About Provence

One of the important elements we always try to put into a Chain Gang tour is that the area, and the places that we visit, should be truly memorable. Extraordinary, not ordinary. Provence certainly qualifies.

It's hot, hilly and can get crowded. But it boasts amazing historical buildings, fascinating Roman and medieval history and one of the finest and most distinctive cuisines in France, as well as many beautiful valleys, rivers and gorges.

More than two thousand years ago the Romans established their first province outside Italy, and so 'Provence' was born.

The roman remains in Provence today are the most striking outside Italy, and include beautifully preserved amphitheaters in Nîmes, Arles and Orange. Perhaps the most famous site of all is the extraordinary aqueduct at Le Pont du Gard, which still carries traffic - though not water - across the Gardon valley today.

Peter Mayle's book 'A Year in Provence' painted a picture of mouth-watering Provençale cuisine, featuring fresh herbs and local olive oil and garlic, and of the beautiful Lubéron hills, now a National Park.

For me, the chance to cycle through the Lubéron Hills, Ménerbes, and other areas described by Peter Mayle, and to see these amazing Roman remains would make Provence quite memorable enough. But during our week in Provence we'll visit Avignon, home to the Popes in the 14th Century, and dominated by the truly huge Palais des Papes.

We'll visit Chateauneuf du Pape on the banks of the Rhone, producing some of the finest wines in France, as well as lesser-known appellations like Côtes du Lubéron and Les Baux-de-Provence.

We'll also visit the resurgent spring at Vaucluse, source of the river Sorgue and one of the most powerful springs in the world, as well as the ruined fortress at Les Baux-de-Provence.

Baux, which gives its name to the bauxite deposits found here, sits on the top of a plateau surrounded on all sides by a 200 metre vertical drop. This spur of rock looks across a gorge to the rest of the Alpilles hills, and it's pretty clear what an effective fortress this once was.

Baux is very popular, and can get very crowded, but as you'll appreciate when you see it, you shouldn't miss it. We also pass close to the home of the Marquis de Sade, for those interested.

As ever, we've tried to put together the most interesting week we can. We cycle on mostly quiet country roads, as well as some tracks and cycle paths, and each evening we stay at a good quality, comfortable hotel and we'll enjoy some of the best food and wine of the region.