Join us on the final few days of our bike tour, cycling along the Roger Lapebie cycle trail from Sauveterre-De-Guyenne to Bordeaux, and from Aix en Provence, back over The Luberon to our home near Apt.
In Parts 1 to 4 we have made our way from East Devon, to Saint Malo, pedalling through the west of France, taking quiet backroads as we make our way through this beautiful part of France.
In this last part of our ride, we take the superb off-road bike path through the Bordeaux Vineyards, arriving in the city, before taking an early train to Aix en Provence to arrive in time to watch Provence Rugby’s first home match of the new proD2 season.
Then a final bike ride, out of the city, finding a quiet route across The Luberon via Tour D’Aigues and Vitrolles en Luberon. A long climb, but a glorious day to end the Tour, before crossing the Col and cycling along the Veloroute du Calavon, back to our home.
We turned the pedals for 1200km and have had a fantastic ride, experiencing so much more of this wonderful country.
More detail on each stage of our trip can be found on our website vauclusedreamer.com
We hope you enjoyed travelling with us and hope you can join us on a 6 week trip to Japan, exploring the countryside by bike, on foot and in a camper van.
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Welcome to Postcards from Provence and part five of our 12,200 km bike ride from Devon down to the south of France. We had a lovely few days off around Uras, avoiding the storms and making the most of the riding before saying good night to the town, leaving early and heading out along the dropped valley, passing this beautiful old mill on our way through the back lanes. We said hello to the cows, past beautiful old tobacco by drying barns on what was our last day’s ride on this side of the country through to Bordeaux. [Music] The weather wasn’t looking particularly brilliant, but we picked up the signs, watched some grapes being harvested. These ones by tractor, but others by hand as well. We stopped for second breakfast in Soert Guien before joining on the Roger Lapy Trail, a wonderful off-road cycle path along the bed of an old railway line that runs from the town almost into the center of Bordeaux. [Music] It was glorious silk smooth tarmac between the vineyards and maze fields. [Music] All we could do was smile and enjoy the ride. It was the first cycle path we’d been on really since leaving home and it was just lovely. The clouds had cleared [Music] and we just enjoyed the views. The vineyards here were vast, too. [Music] From the look of the grapes, the Bordeaux wines are going to be good this year. But there were still storms around, so we were always under threat of getting very wet indeed. [Music] We kept going on, cycling into a tunnel. Happily, the lights come on just as you go in. [Music] We potted our way through [Music] and emerged, blinking in the sunlight as we came out the other side. It was really quite cool. As we headed on towards Crayon, the sun was shining and we just enjoyed ourselves. What else could we do? [Music] We stopped for lunch and it started to rain. It’s definitely raining. We passed Rapunzel’s castle and then the sun came back out again. It was one of those days, sunshine and showers. And the showers there, they were very wet, but the rest of the time was just beautiful. It’s really easy to see why this is such a popular cycle trail. [Music] Soon we emerge next to the river towards Bordeaux, passing fishing huts and stopping on the bridge that used to be a sea of traffic that is now set out mainly for pedestrians, cyclists and buses, crossing the vast river before taking a walk and having a beer. Night’s sleep, an early start, and back on the train. Heading out through the morning light, past Fasier, onto Marles, and then on again to eight where we just about made it off on time. Used the lift and then popped into the city for lunch. We’ve gone a bit feral as we sat on the pavement surrounded by these elegant buildings and just enjoyed the site. But that’s cycle touring for you. The evening we walked past Suzanne’s house, went to the rugby. It’s always a fantastic atmosphere. And yes, this is the food that’s on offer. Another wonderful evening and definitely worth all the pedalling to get to it. Our second rugby match of proday du away and now at home. We had a good night’s sleep. Woke the next morning for breakfast in the market. Took a little walk and then it’s off again. Definitely our last day’s ride today. The climb out of a was tough, but the views as we went across Monsan Victto were beautiful. [Music] Our first view of home just the other side of that lump and we crossed the Durant on a well-built cycle route at the side of the road. and potted on to torque where we sat and had lunch. And then the final stretch, pedalling below the Lubberon, stopping for a drink, we were as thirsty as the cat in the pretty town of Payan. Even I had a Coke. It was so hot. and then on again climbing out of the village through Vrol and up. There is only one way over the Lubberon here and it involves a lot of uphill, but it was gloriously quiet with beautiful views back down into the south. We sat under the shade of a tree just enjoying the sense of Provence. Smelt so different here. And then up again the last bit climbing up and reaching the top of the coal and the border between Vloo’s and the Alope Provence. Another cyclist kindly took a photo of us. This crossing point may be higher than the cold ponchu, but the road’s quiet and it is just a glorious way to cross the Lubon. We enjoyed a moment in the shade. And from here it’s all downhill, back through Crest and along the Veo route Ducalabon. Another great off-road old railway trail that takes us almost to our front door. What a way to end a glorious ride. And then we were home. The lavender fields have been harvested. But it was so good to be back. [Music] So here we’ve been from Devon, some cycling, some trains, two little fairies, and then a crossing to San Marlo. Then down through France, the west coast. Few little stops, days off in glorious places that we have to go back to. Another train through to Marseilles and Aches and of course the rugby on the way. We hope you’ve enjoyed traveling with us. Coming soon, in fact, very soon at 6 weeks in Japan with the bikes and a camper van. Hope you can join us. Thanks for following.