Cycling around the Gorges du Verdon

The beauty of the Verdon landscapes and the scents of Provence

Highlights

The breathtaking landscapes of the Verdon gorges
The charm of Provencal villages: Trigance, Tourtour, Gréoux les Bains ...
The lavender fields of the Valensole plateau
The earthenware factory of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
The lakes, suitable for swimming and water sports
Provençal gastronomy and its easy living

A getaway by bike that awakens all your senses

Departing from Manosque, discover the Verdon region by bike. Its gorges, lakes and lavender fields. A fragrant and dazzling stay of natural beauty.

Cycling through the Verdon region means pedaling to discover landscapes that are among the most breathtaking in France. Who has never daydreamed in front of photos or postcards of the Verdon? Vertiginous gorges that cut through limestone cliffs, lakes with emerald blue eyes, fragrant hills carpeted with olive trees and pine forests, picturesque Provencal villages, lavender fields. The charms of the Verdon are manifold. If the decor is magnificent, the relief is rugged. The electric bike option is recommended for this challenging trip. Intoxicated by the scent of the lavender and dazzled by the beauty of the scenery, your adventure in the Verdon region is unique.

The Gorges du Verdon are the emblem of the region. For millennia, the Verdon river has dug in the limestone rock to sculpt one of the deepest canyons in Europe. Up to 700 meters deep in some places. Abyssal, vertiginous, the Gorges du Verdon stretch between the towns of Castellane and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. By bicycle, you meander along the route of the ridges as close as possible to this magnificent picture drawn by the forces of nature. The route is mountainous but your efforts are rewarded by the breathtaking landscapes.

The many lakes in the region, such as Lake of Sainte-Croix, are an opportunity for refreshing breaks with your feet dipped in the water. On the small squares, under the shade of the plane trees, or in the labyrinth of alleys with colorful facades, the Provencal villages are also pleasant stops. Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, renowned for its pottery, and Tourtour, are classified as the Most Beautiful Villages of France. Perched at an altitude of 800 meters, the medieval village of Trigance also enjoys a privileged position.

Lavender fields line and perfume the Valensole plateau. Known for its calming and healing properties, lavender is the emblematic flower of Provence. This flower with a lively and fresh scent is grown for its essential oil and used in the manufacture of cosmetics and perfumes. It is between mid-June and the beginning of August, at the time of flowering, that the fields are adorned with mauve and violet and that travelers are intoxicated with its unique scent.

Witnesses to the Provençal art of living, a myriad of local specialties are to be tasted. Olive oil, lavender honey, Provence herbs, tapenade, Sisteron lamb, fougasses and wines from the Var vineyards top the list. Discovering these local products allows you to keep hunger at bay and combine the pleasure of physical effort with that of the table to make your trip to the Verdon an adventure rich in flavor!

Carte séjour Le Verdon à vélo : ses gorges, ses lavandes et ses lacs
Niveau LeisureLeisure or Niveau FitFit
Day 1

MANOSQUE

Arrive on your own to Manosque. Take the time to discover this small town between Luberon and Verdon. Its pretty town center is dotted with alleys and squares adorned with fountains.

Meeting with our local guide

Before your first ride, we invite you to meet one of our guides, at your place of departure. A time of exchange, a privileged moment to give you our last practical tips, must-see places and experiences, to answer all your questions, take care of your bike fitting to begin your trip.

Day 2

From MANOSQUE to VALENSOLE 33km 532m Niveau Loisir

You leave Manosque towards Oraison. Wooded, the route is pleasant on small country roads. The scent of lavender heralds the arrival on the Valensole plateau. Here, at an altitude of 600 meters, the expanses of lavender cover it with their mauve hues and the scent of their refreshing scents.

  • For a few more km 70km 930m Niveau Forme

    A more challenging option which circumvents the Valensole plateau from the north between pines and olive trees and rounded peaks. You will discover the localities of Castelet and Bras d’Asse before becoming intoxicated with the scent of lavender as you ride towards Valensole.

Day 3

From VALENSOLE to MOUSTIERS-SAINTE-MARIE 35km 497m Niveau Loisir

From Valensole, you ride east. The lavender fields perfume your pedal strokes. The hilly course takes you to Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. Since 1981, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie has been classified among the Most Beautiful Villages of France. Its earthenware tradition is world famous. Church, ramparts, chapels, aqueduct, fountains, the meeting of water and stone, pastel tones of tiles and tuff shape a homogeneous and living architectural whole.

  • For a few more km 47km 589m Niveau Forme

    You walk along the Lake of Sainte-Croix from the panoramic road. On the bike, you contemplate magnificent views of the lake and the surrounding mountains.

Day 4

From MOUSTIERS-SAINTE-MARIE to TRIGANCE 48km 1620m Niveau Loisir

This is the flagship stage of the stay. Today, you meander on the winding roads that overlook the Gorges du Verdon. The difference in elevation is significant. But not as much as the pleasure of the eyes in front of this exceptional geological spectacle. The Gorges du Verdon are one of the deepest canyons in Europe. 50 kilometers long, they stretch from Castellane to Lake Sainte-Croix, reaching in places 700 meters deep. They form a magnificent and wild landscape, characterized by its unspoiled nature and its green waters. End of the stage in Trigance, a pretty medieval village flanked by ramparts.

Day 5

From TRIGANCE to TOURTOUR 48km 818m Niveau Loisir

Between Trigance and Tourtour, you cross the Haut Var. Between the fragrant hills and the limestone plateaus, the route is hilly and wild. Along the way, each village is an opportunity for a stopover. This is the case for Comps sur Artuby, Chateaudouble and Ampus. Perched at an altitude of 635 meters, Tourtour is nicknamed “the village in the sky of Provence”. The stone houses topped with round tiles, the Place des Ormeaux and its eight fountains, the vaulted passages and the alleys bathed in sunlight … Tourtour offers the perfect setting to enjoy the end of the day.

  • For a few more km 75km 1454m Niveau Forme

    The longer option invites you to discover the Gorges de l’Artuby near the village of Le Martre. Between the limestone walls, a tumultuous water splashes the rock worn by time

Day 6

From TOURTOUR to SAINT-LAURENT-DU-VERDON 40km 551m Niveau Loisir

The pine forest and rows of olive trees dominate the landscape. Once again, the Provençal scents perfume the stage. The cicadas lull your pedal strokes. You pass through Aups, the “capital” of the Haut Var before reaching the hilltop village of Montpezat. For a refreshing swim or a canoe trip, Lake Montpezat lends itself well to nautical activities. End of stage in Saint-Laurent sur Verdon.

  • For a few more km 52km 797m Niveau Forme

    After Baudinard sur Verdon, you make a pleasant detour via the Sainte-Croix lake and its beach.

Day 7

From SAINT-LAURENT-DU-VERDON to MANOSQUE 45km 863m Niveau Loisir

This is the stage of the lakes. Irrigated by the Verdon, the Quinson and Esparron lakes provide the opportunity for new swimming. On the road to Manosque, Albiosc and especially Gréoux les Bains are two villages of character to discover. Known since antiquity, the thermal baths of Gréoux-les-Bains were visited by the Romans. In addition to the dry and sunny microclimate, the medicinal properties of naturally warm thermal water drawn from the depths are added to treat rheumatism and respiratory tract disorders.

  • For a few more km 62km 1364m Niveau Forme

    From Gréoux les Bains, the beach of Saint-Julien on the shores of Lake Esparron is an opportunity for a swim.

Day 8

MANOSQUE

End of stay after breakfast. Have a safe journey home!

Essential Range

You want to enjoy your itinerary without anything fancy. Our ”essential” range offers a simple accommodation for a good night’s rest in a simple hotel, guesthouse, rest house or hostel.

Accommodation example
Hotel du Terreau Manosque Chambre d'hôtes Valensole les secrets du Mistral Clos des Iris Moustiers-Sainte-Marie Hotel Vieil Amandier Trigance Domaine de Beauveset à Tourtour Chambre d’hôtes La Colombière du Château

Starting from 1070€/participant in Self Guided option | See detailed prices

Comfort Range

Our quality standard at Abicyclette. This type of accommodation includes 2 and 3 stars hotels. Depending on the itinerary, you might spend some nights in approved guesthouses. You enjoy a double bedroom with private bathroom and toilet and adapted welcome for you and your bikes.

Accommodation example
La Bastide Adrech à Manosque Chambre d'hôtes Grand Jardin Valensole Hôtel Bastide du Paradou à Moustiers-Sainte-Marie Hôtel château de Trigance Le mas des Collines à Tourtour

Starting from 1320€/participant in Self Guided option | See detailed prices

Privilege Range

Opt for total comfort in charming 3 and 4 star hotels which offer all the services you need and a special welcome for you and your bikes.


Quote on request | Contact us

Price includes

  • Accommodation: 7 nights in a Double room
  • 7 breakfasts
  • 2 dinners
  • Luggage transfer
  • Phone assistance 24/7
  • Access to our exclusive travel application to follow your route, inform you about places of interest, restaurants, facilitate your assistance in case of emergency, find all your travel documents and our practical advice.
  • Application fee
  • Taxes
  • The itinerary trackable on the following supports:
    • Loan of a Bicycle GPS uploaded with full itinerary of the trip
    • Cycling practical guide including restaurant recommendations for lunch & dinner with topo maps
  • Additional services included:
    • Day 1 : A personalized greeting with our team at the beginning of the trip to receive your travel documents
  • Price does not include

    • bike rental (see option)
    • Breakfast on day 1
    • Lunches
    • Dinners not included in "Price includes"
    • Drinks, visits & other personal expenses

    Homemade and fully tested itineraries
    • Routes selected for their cycling and touristic interest entirely tested and away from traffic
    • Accomodations selected for their hospitality, atmosphere, services and quality meals
    • A flexible organisation to suit you needs and wishes: You choose the date you want to you leave on! We check the availability of each accomodation to make sure it is possible.

    Close assistance
    • One of our guides greets you on your first day. He will hand out all the needed documents for the trip (hotel vouchers, maps of the area,GPS, practical guide), get you settled on your bikes (for rental bikes).
    • Phone assistance, you can reach the Abicyclette team whenever you need
    • A Luggage transfer service which respects your hours of rest (we pick them up after 10:00 and deliver them before 16:00)

    Follow your itinerary anyway you like – modern, practical, traditional

    appareil GPS TwoNav Cross

    • We loan you a GPS so that you can easily follow your itinerary without having to look for your way around (bike support included)
    • A practical cycling guide with all the useful information (addresses, highlights for the day, topo maps, and touristic information)

     


    You can also

     

    On our guided tours (for groups on demand), we accompany you every step of the way
    • One of our state qualified instructor and professional cycling guide accompanies you every step of the way
    • Full board (all meals covered unless asked otherwise)
    • A picnic buffet set up for lunch with a wide choice of fresh and local produce

    We offer a high-end bike rental service. Our bikes are suited for road and gravel road long-distance cycling. Fully equipped and highly reliable, they are faithful travel companions.


    Touring bike

    Supplied equipment per bike

    • 1 helmet
    • 1 pannier
    • 1 lock
    • 1 multi-tools
    • 1 pump
    • 1 repar tool kit with tube, tires levers, patches

    E-Bike

    An E-bike with a full equipment and a large autonomy (100km).

    Supplied equipment per bike

    • 1 helmet
    • 1 pannier
    • 1 lock
    • 1 multi-tools
    • 1 pump
    • 1 repair tool kit with patches, tires levers, tube
    Vélo Electrique Bachelas Bike Manosque

    Getting here

    Departure city : MANOSQUE

    Coming by car

    • at 7h from PARIS
    • at 6h from BORDEAUX
    • at 3h30 from LYON

    Arrival city : MANOSQUE

    Coming by car

    • at 7h from PARIS
    • at 6h from BORDEAUX
    • at 3h30 from LYON

    *Parking: Since many of our clients travel by train or plane, we do not include parking in our packages. In addition, many accommodations don’t have the capacity to park a vehicle for the duration of your cycling vacation. So if you’re planning to arrive by car, we suggest you check parking options when you make your reservation. If you reserve a parking space at the first or last accommodation of your stay, you must pay the accommodation provider on site.

    * Abicyclette Voyages accompanies you on demand, including transportation solutions.

    Recommended equipment

    Bike

    • Hybrid Bike or Touring Bike or Gravel Bike
    • 18 to 30-speed transmission
    • 26- to 29-inch wheels
    • Tires: 35 to 42 section, reinforced against punctures
    • Disc brakes recommended
    • 2 bottle cages
    • Bell
    • Front and rear lighting

    Clothing and equipment

    • Helmet (supplied with bike rental unless otherwise specified locally)
    • 1 bike mount for smartphone to use the mobile route planner application
    • Suitable cycling clothing:
      • bib, shorts or tights: elastic and breathable, to facilitate movement and wick away perspiration
      • Breathable T-shirts, synthetic or merino wool
      • Breathable windbreaker
    • Thermal or fleece jacket
    • Waterproof jacket
    • 1 pair of sunglasses
    • 1 pair of cycling shoes
    • 1 backpack or 1 or 2 carrier bags
    • 1 or 2 water bottles (supplied with bike rental in France)
    • 1 lock (supplied with bike rental)
    • Technical details, recommended by the team for optimum comfort:
      • 1 pair of gloves or mittens, depending on season and destination
      • Padded bib (chamois)
      • High-visibility vest or fluorescent belt
      • Neck warmer and cap

    Bike maintenance

    • Emergency repair kit: 2 or 3 inner tubes, patches, pump, tire levers, multi-tools
    • Maintenance kit: rag, oil, brake pads

    Other

    • A suitcase for your belongings carried in the vehicle (limited to one per person)
    • Street clothes
    • 1 pair of evening shoes
    • Fleece jacket for the evening
    • Toiletry bag
    • Telephone and charger

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