The villages perched Luberon by bike by the ochres of Roussillon

You drive on small country roads along landscapes of vineyards, olive trees and cherry orchards while staying in the typical and colourful village of Roussillon. Finally at L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue - the Venice of Provence - and its famous Sunday market.

On the program:

Day 1: Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Provencal Venice

Your journey starts in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, at the foot of the Monts de Vaucluse. It is good to stroll, on the shady docks of the Sorgue or at the antique dealers. Overnight in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue.

Access: regular trains from Avignon and Marseille city/airport > Isle-sur-Sorgue with the SNCF.

Day 2: Cherry orchards and hilltop villages
Distance: 40 km/Elevation difference: + 650m/- 650m - Isle-sur-la-Sorgue > Pernes-les-Fontaines > Venasque > Isle-sur-la-Sorgue

You ride a bike in the Pays des Sorgues, a garden of Provence bordered by cypresses and lonely farmhouses to Pernes-les-Fontaines. Visit this historic capital of Comtat Venaissin, with its 40 fountains, Romanesque church and mansions.
Continue towards the perched village of Venasque - a medieval city classified among the “Most Beautiful Villages of France” - with its magnificent baptistery. On the road lined with thyme and rosemary, country of cherries and muscat of Ventoux, you meet the small hamlet of Beaucet which nestles in the rock under the remains of the castle, then the small village of La Roque. Through pine forests and combes, descent to Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. Overnight in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue.

Market Thursday and Sunday (large market) morning in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue.
Market Wednesday morning in Velleron.
Market on Saturday morning in Pernes-les-Fontaines.

Day 3 - The most beautiful hilltop villages of the Luberon
Distance: 35 km/Elevation difference: + 650m/- 550m - Isle-sur-la-Sorgue > Gordes > Roussillon

The day leads you to the most beautiful villages of the Luberon. First Gordes, perched above the Calavon Valley, crowned by its Renaissance castle. Then Roussillon, located on the largest ochre deposit in the world. Its yellow, orange, and red ochres were used to paint the facades of the village houses. Take a stroll through the streets of the village and on the ochre trail! Overnight in Roussillon.

Small market on Tuesday morning in Gordes.
Market on Thursday morning in Roussillon.

Day 4: Lacoste, Menerbes and Bonnieux: in the heart of the Petit Luberon
Distance: 41 km/Elevation gain: + 500m/- 700m - Roussillon > Bonnieux > Lacoste > Menerbes > Oppede-le-Vieux > Isle-sur-la-Sorgue

You drive in the heart of the Petit Luberon where the hilltop villages are connected by small country roads lined with dry stone bories. First you pedal towards Bonnieux and explore its small squares and climb the caladas alleys to the 12th century church that crowns the village. Then you continue to drive towards the village of Lacoste and its castle of the famous Marquis de Sade, and Ménerbes with its massive houses sitting vertiginously above a ledge. Not to be missed by gourmets: its wine and truffle museum!
You continue to pedal towards the perched and so typical village of Oppede-le-Vieux, along small roads lined with vineyards and plantations of truffle oak and almond trees. Take the time to stroll through the caladated streets of these charming little villages. Crossing the fertile plain on the banks of the Durance, to finish at l'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue.

Return: regular train Isle-sur-la-Sorgue > Avignon, Marseille airport centre with the SNCF.

The stay includes:

• 3 nights in a double room with bathroom
• 3 breakfasts
• Carriage of luggage (days 3 and 4)
• 3 days bike rental VTC + delivery
• 1 route book in French (with itinerary details and integrated maps)
• GPS Trace
• 24h Telephone Support

Does not include:

• All lunches and dinners not mentioned - included in the itinerary
• Entrance fees to museums.
• Insurance, beverages.
• Personal expenses.

*Tariffs 2021

- Medium season - 01/03 to 30/04: from 450€/person
- High season - 01/05 to 30/09: from 460€/person
- Low season - 01/10 to 31/10: from 420€/person
- Sup Ebike: 80€/person