1) The traveler found Provence to be harsher than expected, with dramatic gorges and rugged mountains rather than gentle landscapes. 2) The itinerary covers 11 days of cycling tours through towns and scenic areas in Provence like Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, Forcalquier, Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, Avignon, and Vaison-la-Romaine. 3) Options include loops through the Verdon Gorge and Mont Ventoux, with accommodations arranged in hotels that capture the charm of Provencal style.

1. PROVENCE TOUR 2011 “I had imagined Provence as beautiful, gently refined, and hypnotic. I planned on spending seven days there stupefied with food and wine, rolling through the purple visage of lavender fields. Instead, I found a harsh, vertically-defined landscape. This was not the France of gentle postcards and feast-filled guidebooks. This was Haute Provence, the 1900-square-kilometer Geological Preserve where gorges sliced through crazed mountains and made driving a roller coaster adventure”.

2. PROVENCE TOUR Itinery Summary Mon23-MayParis to Manosque Tues24-MayManosque to Moustiers-Saint-Marie60Kms Direct route EARLY START Wed25-MayMoustiers-Saint-Marie96Kms Grand Canyon loop Thur26-MayMoustiers-Saint-Marie to Forcalquier57Kms Direct route EARLY START Frid27-MayForcalquier to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse102Kms Via LuberonParc Sat 28-MayFontaine-de-Vaucluse to Avignon103Kms Loop through St Remy Sun29-MayAvignonPont de Gard or rest day Cath & Tracy catch train from Avignon to Paris for 1535 Emirates Mon30-MayAvignon to Vaison La Romaine65.9KmsDirectroute Tues31-MayVaison La Romaine 83.9KmsVaison Loop Wed1-JunVaison La Romaine to Mazan 42.3Kms Direct route Thur2-Jun Mazan 87.9KmsVentoux Loop via Gorges Nesque Frid3-JunMazan to Avignon 103Kmsvia Pont du Gard Sat4-JunAvignon to Paris Pack up and catch TGV

3. PROVENCE TOUR Weather - What's it like?? With its Mediterranean climate, the area enjoys arguably the best weather in France, with up to 300 days of sunshine per year, and little rain.Overall its great weather for cycling. Spring (from March) - usually means great cycling in Provence and you could be forgiven for thinking it's Summer with temperatures between 16 & 23c. It will probably be warm enough to wear short sleeves & shorts during the day.Early mornings and late afternoons can be fresher, so long sleeves and leggings may be needed then.You could get the odd shower, so rain/wind jackets need to be brought just in case. Provence is famous for the mistral wind, thankfully it's weaker in the Luberon valley than in many other areas.A normal wind speed is situated between 20 & 45 mph. It can make cycling harder but rarely is it a show stopper. Bring a wind jacket just in case.Its a dry wind that chases the clouds away bringing nice bright sunshine, so it's not all bad - its most frequent in Winter and then Spring

4. Manosque

5. Provence Tour Day one – Monday 23 May Train from Paris to Manosque Arrive early afternoon Set up bikes & go for short ride

6. Le Pré Saint Michel - Manosque Le Pré Saint Michel, charming hotel in the South of France, is the ideal base from wich to visit places of interest, the Hotel overlooks Manosque and offers you all the charms of "Provencal" landscape. Charming hotel in the South of France built with traditional methods, the charm of Provence is conveyed by wooden beamed ceilings period doors. You will enjoy the panoramic views from the hotel hall. Breakfast to the sape of the cicada has its own charms

7. Provence Tour Day two – Tuesday 24 May Manosque to Moustiers Sainte Marie

8. Greoux –les-Bains

9. Sainte Croix du Verdon

10. MoustiersSainte Marie

11. Manosque to Moustiers Sainte Marie 60 Kms Early Start 7.30AM

14. Manosque to Moustiers Sainte Marie 60 Kms Average 2%

15. Provence Tour Day three – Wednesday 25 May Moustiers Sainte Marie – Grand Canyon loop

16. Trigance

17. Aiguines

18. Sainte Croix Lake

19. Grand Canyon Du Verdon

20. Grand Canyon Loop Moustiers Ste Marie 96.4 Kms Auberge Du Point Sublime Aiguines for A/noon tea Lunch at Trigance Du Canyon Du Verdon Hotel

21. Google map for comparison

22. Moustiers Grand Canyon Loop 96.4 Kms Average 8.5% Average 4.5% Average 3.5% Trigance Lunch

23. Moustiers Ste Marie Grand Canyon Loop Courtesy Bike Route Toaster

24. Provence tour Day four – Thursday 26 May Moustiers Sainte Marie to Forcalquier

25. Bras d'AssePop. : 378 . Alt : 485 m. PuimoissonPop. : 691 . Alt : 781 m. La BrillannePop. : 649 . Elevation : 350 m OraisonPop. : 5092 . Elevation : 645 m Saint Julien d'AssePop. : 114 h. Alt : 461 m

26. Forcalquier

27. La Bastide St Georges - Forcalquier Located only 2 km away from the village of Forcalquier, in the heart of Haute Provence region, La Bastide St Georges hotel is the perfect holiday destination for nature lovers and for all those searching for peace and relaxation. You will have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful heated swimming pool located in the large garden, or discover the wonderful landscape renting a bike at the hotel reception and you will enjoy the wonderful view over the Luberon hills from the comfortable terrace, sipping a drink or simply meditating. La Bastide St Georges hotel is also surrounded by a forest where you can find the biggest bories ... (old stone houses) in the area.

28. Moustiers Sainte Marie to Forcalquier 57 Kms Early Start 7.30AM

29. Moustiers to Forcalquier 57 Kms

30. Provence tour Day five – Friday 27 May Forcalquier to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse

31. Apt

32. Bonnieux

33. Gordes Abbey Senanque

34. Forcalquier Fontainede Vaucluse

35. Hotel des Poètes - Fontaine Du Vaucluse

36. Forcalquier to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse 102 Kms Gordes Apt for lunch

37. Forcalquier to Fontaine De Vaucluse 102 Kms Apt 1% average Lunch

38. Provence tour Day six – Saturday 28 May Fontaine-de-Vaucluse to Avignon

39. The "Cloitre Saint Louis", a 16th century building combining historic structures with the modernity of the wing of the hotel inspired by the work of Jean Nouvel is situated in the centre of Avignon. Originally a Jesuit seminary, the "Cloitre Saint Louis" has also been a military hospital and a hospice over the years. After meticulous restoration, the Cloister has found a new lease of life as a cultural centre and a four star hotel since 1990. Near the "Palais des Papes" and the famous "Pont d'Avignon", your stay at the "Cloitre Saint Louis", a truly enchanting place, invites you to discover the art of Provençal living. Hotel Le Cloitre St Louis

40. Avignon

41. Saint Remy De Provence

42. Les Baux De Provence

43. Orgon

44. Fontaine-de-Vaucluse to Avignon 103 Kms

45. Topo map 1

46. Topo map 2

47. Topo map 3

48. Fontaine de Vaucluse To Avignon 103 Kms Lunch Average 3% Orgon

49. Provence tour Day seven – Sunday 29 May Avignon rest /free ride Cath departs for Paris

50. Provence tour Day eight – Monday 30 May Avignon to Vaison La Romaine

51. Vaison La Romaine

52. Avignon to Vaison La Romaine 65 Kms

53. Avignon to Vaison La Romaine 65 Kms Malaucene Bedoin Vaison La Romaine Carpentras Avignon

54. Christine & Yann CHRISTIANSEN are happy to welcome you to the Beffroi and wish you an excellent stay. A residence built in 1554, this family house has been modernized and lovingly furnished by the owners of the past fifty years. We hope that now, you, our cherished guest will accept our "four walls" which have lasted the vagaries of 400 years of fashion and transformation Hotel Le Beffroi

55. Provence Tour Optional Vaison La Romaine Loop as recommended by Discover France

56. Vaison Loop - Total 83 Kms Recommended by Discover France Vaison La Romaine

57. Vaison route of loop Total 83 Kms

58. Provence tour Day 10 – Wednesday 1 June Vaison La Romaine to Mazan 2 Nights in Mazan

59. Vaison La Romaine to Mazan 42.3 Kms

60. Vaison La Romaine to Mazan 42.3 Kms

61. Chateau De Mazan Steffi’s Room

62. Mazan

63. Provence tour Ride Gorges Nesque Loop Mazan Option

64. Gorges Nesque Loop 79 Kms

65. Gorges Nesque Loop 79 Kms Mazan Mazan

66. Provence Tour Optional Mont Ventoux via Sault out of Mazan

67. Mont Ventoux via Sault 88 Kms Mont Ventoux Sault Mazan

68. Mont Ventoux via Sault 88 Kms (55Kms of pain!) Mont Ventoux Sault Malaucene Bedoin Mazan Mazan

69. Provence TOUR Day 12 – Friday 3 June Mazan to Avignon

70. Mazan to Avignon via Pont De Gard 103 Kms

71. Pont Du Gard

72. Mazan to Avignon 103 Kms

73. Provence tour Day 13 – Saturday 4 June All depart for Paris by TGV