La Bastide de Gordes in Avignon, France CYCliNg CogNAC


This gently-paced cycling tour follows the meandering Charente River through the ancient provinces of Angoumois and Saintonge in Western France. We ride through rolling countryside to the Abbey of Fontdouce, the chateau of Roche-Courbon and the medieval castle ruins of Pons. A trip would not be complete without a visit to the famous Cognac vineyards.


An easy grade


cycling route


through the vineyards and villages of the Cognac region in France


ITINERARY


Day 1 Eurostar and local train from London to Saintes. Day 2 Abbey of Fontdouce Cycle to this 12th century abbey to admire its mix of religious and civil architecture. Visit the pre-historic Paleosite Museum at Saint Césaire. Day 3 Chateau Cycle along the Charente River to visit the Chateau of Roche- Courbon. Travel to the thermal spa town of Saujon with its pretty river port on the Seudre. Day 4 Saujon Optional ride to one of France’s ‘plus belles villages’ – the oyster producing Mornac-sur-Seudre. There is also a chance to cycle to the coastal resort of Royan. Day 5 Pons Ride along minor back-roads and through pretty villages to the medieval town of Pons, complete with castle keep and a Pilgrims hospital. Day 6 Cognac Cycle through vineyards to arrive in the hometown of this famous drink. There is the option to visit the chateau. Day 7 Jarnac Optional ride to the market at Jarnac, birthplace of President François Mitterand. Day 8 Local train and Eurostar to London.


For detailed information visit www.explore.co.uk/tours/ccg


DETAILS


Cycle grade EASY Comfort


Accommodation and Meals: 7 nights hotels. 7 breakfasts are included.


Included Bike: We provide 21 gear Trek T10 Navigator hybrid bikes – see website for details.


Route and Terrain: On this tour we cycle 247 km over six days (an average of 41 km per day) with further optional rides available. Two of the cycling days are circular routes and therefore optional. This tour is ideal for beginner cyclists as the terrain is either flat or gently undulating. There is vehicle back up for emergencies. We have graded the route as easy.


Group Size: Generally 10 to 16. TOUR DATES


The Cycling Cognac tour runs in the following months:


Jan


May Sep


Feb


Jun Oct


Mar


Jul Nov


Apr Aug Dec


For full details of the dates and prices visit explore.co.uk/tours/ccg


TOUR ONLY – 8 DAYS Tour price without train from £755


Cycling Cognac Ref CCG


Seudr e Estuar y


Optional visit Optional visit


Bay Of Biscay


18


G ironde Estuar y


PONS km 02 0 For more information and to book, go online at www.explore.co.uk


Mediterranean Sea


km 030 Royan Mornac


Chateau de la Roche-Courbon


Port d’Envaux F ontdouce SAINTES SA UJON Sablonceaux FR A N CE Abbey of St Cesaire


From Cognac to London


Abbey of


London to Saintes


From UK


London Eurostar Pa ris TGV


T our Area


FR ANCE


Angouleme 0


Optional visit COGNAC Jarnac Fontvielle 500km Ref: CCG inclusive from


£956 8 DAYS


train Vélo EN PRoVENCE


Join us on a cycling tour through the heart of Provence. We discover the landscape that inspired Van Gogh and visit ancient vineyards and hilltop villages. We explore the ancient ‘bories’ (stone houses) in Luberon, the Roman remains of Orange and the region’s elegant Romanesque abbeys: making frequent stops to enjoy mouth-watering Provencal cuisine.


ITINERARY


Day 1 Eurostar from London to Avignon. Travel to Orange by local train. Day 2 Roman Orange Cycle south to the vineyards of Chateauneuf du Pape, returning along the winding banks of the river Rhone. Back in Orange, discover the town’s well-preserved Roman theatre and triumphal arch. Days 3/4 The Luberon Travel deep into Provence towards Carpentras, through the village of Cameret Sur Aigues. Sample some of the best Granache wines in the Dentelles foothills and pedal through to Seguret. Optional trips include a visit to the former Papal town of Avignon or a ride through some of Luberon’s prettiest villages. Days 5/6 St Remy de Provence Leaving Carpentras head southeast through pretty Pernes le Fontaine and on to St Remy de Provence, the birthplace of astrologist Nostradamus. Here, explore the Chateau of Barbentane or the Abbey of St Michel du Frigolet. Day 7 Carmargue Take an optional ride to Fontvielle to see a disused windmill and the Roman


Train From/To London via Lille & Avignon


Vélo en Provence Ref CVP Seguret


Cameret sur Aigues


ORANGE


Chateauneuf du Pape Caderouse


Wine tasting (optional visit)


Chateau of Barbentane


optional ride


Les Baux


optional ride


Camargue Etang


de Vaccares FRANCE


Vacqueras Gigondas


CARPENTRAS


PROVENCE Pernes Avignon


Le Thor r


ST REMY DE PROVENCE


Luberon


Moderate grade


inclusive from


£896 8 DAYS


cycling through the hills and villages of the beautiful Provence region of France


remains at Berbegall Mill. Pass through olive groves to the village of Les Baux to see its 11th century fortifications. Day 8 Taxi, train and Eurostar via Avignon and Lille to London.


For detailed information visit www.explore.co.uk/tours/cvp


DETAILS


Cycle grade MODERATE Comfort


Accommodation and Meals: 7 nights hotels. 6 breakfasts are included.


Included Bike: We provide 21 gear Trek T10 Navigator hybrid bikes – see trip notes for details.


Route and Terrain: On this tour we cycle 252 km over six days (an average of 42 km per day) with further optional rides available. Two of the cycling days are circular routes and therefore optional. We use quiet, undulating roads although there will be several steeper sections. You can either ride independently or with others in the group. There is vehicle back up for emergencies. We have graded the route as moderate.


Group Size: Generally 10 to 16. TOUR DATES


The Vélo en Provence tour runs in the following months:


Jan


May Sep


Feb


Jun Oct


Mar


Jul Nov


Apr Aug Dec


For full details of the dates and prices visit explore.co.uk/tours/cvp


TOUR ONLY – 8 DAYS Tour price without train from £629


Ref: CVP train


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