dossier
Secret Provence Cycling
Day 1: Arrive at LeThoronet
We meet you at Les Arcs station and take you (35 mins) to your hotel with pool above Draguignan.
Day 2: Le Thoronetto Pontevès 36km/23mi
A lovely leisurely cycle today beneath huge pink cliffs, dotted with little villages, vineyards and tempting picnic spots. Highlights include Carcès (great wine tasting and lake) and picturesque Cotignac (C13 church and fortress).
Day 3: At Pontevès
Walk to the ruins of the castle or cycle to nearby Barjols, a little town utterly dominated by water (it has four rivers running through it, 16 avoirs nd 27 fountains). Pottery and tambourines are made here! Excellent walking all around. For the best views go to the top of Petit Bessillon.
Day 4: Pontevès to Bauduen 37km/23mi
Pedal north through the forest of Pelenq dotted with hidden châteaux. Past the village perchéof Fox Amphoux, inhabited since the iron age. Then on via the pretty hill village of Moissac-Bellevue: spectacular views right across the region.
Day 5: At Bauduen (optional 2-night extension, see below)
Our friendly hotel is right on the shores of the pretty Lac de Ste Croix. There are beaches for swimming, and you can hire paddle boats. Nearby, the lower gorges of the Verdon are well worth exploring and, unlike the Grand Canyon upstream, you have them pretty much to yourself.
Day 6 or 8: Bauduen to Tourtour 34km/20mi
Easy cycling today perhaps stopping off for lunch in Aups, a mediaeval country town with ramparts, a ruined castle and pretty wrought iron campanile - good markets Wed & Sat. Then onto Tourtour and one of our favourite *** hotels with pool and newly installed jacuzzi.
Day 7 or 9: At Tourtour
From this “village in the sky”, complete with ramparts, you can see from the Med to Mt Ventoux. Explore the pretty squares with cafés and Provençal craft shops. Or take one of our favourite bike rides along the ridge to gorgeous Ampus (12km round trip) - superb views out over the Massif des Maures.
Day 8 or 10: 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 9 or 11: Leave Le Thoronet
From this “village in the sky”, complete with ramparts, you can see from the Med to Mt Ventoux. Explore the pretty squares with cafés and Provençal craft shops. Or take one of our favourite bike rides along the ridge to gorgeous Ampus (12km round trip) - superb views out over the Massif des Maures.
Optional 2 - night extension in Bauduen
There’s simply so much to do here that we are proposing two additional nights (making four nights in total) in order that you can really get the most out of your stay. Stroll or cycle around the original hilltop village - tiny streets, artisan craft shops, tempting cafés and restaurants - then take a sailing boat to explore the hidden creeks surrounding the lake and village. There are gentle walks and challenging hikes through the lower Gorges du Verdon, or you can kayak through the gorge before visiting the excellent Museum of Pre-history. Other options include cycling to Les Salles-sur-Verdon, following the fascinating botanical walk, or taking a taxi to the wonderful Grand Canyon. Riding is
also possible near the hotel.