Short-stay cycling tour

Provence BreakAway

Overview

Provence

The word conjures up different images for different people, from tree-shaded cafés to lavender-scented valleys to romantic Roman ruins. Provence is all that, and much more of course. It is a land that is overwhelmingly rural, with few cities and hundreds of villages, many of which are recognized as the most beautiful in France.

Add to this a landscape of rolling hills, flat valleys and challenging mountains, all connected by a vast network of quiet country roads, and Provence becomes a perfect place for a cycling holiday.

44|5’s BREAKAWAY TOURS are custom short-stay cycling holidays for those who need a cycling ‘fix’ but don’t have the time to devote to a full week tour. The BreakAway is ‘semi-supported’, in that we include accommodation with breakfast, custom guided rides each morning and help if you need a rental bike or transport to/from your accommodation. This means you can spend your mornings on the beautiful roads of Provence and have your afternoons to do with what you like. It is a perfect recipe for the time-crunched roadie!

Prices depend on number of nights/rides and the level of accommodation you choose, but for a couple sharing a room in our 3-star option and riding together, here is what you can expect per person:

2 nights / 2 rides: €475
3 nights / 3 rides: €685
4 nights / 4 rides: €895

INCLUDED

All accommodation
All breakfasts
Energy bars, gels, snacks and water on your ride
Pick-ups and drop-offs at your accommodation each day (when necessary)
Owner-operator guides to see to your needs
44|5 Cycling Tours water bottle

NOT INCLUDED

Transportation to Provence (We can arrange transport from Marseilles airport or Avignon train station.)
Lunches and dinners
Hotels before and after your tour
Personal expenses, such as mini-bar, telephone or souvenir purchases
Bikes – bring your own or we can help you rent high quality road bikes

Day to Day

You can choose the number of days you’d like to spend cycling in the Luberon valley with us and we’ll make sure your guided rides are tailored-made to your expectations and ability. Here is an example of what you can expect on a typical 3 day/3 night tour.

Note: because of the custom nature of our BreakAway tours we can adjust the distance and elevation gain to suit you and your group.

To the right is an example of one of the rides you can expect.

Day 1

Luberon Villages

We will meet you at your accommodation then start off on a ‘warm-up’ ride through the Luberon Valley. Our loop will take us on quiet roads lined with vineyards, orchards and lavender fields. Our ’objectives’ of the day will be a few of the outstanding hillside villagesthat dot the valley, such as Roussillon, Bonnieux, Lacoste and Gordes.

Day 2

Lioux Loop

After your ’shake-out ride’ yesterday we’re ready for mileage! Today we stay to the north side of the valley, riding the the foot of the Vaucluse Mountains to the east, where we meet a more rustic, remote Provence. Highlights include the incredible descent past the hidden hamlet of Lioux.

Day 3

Fontaine de Vaucluse

Our last ride in the Luberon actually goes out of it, climbing over the Vaucluse Mountains to the north and doing a gorgeous loop in the valley to the north (with great views of Mont Ventoux). We either climb back up the mountain on the way back, or loop around it via Fontaine de Vaucluse.

Accommodations

44|5 partners with several comfortable and well-situated hotels/B&Bs in the Luberon valley. Your accommodation will depend on availability and the rides you choose to do with us. Below are examples of what you can expect.

Les Sables d’Ocre

Sitting in a quiet, wooded area, just steps from Roussillon, one of the most beautiful villages in France, Les Sables d’Ocre is an ideal location for a cycling ‘breakaway’. The ocre-tinted lanes of Roussillon are filled with cafés, artists’ galleries and restaurants, many with stunning views over the Luberon valley, where we will be thoroughly exploring by bike, of course!

Pool and lawn of hotel des Sables, Roussillon, Provence

Room image of hotel des Sables, Roussillon, Provence

Le Roy Soleil

Located in the middle of the vineyards and next door to the village of Ménerbes, Le Roy Soleil is a former 17^th century wine maker residence. Spacious rooms, a mix of authentic and modern decor, and a tranquil garden with pool will ensure you recover in style after your bike ride.

La Coquillade

La Coquillade is the ideal spot to relax with its tranquil surroundings and wellness ambiance. This 5-star hotel enjoys a peaceful location in the heart of the vineyards. The perfect place to recharge your batteries and enjoy a host of excursions.

Note: La Coquillade is available only for our Luxury Upgrade.

Dates & Prices

Tour Dates: Choose your own

Tour Availability: From April to October

Prices: Packages start at €475 (2 nights / 2 rides)

Single Supplement: From €175

Travel Details

Arrival Airport / Train Station – Marseille or Avignon

Driving distance from: – Avignon (30 min); Marseille Airport (1.5 hrs)

Departure Airport / Train Station – Marseille or Avignon

Gallery

What our Guests have to say about our Provence BreakAway Package

Consummate Pros

After 6 days of fantastic riding in the Pyrenees, we met up with 44-5 for their Provence Breakaway 3-day. Because the riding in Spain was so great, we were wondering how the riding in Provence would measure up. All three rides were great and two were really off the charts. The routes were insanely scenic–through… Read more “Consummate Pros”

Jim - California

Incredible Experience in Provence

From the moment I first reached out to Gerry and John, they were always very accommodating of our needs. The three days of biking in Provence were an amazing experience and are now the most memorable rides that I’ve ever undertaken. I highly recommend 44|5 Cycling Tours to all cyclists. Gerry and John would be… Read more “Incredible Experience in Provence”

A Great Combination

I have just returned from a three day bike tour with John and Gerry. It was fabulous! The two of them combine professionalism with friendliness and enthusiasm. It’s a great combination. The rides they took us on were scenic and challenging, another great combination. They have my highest recommendation. If you want to cycle in… Read more “A Great Combination”

Denis - USA

Best Tour Company

I have been riding with John and Gerry, the co owners of 44|5 Cycling Tours, since 2014. Since then I have been back to France every year to ride with them. I have done their tours in the Cevennes Mountains, the Alps, and the Pyrenees. I have done their Provence Breakaways and Ventoux Breakaways. I… Read more “Best Tour Company”

Rich - California

Gorgeous Views

We had the most amazing time on a 5-day Breakaway tour with 44|5 Cycling! Gerry and John are the best guides — so knowledgeable and give such a local tour of the area. We cannot recommend our experience with this company enough! Not to mention gorgeous views/villages and some of the best riding you’ll ever… Read more “Gorgeous Views”

Lily - USA