Les Plus Beaux Villages de France Cycling tour announced

Ride & Seek has partnered with Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (meaning “the most beautiful villages of France”), an independent association created in 1982 that aims to promote small and picturesque French villages of quality heritage. There are 157 villages spread across 21 regions that can lay claim to this prestigious title, and Ride & Seek’s Provence cycling tour takes riders to a number of them. Guests will explore St. Remy (birthplace of Nostradamus), Les Baux, Venasque, Les Alpilles, Glanum and more. Along the way sample fantastic wines from the Côtes du Rhône region, dine on amazing cuisine known for its flair and freshness, and stay in charming hotels. The spring tour is slated for May 21-28, 2017. Prices start at $3,745 USD. http://www.rideandseek.com/ local/ provence. “We visit some of the best preserved remnants of the Roman empire on our journey,” said Ride & Seek co-founder Sam Wood. “Cycling through landscapes painted by Cezanne and Van Gogh, it will become very clear why so many of the most distinguished poets and painters made Provence home.” This Provence itinerary is designed for the discerning cyclist who wishes to explore this region in-depth. The tour allows participants to ride as little or as much as they would like. As such, this tour is suitable for non-riders since there are plenty of activities to keep them busy. It also provides scope for more experienced riders to push themselves on our extra loops which include the “giant” of Provence – Mont Ventoux. Provence Bike Tour Highlights * Explore 8 villages classified as being among the most beautiful in France - ‘Les Plus Beaux’ * Wander the streets of St. Remy, birthplace of Nostradamus and visit the site of the sanitarium where Van Gogh painted his final works * Be enchanted by the rich Roman heritage of the region from the ruins of Glanum to the ‘little brother’ of the Pont du Gard - Barbegal * Experience the quintessential Provencal experience - the weekly market - and delight in the sensory overload. * Sample the sophisticated wines of Côtes du Rhône and delight in a cuisine that has few equals * Take up the challenge of one of the most iconic cycle routes of them all – climbing Mont Ventoux. * Embrace the elements of the good life that Peter Mayle so articulately depicted in his 1989 book ‘A Year in Provence’!