Mont Ventoux to Nice
Highlights
- The Gorge du Verdon. One of France’s most iconic destinations..
- Stunning three days of cycling between Ventoux and The Mediterranean.
- Fully supported with vehicle and on road guides.
- Airport transfers from Marseille and to Nice airport. included.
- 3 star family run hotels and great food.
Introduction
The first part of the tour starts with 4 days cycling from the Veloventoux acommodation in Puymeras where you get to ride the Giant of Provence and explore the other fantastic cycling this area has to offer around the mountain and in the Baronnies Regional Park.
Then we hit the road for 3 full days cycling through the Luberon National park and The dramatic Verdon National Park before a high point of 1100m above sea level and a 45km down hill to the Mediterranean Sea.
Dates
18th to 25th May 2024
Also available as a custom tour.
Cost
From £1295.00 per person
Single supplement £350.00
What's included
- 4 nights bed, breakfast.
- 3 nights bed, breakfast and evening meals.
- Transfer from Marseille airport and back to Nice airport.
- 6 days fully guided and fully supported rides.
- GPX files for your GPS device.
Not included
- Flights.
- Lunches during the day.
- Insurance.
Itinerary
Day 1: Travel day / short ride
A transfer from Marseille airport (1h 30m) is included and we’ll be doing a morning and afternoon transfer.
Those arriving in the morning can assemble the bikes and you’ll will get the chance to do a leg stretcher ride of 45km to the perched village of Brantes with magnificent views of the north face of Ventoux.
Dinner tonight will be a group BBQ at the Veloventoux house.
Day 2: Mont Ventoux
The first proper cycling day of the tour and the day you’ve all been waiting for. You’ll climb Mont Ventoux from the classic Bedoin side. Round trip of 78km with 2300m of climbing from the Veloventoux house in Puymeras with a descent into Malaucene for lunch then the short ride of 15km back to the house.
Day 3: Tour du Ventoux
The Vélo Ventoux signature ride, 112km with 1400m of ascent.
The Tour du Ventoux ride goes full circle, anti-clockwise around the base of Mont Ventoux via the stunning Gorge de la Nesque and the Toulourenc Valley.
We’ll have a quick coffee stop in Villes sur Auzone before ascending the Gorge de la Nesque to Sault for lunch.
Day 4: The 10 Cols Ride
A simply stunning ride which shows off the best of The Baronnies Regional Park. 10 climbs of varying difficult over 135km and 2300m of ascent. There’s an option to do the 7 cols version too.
Day 5: Puymeras to Forcalquier
Today is the first day on the road heading for the coast.
We leave the Vélo Ventoux accommodation and traverse around the north side of Mont Ventoux via the Vallée de Toulourenc.
Soon after traversing the Plateau d’Albion you’re in the Luberon Regional Park where in July you’ll be surrounded by Lavender fields.
Tonight we stay in the medieval town of Forcalquier.
90km today with 1300m of ascent.
Day 6: Forcalquier to Castellane
After a gentle warm up ride across the Durance Valley we will climb out of Mousters Ste. Marie to the col d’Ayen, a long steady cimb of 15km at an average gradient of 3.5% to 1031m.
A short descent down to La Palud sur Verdon where we will have a coffee break. from here the more adventurous riders can add on the 23km Route des Cretes which is the tourist loop along the rim of the Verdon Gorge.
Day 7: Castellane to Nice
We will climb out of Castellane along the side of the Lac de Chaudanne to the Col de St. Barnabé. Then through the forest to the Col de Bleine. From here we descend to Gréolieres for lunch before the amazing 45km descent down the Gorge de la Loup back to sea level and the hotel at Cagnes sur Mer just outside Nice.
Day 8: Departure Day
Transfer back to Nice airport with tired legs and big smiles. Transfer time is approximately 30m.
Tour Map
Tour Quick Questions
Yes, subject to availability. There will be a single occupancy supplement and the cost for this is with the itinerary for each particular tour.
On the first day, after you have assembled your bike we will store all bike boxes until the last day of the tour when you need to dismantle your bike.
Please ensure that there is nothing left in your bike box/bag that you will need during the week because you won’t have access to it.
We plan our tours to coincide with the optimum time of year to get the best weather. The Alps tours are run in July, the end of August and early September when the high passes are guaranteed to be open. With tours through Provence we have more flexibility and can run these through May, June and the end of September.
Neverthless, any kind of weather can be experienced at any time, especially in the High Alps.
90% of the time your regular summer kit will suffice so bring at least two full sets of kit so you have a clean kit every day..
- Summer base layer
- 2 x Jersey
- 2 x bib shorts
- gilet
- arm warmers
- leg warmers
- socks
- mitts
- helmet
- sunglasses
- lightweight rain cape / windstopper
We also recommend you bring a set of cold weather gear:
- 1 x longs
- 1 x long sleeve jersey
- under helmet bonnet
- long finger gloves
- overshoes
You need a good level of fitness for our Alpine tours, especially The Raid. 4 – 5 hours riding time in the high Alps every day is tough.
The tour from Ventoux to Nice is hilly but less challenging. We can provide help and advice with your fitness.
Yes of course. We have GPX files for your GPS devices and we can email them to you prior to the tour start date.
We always stop for lunch mid-ride to re-fuel. If we know of a good tried and tested snack bar or restaurant where the turnaround is quick and the food is good and suitable for cyclists we will book ahead for the group. Often in the Alps and Provence by mid-day we can be “in the middle of nowhere” so a roadside picnic will be provided at the side of the road.
You will be informed each day of what the lunch options are.