Provence & Mont Ventoux

Day 1

Arrival in Aix en Provence.

Upon arrival in the beautiful and sunny town of Aix-en-Provence, settle into your hotel and relax after your journey. Then, get your bike ready for the week and meet the Echappée Cycling Tours team, who will brief you on the week ahead. The day will conclude with a welcome dinner in the heart of town. Bienvenue !

Hotel : TBC

Day 2

Aix en Provence – Gordes – 80 km

Starting from the beautiful city of Aix-en-Provence, you will ride towards Gordes, one of the most picturesque villages in France. Covering 82 km with 1,220 meters of elevation, it’s a gentle warm-up for the week ahead. You’ll cycle through charming vineyards, a few lavender fields, and quaint Provençal villages.

Climbs :

-Saint Esteve (4.6 km at 3.5 %)

-Montée de Bonnieux (3.7 km at 4.2 %)

Hotel : Mas de la Senancole***

Day 3

Gordes – Gordes – 120 km

Today is Mont Ventoux day. With 119 km and 2,500 meters of elevation, the first part of the ride is rolling hills, followed by a 20 km flat section leading to the town of Bédoin, the base of Mont Ventoux. Get ready to tackle this iconic climb! You’ll pass the Tom Simpson memorial towards the summit. The view from the top is breathtaking, offering a sweeping panorama of the entire valley. By this point, you’ve covered just over 50 km, but don’t worry—the second half of the route is mostly downhill, taking you back to Gordes.

Climbs :

-Mont Ventoux (21.5 km at 7.3 %)

Hotel : Mas de la Senancole***

Day 4

Gordes – Moustier-Sainte-Marie – 120 km

Departing from Gordes, you’ll head to Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, passing through the incredible village of Roussillon, famous for its striking red ochre cliffs. After a scenic ride along a bike path, you’ll reach the “Plateau de Valensole,” cycling almost 20 km through fragrant lavender fields. The day ends with a beautiful descent into the stunning village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, where breathtaking views await you.

Climbs :

-Cote de Rousillon (1.15 km at 6.1 %)

-Cote de Céreste (2 km at 5,6 %)

-Montfuron (3.7 km at 4 %)

-Cote de Valensole (5.3 km at 4,7 %)

Hotel: Les Restanques***

Day 5

Loop around Moustier-Sainte-Marie – 90 km

Staying in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, you will embark on a loop around the breathtaking and world-renowned Gorges du Verdon. After 10 km, you’ll begin a climb reaching an altitude of 1,200 meters. From there, the ride consists of rolling terrain with stunning views of the Gorges du Verdon. The final 15 km offer a long, gentle descent back to Moustiers-Sainte-Marie.

Climbs :

-Vaumale (12 km at 5,6 %)

-Saint Maime (3.7 km at 5.6 %)

-La Palud (7 km at 4,6 %)

Hotel: Les Restanques***

Day 6

Moustier Sainte Marie – Vence – 125 km

You’ll start the day by climbing the same descent you enjoyed yesterday—almost 15 km of steady uphill. Then, you’ll continue riding along the Gorges du Verdon for nearly 20 km before reaching the town of Castellane and tackling another climb. The last part of the day is mostly downhill, featuring the spectacular descent of the Col de Vence, where you’ll catch distant views of the Mediterranean Sea.

Climbs :

-Col d’Ayen (8 km at 5 %)

-Saint Barnabé (10.5 km at 5.2 %)

-Col de Bleine (4,6 km at 6.4 %)

Hotel: Cantemerle****

Day 7

Loop around Vence – 83 km

For the last ride of the week, you’ll enjoy a relaxed route to finish this amazing journey (83 km – 1,500 m of elevation). You’ll ride along scenic and picturesque roads. Nice and its surroundings are a favorite among professional cyclists in Europe, so keep your eyes open—you might cross paths with a champion or two!

Climbs :

-Col de Vence (9.6 km at 6.7 %)

-Gourdon (4 km at 4.1 %)

Hotel: Cantemerle****