Bicycling Champagne and Burgundy Plus! Provence
There are no upcoming tours scheduled at this time.
There are no upcoming tours scheduled at this time.
Gentle
Rolling hills
Hilly
Very hilly
Mountainous
Reims is not only the capital of the Champagne region, but also home to the cathedral where the Kings of France were crowned since 987 A.D. Come early to explore the incredible cathedral and taste champagne from the many Maisons de Champagne. We'll meet this afternoon for a bike fitting and a quick spin into the vineyards. Dinner together tonight, with champagne of course!
Distance: Test Ride. Meals: D
Lodging: Grand Hôtel Continental
We leave Reims on a bike path this morning pedaling over rolling hills through vineyards overlooking forests. The Montagne de Reims where much of the Pinot Noir grapes are grown, is also home to an extensive national park. This evening we'll be back in Reims where we'll visit a famous Champagne producer and, of course, enjoy a tasting.
Distance: 65km (40 miles). Meals: B
Lodging: Grand Hôtel Continental
This morning we'll bicycle to the legendary birthplace of champagne. Dom Perignon was a Benedictine monk here in the 17th century and did make important advancements in wine making. Did he invent sparkling wine? Well that depends on who you ask. Our scenic route crosses through Hautvillers where he lived and worked, then joins up with the Canal a’ la Marne into lovely Châlons en Champagne. This charming town will surprise you with its medieval and Gothic churches and half-timber houses from centuries past.
Distance: 77km (48 miles). Meals: B, D
Lodging: Hôtel Pasteur.
We'll shuttle (about 3 hours) this morning to Dijon, another capital of an equally famous and delicious wine; Burgundy. Made with similar grapes as champagne, for many Burgundy is the epitome of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Dijon was also home to the Dukes of Burgundy. Burgundy was a powerful country in its own right until it was annexed by France in 1477. We'll arrive in time for lunch and Dijon has a wide array of cafés and restaurants to choose from. After lunch, join us for a ride west of town, and then enjoy the afternoon shopping, or visiting the impressive Ducal Palace.
Distance: Your choice up to 70km (43 miles). Meals: B, D
Lodging: Philippe Le Bon
Today we'll bicycle through some of the most famous vineyards and wine villages on the planet: Gevrey Chambertin, Clos de Vougeot, Nuits San Georges, Romanee Conti...vineyard country is synonymous with excellent cycling so it's going to be a great day! We'll enjoy an enlightening visit of the 15th century Hotel Dieu in Beaune.
Distance: 55km (34 miles). Meals: B
Lodging: Hôtel de la Paix
Today tiny country roads featuring immaculate vineyards take you out of Beaune and south towards Lyon. We'll gather for lunch together and a wine-tasting with a small producer in Mercurey. After lunch, we'll shuttle (an hour and 40 minutes) into Lyon, arguably France's culinary capital.
Distance: 41km (25 miles). Meals: B, L, D
Lodging: Hotel Sofitel Lyon Bellecour
After a fascinating guided tour of Vieux Lyon you'll have the entire day to relax and enjoy this wonderful city. The historic old town stretches out along a peninsula between the Rhône and Saône rivers, and is filled with beautiful monuments, museums, and buildings. Be sure to take the tramway to the top of the city heights where you'll have a magnificent view over the roof tops of the entire city.
Distance: Rest Day. Meals: B
Lodging:Sofitel Lyon Bellecour
We'll take a train out of Lyon this morning to Orange, where you'll pedal through some of France's most famous vineyards to the base of Mont Ventoux - a perfect position if you'd like to challenge yourself with a ride to the top tomorrow!
Distance: 40km (25 miles). Meals: B, D
Lodging:Hotel des Pins
Head south to the Luberon Valley, made famous by Peter Mayle's A Year in Provence. Pedal through ochre-colored Roussillon, and the perched village of Bonnieux on your way to our luxurious farm house just outside of Lourmarin. You can relax by the pool or stroll through the vast hotel grounds and herb garden this afternoon before dinner together.
Distance: 70km (43 miles). Meals: B, D
Lodging:Le Mas de Guilles
Today we take the scenic approach to the base of the Chaine de l'Etoile mountains that serve as a magnificent backdrop for Marseille set against the sea. Our ride ends with a picnic lunch just outside Aix-en-Provence. After lunch we'll shuttle to our hotel in the heart of Marseille where you can spend the rest of the afternoon discovering the city. We'll have our final dinner together tonight at a local's favorite.
Distance: 40km (25 miles). Meals: B, L, D
Lodging:Hotel de la Résidence du Vieux Port
Our journey ends this morning after breakfast. For those of you who would like to spend more time visiting this unique city, we'll suggest some highlights. It was a pleasure having you join us.
Meals: B
We work hard to maintain consistency across all of our tours, but some trips have unique differences. Here are some things to keep in mind about this tour.
There are a number of designed shuttles so you can focus on the best the area has to offer.Get as much sleep on the plane as you can. Pack your Getting To and Away information and one day of cycling gear in your carry-on. See you soon!
Sailing the boat, every afternoon relaxing on the boat after biking and swimming, lovely dinners, hearty breakfasts, bee keepers, traditional dinner out, rides through the islands (up and down!), guides, fellow passengers, crew on the boat-- really it was ALL great.
Cheryl A., Colchester, VT - June 2021Gentle terrain includes mostly undulating/flat sections and a rare longer climb (less than 3 km - 2 miles) with an average grade less than 3%.
Rolling hills featuring multiple gentle slopes (average grade of 3-4%) usually less than 3 km (2 miles). There may also be an occasional shorter (less than 2 km -1 mile) but steeper climb. Or a longer climb where the average grade is less than 3%.
Hilly terrain has climbs up to 3 km (2 miles) with an average grade between 4% and 6%. There may also be climbs longer than 3 km (2 miles), but with an average grade less than 4%.
Very hilly terrain includes one or more climbs, some of which maintain an average grade (meaning you will have short sections both steeper and less steep in the same climb) of 7% and 8% for no more than 3 km (2 miles). There will also be some longer climbs, but with a lower average grade.
Mountainous terrain includes one or more climbs with an average grade over 8%. Mountainous rides can also include longer climbs (more than 5 km - 3 miles) with an average grade up to 6%.
For those desiring gentle rides with a limited amount of climbing.
Suitable for riders who enjoy hills and the occasional steeper climb.
For riders who prefer hilly terrain most days and/or longer mileage days.
For experienced riders who love to climb (and descend) and enjoy a few longer days in the saddle.
Level 5, also known as our Expeditions, are multi-week tours designed for strong riders looking for the challenge of riding across countries or continents.
Gentle terrain includes mostly undulating/flat sections and a rare longer climb (less than 3 km - 2 miles) with an average grade less than 3%.
Hilly terrain has climbs up to 3 km (2 miles) with an average grade between 4% and 6%. There may also be climbs longer than 3 km (2 miles), but with an average grade less than 4%.
Very hilly terrain includes one or more climbs, some of which maintain an average grade (meaning you will have short sections both steeper and less steep in the same climb) of 7% and 8% for no more than 3 km (2 miles). There will also be some longer climbs, but with a lower average grade.
Mountainous terrain includes one or more climbs with an average grade over 8%. Mountainous rides can also include longer climbs (more than 5 km - 3 miles) with an average grade up to 6%.
For those desiring gentle rides with a limited amount of climbing.
Suitable for riders who enjoy hills and the occasional steeper climb.
For riders who prefer hilly terrain most days and/or longer mileage days.
For experienced riders who love to climb (and descend) and enjoy a few longer days in the saddle.
Level 5, also known as our Expeditions, are multi-week tours designed for strong riders looking for the challenge of riding across countries or continents.
These are the definitions...