2021 TOUR DE FRANCE
Mountains, Lavender & Wine Deluxe Chateau Edition
2021 Tour de France Mt Ventoux, the Cevennes and Provence Deluxe Chateau Edition What a better way to forget about all the disappointments and challenges of 2020 than to spend a glorious week in Southern France following Le Tour, cycling some of the most iconic routes, immersing yourself in the culture of France and lazing about in your own private Chateau for a week. We are again fortunate to have the Tour de France play in our region for five glorious days. This allows us to be based in one location for the duration of your holiday…. and what a spectacular location we have chosen. Set in the picturesque forests around Uzès, a jewel of Southern France, Chateau St Victor is guaranteed to send you home with unforgettable memories and begging to come back for more. Riders of all levels enjoy our cycling holidays, because they know they are fully supported all the way both on bike. We offer two ride options per day and with a support vehicle and ride guides never far away, and off the you are secure in the knowledge that all you have to do is enjoy the scenery, pedal and we take care of the rest.
This tour is also a fabulous choice for non-riding partners. With activities on offer every day and Chateau St Victor at our disposal (complete with swimming pool, tennis court and superb grounds) there is always something to keep you entertained.
tour we will see the PRO riders on several occasions up close and live. We will see two stage During this starts, watch them sign on and warm up and if your lucky enough get a selfie. We will also see an exciting stage finish in the stunning city of Nimes with its Roman Coliseum at its heart. And finally we will see them ride through the streets of Uzès, right on our doorstep. outdone by the PROS, we will also be sure to follow directly in their pedal strokes. This region of Not to be Southern France and Provence offers some of the most scenic riding in all of France. This year the riders tackle one of the greatest and most famous in the Tours history, Mt Ventoux. The PROS will climb it a grueling two times in one day, but we will take it slightly easy and tackle the most challenging and famous side. We will also take in one of the climbs made famous in the 2019 Tour in the nearby Cevennes mountain range, Mont Aigoual. In the build up to these climbs we will take in some of the most beautiful biking roads in all of France, through famous vineyards and sunflower fields to ancient natural and manmade wonders from Pont du Arc to Pont du Gard and all things in between.
If you are a new comer to France, or if you have visited many times before, this tour of Mt Ventoux and Provence is sure to open your eyes to new surprises and waken a newfound love for France. This tour is the perfect blend of riding, culture, food, wine and Tour de France. We invite you to read the following itinerary to find out what makes this Tour de France cycling holiday one not to miss out on, and find out why so many of our guests return year after year!
Get ready to be treated like a PRO by the PROS with the team at PRO CYCLING TOURS.COM
* Subject to availability. Double share only
DATES:
5 to 12 July 2021
PRICE:
$ 5,590 AUD
GROUP SIZE:
14 guests with 4 professional staff
START & FINISH:
TGV Station Avignon or Nîmes
CONTACT:
info@procyclingtours.com
(8 days / 7 nights)
DAY 1
WELCOME TO LE TOUR DE FRANCE
Today we will welcome you to one of the most picturesque villages in France. Uzès is a unique blend of history, art, food, culture and joie de vivre. Depending on your arrival times, we will collect you from Avignon or Nîmes TGV train station and take you to our spectacular and luxurious private chateau, ours alone
for the entire week.
Once checked in, your PRO CYCLING TOURS team will be on hand to help re-assemble your bike or introduce
hire bike. you to your
To complete your arrival, you will receive our exciting new welcome pack, which includes not one but now two
full sets of our BRAND NEW DESIGN PRO kit. After all, you need to look the part when you’re riding amongst
the worlds best PROS.
We will be keen to begin to introduce you to our back yard so we will go for a really pretty ride through some of the prettiest neighbouring villages and also over the UNESCO World Heritage Site the Pont du Gard. It will be a great introduction to fellow guests.
Our Chateau is located a short distance from the sublime town of Uzès. From its cobbled streets to
magnificent preserved architecture, the current Duke’s palace, beautiful boutiques and amazing markets and
squares, Uzès delivers all the charm and authenticity expect of a charming French village and so you would much more. There is plenty to do in this town and you
will soon be hypnotised by its allure…you may decide never to leave.
Tonight we will enjoy getting to know each other over a fabulous private welcome dinner in the sumptuous dining room at Chateau St Victor. RIDE
2.5 hours / 50km / flat and rolling
STAY
Luxurious Private Chateau St Victor
5 JULY
DAY 2 ENCOUNTER WITH EARLY MAN a rest day, today the PRO riders are back in Following
6 JULY
the saddle and begin their way from the Albertville in
the Alps to Valance in the south of France.
After our delicious chateau breakfast we will head out directly from our accommodation and make our way
north to the amazing Gorge d’Ardeche. The Peloton will
makes its way through the valley tomorrow, so we get a
chance today to take in the beautiful surrounds without the maddening crowds. On the way to the spectacular natural historic site of Pont d’Arc, we will stop for coffee along the way at some of the regions most picturesque villages including
La Roque sur Ceze and Goudargues.
For those who are keen to take in a bit of human history, we will spend some time at the breathtaking
Caves of Chauvet. This truly unique experience is not to
Discovered in 1994 this cave, dating back be missed. to 30,000BC contains some of the best-preserved
figurative cave paintings in the world, as well as other evidence of Upper Palaeolithic life. We have visited the
site many times, and believe us, its not just a simple matter of looking at old rock art….as Sean Penn once
said, he was moved to tears and filled with unbelievable emotions during his visit here. We will them make our way back to the Chateau and depending on the timing of the Tour, watch the final kilometeres unfold live on television either back at our base or on route and a fabulous quintessential French bar.
Tonight you will have the opportunity to explore and dine in many of the wonderful restaurants in Uzès.
RIDE
65km (40mi) / 3 .5 – 4.5hrs /780mt gain (2560 ft)
SLEEP
Luxurious Private Chateau St Victor
DAY 3 PICTURESQUE PROVENCE & STAGE FINISH Today marks a very challenging day for the PRO riders.
7 JULY
They will begin their day, at the village of Sourges, just
outside of Avignon, before making their way towards and up the infamous Mont Ventoux, not once but twice!
Tour history: Malaucène, set at the bottom of Mont
Ventoux, has of course witnessed several passages of the Tour. But only once was a line drawn there: in 2013 Peter
Sagan claimed an intermediate sprint ahead of Sylvain Chavanel and a little group of escapees, before Chris Froome, already wearing yellow, dominated his rivals at the summit of the Ventoux. Well before, in 1955, Ferdi Kübler completely broke down at the exit of the village before later
falling several times on the road to Avignon and eventually retiring from the race.
Today we will depart the Chateau by van for the heart of
to start a beautiful ride through some of the Provence
most amazing villages in the area. We will aim to get to
near the base of Mt Ventoux in time to watch Malaucène the riders pass through the first time before making their
way up the mountain for a second more gruelling ascent.
This small village will be full of excitement today and the energy will be infectious. It should take the PRO riders just
over an hour to tackle the mountain, something that will take us well over double that in a few days time (maybe even triple!)
For our guests who are not riding today, you will enjoy the excitement supporting our riders on their ride before arriving at the pretty and action packed village of
Malaucène. Tonight you will have an opportunity to dine at your own
the old town of Uzès and explore its beautiful leisure in cobbled streets and medieval architecture.
RIDE
60km (37mi) / 3 - 4hrs / rolling
SLEEP
Luxurious Private Chateau St Victor
DAY 4 STAGE START AND PRIVATE WINE TASTING Today, we and the PRO riders begin our day in the lovely town of St Paul Trois Chateau. The PROs have a relatively easy flat
161km stage to ride, however it may be a fast and furious if the Mistral wind blows. The Mistral is not to be taken lightly
and it could cause the overall standings to change very quickly.
After another sumptuous breakfast in the Chateau, we head
out by van to the exciting Stage Start. It will be your first opportunity to ask for that photo or signature and walk
amongst the team busses. A stage start is a fabulous insight into the machine that is the Tour de France. You will be right
in the thick of the action to grab many of the trinkets and souvenirs thrown out at the crowd by the tour sponsors. The caravan has grown so much over the years that it now takes well over 45 minutes for the parade to pass. Once the gun has sounded and the riders have departed, we will head out on our very own ride, and take a beautiful ride amongst sunflower fields and vineyards to our destination, world famous Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Here we will enjoy a
fabulous private tasting in an ancient underground cellar right in the heart of this iconic French village.
For those not riding today, you will have time to explore the village of St Paul Trois Chateau at the stage start. A short afternoon supporting our riders and then finish it off with a
spectacular wine tasting at Chateauneuf du Pape.
Or you may simply choose to spend your day lazing about the chateau and exploring the nearby surrounds. Tonight you will have an opportunity to once again sample some of the local cuisine at your choice of restaurant in nearby Uzes.
RIDE
70km (43mi) / 3.5 – 4hrs / 710mt gain (2329ft)
SLEEP
Luxurious Private Chateau St Victor
8 JULY
DAY 5 TDF SPRINT AND PIC SAINT LOUP LOOP This morning we have a relaxed start to the day. Following
9 JULY
a leisurely breakfast we make our way towards todays
stunning region just north of Montpellier, the area with Pic St Loup at its heart. The TDF will depart from the city of Nimes today and make its way to Carcassonne some 220km west. It is a long
stage today but a relatively flat one, so it is guaranteed to be a fast one!
We will get our final opportunity to see the caravan and
the PRO riders pass by at one of the first intermediate sprint lines. This is always a fun banner to be under to see
the first group of riders lunge for the line to take the first points of the day. Our ride today is a very dramatic loop ride with Pic St Loup always nearby. You can ride as little or as much of the ride as you like today. And, for those not riding you will have the opportunity to watch the action of the sprint plus take a stunning hike up to the top of the majestic Pic St Loup where you can watch the gliders pass overhead and see the Mediterranean waters. across to It will be a fabulous day spent watching the Tour and riding some superb French roads at our own pace.
En route, we will enjoy a fabulous local French picnic in the vineyards – the perfect energy food for riders and nonriders alike.
Tonight we will enjoy a delicious group dinner together and talk through the first of our major climbs of the tour.
RIDE
67km (42mi) / 3 – 4hr / undulating
SLEEP
Luxurious Private Chateau St Victor
DAY 6 THREE COLS IN ONE RIDE – CEVENNES MOUNTAINS day lies ahead for us today as we tackle the first An exciting major HC climb of our holiday.
At an altitude of 1560mt (5120ft) you will certainly feel it in your legs when you get to the top….but OH, THOSE views!! Breathtaking and worth every pedal stroke.
Mont Aigoual has been ridden in Le Tour for the past two years in a row with 2020 being the scene for an amazing hilltop finish (albeit without the crowds). This year it will be
your turn.
We depart after breakfast and make our way to the pretty mountain village of Le Vigan where we will begin our ride. Only about 2.5km in and we hit our first ‘col’ at 537mt this baby is a good warm up. Next we make our way up the beautiful mountain road taking in the views as we go. The next col we conquer is Col
de la Lusette. At 1351mt we really begin to appreciate why this region is the new favourite for the organisers of Le Tour de France.
Finally we arrive at the top of Mont Aigoual, with its open fields and roaming horses and cows and sheep at the top
you are afforded 360-degree views of the landscape below. On a clear day you can see across to the Mediterranean
and then further across to the Pyrenees and over to tomorrows amazing climb of Mt Ventoux.
We descend back down the other side and finish our ride at
the quaint village of Valleraugue. For those not riding we propose today you spend in the support vehicle to enjoy a part of France rarely seen by tourist as well off the beaten tourist track. After today’s epic day in the saddle, you will enjoy your wellearned dinner in a nearby local restaurant.
RIDE
4- 5hrs / 52 km (32 mi) / 1530mt gain (5019ft)
SLEEP
Luxurious Private Chateau St Victor
10 JULY
DAY 7 A GIANT FINISH – MONT VENTOUX Mont Ventoux has become legendary as the scene of one
11 JULY
of the most grueling climbs and combat zones in Tour de France’s history. Ascended sixteen times since 1951 and last climbed only a few days ago, the unique rocky lunar
provides a truly wonderful breathtaking view landscape across the French Alps to the Mediterranean.
As the name suggests (vent means windy in French), it
can get very breezy at the summit, especially if the infamous ‘mistral’ wind is blowing. At times speeds as
high as 320 kph (200 mph) have been recorded.
Once lavishly covered in trees, from the twelfth century onwards it was heavily logged to support the demands for
shipbuilding and with subsequent winds removing all of the topsoil nothing has regrown at is summit. It really makes for a unique cycling experience in itself. Even if you have conquered this giant in the past, it’s always great to show her you mean business and perhaps beat your best time!
Depending on how you feel and time permitting, you also
opportunity to ride one of the most dramatic have the gorges in all of France, Gorge de la Nesque, which is very
hard to ignore. An epic day on the bike for those looking for one, it’s our chance to shine! For those not riding,
you’ll enjoy being chaperoned to the summit of Mont Ventoux for the most incredible views of Provence and
the distant Alps.
Time spent in the medieval village of Bedoin, and perhaps a short stroll to viewing platforms in the Gorge de la Nesque will cap off and great day out.
We will delight in a sumptuous group dinner at the Chateau and share in the many tales of our experience today and over the past week.
RIDE
3–7 hrs / 70-120km (43-75 mi) / up to 2000mt (6500ft)
SLEEP
Luxurious Private Chateau St Victor
DAY 8 AU REVOIR BUT NOT GOOD BYE bid farewell to what has been an amazing Today we holiday and the 2121 edition of the Tour de France.
Depending on your departure time, we may have time for one last local ride and final coffee and boulangerie stop in Uzès in the morning.
Later, we will provide any assistance disassembling and packing your bike or remove your pedals, garmin etc from your hire bike.
For our guests planning on staying a little longer in the region, we are more than happy to assist with any add-on accommodation or transport advice.
For our guests leaving the area today, we will arrange transfer either Avignon or Nimes TGV stations if required. It is also the PRO CYCLING TOURS team’s opportunity to farewell our fellow travels and to thank you for entrusting us in taking you on a journey through this truly magical southern region of France.
We look forward to welcoming you back very soon.
Happy travels et bon voyage.
A bientot!
DEPART
Avignon or Nimes TGV
12 JULY
WHAT MAKES THIS TOUR SPECIAL l
We guarantee more inclusions, more support and the best professional service you will receive on any cycling holiday, especially during Tour de France.
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Slumber in a splendid 17 Century Chateau. This Chateau is for the sole use of guests on this tour and comes with all the facilities you would expect: Private bathrooms, luxurious bedrooms and furnishings throughout, enormous sparkling pool, tennis court, beautiful manicured private grounds. We remain in this one location throughout this holiday so you only need to unpack once.
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Delicious and filling buffet breakfast on ALL mornings, fit for a king or queen.
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Daily laundry service of cycling clothes and a daily cleaning service of your bike.
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Dine on 4 mouth-watering three or four course meals showcasing the local cuisine and served with local wines and beverages. Several of these meals are prepared by our own private chef and served in the spectacular dining room at the Chateau.
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Witness live several stages of the Tour de France including a stage finish, a stage start and an exciting stage sprint or KOM.
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All transfers from the moment you arrive at Nîmes or Avignon TGV for the duration of the tour to the moment you depart, in our modern and comfortable air-conditioned vehicles. We use smaller vehicles and not large coaches to afford more personal support and quicker transfer times.
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Ride of the world’s classic TDF climbs including Mont Ventoux and Mont Aigoual plus plenty lesser known Cols as well.
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Visit and explore some of France’s most beautiful charming and picturesque villages and ride stunning quiet back roads and discover UNESCO world heritage sites. Including entrance and tour of the recently discovered Caves of Chauvet.
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Picnic lunch on at least one afternoon.
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Flexible ride options each day - ride as much or as little as you like. With peace of mind knowing you are fully supported all the way.
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The owner of PRO CYCLING TOURS creates and personally hosts your holiday experience along with a dedicated team of experienced professionals.
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Smaller group sizes to ensure you receive uncompromised service. With 4 professional staff for a maximum of 14 guests (hands down the best ratio in the industry) you always receive the PRO treatment and you are never left without support. We are with you all the way.
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Multilingual guides and professional mechanic service including daily cleaning and maintenance check of your bike.
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Modern, fully equipped, air-conditioned 9 seater vans with WI-FI connectivity, portable showers, change rooms, entertainment systems and more.
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At PRO CYCLING TOURS we are dedicated to making your holiday with us one of your most memorable. You receive the PRO treatment from the moment you contact us to well after your holiday has ended.
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Our professional Soignier support includes transfer of luggage, expert handling of your bike and taking care of all the finer details so you don’t have to think about a thing.
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Photography by PRO CYCLING TOURS. We provide you with hundreds of precious memories of your holiday, before you leave for home.
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Detailed printed ride maps and colour itinerary.
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2 sets of PRO CYCLING TOURS PRO style quality riding kit (our new exciting kit professionally designed in 2019).
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On road supplements including energy bars, drinks, first aid and vehicle support throughout your ride and the day (not just at the start and finish).
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PLUS plenty more PRO CYCLING TOURS exciting extras to surprise you along the way.
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OUR ACCOMMODATION - CHATEAU ST VICTOR & UZES A magnificent private home, Chateau St Victor is a remarkable architectural feature. Rich in both history and furnishings, PRO CYCLING TOURS is pleased to offer this exclusive Chateau as your accommodation and base for the duration of your holiday with us. Set on two private acres with sparking swimming pool, tennis court, newly renovated garden pavilion perfect for pre ride stretches and yoga. The Chateau itself offers 16 private bedrooms, all with ensuite bathrooms and amongst these rooms are several opulent suites. The current Château is built on the site of an older one, which dates back to the Renaissance (early 16th century). It belonged to the same family, the "d'André de Saint Victor", from 1709 to 1875 and was partially destroyed by the revolution and the republicans who did not give gifts to the nobles of the region The present monument is the work of Léonce Pascal, once mayor of the village, restored and enlarged it (notably by adding the part on the right of the main façade) using many elements of the old Château. He also created the park that surrounds and also had the Clock Tower built behind the Château, which still rings today. The Chateau is located a few kilometres from Uzès, the first duchy of France. The discreet but oh so elegant town of Uzès has preserved in its centre much evidence of its rich past.
Encircled by the Boulevard Gambetta, the Medieval town is a maze of small streets and shaded squares lined with 17th and 18th century private mansions. There is so much to do and see in and around Uzes you might even want to linger a little longer!
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HOW TO FINALISE YOUR BOOKING To guarantee your place(s) on this tour, simply register and confirm your booking by way of a $1,000 AUD deposit through our 2021 Tour de France tour page at procyclingtours.com Final balance of tour payment is due 3 months prior to tour start. For any questions please feel free to email us at info@procyclingtours.com and remember to visit our FAQs page for all trip inclusions, bike hire details etc. For full terms & conditions please refer to our website www.procyclingtours.com.
SINGLE ROOM GUARANTEE All tour cost are based on twin share. We will match you with a same sex partner. If you are travelling alone and prefer not to share a room or bathroom facilities, we can provide you with your own room. At an additional cost of $1200 AUD you will be guaranteed a PRIVATE SUITE with private facilities. Please note we have a selected number of SUITES available at the chateau. You can select this option at time of booking with a deposit to guarantee the room for $200 AUD.
COVID-19 BOOKING CONDITIONS At time of preparing this itinerary, we are all, around the world, still experiencing uncertain times with regards to travel and travel restrictions.
For our 2021 Tours, we are offering ‘Peace of Mind’ booking terms. Should there be a restriction placed on travel to and from your tour destination due to Covid-19, you will have the ability to cancel your booking up to 48 hours prior without penalty and receive a full refund. We also adhere to strict Covid-19 guidelines while on tour regarding social distancing and hygiene.
HIGH END ROAD BIKE HIRE or E-BIKE HIRE We have access to a fleet the latest high-end road bikes PLUS introducing a limited number of E-Bikes. For the duration of this tour hire cost are: $ 700 AUD for Road Bike $ 1100 AUD for E-Bike Hire bike costs includes: !
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New carbon road bikes with small gearing OR E-bike Professional new season helmet, sanitised and safety standards approved Two new water bottles - yours to keep after the tour Safety saddle bag with multi-tool, spare tube, leavers and gas canister Qualified mechanical support- including daily check and clean of your bike All and any spares (if required i.e. tubes etc.)
We require a valid credit card at time of booking to cover the $6000 AUD for the road bike or $8500 AUD for your E-Bike should your hire bike be stolen or damaged by you outside of our normal terms of use.
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Contact us at:
INFO@PROCYCLINGTOURS.COM
*Itinerary subject to change at any time without notice *Full terms and conditions visit www.procyclingtours.com
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