Côtes Du Rhône Bike Tour Châteauneuf-Du-Pape and Cycling: a Piece of Provence for Wine Lovers
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+1 888 396 5383 617 776 4441 [email protected] DUVINE.COM Europe / France / Provence Côtes du Rhône Bike Tour Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Cycling: A Piece of Provence for Wine Lovers © 2021 DuVine Adventure + Cycling Co. Learn to prepare Provençal-style cuisine during a cooking class Shop the gorgeous weekly market in Vaison-la-Romaine, an abundance of olives, cured meats, and heirloom vegetables Tour and taste at a top vineyard in the world-famous winemaking enclave of Châteauneuf-du- Pape Ride right to the Pont du Gard—an ancient Roman aqueduct and staggering feat of manmade engineering—and the incredibly well-preserved Roman Theater of Orange Arrival Details Departure Details Airport City: Airport City: Paris or Marseille, France Paris or Marseille, France Pick-Up Location: Drop-Off Location: Avignon TGV Station or Avignon city center Avignon TGV Station hotel Drop-Off Time: Pick-Up Time: 12:00 pm 11:30 am NOTE: DuVine provides group transfers to and from the tour, within reason and in accordance with the pick-up and drop-off recommendations. In the event your train, flight, or other travel falls outside the recommended departure or arrival time or location, you may be responsible for extra costs incurred in arranging a separate transfer. Emergency Assistance For urgent assistance on your way to tour or while on tour, please always contact your guides first. You may also contact the Boston office during business hours at +1 617 776 4441 or [email protected]. Tour By Day DAY 1 Welcome to the Côtes du Rhône Your guides will greet you at the Avignon train station and transfer you directly to our boutique hotel in the Dentelles de Montmirail mountains for a light, fresh lunch. Our first ride is warm-up through the region's peaceful white stone villages, with the option to tack on some extra miles or head straight back to the hotel. Later this evening, roll up your sleeves and work alongside the hotel chef to prepare a Provençal feast—perfectly paired with organic reds, whites, and rosés made from traditional Rhône varietals at the hotel’s own domaine. Bon Appetit! Meals: Lunch / Dinner Destinations: Crestet, Entrechaux, Mollans-sur-Ouvèze, Faucon Accomplished: 20 miles / 32 km, elevation gain: 1,135 feet / 346 meters Longer Option: 22 miles / 35 km, elevation gain: 2,047 feet / 624 meters Accommodations: La Verrière DAY 2 The Base of Mont Ventoux and Mormoiron After breakfast on La Verrière’s terrace with a view of Mont Ventoux, we head to Malaucène and Bédoin for a visit to the weekly market. From these bases where Mont Ventoux ascents begin, the massif is ever-present as we ride alongside olive orchards, cherry trees, and never-ending vineyards. Stop for lunch at a farmhouse that’s sweet in its simplicity, and taste the Viognier and Grenache grown just feet away. Later, we reach Mormoiron for a visit with a leading producer of the Ventoux appellation. Walk into the vineyards, descend into the cellars, and taste the stellar range of wines. Tonight, we head into Crestet for dinner at a local restaurant with plenty of Provençal ambiance. Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner Destinations: Malaucène, Bédoin, Flassan, Villes-sur-Auzon, Mormoiron Accomplished: 29 miles / 47 km, elevation gain: 1,640 feet / 500 meters Longer Option: 47 miles / 75 km, elevation gain: 3,149 feet / 960 meters Accommodations: La Verrière DuVine itineraries may be subject to slight route changes, hotel substitutions, and other modifications. DAY Wines of the Côtes du Rhône Villages and Dentelles de 3 Montmirail This morning we ride to the ancient Provençal village of Vaison-la-Romaine, crossing its Roman bridge over the Ouvèze River. It’s market day in town, and after a bit of browsing we’ll continue into the Dentelles mountains to visit a winemaker within the Côtes du Rhône Villages appellation. Pause for lunch in the perched town of Séguret, then continue on the bike or catch a ride in the van to a few more stops on our Côtes du Rhône wine tour, such as Sablet, Gigondas, and Vacqueyras. This evening, the chef at La Verrière treats us to a meal inspired by the best produce of the season. Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner Destinations: Vaison-la-Romaine, Séguret, Gigondas, Beaumes-de-Venise, Malaucène, Crestet Accomplished: 24 miles / 38 km, elevation gain: 1,200 feet / 366 meters Longer Option: 38 miles / 61 km, elevation gain: 3,050 feet / 930 meters Accommodations: La Verrière DAY 4 An Amphitheatre in Orange, Red Wine in Châteauneuf-du- Pape Today’s ride follows the vineyards of the Côtes du Rhône through Rasteau, Cairanne, and the heart of the Rhone Valley to Orange, the “City of Princes.” The Roman Theater here has earned UNESCO World Heritage—it's the best-preserved of its kind in Western Europe and continues to welcome artists to its magnificent stage. After lunch at a bistro in town, we’ll ride the rest of the way to Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Pay a visit to one of the Pope’s favorite vineyards, followed (of course) by a tasting. A transfer takes us to Uzès where we’ll stay for our last two nights. This evening, lose yourself in the alleyways of this still-living medieval town in search of your own perfect dinner spot. Meals: Breakfast / Lunch Destinations: Rasteau, Cairanne, Orange, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Uzès Accomplished: 26 miles / 42 km, elevation gain: 758 feet / 231 meters Longer Option: 58 miles / 93 km, elevation gain: 928 feet / 283 meters Accommodations: La Maison D'Uzès DuVine itineraries may be subject to slight route changes, hotel substitutions, and other modifications. DAY 5 Pont du Gard Loop Hop on the bike and head southeast to visit one of the Rhône Valley’s most famous and impressive feats of ancient architecture: the Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct built over 2000 years ago. We’ll make our way back through pleasant Provençal villages where time stands still. Tonight, we gather at our friend's home outside of Uzès and enjoy a meal matched with wines that highlight the best of the Côtes du Rhône terroir. Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner Destinations: Vers-Pont-du-Gard, Remoulins, Rochefort-du-Gard, Valliguières, Uzès Accomplished: 38 miles / 62 km, elevation gain: 1,998 feet / 609 meters Shorter Option: 27 miles / 44 km, elevation gain: 1,594 feet / 486 meters Accommodations: La Maison D'Uzès DAY 6 Adieu to Côtes du Rhône After a relaxing breakfast, bid farewell to to Provence however you prefer. Take a last loop ride around the countryside of Uzès and visit Saint-Quentin-La-Poterie’s famous pottery workshops or stroll the medieval lanes of Uzès. Your guides will see you off at the Avignon train station. Meals: Breakfast Destinations: Saint-Quentin-La-Poterie, Uzès Accomplished: 9 miles / 15 km, elevation gain: 262 feet / 80 meters DuVine itineraries may be subject to slight route changes, hotel substitutions, and other modifications..