TRIP FINDER
FOR WINELOVERS Explore the Cotes de Rhone wine villages by bike: Chateauneuf du Pape, Beaumes de Venise, Vaqueyras and Gigondas... and Orange's Roman Theatre!
2020 per person price
| CLASSIC TOUR | 1030 € |
| CLASSIC + TOUR | 1150 € |
| DELUXE TOUR | 1550 € |
* Price based on double room occupancy - please contact us for details on single room supplements
| CLASSIC PACKAGE | |
| 1 Night Hotel Garbure in Chateauneuf | www.la-garbure.com |
| 1 Night Hotel Burrhus in Vaison la Romaine | www.burrhus.com |
| 2 Nights Hotel du Siècle in Mazan | www.le-siecle.com |
| CLASSIC+ PACKAGE | |
| 1 Night Hotel la Sommellerie in Chateauneuf | www.la-sommellerie.fr |
| 1 Night Hotel le Beffroi in Vaison la Romaine | www.le-beffroi.com |
| 2 Nights Hotel des Pins in Bédoin | www.hotel-des-pins.fr |
| DELUXE PACKAGE | |
| 1 Night Château des Fines Roches in Chateauneuf | www.chateaufinesroches.com |
| 1 Night Hotel le Beffroi in Vaison la Romaine | www.le-beffroi.com |
| 2 Nights Château de Mazan in Mazan | www.chateaudemazan.com |
Upon your arrival at the Avignon train station, you will be met and transferred to Chateauneuf-du-Pape where you can settle in to your hotel. In the heart of typical Provencal countryside, and surrounded by vineyards, you will love the beauty of this part of France. Take some time to explore Chateauneuf itself, and perhaps taste some wine in one of the many caveau. At the end of the afternoon, our Trip Manager will meet with you to check your bike fitting, and to go over your trip package with you. Wander through the village and perhaps taste some wine at one of the local wineries, before your first dinner, included this evening at your hotel.
Today head northwards out of Chateauneuf-du-Pape and to the Roman town of Orange, to give you the opportunity to visit the shaded pedestrian area with its many cafes and boutiques, as well as the incredible Roman theatre. This theatre, the best preserved in the world, could seat 10,000 spectators in its prime. You can test its incredible acoustics yourself as you explore. The theatre is still used today for outdoor performances, seating up to 5000 people. Ride on from there through small villages and vineyards, passing through Cairanne and Rasteau, both village appellations of the Southern cotes de Rhone, where you may stop to find some lunch, and of course also do some tasting if you like. Your ride finishes in the pretty town of Vaison la Romaine. This typical small Provencal town, cut in two by the Ourveze River, will enchant you, with its rich 2000 year old history. Take the time to explore the Roman vestiges in the centre of town, including the beautiful Roman bridge, that survived the incredible floods of 1992, and hike up to the ruins of the upper village for a beautiful panorama.
Today your route hugs the side of (without going up) the beautiful “Dentelles de Montmirail”, a small chain of hills with a stunning lace-like crest. Along the base of it you will ride on quiet roads through pretty little villages, such as Seguret, before approaching two more of the renowned “Cru” villages of the Southern Cotes de Rhone: Gigondas and Vaqueyras, with their wonderful rich red wines produced with a dominant Grenache base. Stop along the way for tasting if you like, before continuing on to the small town of Beaumes-de-Venise. Not only is the town quite charming, but if you feel like it you can stop for a tasting of their deliciously addictive sweet white wines, or some of the Cotes de Rhone reds. If you prefer, take some time to explore at the shop of the local olive mill to taste the fruity artisanal olive oils. The final stage of the ride continues across the pretty Venasque countryside into the charming town of Mazan. We provide a small self-guided walk of the town to help with your explorations. (please note the CLASSIC+ itinerary stays in neighbouring Bedoin).
Your ride today is beautiful, taking you through several picturesque villages, such as Bedoin (where you can stop for a mid-morning coffee with the locals), Flassan (with its Romanesque church and crypt), and Ville sur Auzon (with the unusual “Pous di Foro” medieval garden system); each is worth some meandering. The whole day is spent with the impressive Mont Ventoux as your imposing backdrop, renowned for its recurring role in the famous Tour de France race with its 22km hill – which you will be happy to admire from afar! You pedal along lovely quiet roads, and through some of the oldest vineyards in all of France, with possibilities for some tasting along the way. The ride finishes by returning you to Mazan for your second evening.
After a final breakfast, we transfer you back to the train station in Avignon in time for your further travels. Bon Voyage!
