Bicycling Champagne and Burgundy Plus! Provence
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- Bicycling Champagne and Burgundy Plus! Provence
Trip At-A-Glance
- Length / 11 Days
- Total Distance /
- Avg. Distance / per riding day
- Tour Level & Tour Style / 1.0
- Countries / France
- Begin/End /
- Price / From USD$5050
Tour Summary
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Highlights
Keep in Mind: 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. -
Includes
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Arrive / Depart
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Overall Tour Level
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Daily Ride Summary
Day
Distance/Gain
mi/ftkm/mTerrain
Day Level
Notes
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Terrain Legend
Gentle
Rolling hills
Hilly
Very hilly
Mountainous
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Terms
Download Itinerary
DAY 1: Welcome to Reims
Highlights: Champagne, Notre Dame de Reims
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
- Meals: Dinner
DAY 2: Loop ride from Reims
Highlights: Bike paths; Champagne tasting
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
- Meals: Breakfast
DAY 3: Reims to Châlons en Champagne
Highlights: Dom Perignon's stomping grounds, Châlons en Champagne
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.
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 4: Shuttle to Dijon
Highlights: Dijon
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
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 5: Dijon to Beaune
Highlights: Bicycle through legendary wine villages
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
- Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6: Beaune to Lyon
Highlights: Lunch, wine tour and tasting, Lyon
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
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7: Rest Day in Lyon
Highlights: Guided tour of Vieux Lyon, Lyon's monuments, museums, architecture
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
- Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8: Train to Orange, ride to Mont Ventoux
Highlights: Roman ruins of Orange, Côtes du Rhône vineyards
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
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9: Ride to the Luberon Valley
Highlights: Bonnieux, Lourmarin
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
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 10: Marseille
Highlights: Marseille
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
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 11: Tour ends in Marseille
Highlights: Marseille
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
- Meals: Breakfast
Travel Information
Keep in Mind
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.Pre-Trip Planning Checklist
To Do Today!
- Read through your Reservation Confirmation Email, it has important information to help you plan your trip!
- Check the date on your passport. The expiration date should extend three months past your date of return to your home country
- Complete the Customer Information Form online at www.experienceplus.com/travelinfo/tourcif
- Apply for trip cancellation/interruption insurance within 21 days of booking your tour. Find details at www.experienceplus.com/assets/files/packingbicycle.pdf
- Download the bicycle training program found on the Training Program Blog Page at www.experienceplus.com/training
3–6 Months Prior to Departure
- Reserve your flights after you know you have a confirmed tour departure. Please check with our office if you do not know if your trip is confirmed. As you make your plans refer to the Getting To and Away sent to you in your booking confirmation email it provides meeting times and the starting and ending hotels and shuttle information when applicable.
- Book your pre and post-tour hotel nights. Please refer to the Getting To and Away sheet you received in your Reservation Confirmation Email.
- 12 weeks before your tour begin your training program www.experienceplus.com/training.
- Final payment is due 90 days prior to the tour start. Please refer to your Deposit Payment Invoice and the Final Payment Reminder e-mail you have received for detailed instructions.
6 Weeks–2 Weeks Prior to Departure
- Start reading one of the books or watching one of the movies from our Suggested Reading and Movie List which you'll find on the country page linked from the www.experienceplus.com/travelinfo page.
- Plan what you are going to pack and start packing! Refer to the Packing List on our website at www.experienceplus.com/assets/files/packingbicycle.pdf.
- We'll email your Hotel Itinerary information 30 days prior to departure.
Day of Your Flight
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!
What to Expect on Tour
Map
Reviews
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Cycling Champagne and Burgundy
Gentle
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%.
Rolling Hills
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
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
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
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%.
Level 1 - 1.5
For those desiring gentle rides with a limited amount of climbing.
Level 2 - 2.5
Suitable for riders who enjoy hills and the occasional steeper climb.
Level 3 - 3.5
For riders who prefer hilly terrain most days and/or longer mileage days.
Level 4 - 4.5
For experienced riders who love to climb (and descend) and enjoy a few longer days in the saddle.
Level 5
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.
Terrain Definitions
Gentle
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
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
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
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%.
Tour Levels
Level 1 - 1.5
For those desiring gentle rides with a limited amount of climbing.
Level 2 - 2.5
Suitable for riders who enjoy hills and the occasional steeper climb.
Level 3 - 3.5
For riders who prefer hilly terrain most days and/or longer mileage days.
Level 4 - 4.5
For experienced riders who love to climb (and descend) and enjoy a few longer days in the saddle.
Level 5
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.
Style Definitions
These are the definitions...
