marked on the arched Roman bridge. There’s a market every Tuesday morning and on Sunday mornings in July and August.
Day 6: Vaison-la-Romaine to Cairanne (32km/17mi)
Via Roaix and across the Ouvèze to mediaeval Séguret - officially ranked among the most beautiful villages in France - whose streets climb up the slopes of the Dentelles de Montmirail. There’s a 15C fountain and a 14C belfry, a ruined feudal castle and a table d’orientation which explains the glorious view across to the distant Massif Central. You can browse in the craft shops and enjoy the opportunities for wine-tasting. Then it’s on through pretty little Sablet and along the River Ouvèze to our friendly little hotel in Cairanne.
Day 7: At Cairanne
Lots of places to visit. Lovely Gigondas, famous for the ruby red wine it produces from the grenache grape. There are plenty of cavesand it’s a good place for tasting. If you feel like a walk, there are many GR routes in the Montmirail hills. Orange, a thriving regional centre, is 15km away. It has two marvellous World Heritage sites - a beautifully-preserved Roman theatre and an elaborately decorated triumphal arch and a beautifully-preserved Roman theatre which hosts regular evening performances - no problem to arrange a taxi .
Day 8: Cairanne to St Didier (38km/24mi)
The final day’s cycle ride takes you through vineyards to two wine-producing villages. You reach Vacqueyras first. It’s a pretty place with a café and lots of tempting cavesselling Côtes du Rhône. On the outskirts, the chapel of Notre Dame d’Aubune is worth the short steep climb. The village is tucked into the southern slopes of the Dentelles. There’s a Tuesday morning market and an olive co-operative. The final stretch takes you through Aubignan and back to our hotel at St Didier.
Day 9: Leave St Didier