Join us for some fabulous cycling in the Provence and Maritime Alps region of the south of France.
This spectacular journey includes highlights such as the rugged Gorges du Verdon canyon and the heights of the mighty Mont Ventoux. We will stay in ancient towns and experience the typical Provençal food and wine. At the end of our tour we will spend three nights in Nice and ride the training roads of the pros, including Col de la Madone, Eze and Braus.
Late September is a great time to visit this region as the weather is still warm and pleasant for riding but most of the tourists have left so the roads are quieter.
We’ll be staying for consecutive nights in each hotel to give you the chance to have a real vacation and relax after our rides.
This trip is exclusive to members of Team Evergreen. Membership is only $35 per year. To become a member you can sign-up here.
Below is a summary of our itinerary. See our brochure for full details including elevation profiles.
Friday 18 September: Evening departure from the US on an overnight flight to Nice.
Saturday 19 September:
Arrival in Nice and group transfer to Moustiers Sainte Marie, a beautifully located town above the massive Lake Sainte Croix reservoir. The town has been known for centuries for its artisanal pottery and is a busy tourist hub as a gateway to the Gorges du Verdon. In the afternoon we’ll help you to put your bike together and you can go for a short test ride.
Sunday 20 September: Gorges du Verdon (70/56 mi, 9,000/6,000 ft)
Whether you choose the long or the short route, today will be tough and spectacular. We will ride along both the north and the south rim of the Gorges du Verdon, France’s Grand Canyon. There will be lots of climbing and descending with some impressive tunnels carved from the rocks. You’ll also be crossing Europe’s highest bridge at 600ft above the river. The long route includes a loop along the dramatic Route des Crêtes (Ridge Road). No guardrails, so not for the faint of heart!
Monday 21 September: Moustiers – Fontaine de Vaucluse (78 mi, 4,300 ft)
We’ll ride through Provence’s famous lavender fields before crossing the Durance river and climbing towards the Luberon, known for its gorgeous hill top villages. A long stretch on a paved bike trail leads us by the Pont Julien, a fully intact Roman bridge. It can be hot in this area so the pool at our boutique hotel in the small village of Fontaine de Vaucluse will be most welcome.
Tuesday 22 September: Luberon Villages (44 mi, 3,500 ft)
It’s time for any easier day, with lots of time to take in the scenery and the picturesque villages along the way. We’ll be mostly on very quiet roads between villages including Lacoste, Bonnieux, Roussillon and Gordes (feautured on the cover of this brochure). These are all hilltop villages so there will be some short steep sections to reach them.
Wednesday 23 September: Mont Ventoux (68 mi, 8,300 ft)
Mont Ventoux is one of the most famous climbs in cycling. We’ll ride up the classic (and toughest) route from Bedoin. The climb starts very gradually, but very soon you’ll be on the infamous 5 mile stretch with a constant 10% grade. From Plan Lachat (site of Froome’s running incident), the gradient eases for the last 4 miles to the top, but the wind can be brutal at this stretch.
Thursday 24 September: Rest day
A private bus will bring us back to Nice, where we’ll be staying for the last three nights. In the afternoon you’ll have time to explore the town and/or relax on the beach.
Friday 25 September: Alpes Maritimes (66 mi, 8,400 ft)
A gorgeous ride through the Nice hinterland, on roads used by many pro cyclists to train. Highlight will be the climb to the remote Col St Roch via the hilltop town of Coaraze (a great place for a coffee stop). This is followed by the incredibly technical descents of Col de Turini and Col de Braus before a long gradual downhill to Nice.
Saturday 26 September: Col d’Eze and Col de la Madone (47.5 mi, 5,500 ft)
Our last ride is all about the views. We’ll ride the famous Grande Corniche ridge road to Col d’Eze, followed by a long descent back to the beach in Menton. Our last climb of the trip is the famous Col de la Madone. From the top it is almost all downhill back to Nice.
In the afternoon you’ll have time to pack your bike before a celebratory dinner in the evening.
Sunday 27 September: Early morning private transfer to Nice Airport.
Our package includes:
– Group private bus transfers from/to Nice Airport for you, your luggage and your bike
– Support vehicle during the rides with Carolyn and Pieter guiding you on bike
– Eight nights of hotel accommodation on the basis of a shared double room (single rooms also available)
– All breakfasts and dinners
– Water, snacks and fruit on the rides
– Laminated stage sheets with ride details and altitude profiles
– GPS files of all rides
Excluded items:
– Flights to and from Nice Airport
– Travel and medical insurance
– Lunches, drinks, gratuity for guides and personal expenses
Price: $2,995 per person in a shared double room, single room surcharge: $695
See our brochure for full details including elevation profiles. Contact us for more information or sign-up online.
