PROVENCE, FRANCE / BICYCLE TOUR
Montpellier to Montpellier.

Provence is rated as the premier bicycling destination in France. Great wines, lavender hills, vibrant outdoor markets, Roman ruins, great food, small quaint villages, and of course, lots of quiet rural roads. We have run bicycle tours for the past 22 years, this will be our second tour in France, hope you can join us.

Photo Gallery
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France 2009, Courtesy D. Hinchcliffe


Pont du Gard 2009, Courtesy D. Hinchcliffe


France 2008, Courtesy LH Wilson


 

Getting There & Back

Our trip starts and finishes in Montpellier. There are at least 3 flights daily from Paris (CDG) with Air France, Easy Jet etc. (1 hr 30 min) and more out of Paris, Olry (ORY) to Montpellier-Mediterranee Aeroport and it is 7 km from Montpelier downtown and 9 km from our hotel in Montpellier.

Numerous trains arrive from Paris to Montpellier. Info at SNCF and here. Montpellier train station is right downtown and 3 kms from our hotel.

First day of riding is TBA; we rendezvous at our hotel the day before TBA. The tour finishes back in Montpellier on TBA.

The Riding

We have chosen the Provence area of Langedoc-Roussillon/Vaucluse as it is well noted for its abundance of rural roads (and great wines). The majority of the riding will be on quiet, paved, back roads. There will be several route options you can ride each day. Plenty of small towns with bakeries and outdoor cafes to visit. We will stay in two towns for two nights each --- allowing cyclists the freedom of the extra day to ride extensive miles or have a short day. We provide each rider with a laminated set of Michelin Road maps and a route log. A mountain bike or cross bike with slicks is a good choice, a road bike is better, if you are used to it. Note: cyclists are expected to ride the distance. Our support vehicle carries luggage from hotel to hotel, but is not a shuttle van unless riders are injured or sick.

We can help arrange bike rentals if you give us plenty of notice.

Accommodations

Rooms are booked with double occupancy; we will stay in quaint two and three star hotels. Some of the accommodations are very nice, some are quite basic. Private bathrooms will be the norm. Some rooms, by North American standards in France, are small. Nights from------through ------(11 nights) are covered in the price.

Meals

All breakfast’s continental style and 2 dinners are included in the package. Cyclists are on their own for other meals. France of course is famous for its fine dining. Dining late will be the norm (typically after 8:00pm). For those of you, whom have traveled with us in Spain, expect prices to be a little higher. Bottled water can be purchased in all towns and there are many town fountains with drinking water. Your bike should have the capacity to carry a minimum of 2 water bottles.

Climate

Daytime highs will be 17-22C. The region typically receives about 35mm of rain in the months of April and May, though normal weather patterns are no longer as predictable as they once were. The area is noted for its Mistral winds, which can come up quickly, so cyclists are advised to carry a wind breaker at all times. It will be warm enough to sit out in the sunshine in restaurants and cafes. It is spring time and the flowers will be out in abundance.

Cost

TBA. Per person on double occupancy. Add TBA single occupancy.

$100 non-refundable deposit reserves a spot. Full payment is due 90 days before the tour start. (March 20th). We are not required to collect GST on this trip (tour is outside Canada). Please make cheques payable to GABRIOLA CYCLE & KAYAK. We are not able to process credit cards. Thank you.

Cancellation fee 31-90 days prior to the start: Full deposit + 20% final payment.
Cancellation fee 1-30 days prior to the start: Full deposit + 40% final payment.

We Provide

  • 11 nights’ hotels
  • support vehicle to carry luggage
  • some snacks
  • 10 breakfasts and 2 dinners

Not Included

  • Airfare to/from France
  • Airport pick-up/drop-off
  • bike (some rentals available from local shops)
  • alcohol (we keep a cooler full, everyone chips in)
  • incidentals during the trip

Note: Minimum 10 to run the trip. Please check for availability.

Tour Dates

2011

10 riding days / 11 nights

COST: TBA (based on double occupancy), + TBA for single occupancy.

There is no GST charged on trips outside Canada.

Please check for availability and make sure to send in your deposit to secure your reservation.

 



GCK Cycling Jerseys info here.