EPIC Trans Provence-Alpes

ride mont ventoux on our cycling trips

EPIC Trans Provence-Alpes

A magnificently challenging ride across the Alpes de Haute Provence

Featuring the Col de la Bonette, the highest paved through road in the Alps, and Mont Ventoux, the Giant of Provence, this is not a trip for the faint of heart. In addition to being one of our toughest challenges, it’s also one of the most spectacular with an incredible mix of high mountain passes, river gorges, high Alpine and Provençale terrain. A must-ride for the avid cyclist!

Overview

Details

Next Departure

September 20th 2025

From

USD $4,895

Duration

8 days / 7 nights

Non-Rider Friendly

No

Rental Bike

USD $550

Ride Program

Total Distance

Total Elevation

Daily Av. Distance

Daily Av. Elevation

Overview

Mont Ventoux, Col de la Bonette, Col de la Lombarde, Col de la Cayolle – just a few of the stunningly beautiful and challenging Hors-Categorie climbs that you’ll conquer on this magnificent ride across the south of France.

We’ve prepared an epic, awe-inspiring challenge that will test your limits and introduce you to some of the lesser-known, but spectacular terrain from the southern edge of the Alps through Provence.

You’ll conquer the highest paved through road in the Alps, the 2,802m (9,193ft) Col de la Bonette, and test your climbing legs on a final day ride over 2 sides of Mont Ventoux. You’ll be blown away by one of the absolute best loops in the Alps over the Coll d’Allos, Col des Champs and Col de la Cayolle, and ride through 2 of the most stunning gorges in France, the Gorges de Verdon and Gorges de la Nesque.

A bucket-list trip for every avid cyclist!


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EPIC Trans Provence-Alpes
An incredible experience from start to finish. This was my seventh Thomson Bike Tours trip and they just keep getting better and better. As I've ...

Brian Davis, USA — 2022

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Cycling helmet, sunglasses and shoes illustration

Itinerary

Day Description Distance Elevation Hotel
01 Bienvenue en France Villa Morelia
02 Best of the Southern Alps loop Villa Morelia
03 Col de la Bonette Pure Montagne Resort
04 Mercantour & Pre-Alpes Natural Parks Hotel du Commerce
05 Les Gorges du Verdon Hotel La Bastide St Georges
06 Gorges de la Nesque Hostellerie du Val de Sault
07 Mont Ventoux x 2! Hostellerie du Val de Sault
08 Au Revoir!
Daily Averages
Itinerary View Itinerary View
Map View Map View
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08

Itinerary Detail

Day 1

Distance

Elevation


Bienvenue en France

Your trip starts at Marseille Provence Airport where our staff will meet you before the transfer to your hotel in Jausiers.

After lunch, orientation meeting and bike build-up you’ll head out for your first ride. Our warm-up ride takes you on a magnificent loop through the Barcelonnette valley.

Day 2

Distance

Elevation


Best of the Southern Alps loop

Today features the quintessential Southern Alps loop. A really sensational ride which includes 3 fantastic climbs, each of them above 2000m (6,600ft)!

First up is the Col d’Allos, one of the most beautiful climbs in the Alps, with the road clinging to the side of a cliff for most of the climb. The descent takes us down to Colmars before the start of the next climb, the Col des Champs. The last climb of the day is the Col de la Cayolle, another absolutely beautiful climb with numerous switchbacks carved into the side of the cliff. A truly remarkable day on the bike – and one you’ll remember forever.

Day 3

Distance

Elevation


Col de la Bonette

A big ride today with 2 HC climbs on the agenda!

The main highlight of the day is the Col de la Bonette which rises to 2802m (9,200ft) making it the highest paved through road in Europe. The Bonette is a truly remarkable climb and has been named by many previous guests as their all-time favorite climb in Europe. From the summit of the Bonette you’ll descend for 60km before starting the final climb to the Col de la Colmiane.

Day 4

Distance

Elevation


Mercantour & Pre-Alpes Natural Parks

Today’s route takes you through the spectacular Mercantour Natural Park and into the Pre-Alpes Azur Park, a truly magnificent ride with stunning Alpine and Provençale scenery throughout the entire ride.

It’s also a tough one with no less than 6 categorised climbs, kicking off with the Col de la Colmanie Followed by fabulous Hors-Categorie Col de la Sinne and followed by 4 x Cat 2 and Cat 3 climbs for a total elevation gain of 4,126m (13,536ft). Make sure you have the climbing legs with you today…

Day 5

Distance

Elevation


Les Gorges du Verdon

Another spectacular ride today through one of the most stunning natural wonders in France: Les Gorges du Verdon. No big climbs today but a series of shorter climbs and rolling Provençale terrain makes for a tough day in the saddle with a total elevation gain of 3,146m (10,321ft).

After 35km (22 miles) you’ll start to get your first views of the deep gorges and canyons that have been carved out of the local limestone by the River Verdon. The next 30km (20 miles) are simply stunning with spectacular views of the Verdon Gorge around every turn.

Day 6

Distance

Elevation


Gorges de la Nesque

Yesterday you enjoyed a magnificent ride through Les Gorges du Verdon, today we have another stunning gorge on the agenda: Les Gorges de la Nesque! Leaving the hotel in Forcalquier you quickly enter into the Luberon Natural Park, one of the most beautiful parts of Provence and the setting for Peter Mayle’s fantastic book, A Year in Provence.

From the Luberon you’ll head north to Villes-sur-Auzon where you’ll enter the fabulous Gorges de la Nesque, one of our favorite climbs in France!

Day 7

Distance

Elevation


Mont Ventoux x 2!

Our final day in Provence and not much needs to be said about today’s ride – except maybe, that in true Thomson style, you’ll climb the Giant of Provence not once, but twice!

You’ll start of by climbing the gentler eastern approach from the hotel in Sault. From the summit enjoy the long descent to Malaucene where you can have a coffee-stop and some refuelling before riding over the short Col de la Madeleine to Bedoin where you’ll start the climb from the classic Bedoin side. After 14km (9 miles) of climbing through the pine forest you’ll break out of the trees and be faced with the final 7km (4 miles), across the famous lunar landscape, to the summit at 1900m (6,200ft).

ride mont ventoux on our cycling trips

Day 8

Distance

Elevation


Au Revoir!

Unfortunately, your trip across Provence-Alpes has come to an end.

Our shuttle will drop you off at Marseille Provence Airport.

Map & Profile

Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow La Conche
from River Ubaye
8.1% 2
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow Col d’Allos
from Barcelonnette
6.7% HC
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Col des Champs
from Colmars
7.5% HC
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Col de la Cayolle
from St Martin d’Entraunes
6.6% HC
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow Col de la Bonette
from Jausiers
6.9% HC
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Col de la Colmiane
from La Tinee
6.4% HC
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow Col de la Colmiane
from saint-Martin-Vésubie
7% 1
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Col de la Sinne
from La Bolinette
7.7% HC
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Col de St Raphaël
from Puget-Théniers
5.8% 2
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Col du Trébuchet
from St Pierre
4.4% 2
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Col de Buis
from Chalvagne
11% 2
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow Le Toit du Var
from Trigance
5.6% 3
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Le Grand Margès
from Baucher
6.5% 3
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Col de la Mort d’Imbert
from Manosque
4.7% 3
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow Montée St Michel
from Le Répétier
3.8% 4
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Vachères
from Le Riou Bridge
5.6% 3
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Col de la Ligne
from Gordes
3.3% 2
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Gorges de la Nesque
from Villes sur Auzon
3.3% 2
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow Mont Ventoux
from Sault
5.1% HC
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Mont Ventoux
from Bedoin
7.3% HC
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
No major climbs today

Climbs

Day 01
Day 02
Day 03
Day 04
Day 05
Day 06
Day 07

Climbs

Category Climb Day Difficulty Length Ele. Gain Av. Grade
2 La Conche (from River Ubaye) 01 59 8.1%
HC Col d’Allos (from Barcelonnette) 02 104 6.7%
HC Col des Champs (from Colmars) 02 92 7.5%
HC Col de la Cayolle (from St Martin d’Entraunes) 02 114 6.6%
HC Col de la Bonette (from Jausiers) 03 138 6.9%
HC Col de la Colmiane (from La Tinee) 03 92 6.4%
1 Col de la Colmiane (from saint-Martin-Vésubie) 04 67 7%
HC Col de la Sinne (from La Bolinette) 04 116 7.7%
2 Col de St Raphaël (from Puget-Théniers) 04 50 5.8%
2 Col du Trébuchet (from St Pierre) 04 50 4.4%
2 Col de Buis (from Chalvagne) 04 89 11%
3 Le Toit du Var (from Trigance) 05 40 5.6%
3 Le Grand Margès (from Baucher) 05 49 6.5%
3 Col de la Mort d’Imbert (from Manosque) 05 31 4.7%
4 Montée St Michel (from Le Répétier) 06 22 3.8%
3 Vachères (from Le Riou Bridge) 06 41 5.6%
2 Col de la Ligne (from Gordes) 06 38 3.3%
2 Gorges de la Nesque (from Villes sur Auzon) 06 34 3.3%
HC Mont Ventoux (from Sault) 07 84 5.1%
HC Mont Ventoux (from Bedoin) 07 145 7.3%
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Dates & Prices Illustration

Dates & Prices



Date Booking Status Availability Price / Per Person Single Supplement Non-rider Discount
2024
Sep 21 - 28
Closed
Places Available
USD $5,295
USD $950
USD $1,000
Book this trip
2025
Sep 20 - 27
Taking Bookings
Places Available
USD $4,895
USD $850
USD $920
Book this trip
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Waiting List


Sign up to the waiting list for this departure, to be notified if a space becomes available. Please fill out the information below:



    Trip Hotels

    Villa Morelia

    Pure Montagne Resort

    Hotel du Commerce

    Hotel La Bastide St Georges

    Hostellerie du Val de Sault


    What's Included

    What's Included What's Not Included
      Accommodations & Meals arrow
    • 8 days / 7 nights fully accompanied trip
    • All accommodations
    • All breakfasts
    • All dinners
    • Sit-down lunch on the first day
    • Picnic lunches during the rides
    • Transportation arrow
    • Pick-up at Marseille Airport
    • Drop-off at Marseille Airport
    • All transportation during the trip
    • All luggage & bike box transfers
    • Cycling Support arrow
    • 1 x Support Van & 1 x Ride Leader per 8 guests (approx.)
    • Experienced bike mechanic
    • Park Tools Toolkit
    • Daily ride gpx files provided
    • Nutrition during the rides arrow
    • Energy bars, gels and sports drink
    • Variety of snacks and local specialties for picnic lunches
    • Bottled water
    • Post-ride recovery food
    • Airfare
    • Travel and personal insurance
    • Additional hotel expenses i.e. phone charges, mini-bar, gratuities
    • Staff gratuities
    What's Included
      Accommodations & Meals arrow
    • 8 days / 7 nights fully accompanied trip
    • All accommodations
    • All breakfasts
    • All dinners
    • Sit-down lunch on the first day
    • Picnic lunches during the rides
    • Transportation arrow
    • Pick-up at Marseille Airport
    • Drop-off at Marseille Airport
    • All transportation during the trip
    • All luggage & bike box transfers
    • Cycling Support arrow
    • 1 x Support Van & 1 x Ride Leader per 8 guests (approx.)
    • Experienced bike mechanic
    • Park Tools Toolkit
    • Daily ride gpx files provided
    • Nutrition during the rides arrow
    • Energy bars, gels and sports drink
    • Variety of snacks and local specialties for picnic lunches
    • Bottled water
    • Post-ride recovery food
    What's Not Included
    • Airfare
    • Travel and personal insurance
    • Additional hotel expenses i.e. phone charges, mini-bar, gratuities
    • Staff gratuities

    Travel details - airport departures

    Pick-up/Drop-off Info

    Arrival

    Pickup Location Time

    Marseille Provence Airport

    9:00am

    OR

    Hotel Ibis Marseille Provence Airport

    View website arrow

    9:00am

    Departure

    Drop Off Location Time

    Marseille Provence Airport

    9:30am


    Rental Bikes

    Specialized Aethos Expert

    Frame

    Aethos FACT 10r Carbon

    Groupset

    Di2 Shimano Ultegra

    Weight

    699g (size 56)

    Wheels

    Roval C38

    Chainrings

    52/36T

    Cassette

    11-34t (12-speed)

    Sizes

    49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61

    USD $550

    View Details


    EPIC Trans Provence-Alpes

    An epic, awe-inspiring challenge that will test your limits in some of the most spectacular terrain in France