Provence & Ventoux Discovery: Heritage Cycling Tour
Guided7 days
Year-round road cycling through the superb mountains of Provence, France. As you pedal these world-class mountain passes, you will be under the watchful eye of Mont Ventoux with spectacular views.
Style
Road cycling
Gain
14,800 m
Distance
765 km
Level
Difficult
Tour overview
NO NEED TO WAIT FOR THE SPRING TO RIDE THESE MOUNTAINS
On this guided cycling tour through the French Alps, you’ll ride from high up in the Southern Alps through the charming back streets and sleepy villages and discover lesser-known mountain passes and alpine routes along the way.
During this fantastic seven-day tour, you’ll make lifelong memories and face daily challenges, with a new series of quiet cols to climb each day before taking on the mighty Mont Ventoux.
The tour features moderate to high altitude climbs and demanding daily distances over diverse terrain, giving you the chance to push your performance under sunny Mediterranean skies.
Flights not included. Direct flights available at lastminute.com
Discover local charm
Highlights of your cycling trip
Discover Secret Cols
Lesser-known mountain passes and local favourites are all part of the incredible itinerary. You'll receive full support throughout the trip so you can focus on pedalling.
Diverse Terrain
This tour takes on the impressive Mont Ventoux with a variety of landscapes. Take in the fantastic panoramic views span across the southern Alps. Each day offers two routes with varying distances and profiles.
Comfortable Hotels
Across the 6 nights, you'll enjoy comfortable accommodations ideal for resting after long days in the saddle. There will be opportunities to meet non-riders and have a catch-up in the evening at the end of the day.
Tour destination
Provence - Southern French Alps
The southern French Alps are a paradise for cyclists and explorers of all kinds with their thundering gorges, rolling valleys, and cloud-topped mountain peaks. What’s more, the varied terrain offers some challenging routes for more technical riders who want to see how far they can push their climbing skills. Rich blue skies create a backdrop for awe-inspiring views of the Alps and Mediterranean coastline, whilst we soak up the culture and history of these ancient roads and towns.
Spring and autumn offer the best weather conditions for mountain riding in the Alps, and although the peaks can get a bit blustery in winter, year-round cycling certainly isn’t out of the question.
Terrain
France offers an incredibly diverse range of terrain suitable for any rider. However, this tour through Provence is challenging with some intense climbs through the alpine mountains.
Culture
French cycling culture doesn’t get much better than in the Alps riding on epic Tour de France roads. Touring is a popular way to explore the country and drivers are used to sharing the road with cyclists.
Accommodation during your tour
Comfortable 2-3* Hotels and Guesthouses
Each night we’ll sleep in a different 2 or 3 star hotel or guesthouse along our route, all of which offer a very pleasant stay after a full day of riding.
We choose the accommodation based on its location and proximity to the start and end of each route and each location includes secure bike storage facilities so you can focus on some well-deserved R&R.
A support vehicle will be assisting us for the entire trip to move your bags and belongings safely between each location.
All Meals Included
This 7 day tour includes all breakfasts, picnic lunches, and dinners from a 3 to 4 course menu, so all you need to decide is what to drink with each meal. We also recommend you bring your favourite gels and energy bars in case you need a mid-ride boost.
Tour itinerary
Your guide to a perfect cycling tour
Sisteron – Digne les Bains
Distance
60 km
Altitude gain
1300 m
Meet the team and the rest of the group at 1 pm at Sisteron train station. The support vehicle will greet you with a picnic lunch and pick up your luggage, so you can jump straight on the bikes to ride away from the station!
Highlights:
Discover the 13th-century history of Sisteron and cycle amongst the fortified citadel
Take on a number of quiet cols right from the get-go
Stop off at a Gallo-Roman site dating back to the 5th century en route to Digne-les-Bains
Digne les Bains – Embrun
Distance
110 km
Altitude gain
2500 m
Enjoy incredible views of legendary mountains just over the Swiss-French border and a visit to the 4th-century town of Embrun located on the edge of one of the largest lakes in Western Europe. Cameras at the ready!
Highlights:
Climb through the winding gorges of Bès River surrounded by high cliffs on either side
Enjoy breath-taking views of the Cheval Blanc mountain and Cime Bianche
Explore Embrun, host to a stage of the Tour de France in 2013
Embrun – Aspres sur Buêch
Distance
135 km
Altitude gain
2600 m
On day 3 we’ll experience more Tour de France highlights, discover more quintessential alpine routes and offer you the chance to take on an extra climb and put your skills to the test. Up to the challenge?
Highlights:
Navigate a section of the time trial stage of the 100th edition of the Tour de France
Take on a succession of small colls between Durance and Veynes
Choose from optional extra climbs to make this day as challenging, or easy, as you want
Aspres sur Buëch – Nyons
Distance
130 km
Altitude gain
2400 m
The weather gets warmer as we start to drop down towards Provence on day 4 riding through traditional and charming villages, just one of the reasons visitors flock to this Mediterranean region each year.
Highlights:
Transition between the mountains of the Alps and Provence
Cycle through Nyons, the olive capital of France
Nyons – Malaucène
Distance
80 km
Altitude gain
2000 m
Day 5 requires peak energy, so pack in your gels and energy bars as we head back towards Mont Ventoux and get ready to scale this legendary mountain.
Highlights:
Conquer Mont Ventoux choosing to start from either Malaucène or Bédoin. The distance and elevation gain are the same, but the route from Bédoin is famously more challenging
The Mont Ventoux peak is closed in winter due to snow. Don’t worry though, we know of an alternative way up!
Malaucene – Apt
Distance
150 km
Altitude gain
2000 m
After maximum effort on our fifth day, day 6 features a recovery ride through the Provençal countryside dotted with stone villages. Soak up the sights and smells of this beautiful corner of France as we ride towards the Mediterranean coast. Highlights:
Recover on gentler cols through traditional Provence
Pedal through renowned vineyards
Discover the beautiful villages perched on rocky outcrops
Apt – Sisteron
Distance
110 km
Altitude gain
2000 m
The final day of the tour ends around 3 pm back in the magical town of Sisteron. An additional night’s stay or airport transfers can be arranged upon request.
Highlights:
Take in breathtaking views of Forcalquier as you pedal back into Sisteron
Ride alongside the Jabron River to the Durance Valley
Getting there
Information to help you book your flights and get around.
Any questions about flights and transfers? The Epico team is here for you. Ping us via the chatbot in the corner of your page or send an email to [email protected]
Flying in
Fly in airport options: Marseille.
When best to arrive: in the morning the day the tour starts.
Where the tour starts: we meet at 13:00 at the central railway station of the French town Sisteron.
Transfers: we highly recommend you book optional airport transfers that we offer, this way we can guarantee a seamless and hassle-free travel experience.
Extra nights: we recommend you book an optional extra night in Sisteron that we offer; the tour starts in the morning and you’ll want to be fresh!
Flying out
Fly out airport options: Marseille.
When best to depart: in the morning the day after the tour ends, the tour ends at 3 pm.
Where the tour ends: in the afternoon in the town of Sisteron.
Transfers: we highly recommend you book optional airport transfers that we offer, this way we can guarantee a seamless and hassle-free travel experience.
Extra nights: we recommend you book an optional extra night near the airport that we offer; the tour ends in the afternoon, packing up and transferring takes time.
Tour essentials
What’s included in your cycling trip.
6 Nights Accommodation
6 nights in 2-3* hotels, double room with en-suite facilities (single room available as an extra)
Trip leader in support vehicle, luggage transfers, and tech support throughout the tour
GPS Tracks
Comprehensive navigation app for smartphones, a detailed digital road book with routes, and GPS tracks
What’s not included in your cycling trip.
Flights
Flights are not included in the tour package. Please follow our advice about which flights will be best suited for this tour. Reach out to us if you have any questions about flights.
Health insurance
We strongly recommend that you obtain a dedicated health insurance that covers your sport activities. Reach out to us if you have questions about the insurance.
Extra
Bike rental
From only €275 for the entire trip
It’s not always easy travelling with a bike but fear not, high quality carbon bikes are available for rental for the duration of the tour. To make sure you get the maximum from your bike for your trip, we’ve partnered with some of the best brands in cycling to give you the latest choice of equipment.
With a variety of sizes available, we can ensure your bike fits you perfectly. All rental bikes are mechanically checked and adjusted before each and every hire so you can have peace of mind that your bike will be running smoothly from start to finish!
An Electric Road Bike is also available to rent.
You can select this option when you proceed to checkout.
CARBON ROAD BIKE
Fitted to you and in perfect condition
More things to maximise your cycling trip
EXTRA
Single accommodation
€210 per person for entire trip
If you’d like a whole room to yourself, that’s no problem. For an extra €210 for the trip duration, you can enjoy the comfort of your own room. Just select this option when you proceed to book your tour.
EXTRA
Airport transfers
From €140 per person
Transportation for you and your bike from the nearest airport to the start point and back is available to book for €140 (round trip). You can select this option when you proceed to checkout. Contact us if you have any questions.
EXTRA
Extra nights
From €190 per person
The tour starts in the morning and ends in the evening, plus airport transfers take time. We recommend that you fly in the day before and fly out the day after to maximise your trip. You can book these two additional nights for €190 when you proceed to checkout.
Booking options
Choose when you want to travel
Don't see the travel dates you want or have a special request, such as adding a non-rider, please contact us.
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