Lavender fields cycling holiday in the South of France
| country: | France |
| trip type: | Self guided moderate cycling holidays |
| departures: | This trip can be tailor made at a time to suit you and can be adapted to suit your interests, budget and requirements as necessary |
| price: | From €659 (6 days) excluding flights and bike rental. Price based on two people sharing. Includes accommodation in 2- and 3-star properties, breakfasts and 3 dinners, route notes and luggage transfers |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Cycling through vast lavender fields, embracing wonderful colours and perfumes, this tour is a celebration of Lavender – in all its guises - cultivated by locals or growing wild in the fields.
Located between the Alps and Provence, our Lavender Route makes the most of both regions. An exceptional Provençal climate with nearly 300 days of sun per year combined with pure Alpine-fresh mountain air sets the perfect stage for blending active holidays with wellness pursuits.
Riding through contrasting landscapes, you’ll pass near the Gorges of Verdon (France’s “Grand Canyon”), climb to the hill-top village of Valensole with its spectacular lavender-covered plateau, and meander through hills and valleys bordering the Luberon. You will visit places full of history and tradition, such as Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, famous for its Faience, and the medieval citadel of Manosque, as well as the Spa towns of Digne-les-Bains and Gréoux.
One turn of the wheel into this glorious area, and you will have no difficulty understanding why Alain Ducasse and fellow prestigious chefs have chosen this region for menu inspiration, seduced as they were by the variety of local produce and specialties - truffles, olive oil, lavender, honey, rosemary, and thyme.
A good starting point to access the area is Nice, where you can hop aboard the "Train des Pignes", a tourist train (previously fuelled by pine cones) that provides daily service between Nice and Digne-les-Bains.
*A word of advice - This is an extraordinary tour that is best enjoyed if you bike regularly...The terrain is not so flat, and therefore not that easy!
Located between the Alps and Provence, our Lavender Route makes the most of both regions. An exceptional Provençal climate with nearly 300 days of sun per year combined with pure Alpine-fresh mountain air sets the perfect stage for blending active holidays with wellness pursuits.
Riding through contrasting landscapes, you’ll pass near the Gorges of Verdon (France’s “Grand Canyon”), climb to the hill-top village of Valensole with its spectacular lavender-covered plateau, and meander through hills and valleys bordering the Luberon. You will visit places full of history and tradition, such as Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, famous for its Faience, and the medieval citadel of Manosque, as well as the Spa towns of Digne-les-Bains and Gréoux.
One turn of the wheel into this glorious area, and you will have no difficulty understanding why Alain Ducasse and fellow prestigious chefs have chosen this region for menu inspiration, seduced as they were by the variety of local produce and specialties - truffles, olive oil, lavender, honey, rosemary, and thyme.
A good starting point to access the area is Nice, where you can hop aboard the "Train des Pignes", a tourist train (previously fuelled by pine cones) that provides daily service between Nice and Digne-les-Bains.
*A word of advice - This is an extraordinary tour that is best enjoyed if you bike regularly...The terrain is not so flat, and therefore not that easy!
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Arrival in Digne-les-Bains. Arrive at the train station in the Spa town of Digne-les-Bains, which is conveniently serviced by regular trains and coaches from Marseille and Nice international airports. If possible, try to take the spectacular “Train des Pignes” from Nice to Digne-les-Bains for a truly memorable journey. We will then transfer you to your hotel. Prior to dinner, you will meet our local representative to go over the tour itinerary and receive related material and rental equipment. Dinner and overnight will be at Villa Gaia. An antique and carefully restored villa set amidst giant park-like grounds, complete with Roman bath, tennis court and fountains. |
| Day 2: | Digne – Moustiers Sainte Marie. Two Options: 82km (53 miles) via Valensole or 56km (35 miles) via Puimoisson*. Leaving Digne-les-Bains behind, you will ride on small roads through magnificent lavender and sunflower fields on your way to the "Plateau de Valensole”. The so-called Lavender Plateau, or “Plateau des Lavandes”, is a picturesque and colourful terrain, especially in the summer when the lavender fields are in bloom. You’ll then cycle through the Roman town of Riez before reaching Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, a hill-top village world famous for its faïence, the hand-painted earthenware typical of Provence. Overnight at Les Restanques de Moustiers (www.hotel-les-restanques.com), a 3-star property located at the foot of the village. *Please note that the shorter option does not take you through the Valensole Plateau. |
| Day 3: | Moustiers Sainte Marie - Day of many options. A day to relax. We invite you to take a stroll through town to discover Moustiers, a charming town in a magnificent natural setting. At an altitude of 630 meters (2,067 ft), the town is surrounded by two rocky peaks which overlook the city. The so-called “capital of ceramics” has many workshops producing faïence, and nearly 30 shops highlighting local goods. You may also use the day to ride a short loop to discover the Gorges of Verdon and admire the fabulous views of the cliffs. The village of La Palud is the start of the “Route des Crêtes” (Crest Road) which has many lookout points, including an exceptionally beautiful stop among castle ruins at the foot of the village of Rougon, looking over Point Sublime. |
| Day 4: | Moustiers Sainte Marie – Forcalquier - 66.3 km ~ 39.5 miles. Today you will begin the day riding along the shores of vast Lac Sainte Croix, taking in the splendorous color of the calm water. You will proceed on minor roads through quaint villages, such as Allemagne-en-Provence with its 13thcentury castle, the Spa town of Gréoux-Les-Bains, and the medieval citadel of Manosque, which has been celebrated by one of the greatest French writers of the 20th century, Jean Giono. Manosque offers several lunch options, as well as an opportunity to visit the l’Occitane Factory, a tour of which includes demos on the use of essential oils. On your way to the market town of Fourcalquier, you’ll take a stunning route via the « Col de La Mort d’Imbert” which passes through dramatic, ever-changing scenery. The clean, clear skies offer a choice location for the nearby Haute Provence Observatory. Dinner and overnight at le Colombier, an authentic 18th Century Provençal farmhouse, which has a lovely shaded terrace and swimming pool. The house was an old relay post for Louis XV’s Royal Guard, earning it the name, "Le Mas des Dragons" or “House of the Dragons”. Dinner will be at the hotel, with a menu featuring fresh goods from the market. |
| Day 5: | Forcalquier – Digne: 67.5 km or 42 miles. The ride to Digne is on a pretty little road, with only a gentle slope, along the banks of the River Asse - ideal for resting your cycling muscles. For Tour buffs out there, you might recall that this is the very same route from the 2008 Tour de France stage from Nimes. You'll be cycling through typical, peaceful Provençal villages located on a branch of the river Asse, such as Bras d'Asse, a one-street community overlooked by ruins of the original village, and Estoublon, with its clock tower listed as a historical monument. From Estoublon, you may choose to cycle to the hidden entrance of the Gorge de Trévans...But don't leave without buying essence of lavender, the local speciality! Dinner and overnight at the Tonic Hotel - located next to the Thermal Baths. This is the unofficial last day of the tour; there is an option to experience a few more guided rides around Digne as well as to book extra nights in Digne for you to relax. |
| Day 6: | Departure Day. After a leisurely breakfast, feel free to depart Digne at the time of your choice. *You can opt to extend your stay in Digne-les-Bains, by adding another night or two and enjoying the town and environs. “Comfort after effort”. Time to reap the rewards for your cycling efforts and take advantage of what this town is known for. Your hotel is located only 800 meters from the Thermal Baths! People have been coming to Digne-les-Bains to “take the waters” since antiquity and the Thermal Baths are renowned for their therapeutic and beneficial effects. Take some time during your stay to enjoy the Spa and its many relaxing options with essential oils. Another option is to visit the back-country village of Thoard and its lavender distillery – it’s a nice ride on a beautiful road that winds through some picturesque hills and valleys. |
how this holiday makes a difference
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Environment
We offer you a unique way to offset your carbon by using pollution-free bicycles. Travelling by bike, you are no longer an observer you are a peaceful and friendly actor of local people, environment and culture. We recommend travel by train, a much more eco-friendly solution. To travel within Europe, we recommend taking trains over renting cars, or air transports. Trains are more energy-efficient and will minimize the CO2 emission by capita. When flying is required, prefer an airline that contributes to funds aimed at offsetting carbon emissions. In cities, we recommend clients to use public transportations, or to walk or bike. City bike rentals are more and more widely available in big and medium-sized cities across Europe they are the best way to get around congested cities. Our travel tips include a list of renters. Community Travelling on small and quiet roads, this tour will allow you to experience part of the rural countryside and ride through famous and not-so-famous small and authentic villages that all so well illustrate the multi-faceted Upper Provencal character. During this trip you may get the best out of fine local produce – tasting and directly buying authentic Provencal food to local producers like lavender in all shapes and forms, truffles, olive oil, honey, rosemary and thyme. Relying on local guides and family-owned hotels, you will be ensured a warm, personalized welcome. All properties are run by people who have a passion for their region and its cultural, gastronomic, and historical heritage. We use genuine places with local charm, blending harmoniously into the environment. Our hotels offer guests a pleasant, nice-sized environment. Some of them have as few as two rooms, while others are small human-sized hotels. We are based in France. This is where we live and work. Our office is located in the French Alps, just a stones throw from the Swiss border, and we ride the very same roads we recommend to you for your cycling vacations. As firm believers of sustainable development, we have established a friendly network of professionals, comprised mainly of local tour guides, small operators, and family-run agencies. Most of our people have created their own jobs/enterprises in order to live their passion for the region and cultural heritage. All have extensive travel experience and have lived in various places before falling in love with the area they now call home. Traveling with us guarantees that you will be taken care of by caring professionals who chose to build their lives here. Forget the non-descript and indistinguishable big chain hotels; we use genuine places with local charm. All the properties we use are run by people who have a passion for their region and its cultural, gastronomic, and historical heritage.' |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |