Ride at your own pace: les véloroutes de Provence

Cycling in the heart of Provence offers a unique way to experience the landscapes and hilltop villages of the region. Initially many villages in the Luberon were off limits to the casual cyclist like myself due the steep hills to be climbed if one was to reach the top perch. The electric bikes of the last decade made these more accessible and the recent opening of three different véloroutes along the old railway lines enables cyclists of all levels of fitness to enjoy one of France’s most popular national past-times across a wide swathe of Provence. .

Veloroute de Calavon - the first and closest veloroute to La Raffine was constructed along the railway line crossing the Calavon plain. The first section runs from Cavaillon passing through Robion, Coustellet, Beaumettes, Lumières, and the famous Pont Julien (a 2000 year old Roman bridge near Bonnieux, reaching Apt, with almost not interruption before leading towards the Alpes via Saignon and Saint-Martin de Castillon. A must if you just want a ride or for the more serious cycling tourist. The views of the Monts de Vaucluse and the Massif des Ocres embellish your ride.

Via Venaissia. The smallest of the veloroutes is now almost 50 km running from Orange to Isle-su-la-Sorgue. Built on the railway lines that joined the two towns, the route crosses the plain of the Comtat Venaissin passing through Carpentras et Pernes-les-Fontaines, with the Dentelles de Montmirail and the Ventoux as a backdrop.

Via Rhona - a portion of this long veloroute passes through Vaucluse, running from Villeneuve-les Avignon to Orange, passing through Avignon, Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Caderousse