Based in the Vaucluse region of Provence, our cycling program is central to everything from wine tastings, village markets and roman ruins to scenic hikes, donkey rides and Mediterranean beaches.
Malaucène | Our home base, the village of Malaucène, has a little of everything. There several cafés, restaurants and pizzerias in addition to two grocery stores, butchers, three bakeries, two hardware stores and a couple of florists. There is a news stand/book store, beauty shop, a photo/film developing store, a bank and post office. There are also several local artists with unique shops tucked into the old village walls.
Nearby Sites | Steeped in ancient roman history, the area includes such sites as Avignon’s Palace of the Popes, the amazing 2,000-year-old Pont du Gard aqueduct, the roman ruins of Vaison-la-Romaine, and the roman theater in Orange. For those interested in a longer day trip, the Mediterranean beaches of the Côte d’Azur are a two-hour drive away.
Wine Tastings | This is the Côte du Rhône wine region after all and there is a lot of wine to taste. For the best the Rhône has to offer, you should play a day trip to the Chateauneuf de Pape. Closer to Malaucène, the villages of Gigondas and Vacqueras produce very good wines.
Shopping and Markets | No matter what day of the week it is, there’s a market taking place in Provence. Each market varies by village but usually include a wide range of produce and artisans’ work along with local entertainment. Malaucène hosts a market on Wednesday mornings and nearby Vaison-la-Romaine host one of the region’s best gatherings on Tuesdays.
Hiking | The Vaucluse region has an extensive and well-marked network of hiking trails and you can pick up several of them from the center of Malaucène. One particularly famous hike leaves from Malaucène at midnight to head up the Ventoux in time to witness the sunrise at the summit. The exposed limestone faces of the Dentelles offer great rock for climbing. Guides for both climbing and hiking are available locally.
© 2013