St Malo to Nice

Day 2

Striking inland you will say goodbye to the sea for the next two weeks. This western area of Normandy has some pretty villages and is full of history. Passing through historic Fougeres, we continue to another fortress town, Vitre, with a fantastic turreted chateau; your hotel is beneath the walls and there are plenty of creperies and restaurants amongst the cobbled streets. (48 miles).

Day 4

From Angers you will head south to cross the Loire. This is always considered the first landmark of a north to south tour and south of here the weather is said to be better (although in July you should be fine north of here too!). Following the river east a lovely easy route passes through ancient villages to Saumur, the ‘pearl of the Loire’ and thence through its famous vineyards. Passing Chinon with its majestic fortress you will then head south again to Richelieu, a pretty town built by the cardinal of the same name. (70 miles).

Day 6

A more undulating day but none of the climbs are especially steep - as is usual in France, the gradients allow for gaining height without undue work. The route is beautful as you pass through villages clinging to the gorge-side, ruined hilltop castles and some lovely small towns. We stay in a small village with a very well run hotel with a great restaurant - and a lovely outside terrace and swimming pool! (70 miles).

Day 8

In our opinion the hardest day of the ride and an early start is recommended to see the early morning stillness of the first section; it is incredibly beautiful, along a very quiet road beside a lake. We enjoy coffee at the watershed where the rivers now flow south to the Garonne rather than north to the Loire. You are now approaching the Massif Central and the tendency is up, although the gradients are gentle. With sensible pacing the miles will pass. This is a part of France that not many people know and our riders love it. Salers is a beautiful town high in the plateau and as you approach you will see the high peaks in the distance, laid out before you. (78 miles).

Day 10

Rest day in St Flour.

Day 12

Some really amazing scenery awaits as we ride along quiet roads in the lovely Auvergne. There are some long climbs but they gradients once more make them a very achievable ride and you will not be crawling along in bottom gear; added to which is a simply wonderful 15 mile descent where a pedal hardly needs to be turned! Our hotel is next to one of the most famous landmarks in France, the limestone arch crossing the Ardeche river at the entrance to the Ardeche Gorge. (74 miles).

Day 14

If you like a challenge this is the day you will have been waiting for! The day will be dominated by Mont Ventoux, which you can either opt to climb or to skirt round. Whichever you choose you will see spectacular scenery. Vineyards, olive groves, lavender fields and Roman remains are all abundant in this region. Sault is a small town on the far side of Mont Ventoux. (30 miles without the Ventoux, 60 miles with).

Day 16

The first section gains height ever so gradually before you enter the Gorges de Verdon: one of the undisputed highlights of the ride. Europe’s answer to the Grand Canyon is amazing and you will see cobalt blue lakes and the river far below. The Gorge climbs for the first half and descends for the second to your overnight stop in pretty Castellane with its church perched high up on a rock above the village square. (48 miles).

Day 18

Departure. NB it is possible to catch an evening flight on day 17 if this works better for you.