Heart of Provence Cycling

Location: Provence, France. Holiday type: Independent cycling, hotel-to-hotel. Managed locally by Headwater employed rep. Activity level: 2 bikes Duration: 7 days (6 nights)   5 days (4 nights) option available. Hotels: Mid range/good value. Meals: Continental breakfast and all evening meals.   Continental breakfast and all evening meals (4 night version). Prices from: Please call. Departs: Every two days from 3 Apr '12 to 10 Oct '12   JFMAMJJASOND

Highlights There are few better places to explore by bike than Provence: ancient villages, sleepy squares, olive groves, vineyards and fields of lavender stretching as far as the eye can see. All hotels have private pools.

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive at Le Thoronet

We meet you at Les Arcs and take you to your hotel (35 mins) - time for a relaxing swim before dinner.

Day 2 - Le Thoronet to Ponteves 32km/20mi or 37km/23mi

First stop is the atmospheric C12 Cistercian Abbaye du Thoronet then it's a lovely leisurely cycle beneath huge pink cliffs, dotted with white villages, vineyards and tempting picnic spots. Highlights include Carces (great wine tasting and lake) and picturesque Cotignac with its C13 church, fortress and amazing troglodyte dwellings!

Day 3 - At Ponteves

Walk to the ruins of the castle or cycle (6km round trip) to Barjols, a little town utterly dominated by water (it has four rivers running through it, 16 lavoirs and 27 fountains) - pottery and tambourines are made here too! Keener cyclists enjoy the trip along the river to Sillans-la-Cascade and its stunning waterfall.

Day 4 - Ponteves to Tourtour 37km/23mi or 44km/27mi

It's a lovely ride today to Tourtour, with the longer route taking you through the Foret de Pelenc and on to the pretty hill village of Moissac Bellevue. Both routes take you via Aups, a great spot for lunch. Time to explore its narrow streets before heading on to the picturesque village of Tourtour where you spend the next two nights in a beautifully converted C16 coaching inn with jacuzzi and two private pools.

Day 5 - At Tourtour

This may be a small village, but it packs quite a punch! Explore the mediaeval old quarter, art galleries and lovely little church before lunch beneath the old lime trees. The more energetic can cycle to the picturesque villages of Ampus and Chateaudouble. Or, of course, you can just laze by the pools!

Day 6 - Tourtour to Le Thoronet 42km/26mi or 47km/29mi

Your day starts with a wonderful downhill whizz through pine forests to Villecroze, a picturesque village founded by a retired Roman General and later the site of a Templar commandery. On to Salernes - famous for its colourful tiles and pottery - then via the Bresque Valley to mediaeval Entrecasteaux: fortified Gothic church and C17 chateau. Your final stretch takes you up through a series of sleepy hamlets and back to Le Thoronet in time for a swim and laze by the pool before dinner.

Day 7 - Leave Le Thoronet