Across Provence

You have just reached Montélimar. You'll hear the first hints of Provence as you stroll along the Allées provençales, sampling local nougats while wandering through the charming old town. Discover the Château des Adhémar.

Dinner at leisure. Night in 3star hotel in the heart of Montélimar.

34 km stage with total uphill 400 metres (level 2/5). Around 3hrs30.
The first part of the route takes you into the Pre-Alps (foothills) of Provence. The scenery becomes increasingly Mediterranean and the villages you go through are typically Provençal, with broad café terraces and shady squares beneath leafy plane trees.
You’ll soon notice the lavender fields. olive trees and holm oaks so characteristic of the southern countryside. And modest Romanesque chapels in the middle of fields. châteaux overlooking valleys…notably the soaring castle of Grignan once graced by the presence of the Marquess of Sévigné. celebrated French woman of letters – literally!

Dinner at leisure and night in a charming 3 star hotel.

43 km stage with total uphill 575 metres (level 3/5).About 5hrs30.
With no shortage of charm and attraction, this outing takes you across some diverse and beautiful countryside, the sort of unspoilt Provence one dreams of. Enjoy yourself: taste the olive oil, bite the fruit, inhale the scent of lavender or take a sip of wine. Simple villages of authentic character invite you to park your bike and enjoy ferreting around in the nooks and crannies.

Dinner and night in three star hotel.

55 km stage with total uphill 200 metres (level 3/5). Around 4hours.
Just the kind of roads you’d like to ride along for hours…this is authentic Provence with the sort of sights and perfumes that stay with you for years. Leaving the hilly greenery of the Drôme you begin to cross the Comtat Venaissin with its broad vineyards soaking up the sun at the foot of Mont Ventoux. After exploring the aptly named Perne-les-Fontaines (no less than 40 springs and wells!), you’ll enjoy the cool ride along the Canal de Carpentras.
At the end of your ride you cycle through a market gardening area then you’ll maybe the chance to have a summer evening stroll round the abundant fresh food market in Velleron before to arrive to the charming city of Isle sur la Sorgue, an island surrounded by canals called "Venice of the Comtat Venaissin"

Dinner at leisure and night in a 3star hotel.

55 km with total uphill 300 metres (level 3/5). Around 4hrs30.
Superb stage during which you cross the chain of the Alpilles1 which has recently been named a a Regional Nature Park in recognition of its unique beauty and interest.
Among the best moments of the day we must mention the lovely town of St Rémy2. Overlooking the plain of the Camargue and the celebrated town of Arles, Les Baux de Provence3, listed village on the plateau of Grès in the heart of the Alpilles, is perhaps reminiscent of the Luberon.
The descent towards the town founded in Roman times takes you through other well-known sights such as the Tour de Fontvieille and the Roman Aqueduct4.

Dinner at leisure and night at 3star or 4star hotel.

You may visit the stunning little town of Arles before departure

Option : Return to Montelimar by train.