Stephen Dickinson says...
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On this four night holiday you'll discover the beauty of Provence - a region where refinement and tradition blend beautifully, and whose natural light and landscapes have served as inspiration to the likes of Van Gogh, Cezanne, Picasso and Dumas, not to mention Peter Mayle! You'll look out over a patchwork blanket of fields, olive groves, vineyards and, in the south east, apple orchards which cover the floor between the mountains on either side. While the vineyards here may not be as well-known as those of the Rhone, Burgundy and Bordeaux, some superb wines are produced here - so be sure to stop off for a tasting or two.
Your itinerary has been designed to give you a taste of the picturesque perched villages which pepper Provence's breathtaking, lavender-scented Luberon area. The hilly landscape of the region means the cycling can be challenging at times (gentler cycling options are available on the hardest day) but for each tough climb you'll be rewarded with a spectacular view. Starting in the mediaeval town of Pernes-les-Fontaines, famous for its numerous ancient stone fountains and lavoirs, you'll enjoy far-reaching views over the Luberon as you make your way to the ochre-red village of Roussillon passing vineyards, chateaux and castles on the way. You then head out along the Ochre Trail and along country lanes to pass through some of the most beautiful villages in Provence - each one offering stirring images along with a history which, in some places, stretches back over a thousand years - before your final stretch takes in sweeping apple orchards, typical French villages and quaint cafes.
We've hand-picked a lovely selection of hotels for your holiday. The Hotel l'Hermitage in Pernes-les-Fontaines is set in 2 hectares of grounds with a saltwater swimming pool and its own orangery; the Hotel les Sables d'Ocre in Roussillon sits amidst landscaped lawns with a relaxing pool area.
Arrive at your 3 star hotel, just north of the town of Pernes-les-Fontaines. There's plenty of time to relax and explore the hotel grounds before dinner.
You stay at the Hotel l'Hermitage (breakfast at the hotel, evening meal at a local restaurant)
Pass by Pernes-les-Fontaines before setting off alongside the Canal de Carpentras and on through the beautiful scenery of the Vaucluse down to the popular town of L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. The old town here is entirely surrounded by the clear waters of the River Sorgue. There are lots of lunch options in the town, or you could stop a little further on in the pretty village of Fontaine-de- Vaucluse. In the afternoon you climb to enjoy your first spectacular views of the Luberon before descending past vineyards, olive groves and windmills, and on to the ochre-painted village of Roussillon, the starting point of the Ochre Trail.
You stay at the Hotel Les Sables D'Ocre (breakfast included)
After breakfast, Then head south along country lanes where a mixture of climbs and freewheeling takes you through some of the most beautiful villages in Provence. First there's Bonnieux. Then it's on to Lacoste to explore the ruined castle, once a mighty fortification and now a spectacular viewpoint. From here you'll freewheel down before another short climb to Menerbes, made famous by the books of Peter Mayle, and a great place to stop for lunch. Then continue to Oppede le Vieux, another perched village before to reach Fontaine de Vaucluse.
You stay at Hotel du Poete (breakfast included)
This morning you ride to L'Isle sur la Sorgue, then through apple country where you'll see orchards aplenty. Following the lanes brings you to the mediaeval town of Le Thor. Then it's back to Pernes-les-Fontaines where you have time to explore the mediaeval old town and the numerous ancient stone fountains and lavoirs.
You stay at the Hotel l'Hermitage (breakfast at the hotel, evening meal at a local restaurant)
Please note that cycling helmets are compulsory in France for children under 12. As we are unable to provide these, we strongly recommend that you bring your own.
Please see our Planning you holiday page for full details.
If you'd prefer a slightly longer holiday, take a look at our 6 night Hilltop Villages of Provence Cycling.
During your holiday you stay at the following hotels. If you'd like to extend your time at any of these or, if you'd like to enhance your stay with an upgraded room, just let us know at the time of booking.
To find out more call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199, use our live webchat or email sales@headwater.com
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
NEARBY:
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
NEARBY:
Room upgrades: Melodie Room, Symphonie Room, Prelude (Suite Junior) or Adagio (Suite Junior).
The Melodie rooms are slightly larger. Some have twin beds and some also face the garden. The Symphonie room 'Au Fil de l'Eau' is larger again and features a lovely terrace overlooking the water garden. The Junior suites overlook the garden and the swimming pool and are larger again, each having a small lounge area. The Adagio room also features a balcony with seating.
If you'd like to extend your trip with extra nights at the start or end, or if you'd like to arrange a stop off point en-route, then we recommend the following hotels.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
NEARBY:
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
Transfers can be arranged at a supplement from Avignon TGV train station at 14:33, and back to Avignon TGV train station at 11:45.
Call now to speak to our specialist team at 0044 1606 720199 or email us at sales@headwater.com for enquiries or to book your trip.
Everyone who goes on a Headwater holiday will be emailed a link to our post-holiday questionnaire where they can give us an honest assessment of all aspects of their holiday - everything from how quickly we answer the phone to how clean the hotels were - plus an overall rating and comments about their holiday.
Any feedback collected is posted to our website, so that people can make an informed decision based on past experiences before heading off on holiday. We don’t edit the reviews, the only thing we do is proofread them and alter any typos, where necessary, to ensure they are easy to read for everyone. All reviews will be published (except in certain extreme circumstances), and a member of the Headwater team will respond to any constructive criticisms/comments under the reviews, at their discretion. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of our holidays, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.
Cycling through the picturesque villages of Provence was a wonderful holiday - can?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t recommend enough.
Our Headwater experience was fantastic. Everything was booked for us bar a short coach trip which Headwater explained clearly what to do and two evening meals which our agent booked for us when asked for his recommendations. We underestimated how long the cycling would take given the beauty of the places we were cycling through and us wanting to stop and explore! The distances were very manageable however and gave us time to relax at the pool before supper!
Fabulous holiday made perfect by hiring the electric bikes as it was hilly and the electric bikes made the whole biking experience really enjoyable. The scenery and hotels were super and we were really well looked after.
Excellent short break in a beautiful region of France. Just the right balance if cycling and relaxation with my teenage daughter.
We had a great experience with Headwater, cycling the hill-tops of Provence in 35-40C heat. The Reps were great;, the bikes eminently suitable for the route; the hotels generally good; the food superb; and we both enjoyed the few days that we had.
You can be confident that our pricing includes all the standard requirements of your holiday and many additional extras. Always ensure that you are comparing like for like when booking your holiday.
This 4 night self-guided cycling holiday includes:
Hotel-to-hotel accommodation in a mix of hotels
All continental breakfasts and 2 evening meals
Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
Headwater navigation app for your smartphone
Bike hire
Standard transfers at the start/end of the trip (if booking inclusive flights)
Luggage transfers between hotels
How to book:
To book this holidays speak to our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'book now' or 'check availability' button below.
To book this holiday call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'Book now' or 'check availability' button below.
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30th Sep 2023 | US$1849 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1849 Single supp: US$314 |
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4th Oct 2023 | US$1849 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1849 Single supp: US$314 |
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7th Oct 2023 | US$1849 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1849 Single supp: US$314 |
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11th Oct 2023 | US$1849 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1849 Single supp: US$314 |
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14th Oct 2023 | US$1849 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1849 Single supp: US$314 |
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18th Oct 2023 | US$1849 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1849 Single supp: US$314 |
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21st Oct 2023 | US$1849 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1849 Single supp: US$314 |
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3rd Apr 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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6th Apr 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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10th Apr 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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13th Apr 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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17th Apr 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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20th Apr 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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24th Apr 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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27th Apr 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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1st May 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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4th May 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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8th May 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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11th May 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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15th May 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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18th May 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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22nd May 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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25th May 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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29th May 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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Departing | Tour only | Prices ![]() |
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1st Jun 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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5th Jun 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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8th Jun 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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12th Jun 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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15th Jun 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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19th Jun 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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22nd Jun 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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26th Jun 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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29th Jun 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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3rd Jul 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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6th Jul 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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10th Jul 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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13th Jul 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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17th Jul 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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20th Jul 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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24th Jul 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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27th Jul 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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31st Jul 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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Departing | Tour only | Prices ![]() |
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3rd Aug 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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7th Aug 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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10th Aug 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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14th Aug 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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17th Aug 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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21st Aug 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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24th Aug 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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28th Aug 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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31st Aug 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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Departing | Tour only | Prices ![]() |
Single supplement | |
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4th Sep 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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7th Sep 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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11th Sep 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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14th Sep 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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18th Sep 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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21st Sep 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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25th Sep 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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28th Sep 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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Departing | Tour only | Prices ![]() |
Single supplement | |
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2nd Oct 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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5th Oct 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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9th Oct 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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12th Oct 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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16th Oct 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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19th Oct 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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The prices quoted for each individual departure supercede those published in our current brochures. Air prices are subject to change and we advise early booking to obtain the best prices. Please see our Planning your holiday and What's included in the price? pages for additional information.
Solo travellers
Please call for details and prices
Children
Please contact us for child prices.
Holiday type
Self-guided cycling Managed locally by Headwater appointed agent.
Departures
Wednesday and Saturday departures from 30th Sep 2023 to 19th Oct 2024, for 4 nights. All dates are subject to availability, please contact us to check.
Meals
All continental breakfasts and 2 evening meals
Electric bikes
It is possible to hire electric bikes for this holiday at a supplement of £188 per person. As these are available on a first come first served basis, we recommend early booking to avoid disappointment.
Tour only
Transfers can be arranged at a supplement from Avignon TGV train station at 14:33, and back to Avignon TGV train station at 11:45.
To book this holidays speak to our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'book now' button above.
If you need further information before you book simply complete our Holiday Enquiry Form and a member of our sales team will get back to you.
To book this holiday call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'Book now' or 'Check availability' button below.