Cycling Holidays - France - Luberon Valleys & Villages, Provence

The Luberon is quintessential Provence, where below the woodland and limestone cliffs of the massif of the same name lies a sunny plain whose undulations are crowned by ancient villages of honey-coloured houses that cluster around crumbling châteaux and shaded squares. Our route here takes in the very best of the enchanting landscapes so beautifully captured in Pagnol’s Jean de Florette and Manon des Sources.

Nights: 7 (or 10 nights if you choose to extend your stay)
Grade: 2
Terrain: quiet lanes across open countryside
Hotels: four 2-star hotels; one 3-star hotel
Meals: breakfast & dinner each day
Climate: summers are long and hot in Provence - the average temperature in June and September is 25°C - and spring and autumn are also warm, with temperatures averaging 21°C in May and October. To appreciate the lavender in bloom, travel in mid-to-late June.

Starting point: La Bastide St Georges (3*), Forcalquier. A beautifully appointed hotel 1km from the centre of the medieval market town of Forcalquier. Each bedroom is individually decorated with plenty of elegant touches. Most boast their own terrace overlooking the garden and the outdoor pool, which is surrounded by olive trees.

Day 1: take time to explore Forcalquier's ancient streets (Monday is market day) before setting off from the town in a westerly direction. Your route follows undulating lanes through woodland and archetypal Provençal landscapes to the village of Saint Michel l'Observatoire, named after the observatory that dominates the nearby hill (the site was chosen because the skies here are some of the clearest in all of France). You then cross the River Largue to reach the romantic ruins of the 12th-century priory at Carluc, a romantic spot at which to pause for a break before continuing to your next base. (40km)

Accommodation: Hotel Lou Caleu (2*), near St Martin de Castillon. This traditional French hotel has been converted from an old stone farmhouse. The two focal points are the outdoor pool, which is very welcome on a hot summer's day, and the restaurant, which serves good regional cuisine.

Day 2: an undulating route takes you to Roussillon. Perched precariously above cliffs, the village’s buildings radiate all the different shades of the 17 ochre tints (from pale yellow to red-brown) once quarried here. Enjoy a stroll along the striking ‘ochre pathway’ to see the colours at their best. (25km)

Accommodation: Les Sables d'Ocre (2*), Roussillon. Most bedrooms have a terrace overlooking the gardens or the outdoor pool. Dinner is included at a nearby restaurant.

Day 3: our suggested circuit takes you to the famous hill-top village of Gordes. Wander through its steep cobbled streets which clamber up the slopes to a crumbling château. If you are feeling energetic, you can extend the route by continuing to the secluded Cistercian abbey at Sénanque, beautifully set among lavender fields and oak groves. (30km or 35km)

Day 4: today’s route can be shortened if you wish, but we recommend an early start to take in all the quintessentially Provençal sights. First head to the exquisite, boat-shaped village of Ménerbes with its many fortified mansions, perhaps stopping to visit the truffle and wine museum or the unusual corkscrew museum which boasts an astonishing collection of weird and wonderful corkscrews dating from the late 17th century to the present day. Continue to the St-Hilaire Abbey, with its fine 17th-century cloisters and exquisite Renaissance stairway, before passing below the imposing château of Lacoste (which served as a retreat for the notorious Marquis de Sade) on the way to the beautiful hill-top village of Bonnieux. The final, winding stretch takes you through Buoux and the Aiguebrun Gorge before a short climb to Saignon which is rewarded by wonderful views. (25km or 45km)

Accommodation: Auberge du Presbytère (2*), Saignon. Located right in the centre of this pretty village by the fountain and ancient wash-house, the Presbytère has been converted from three adjoining houses and exudes character - bedrooms (some of which have a small balcony) are individually decorated, with terracotta or wooden floors, beamed ceilings and wicker and antique furniture. The Provençal cuisine is excellent.

Day 5: as you have a relatively leisurely route to the sleepy village of Reillanne, you can take time before setting off to visit Saignon. It is one of the ten oldest villages in France, and boasts a long, rich history as well as a bird's-eye view of the beautiful Apt Valley. (24km)

Accommodation: Auberge de Reillanne (2*), Reillanne. Converted from a fortified manor house, Madame Balmand's much-loved auberge offers spacious, rustic bedrooms, good country cooking and plenty of space to sit and relax in the pleasant gardens.

Day 6: your final ride takes you through the Largue Valley past the ancient priory at Notre Dame de Salagon, before bringing you back to Forcalquier. (30km)

Recommendations for extra nights: any one of the hotels would make a good choice.

Take the Train and break your journey for a night in Paris on the way, staying at one of our favourite Parisian hotels. Read one traveller's experiences in her personal travel diary.

Other information: if you would like to see the brochure page, you can download this (and the pages for any other holidays you are interested in) by using our brochure creation system.

£ per person based on 2 in a double rm	Cycle price*	By rail	Self- drive	Single room
7 nights: 12 April-20 October 2008
12 Apr-23 May	747	996	793	207
24 May-13 Jun	764	1013	810	215
14-27 Jun	780	1032	827	223
28 Jun-31 Aug	807	1048	853	247
1-30 Sep	780	1032	827	223
1-20 Oct	726	982	778	203
3rd+ person saving	55	80	100

Recommended destination airport: Marseille
Latest flight arrival time: 1530
Earliest flight departure time: 1500
*Connecting travel: return rail/taxi from Aix (out 1h/home 1h30 - pay locally for airport bus Marseille-Aix 0h30) £56pp
Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route, times and price to suit you
By rail includes: Eurostar/TGV/regional rail via Lille & Marseille Mon-Fri (out dep St Pancras 0853/home dep Manosque 1101) - call for Sat & Sun details. Please note that a supplement may be payable depending on availability of seats for your chosen dates of travel and how far in advance of your departure date your holiday booking is made. Furthermore, due to engineering works, the leg between Marseille and Manosque is by coach, for which a small charge of €9 is payable locally.
Self-drive includes: P&O Ferries Dover-Calais
Extra nights can be booked at any hotel
Start: any day

Luberon Valleys & Villages (7 nights)