Luberon & Ventoux

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival at Cavaillon H-B
Our hotel is right in the centre of Cavaillon. It is a comfortable 19th century building from which you can easily explore the historical town on foot.

Day 2 Cavaillon to Cucuron H-B 45 km
You’ll follow the Durance River along the south slopes of the Luberon to Lauris. It is an excellent introduction to the climate,without the hills. Then you’ll cycle up the Luberon itself through the village of Lourmarin before arriving at Cucuron to find your hotel in the centre of the village

Day 3 Cucuron to Forcalquier H-B 48 km
You’ll ride through the Luberon Natural Park with changing scenery and remote hamlets on a gradual slope. Past the village of La-Bastide-des-Jourdans, the climb needs a bit more effort but it doesn’t last long. The rest of the day is more downhill or flat to Forcalquier
Your place for the next 2 nights is an exquisite Provencal farm house surrounded by lavender.

Day 4 Forcalquier to Forcalquier H-B 36 or 49 km
Today is really à la carte. Why not an easy morning by the pool and a bit of time spent exploring the market town of Forcalquier? A drink on one of the “terrasses” is the way local people end the afternoon!
You can also ride to the foothills of Lure and the village of Saint-Etienne-les-Orgues.

Day 5 Forcalquier to Sault B&B 51 km
Today is our second challenging day. You’ll go up a tiny little road through rugged terrain and isolated hamlets. The scenery is absolutely stunning and the climb very gradual as far as the village of Simiane-la Rotonde. Then, after 6 rather steep kilometres up to the village of Saint-Christol you’ll almost freewheel down to Sault….with practically no pedalling!

Day 6 Sault to Sault H-B 50 ou 56 km
There are 2 options today.  The Mont Ventoux. Sault is only 26 km away from the steeply twisting pass, and the climb is non stop from 700 to 1900m high. You can turn back down any time you feel like it; then it will just be downhill back home; so feel free!
The Gorges de la Nesque west of Sault is a spectacular place, demanding less effort.

Day 7 Sault to Cavaillon B&B 52 or 60 km
This last ride is a real enchantment with a lot of downhill riding back to Cavaillon. You’ll go south through the Maquis of the Vaucluse plateau. After the village of Saint-Saturnin you’ll go west through the villages of Roussillon and Gordes.

Day 8 Trip finishes in Cavaillon after breakfast