Vaison-la-Romaine, Pernes-les-Fontaines & Gordes
With its quiet roads amidst fields of lavender, fine wines to taste, and wonderful food to eat, the Provence region of France is heaven on earth for the itinerant cyclist. Beginning in the village of Vaison-la-Romaine, we will cycle routes that will include the region’s market towns, wine-making villages and medieval cities. We’ll taste wine in centuries old caves, see Roman antiquities, visit hill-top castles steeped in history and stroll markets at L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and others. We’ve been coming here for 20 years and can say there are few places as welcoming to those on a bicycle as this enchanting area of France.
Only Great Explorations:
Avignon, France
Starting Location
Vaison-la-Romaine, France
Day 1-2
Pernes-les-Fontaines, France
Day 3-4
Gordes, France
End Location
| 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|
| May 10-16 | May 9-15 |
| May 17-23 | May 16-22 |
| May 24-30 | May 23-29 |
| Jun 7-13 | Jun 6-12 |
| Jun 17-23 | Jun 16-22 |
| Jul 21-27 | Sep 5-11 |
| Sep 6-12 | Sep 12-18 |
| Sep 13-19 | Sep 19-25 |
| Sep 20-26 | Oct 3-9 |
| Oct 4-10 |
Trip can start any date. Self-guided and custom trips also available. Call or email for details.
Trip Size
Total Days
Arrive/Depart
Activity LevelModerate
30-60+ km / 20-40 miles daily including century options on 2 days (longer options available)
Van supported
Terrain2 days gently rolling, 3 days are moderately rolling
CostLand Cost
US $3,150
Includes 6B/2L/5D
Single Supplement
US $800
Bike Rentals
Hybrid Bikes: US $320
Racing Bikes: US $420
E-bikes*: US $480
*E-bikes are generally available but are on an ‘on request basis ‘ and will be confirmed on receipt of your booking registration. Rental rates include delivery to the first hotel and pick-up from the last hotel. E-bikes provided are the best rentals available in the region. Our regular fleet of hybrid and race bikes are fun to ride and light and fast, but if having an e-bike will make your trip, we’ll do our best to provide. E-bike rentals are non-refundable.
Getting There
Our trip starts in Vaison-la-Romaine. We will meet you at Avignon TGV train station and transfer you to Vaison.
Vaison-la-Romaine
Our guides will greet you at the Avignon TGV train station at 11:30 upon your arrival from Paris. From there our guides will whisk you away to Vaison-la-Romaine where a picnic lunch awaits. Afterwards, fit bikes and ride a warm up loop of some nearby vineyards, arriving back in Vaison in the late afternoon. There we can visit the Roman ruins and then enjoy a welcome wine reception at the hotel before dinner at a local restaurant.
Distance: 42km; 350m gain
Vaison-la-Romaine
Today, start by visiting the local market here, one of the oldest in France. Next, we will set off on bikes on a delightful ride to Entrechaux which nestles around a hilltop castle in ruins and Mollans-sur-Ouvèze clusters around a high-arched bridge marked on each side by a tower and a tiny chapel. Back in Vaison we will dine at Bistro d’ O, a favourite of food impresario Patricia Wells, who has a home in Vaison.
Distance: 21.2 km; 284 m gain
Pernes-les-Fontaines
Wind your way among the wine villages of the Dentelles de Montmirail, stopping to explore Sablet, Gigondas and Vacqueyras. Séguret is an artists’ colony with charming shops and galleries. We will stop to taste wine at a local wine maker and learn about the wine in this region. Spend the night outside Pernes-les-Fontaines at a charming chateau with extensive grounds and large pool. Dinner will be at a wonderful restaurant that isn’t in any guidebooks and yet is one of our favourite dining experiences in all of France.
Distance: 56.6 km; 452 m gain
Pernes-les-Fontaines
Today, there are options to reach Châteauneuf-du-Pape where a wine museum and endless tasting opportunities await, or alternatively, a loop to Bedoin and up Mt. Ventoux (shuttle option) and back via an extraordinary descent of the Gorges de la Nesque. Explore Pernes-les-Fontaines, with its twisting streets, houses painted in a rainbow of blues, pinks, and greens, and fountains gently splashing in squares lined by plane trees.
Distance: 44km; 500m or 60km; 600m or 111.2 km; 1,491 m gain
Gordes
On to the beautiful Luberon Valley. Pedal past Petrarch’s Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, then through Ménerbes, the village of Peter Mayle. Your destination is Gordes, a stunning perched town with artists’ studios, cozy cafés and arcaded medieval lanes.
Distance: 28.9-49.6 km; 506-690 m gain
Gordes
Today, enjoy a day ride from Gordes; discover the red shades of Roussillon and find the ruins of the castle of the Marquis de Sade at Lacoste. Pedal to the nearby Bories village and Sénanque Abbey, set in a beautiful secluded valley. Our final night, will begin with wine reception before dinner and festivities.
Distance: 36.2-44.6 km; 416-700 m gain
Depart
We will provide a transfer to Avignon by 10 a.m. so you can catch a train for onward travel.
Located in the medieval village, this chateau features lovely gardens and a pool. It is in one of the most beautiful 16th century mansions in the Old City of Vaison; you can enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside.
A charming 3-star hotel in a former family mansion, set in grounds with 100-year old plane trees. There are lovely gardens and a large swimming pool. Francoise and her daughter Caroline are charming hosts.
A charming boutique 3-star hotel with views over Gordes, and an inviting pool and gardens. The town is only a five minute walk away. Gordes was immortalized in the book, ‘A Year in Provence’ by Peter Mayle.
Tour Reviews
“Provence was exactly as we imagined it would be. Very beautiful! We are not serious bikers, and have never attempted a trip like this and were pleasantly surprised that we were able to complete such a journey. The guides were fabulous and really made sure we were okay all the way along!”
“Enjoyed everything. Scenery, food and guides were excellent!”
“Veronika and Yanika bent over backwards to accommodate our requests.”
“Being on a guided trip for the first time was wonderful. I really enjoyed having the guess work sorted by our wonderful guides. We just got to follow along! That was really nice. Provence was spectacular. We enjoyed sunny warm climes and that was a real highlight. An extension of an already stunning summer.”
“Peters knowledge of the area was spectacular!!”
“This was my first guided trip and I thoroughly enjoyed not having to read the map for directions! Beautiful scenery and plenty of challenges on the hills! The people, guides, scenery and challenges of the terrain were all wonderful! The friendliness of the French in Provence was nice too.”
“Great trip…AMAZING guides. They made the trip! Loved the wine tastings. We stayed in fun quaint places.”
“Our guide was really well-informed about the wines and the region. We all learned a lot about wine that we didn’t know.”
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