Gravel
Provence
Gravel Provence
A magnificent Beyond Tarmac ride through the best of Provence including the legendary climb to Mont Ventoux on gravel!
Join us for a week in colorful Provence, riding around (and up) the “Giant of Provence” on gravel.
Overview
Details
Next Departure
September 17th 2023
From
USD $3,695
Duration
7 days / 6 nights
Non-Rider Friendly
No
Rental Bike
USD $500
Ride Program
Total Distance
Total Elevation
Daily Av. Distance
Daily Av. Elevation
Overview
Join us for a week around the Mont Ventoux area (Reserve de la Biosphere), riding through small villages and lavender fields, using the network of dirt roads between towns and farms. Our route takes us on a magnificent loop through Provence, cycling through famous landmarks such as Les Gorges de la Nesque, the lavender fields around Sault, the amazing hill-top town of Gordes, and Peter Mayle’s Luberon.
On our final day, we’ll tackle the gravel climb to the summit of Mont Ventoux, using an abandoned dirt road that progressively will put us on the roof of Provence. It’s a challenging climb that starts on pavement and gets more and more complicated (technically and physically) as we get closer to the famous Chalet Reynard and on to the famous antennas at the summit. Epic!
Video
Get a glimpse of what to expect in our short film following the Thomson ride leaders on our reconnaissance trip through Provence and Mont Ventoux
Trip Technical Difficulty
Ride Surfaces
Bike Setup Recommendations
Recommended Tires
700×40
A minimum 700×40, but feel free to use more rubber for more comfort and grip if your bike has extra tire clearance. If you can use 650B, a 650×47 would also work well here.
Recommended Gearing
38T × 11-42
We recommend a minimum gear ratio of 0.90 using a 38T chainring × 42 rear cog (or equivalent). Check your gear ratios at www.bikecalc.com/gear_ratios.
Gravel Explained
Read below for a brief description of our gravel definitions. We have classed the surfaces into five categories, from tarmac to boulders, to give an indication of the amount and level of rough stuff on each trip.
Itinerary
| Day | Description | Distance | Elevation | Hotel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Bienvenue a Provence! | Hotel Domaine des Tilleuls | |||
| 02 | The back side of Ventoux | Hostellerie du Val de Sault | |||
| 03 | Lavender forests and vineyards | Hostellerie du Val de Sault | |||
| 04 | Les Gorges de la Nesque & Gordes | Mas de la Senancole | |||
| 05 | Through Le Luberon | Logis Hotel L’Hermitage | |||
| 06 | The Queen Stage: Ventoux! | Hotel Domaine des Tilleuls | |||
| 07 | A bientot! | ||||
| Daily Averages |
Itinerary Detail
Day 1
Distance
Elevation
Bienvenue a Provence!
Your trip starts at Marseille Airport where our staff will meet you before the transfer to your hotel in the beautiful town of Malaucene, one of the most famous departure points to climb Mont Ventoux.
After lunch, orientation meeting and bike build-up, you’ll head out for your first ride in the hills of Suzette close to the famous Dentelles de Montmirail.
Day 2
Distance
Elevation
The back side of Ventoux
Starting again in Malaucene, we take one of the other possible gravel climbs to the top of the mountain, but before getting to the ski station almost at the top, we instead turn downhill to explore the backside of the mountain, following the Toulourenc river valley to reach the lavender-centric town of Sault.
Tip: make sure you have a good breakfast, the hardest part of today’s stage comes right at the beginning with the biggest climb of the day.
Day 3
Distance
Elevation
Lavender forests and vineyards
A technically easier stage today, starting with a first climb that allows us to reach one of the coolest double track gravels “pistes” that cruises up on a perfect surface through dreamy forests. A fantastic downhill takes us to the lower valleys around Sault, through lavender fields and ancient vineyards.
Tip: don’t forget your swimsuit, our hotel for the day has a pool and a cool spa-jacuzzi with stunning views of the surrounding Provençale countryside.
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Map & Profile
Surface Details
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Dates & Prices
| Date | Booking Status | Availability | Price / Per Person | Single Supplement | Non-rider Discount | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | |||||||
Sep 17 - 23 |
Taking Bookings |
Places Available |
USD $3,695
|
USD $650 |
USD $690 |
Book this trip | |
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
What's Included
| What's Included | What's Not Included |
|---|---|
Accommodations & Meals
 Transportation
Cycling Support
Nutrition during the ride
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| What's Included |
|---|
Accommodations & Meals
Transportation
Cycling Support
Nutrition during the ride
|
| What's Not Included |
|
Pick-up/Drop-off Info
Arrival
| Pickup Location | Time |
|---|---|
|
Marseille Provence Airport |
9:00am |
OR |
|
|
Hotel Ibis Marseille Provence Airport |
9:00am |
Departure
| Drop Off Location | Time |
|---|---|
|
Marseille Provence Airport |
9:30am |
Rental Bikes
Frame
Felt Breed 20
Groupset
SRAM Force 1
Weight
9.35kg (size 54)
Wheels
Devox Wheels RDS.A0 GXA | 30/21
Chainrings
36 or 38 (depending on trip)
Cassette
11-42
Sizes
47, 51, 54, 56, 58
Price
USD $500
Gravel Provence
A unique opportunity to discover Provence and climb Mont Ventoux on gravel!
