Compare Coquillade Village,Road Bike & Mountain Bike tour in Provence by Ride and More Travel vs Cycle the Loire Valley by Intrepid Travel

Day 1: Welcome at Coquillade Village, Provence cycling Paradise

When you arrive on Sunday morning we will accompany you to the Coquillade Village, first stage of the holiday. Your guide will ensure you receive the correct bike and equipment and help with the necessary tasks of setting up the bike for you. During lunch, the Ride & More team will be there to fully explain how the week will function including safety aspects. After then, your guide will take you for a ride in the hills behind the hotel where the unspoilt countryside of olive trees and lavender await you. When we get back to the hotel the cellar master will be waiting to propose a tasting of wines from grapes grown on the property. The evening of your arrival, the Bistro restaurant will be expecting you with a menu “bistronomique”.

Day 2: Luberon’s hillside villages

The morning will be a departure on road bike from the hotel with your guide taking you through some renowned villages. After a visit to the Maison de la Truffe in Menerbes and lunch, then the route continues to the cedar forest in Bonnieux. Our team will be waiting with refreshments and a change of bike. Leaving from the heights of the Luberon, face to face with Mont Ventoux, you will be able to enjoy the trails winding back down to Coquillade Village through orchards and vineyards.

Back at the hotel you can refresh and prepare for a convivial evening commencing with a “bowls” tournament or an “atelier” of oenology.

The evening meal will be at the Coquillade Village’s highly reputed bistrot.

Day 3: Mont Ventoux I South Face – 1912m

Our minibus will take you to the departure point on Mont Ventoux where you can climb a part of the legendary Tour de France route,the experience will take you to the summit of the mountain at 1912m.

The team will be there to celebrate your arrival. After lunch we will exchange the road bikes for mountain bikes and your guide will accompany you down contrasting trails, through the breathtaking scenery of the Géant de Provence.

The evening will be a dinner and cookery course rolled into one with the chef.

Day 4: Easy ride and relaxing day

In the morning the circuit on road bike will take you through two villages listed as “the most beautiful in France”. Rousillon with its hues of flaming red covering all the houses throughout the village, then on to Gordes situated on the very edge of the rocky Vauclusian hillside. For the more courageous you can leave the dry stone beauty of Gordes to visit the ancient, yet still functional, Abbaye de Senanque surrounded by its lavendar fields.

After lunch with a view, on one of the regions popular restaurant terraces, the afternoon leaves you free to relax and enjoy the hotel and it’s facilities. The team will be at your disposition for all matter of advice or simply reserving a restaurant, in the evening, for you and your friends or family.

Day 5: Mont Ventoux act II – the North Face / Thursday

You will climb and descent by the less well known North Face. This one will give up its spectacular panoramas as you climb to the summit. The team will once again be ready with refreshments picnic and a change of bike. The North face and its vertiginous singles will give you a stunning view of the Alps, all the way down to the charming village of Aurel.

The evening dinner will be inspired by the abundant local produce, chosen by Coquillade Village’s chef and served in the hotels main gastronomic restaurant, Le Gourmet.

Day 6: The mini Colorado Provencal / Friday

For the last day of your stay we propose a moment of recuperation with a relaxing ride through the ochre’s to the mines of Gargas and the Colorado Provencal, or simply a visit to the local market.

After lunch the Ride & More team will ensure your transfer to the TGV train station in Avignon.

Day 1 Blois

Bonjour! Welcome to Blois – the gateway to the Loire Valley beautifully situated on the banks of the Loire river. With no activities planned today, you are free to arrive at any time, but ensure you can make an important 6 pm welcome meeting with your group leader and fellow cyclists. Before then, Blois is free for you to explore. Why not head to the Chateau Royal de Blois, or the serene St Vincent de Paul Church, or simply wander the old streets of this charming provincial city.

Day 2 Blois

This morning you’ll begin your cycling adventure through the Loire Valley. After a quick a bicycle fitting, then take a leisurely ride along the banks of the serene Loire River on a dedicated bike-only path to the small riverside town of Saint-Dye-sur-Loire. From here turn inland and ride along narrow tree-lined country roads to the palatial Chateau de Chambord. This beautiful palace, commissioned by Francois I and whose design was influenced by Leonardo da Vinci, is a sight to behold, with a central structure adorned with multiple chimneys and sculpted capitals on its terraces. After you’ve explored the palace and its manicured gardens, cycle back on quiet roads and past flat pasture and return to Blois for the evening.

Day 3 Amboise

This morning, consider the option of visiting another grand building: Chateau de Cheverny. If you would like to take a visit inside, please let your group leader know the day before, as earlier travel arrangements are necessary to take this optional visit. Your cycling begins by riding along the plateau and down to the Cher River, where you’ll arrive at Chateau de Chenonceau, and this one’s pretty special. The chateau is set over water, spanning the Cher River, with its gardens to one side of the banks. You will have included entry to explore this beautiful building, admiring the perfect gardens, classic features and stunning views of the surrounding countryside. It’s true fairy tale stuff. After your visit, cycle through the Amboise Forest, re-joining the Loire River at your stop for the evening: the delightful riverside town of Amboise. If you want to see some more chateaux, why not head to Chateau du Clos Luce, the place where Leonardo de Vinci spent the last three years of his life. It is currently a small museum, with grounds that show some working models of his designs and is within walking (or cycling) distance of the main town.

Day 4 Villandry

Continue to hug the Loire River as it gently makes it way downstream to the Vouvray vineyards. This wine region is almost exclusively dedicated to chenin blanc, and with its naturally high acidity, the wines produced here age very well. Stop in for a vineyard visit, then continue cycling on to Tours, cutting across the river on your way to the Chateau de Villandry – arguably the Loire Valley’s most famous chateau. Wander through the vast gardens of perfectly curated gardens and the beautiful U-shaped castle. With time to explore, be sure to stop and smell the roses in these beautiful surroundings.

Day 5 Saumur

Be ready for a longer - but not overly challenging - day of cycling (approximately 60 kilometres). Begin your ride from Villandry along the banks of Loire River to the Château d'Ussé that Charles Perrault took as inspiration for his castle in the tale of Sleeping Beauty. Opt to visit the castle and grounds before continuing cycling downstream through two beautifully classic French villages – Candes-Saint-Martin and Montsoreau – both perched on the riverside. In Montsoreau cycle past the old troglodyte part of the village where you can see homes, doors and windows cut directly into the cliff before finishing your ride ion the charming town of Saumur. Park your bike and take to the water on a short but sweet small boat river cruise – remember to toast the moment with an include glass of exquisite local wine. The evening is free for you to explore Saumur’s cobblestoned streets, visit a sparkling wine cellar, or try out one of the fine-dining options in the medieval centre. Today’s ride is mostly flat, but be sure to enjoy a restful evening before another cycling day tomorrow.

Day 6 Angers

Continue your ride down France’s longest river – the Loire. Ride from Saumur alongside the river for around 20 kilometres, then head inland to Brissac-Quince, home to the tallest chateau in all of France. From here, descend gently towards the Loire River and to tonight’s destination: the beautiful and historically significant city of Angers. This evening, perhaps gather your cycling group together for dinner – tonight is definitely cause for celebration.

Day 7 Angers

With no activities planned for today, you are free to leave at any time. However, if you wish to spend more time in Angers, we'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).