Provence Biking: Premiere Inns

Shuttle to Château de Rochegude: 1 Hour

Biking Options:

Rochegude Loop: 23 Miles* (900’ elevation gain)

Col de Debat Loop: 32 Miles (1,800’)

*with shuttle

Bienvenue en Provence! After meeting we shuttle to our stylish hotel, Château de Rochegude, where we enjoy a picnic overlooking the vineyards of the Côtes du Rhône. Following lunch your Backroads Trip Leaders fit your bike and give a brief talk on riding techniques and safety. Then head off on today’s route, which introduces you to the joys of biking in Provence. With views of robust vineyards and quaint small villages, pedal alongside rolling lavender fields through the town of Cairanne, a growing name in Côtes du Rhône wines. Take a break from your bike to have a coffee or a glass of wine in the town square. Then, if 23 miles feels like enough for the first day, you can shuttle back to the hotel. But if you’re just getting started, get there by winding through the vineyards and quiet villages of the Drôme. Set within the walls of a fortified castle, Château de Rochegude offers a taste of 12th-century France while pampering you with modern-day luxuries.

Settle into your elegant room, then cool off with a swim or perhaps explore the château’s grounds. Tonight we gather for a wine reception and celebrate our first evening together with a gourmet dinner at our château. The selection of French and international dishes is complemented by an extensive wine list featuring local domaines.

Lodging: Château de Rochegude

Back in the saddle with renewed energy, pedal from the river up a wooded road into the Dentelles de Montmirail, limestone mountains with dramatic serrated ridges. In Gigondas, a village whose name comes from jocunditas, the Roman word for joy, perhaps experience happiness of your own at your first taste of superb Gigondas wine. Then spin past immaculate vineyards, promenades of cypress trees and through Vacqueyras en route to Beaumes-de-Venise, a picturesque market town known for its sweet white muscat.

Tonight join your leaders for a friendly game of pétanque before we gather for a casual “bistro Provençal,” a family-style dinner at our charming hotel.

Lodging: Hôtel Crillon le Brave

Biking Options:

Vaison-la-Romaine Route: 21 Miles* (480’ elevation gain)

Gigondas Route: 30 Miles* (2,000’)

Crillon le Brave Route: 43 Miles (2,450’)

Blauvac Route: 62 Miles (2,950’) 

*with shuttle

From Crillon le Brave it’s not far to the village of Bédoin, with its terraced cafés nestled under plane trees. A gorgeous 11-mile climb takes you through the Gorges de la Nesque, a deep canyon separating Ventoux and the Vaucluse Plateau. The ascent is gradual—and very worthwhile. Relish stunning views from the impressive winding road, as well as the shade provided by several tunnels through the mountainside. Go at your own pace and remember to drink plenty of water! Your next stop is Sault, where shops, spacious squares and friendly cafés make it an enjoyable place for lunch on your own and a little exploring. Consider visiting the church, which dates back to the Middle Ages and houses Gallo-Roman artifacts in its library museum.

Shuttle back to the hotel for a leisurely afternoon, or if you’re feeling energetic, stay on your bike to log more miles and tackle another heart-pumping climb. This evening we’re treated to a more formal dining experience in the Crillon le Brave dining room.

Lodging: Hôtel Crillon le Brave

Biking Options:

Sault Route: 27 Miles* (2,300’ elevation gain)

La Gabelle Route: 35 miles* (2,450’)

Sault Loop: 50 Miles (2,620’)

Mont Ventoux Route: 81 Miles (7,930’) 

*with shuttle

Back on your bike after lunch, you may want to take a short detour to remote 12th-century Abbaye de Sénanque, set amid oak groves and a fragrant sea of lavender. If not, pedal through the Lubéron National Forest directly to Gordes and spend time exploring this picture-perfect village perché. Here old stone buildings cling to the craggy southern face of the high Vaucluse Plateau, and a massive 12th-century castle watches over fields, forests and neighboring hilltop towns. Meander along cobblestone lanes leading to shady squares, historic monuments, chic boutiques and cafés.

Our hotel, La Bastide de Gordes & Spa, is an incredible 12th-century fortress in the center of town whose swimming pool overlooks the valley. If you’re in need of TLC, saunter downstairs in your bathrobe and select from Spa Sisley’s decadent menu of services. (Spa treatments are not included in the trip price; see “During Your Trip” for more details on booking an appointment.) For dinner this evening, you are on your own to enjoy one of the restaurants in town.

Lodging: La Bastide de Gordes & Spa

Biking Options: 

Venasque Route: 21 Miles* (430’ elevation gain)

Gordes Route: 31 Miles (1,540’)

Le Beaucet Route: 39 Miles (2,250’) 

*with shuttle

Head north after lunch, biking across Pont Julien, a Roman bridge built around 300 B.C., to Roussillon, which rests on one of the world’s biggest ochre deposits. Adored by artists for centuries, this village is renowned for its striking natural surroundings, especially the Chaussée des Géants, a canyon radiant with 16 shades of ochre. From here it’s back to Gordes, or you can add more miles and tackle the hill up to the hamlet of Lioux, notable for its magnificent imposing cliff of gray limestone known by locals as “la falaise de la Madeleine” (“Madeline’s cliff”).

This evening we adjourn to the hotel’s elegant restaurant for a farewell dinner overlooking the Lubéron Valley.

Lodging: La Bastide de Gordes & Spa

Biking Options:

Roussillon Route: 26 Miles* (1,480’ elevation gain)

Lubéron Loop: 32 Miles (1,770’)

Murs Route: 38 Miles (2,470’) 

*with shuttle

Joucas Loop: 13 Miles (920’ elevation gain)

Shuttle to Avignon TGV Train Station: 1 Hour