8PR2402 Provence- the origin of savoir-vivre
Karen and Gary from the US but coming in from Finland and Cornelia and Ulrich from -now rainy- Austria are meeting up with Johanna and Gerhard at Aix-en-Provence: everyone is looking forward to catch some sun bevor autum kicks in. Karen studied in France 30 years ago and is also up to follow old roads together with Gary, who is putting back on some weight after succesful weightlifting championships. Cornelia was signing in for an Edelweiss Ebike Tour long ago and managed to convince Ulrich to come along -not only for technical support :) After the welcome briefing we have a walk through Aix, followed by a delicous dinner. Ready to roll!!!
We leave Aix, riding is easy on our handy Ebikes! We pass the Acqueduc, grab some pastry and a coffee to follow the lakeshore of the Etang de Berre... almost finished inside the tumbled waters! When the first adventure was left behind we had lunch, getting strengthend for the oncoming Mistral winds. No way to stop us on our way to Maussane and to a delicious dinner.
Another bright sunny morning! No one wants to rest so all of us took of for Arles. On our way we stopped at a roman acqueduc and a medieval monastery but Arles captured us most with its beautiful old city centre and the roman amphitheatre. While some choose to spend the afternoon at one of the most beautiful villages in france (Le Baux) others got e lift by the wind to the Camargue where rice and fighting bulls grow.
The day starts sunny und hilly! Up the Apilles, passing magic Les Baux and then we glide down towards Glanum and St-Remy, where Van Gogh lived and painted. After a walk around and a coffee we ride on comfortable cycling paths towards the Rhone river and lunch. The afternoon ride is a little challange; once again the strong Mistral is our compagnon. At Aramon not a single bar is open -luckily we do have some snacks on us. Soon Avignon is reached, up the hilltop our cosy Hotel under big cedar trees awaits us with a delightful dinner and a long rest at night.
For a change today its not our legs getting trained but our arms! Everyone is up to swop our bicycles for kayaks so down the Gardon we paddle to experience the 2000 years old roman Pont-du-Gard. For some its a little challange as a couple, but no one got drowned, no boat was abandoned by the crew and getting back on firm land there is only happy faces all around. Some got a lift, some got a ride to Avignon but everyone was stunned by the medieval city with its impressive popes palace. Some icecream here, some glass of wine there- seems like we're doing pretty well with that "savoire vivre" topic...!
We sneak our way out of Avignon staying away from heavy traffic. Its sunny and we ride the first day without wind -we almost feel strange. But as the view opens up on stony vineyards upon rolling hills its 100% perfect cycling conditions. At Chateaufneuf-du-Pape we stop for the wine museum. All around the village the haverest is ongoing and the smell of grapes gets us hungry for the picnic chef Gerhard prepared for us: wow! With an espresso on top we fly torwards the mountains ahead, up to enchanting Abbaye de Senanque. A supermodern tablet guids us through the simple but impressive monastery of the XII century. We pass by Gordes to arrive at our beautiful countryside Hotel... nothing left to long for than excellent dinner and maybe a dip in the pool?!
We take off a little bit later than usually so there is plenty of time for a relaxed breakfast. Some of us cycle to Fontain-de-Vancluse, the spring of the Sorgue river. On the way to Roussilon we visit an oil production museum and even get another olive oil tasting. Afterwards we know why they are sold out completly! Roussilon is famous for the ocres and whilst we are paddling the sunny hills towards the litte town Karen is already there painting the rocks and colors with the colors of that place (thanks for sharing your masterpices here!). We enjoy the panoramic view, ice cream and back at the Hotel there is even some hours left to be spend at the pool, in the spa or napping. In the evening we get a lift back to Gordes where we get one of the last tables at the best restaurant in town -lucky us! Once again we only realise after finishing our plates that no one took a picture of our tasty choice: seems like we are no pros on social media but real foodies... sorry out there.
Last riding day! The Luberon is our destination, climbing uphill we stop at Lacoste and the castle of the Marquis de Sade and for a coffe at Bonnieux. The mountain ridge is easy to climb and an amazing road winds down towards Liurmarin where a buzzing town market is ongoing. We buy some honey and quickly cyle to the Abbey of Silvance to get a glimpse on the church bevore they close for lunch time. Our lunch on the other hand ends being some fruits and cookies due to a resolute waitress who is serving entire plates of the day exclusivley... well, we had a laugh (and plenty of breakfast as well luckily!). Aix isn't far anyways, just some muleberry and almond trees away. Gerhard awaits us with a luxurious bootbeer so there is no time for sadness about our last day together.