Itinerary Expand allMazan to Gordes Day 1 Arrival in MazanIn the heart of Provence, experience an unforgettable stay at Chateau de Mazan. Day 2 At MazanDay devoted to the Dentelles de Montmirail area, a jagged limestone mountains chain, famous for the picture postcard landscapes. The short option leads you through orchards fields, vineyards and tree-lined roads with wonderful views of Mont Ventoux. Alternatively the longer option will ride to the lovely village Bedoin, which is one of the three gates to access to the Mont Ventoux and is the starting point of the classic climb for Tour de France. Then climb up to Col de la Madeleine before reaching the Dentelles de Montmirail with scenic routes to Suzette. (31 miles/51km) Meals included: Breakfast Day 3 At MazanToday’s ride will take you to the Gorges de la Nesque for a fabulous ride on the slope of the Mont de Vaucluse. You will, sometime feel in the middle of nowhere but this is the true Provence countryside. Landscape and nature is amazing on this itinerary. You can choose to climb or descend the road of the gorges. In both case the loop is the same, you’ll choose the direction you prefer. Meals included: Breakfast Day 4 Mazan - GordesLeave the Comtat Venaissin area and the foot of the Mont Ventoux and ride to the beautiful Regional Natural Park of the Luberon. The shorter version : Ride to Venasque and then climb through a gorge to the 'Col des 3 Termes' in the middle of the Vaucluse Mont. Then you can ride down hill to the Senanque Abbey and come back on the itinerary to go to Gordes. Longer option : The long ride does not go to Venasque but heads up to Methamis and then climbs a beautiful and scenic road. The descent to the Luberon Valley takes you to Lioux, a small and sleepy village nestled at the feet of a huge cliff. From Lioux, climb to Murs and then to Gordes. (31 miles/51km) Meals included: Breakfast Day 5 At GordesDay to relax and explore the beauties of Gordes. Walk to the village, discover the cobblestones streets and the winding passageways in the lower part of the town. Outside Gordes, do not miss the Village des Bories, with scenic views over the village and Senanque Abbey surrounded by lavender fields, one of the Provence's icons. Meals included: Breakfast Day 6 At GordesToday, on your way to Menerbes you can have a stop at an olive oil factory. Menerbes is one of the must see perched villages in the area. From there, ride back to Gordes via Goult, another hidden gem. Explore this charming village with its castle and its old windmill. Alternatively ride to one of the most charming villages of the Luberon: Oppèdes le Vieux. Then continue to Menerbes and to Lacoste. Overlooked by its castle, Lacoste is an arty place that welcomes art students and their workshop...lots of interesting things to discover while strolling the medival streets of the village. After Lacoste rides to Goult. (32 miles/52km) Meals included: Breakfast Day 7 At GordesOchre are the treasure of the Luberon. Stretching on nearly 25km, the ochre landscape is very special from this area. Their shade infused this part of the Luberon with their colours from the whitest to dark red contrasting with the Provencal blue sky and the green of the pine trees. This ride takes you to the village called Roussillon. This multicoloured village is set on top of an ochre hill and is well known for the ochre cliff right in front of the main square. In Roussillon do not miss to hike the ochre trail and then lose yourself in the small street to the top of the village from where the view on the Luberon countryside is amazing. Longer option: This route takes you through the Ochre area to Gargas on beautifuls countryside roads crossing quaint hamlets. Gargas was an important ochre production centre. In Gargas do not miss to visit the Mathieu Lustrerie showroom. It's one of the best chandeliers in the world. Between Gargas and Roussillon, you can also visit an old ochre mine. Then enjoy the beauty of Roussillon before you ride back to Gordes. (26 miles/43km) Meals included: Breakfast Day 8Leave Gordes
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Hilltop Villages of Provence by e-Bike You will stay in a mix of 3 star and 4 star hotels. The Chateau de Mazan - the former home of the notorious Maquis de Sade, and Le Mas des Romarins in Gordes, an early 19th century dry stone residence is now home to an appealing 3-star hotel.
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