Trans Provence
Trans Provence
A magnificent ride across the South of France, from Nice to Mont Ventoux
Starting in Nice, the cultural capital of the French Riviera, and finishing on the Giant of Provence, Mont Ventoux, this is a must-do ride for keen cyclists. Along the way you’ll conquer the legendary Col de la Madone and the Col d’Eze, the famous Col de Vence, and ride through some of the most spectacular terrain in France including the Gorges du Verdon and the Gorges de la Nesque.
Featured Climbs
Mont Ventoux, Col de la Madone, Col d’Eze, Col de la Ligne, Col de Vence
Overview
Details
Next Departure
No Upcoming Departures
Duration
Non-Rider Friendly
No
Rental Bike
Not available
Ride Program
Total Distance
Total Elevation
Daily Av. Distance
Daily Av. Elevation
Overview
Mont Ventoux, Col de la Madone, Col de Vence, Col de la Ligne – just a few of the famous climbs that you’ll conquer on this stunning ride across the south of France.
We’ve prepared a magnificent route through the southern Alps and Provence, combining epic climbs, awe-inspiring scenery and delightful hotels where you can relax with a glass of Rosé de Provence after a great day in the saddlle.
You’ll ride Lance Armstrong’s favorite training route when he lived in Nice, over the Col d’Eze and the Col de la Madone, you’ll conquer the Col de Vence, one of the key climbs in the Paris-Nice Stage race and you’ll ride through the 2 most spectacular gorges in France, the Gorges du Verdon and the Gorges de la Nesque. The trip ends with one of the most famous climbs in Europe: the Giant of Provence, Mont Ventoux!
A bucket-list trip for every keen cyclist!
Nigel Routh, Australia — 2022
Itinerary
| Day | Description | Distance | Elevation | Hotel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Bienvenue en France | AC Hotel Marriot Nice | |||
| 02 | Col d'Eze and the Col de la Madone | AC Hotel Marriot Nice | |||
| 03 | Into the Pre-Alps Natural Park & the Col de Vence | Hotel Le Lachens | |||
| 04 | Les Gorges du Verdon | Hotel La Bastide de Paradou | |||
| 05 | Into the Luberon | Hotel Les Sables d’Ocre | |||
| 06 | Gorges de la Nesque | Hostellerie du Val de Sault | |||
| 07 | Mont Ventoux! | Hostellerie du Val de Sault | |||
| 08 | Au Revoir! | ||||
| Daily Averages |
Itinerary Detail
Day 1
Distance
Elevation
Bienvenue en France
Your trip starts at Nice Airport where our staff will meet you before the transfer to your hotel in downtown Nice. After lunch, orientation meeting and bike build-up you’ll head out for your first ride.
Our warm-up ride takes you high into the Alpes Maritimes mountains above Nice, following the route of the Opening Stage of the 2020 Tour de France.
Day 2
Distance
Elevation
Col d'Eze and the Col de la Madone
A classic Nice loop today, one of the favorite training rides of the many pro riders who live in Nice.
From Nice you’ll head inland to the famous Col d’Eze, scene of so many fantastic finishes of the Paris-Nice early-season stage race. The ride continues along a ridge high above the Mediterranean with incredible views of the Cote d’Azur and the principality of Monaco. You eventually drop down to sea level in Menton where the legendary Col de la Madone starts, Lance Armstrong’s favorite climb when he lived in Nice.
Day 3
Distance
Elevation
Into the Pre-Alps Natural Park & the Col de Vence
Your journey across the southern Alps and Provence starts today with a magnificent ride through the Pre-Alps Natural Park.
A couple of short climbs take you out of Nice and into the Alpes Maritimes mountains, eventually dropping down to the town of Vence after 38km (24 miles). From Vence the next 10km (6 miles) are all uphill as you climb the famous Col de Vence, often the key climb in the penultimate stage of Paris-Nice. From the summit of the Col de Vence, the route continues through the Natural Park to the Col de Cornille and the Col de Clavel before the final descent to your hotel in La Bastide.
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Map & Profile
| Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Aspremont from Nice |
4.1% | 2 | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
|
|||||
| Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Col d’Eze from Nice |
5.1% | 2 | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
|
|||||
|
Col de la Madone from Menton |
6.8% | HC | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
|
|||||
| Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Col de Vence from Vence |
6.6% | 2 | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
|
|||||
|
Col de Cornille from St Pons |
3.6% | 2 | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
|
|||||
| Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Le Toit du Var from Trigance |
5.6% | 3 | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
|
|||||
|
Le Grand Margès from Baucher |
6.5% | 3 | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
|
|||||
| Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Col de Montfuron from Manosque |
3.7% | 3 | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
|
|||||
|
Côte d’Auribeau from Les Gaudins |
5.6% | 3 | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
|
|||||
| Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Col de la Ligne from Gordes |
3.3% | 2 | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
|
|||||
|
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
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
Login to view full itinerary
To access full trip itinerary you must sign in to your profile
Sign up to view full itinerary
By creating a profile you will be able to access full trip itineraries.
Don't have a profile?
Have a profile?
Climbs
Dates & Prices
| Date | Booking Status | Availability | Price / Per Person | Single Supplement | Non-rider Discount |
|---|
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
AC Hotel Marriot Nice
Hotel Le Lachens
Hotel La Bastide de Paradou
Hotel Les Sables d’Ocre
Hostellerie du Val de Sault
What's Included
| What's Included | What's Not Included |
|---|---|
Accommodations & Meals
Transportation
Cycling Support
Nutrition during the rides
|
|
| What's Included |
|---|
Accommodations & Meals
Transportation
Cycling Support
Nutrition during the rides
|
| What's Not Included |
|
Pick-up/Drop-off Info
Arrival
| Pickup Location | Time |
|---|---|
|
Nice Côte d'Azur Airport |
9:00am |
OR |
|
|
AC Hotel by Marriot Nice |
9:00am |
Departure
| Drop Off Location | Time |
|---|---|
|
Marseille Provence Airport |
9:30am |
Trans Provence
An epic, awe-inspiring journey across some of the most spectacular terrain in France
