Description

On both sides of the Rhône river, you will discover two territories that abounds in magical places such as the beautiful villages and towns of Grignan, La Garde-Adhémar, Nyons. A cycling trip in Drôme Provençale & Ardèche Gorges is a journey with unique treasures: the Caverne du Pont-d’Arc, a replica of Chauvet Cave complete with 36.000 years old cave paintings and the Aven d’Orgnac a strikingly beautiful abyss with a wide variety of concretions. Of course lavender, olive trees and cicadas are always there because it is here, in this region of transition that the climate becomes Mediterranean. Colourful & wild, the region have a lot of different sides for you to explore. And how not to be overwhelmed by the authenticity and the variety of its gastronomy and its wine, amongst the best ones of the country? In Suze la Rousse’s University of Wine, Guided by a wine expert, you will learn main wine tasting techniques, identidy flavors and aromas, describe your senstions using an appropriate vocabulary and taste highly typical French or Rhône Valley wines.


Day 1 : Welcome to the Drôme Provençale
We will meet you at the Valence TGV station at a predetermined time before transferring you to your hotel in Charols. In the afternoon we will take the opportunity to introduce you to the program, adjust your bike and enjoy the hotel in a unique environment with view over the Drôme Provençale.

Meals: Dinner
Accomodation: Château les Oliviers de Salettes 4* – Charols


Day 2 : Bourdeaux - Le Poët-Laval
Quickly after leaving Charols we reach Saoû, surrounded by an exceptional natural setting with spectacular cliffs and one of the most beautiful forests in France. A few kilometers later, in Bourdeaux, we can see the first olive groves. We then arrive in Dieulefit, capital of pottery and arts and crafts and then in Le Poët-Laval, a village created in the 12th century by the Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem and classified as one of the most beautiful villages of France.

Meals: Breakfast · Picnic / Lunch · Dinner
Route: Option 1 : 45 km / 700 m Elevation Gain – Option 2 : 60 km / 800 m Elevation Gain
Accomodation: Château les Oliviers de Salettes 4* – Charols


Day 3 : Grignan - Nyons
The charm of Grignan, with its narrow streets and its gentle way of life, will seduce you. This medieval village owes its fame to its castle and to the writings of the Marquise de Sévigné and her daughter. Very near Grignan is Richerenches, the European capital of truffles. Then, surrounded by vineyards and apricot trees, the ride leads us to Nyons, famous for its olive grove. René Barjavel, a Drôme author, writes about this small town: “The only difference between Nyons and Paradise is that in Nyons one is very much alive”.

Meals: Breakfast · Picnic / Lunch · Dinner
Route: Option 1 : 40 km / 500 m Elevation Gain – Option 2 : 70 km / 900 m Elevation Gain
Accomodation: Le Clair de la Plume 4* – Grignan

Day 4 : La Garde-Adhémar - Suze-la-Rousse
We first stop at La Garde-Adhémar from where we can discover a magnificent panorama of the Rhone Valley and the Monts d’Ardèche. In the University of Wine located in Suze La Rousse Castle, you will learn how to taste and express sensations, experiencing and tasting an amazing selection of wines from different French wines regions. We finally reach Rochegude and its beautiful castle for our last night in Drôme Provençale.

Meals: Breakfast · Picnic / Lunch · Dinner
Route: Option 1 : 35 km / 400 m Elevation Gain – Option 2 : 50 km / 600 m Elevation Gain
Accomodation: Château de Rochegude 4* – Rochegude


Day 5 : Chauvet Cave - Vagnas
This morning a short transfer lead us to the Chauvet Cave en Ardèche. 36.000 years ago, the first artists in the history of humanity created a masterpiece in the depths of a cave. The Grotte Chauvet 2 faithfully replicates the UNESCO listed paintings of the Chauvet – Pont-d’Arc cave. In the afternoon, we ride through two of the most beautiful villages of France. In an amphitheatre at the bottom of a cliff, Vogüé has its feet in the water of an already Mediterranean Ardèche whereas the village of Balazuc climbs a vertiginous limestone cliff overhanging the Ardèche.

Meals: Breakfast · Picnic / Lunch · Dinner

Route: Option 1 : 30 km / 400 m Elevation Gain – Option 2 : 60 km / 900 m Elevation Gain
Accomodation: Hôtel du Couvent de Vagnas 4* – Vagnas

Day 6 : Pont d'Arc - Aven d'Orgnac
The famous Pont d’Arc, a monumental natural arch that offers a grandiose entrance to one of the most imposing natural curiosities of the South of France. Most of the Ardeche gorges were set up as a nature reserve in 1980. The panoramic route boldly laid out on the left bank of the river rushes up to the corniche and its numerous belvederes reveal breathtaking panoramas! After crossing the beautiful village of Aiguèze, we will reach the Aven d’Orgnac. This dark abyss, reveals a magnificent network of rooms decorated with a wide variety of columns, stalactites, stalagmites and draperies.

Meals: Breakfast · Picnic / Lunch · Dinner
Route: Option 1 : 50 km / 850 m Elevation Gain – Option 2 : 60 km / 1100 m Elevation Gain
Accomodation: Hôtel du Couvent de Vagnas 4* – Vagnas

Day 7 : End of stay
It’s the end of this bike tour in Drôme Provençale & Ardèche with Veymont Travel. After breakfast your guide will take you to Valence TGV station.

Meals: Breakfast

Opening

From 01/01 to 31/12.

Additional info

• Spoken languages :EnglishSpanishFrench

Prices

Adult: from 2,990 €.

Price includes:

Accomodation:

6 nights in 4* hotel in double occupancy

Meals:

6 breakfasts

5 picnics / lunches

6 dinners

Sport nutrition for every day of cycling

Guiding:

1 guide-driver with van who supports the group all along the tour

Activities:

5 bike rides

Wine tasting class

Private visit of Chauvet cave 2

Private visit & wine tasting at the Aven d’Orgnac cave

Equipment:

Garmin GPS rental : 1 for 4 pers.

2 bottles

1 Veymont Travel cycling jersey

Support & Transfer:

Transfer of people

Transfer of luggages

Transfer of bikes

Mechanical assistance

Pick up and drop off at predeterminated places

Price doesn't include:

Travel and repatriation insurance

Plane/train tickets and transportation to/from predetermined pick up/drop off locations

Accomodation before and after the stay

Personnal effetcs purchased during the stay

Activities not planned by Veymont Travel

Meals not mentionned in the “meals” section

Wine and dinks in bars, hotels and restaurants

Bike rental

Cycling guide

Guaranteed departure from 4 participants. Less than 4? More than 8? Contact-us !

In option:

Bike rental and equipment

Room in Single occupation

Cycling guide

All info on https://www.veymont-travel.com/en/bike-tours/france/ardeche-drome-provencale/.