Updates in Emergency Medicine
Provence, France
August 20-27, 2014
Program Outline
You will need to arrive in Avignon on August 20, 2014 where we will all meet and travel by bus to our first hotel. Exact times for the bus transfer will be made available closer to the date. On August 27, 2014 after breakfast we will transfer back to Avignon and you will be free to return home or travel on.
Day ONE
August 20th 2014
Arrive in Avignon-Either the TGV station or Airport
After arrival transfer to your hotel. Avignon is a bit over 3 hours by train from Paris. At the hotel, your guide will set up the bikes for each of you and explain the tour. You can explore Avignon and its Palace of the Popes in the afternoon on foot. Dinner at Le Saint Louis, which is 100 metres from your hotel Avignon Grand HoteL.
Day TWO
August 21st 2014
Transfer by Car to Le Pont Du Gard
After breakfast, we will transfer by car to the UNESCO heritage site Le Pont du Gard. After exploring the highest Roman aqueduct bridge, you will continue by bike through the vineyards of the renowned appellation "Cotes du Rhone" de Chateauneuf-du-Pape. There are many cellars where tastings of this specialty can be arranged. Dinner at your hotel La Sommellerie.
Day SIX
August 25th 2014
Ride from Grignan to Vaison-la-Romaine passing by Valreas
Vaison-la-Ramain is very interesting from an archeological point of view. From its Roman Bridge that separates the mediavel from modern cities, to the Notre Dame de Nazareth Cathedral that was built between the 5th-11th centuries to St Quenin Chapel that was built in the 6th century and the Roman ruins that reveal immense, luxurious and elaborate Gallo Roman homes. Dinner at your hotel Hostellerie Le Beffroi.
Day FOUR
August 23rd 2014
St Paul-les-Trois Châteaux to Grignan
A nice ride from St Paul-les-Trois-Chateaux to Grignan. You will start by crossing the village of Clansayes, where you will be able to get a panoramic view of the area from its Templar knight's tower. Then you will continue through Colonzelle and La Baume de Transit until finishing the ride in Grignan. When approaching Girgnan, from far off the village looks superb, proudly standing on the plain sheltered behind its great high walls. Resembling a bit like Mont Saint Michel, but surrounded by grass, a defensive fortress with houses nestling at the bottom, forming a harmonious volume of grey stone. Dinner at your hotel, the Bastide Grignan.
Day THREE
August 22nd 2014
Chateauneuf-du-Pape to Rochegude to St Paul-les-Trois-Chateaux
Today we will ride from Chateauneuf-du-Pape to Rochegude and then on to St Paul-les-Trois-Chateaux. Along the way you will pass through Orange, a city of excpetional historial heritage and having the only Roman theatre that has conserved its stage wall, and Serignan du Comtat which was an important medieval village in the history of the Couns of Toulouse and the domain of Diane de Potiers. Once in St Paul-les-Trois Chateaux you walk the old cobbled streets and visit the historical church. Dinner at your hotel Villa Augusta.
Day FIVE
August 24th 2014
Ride loop around Grignan to La Garde d'Adhemar
Today you have the choice to ride a loop to see the famous lavender fields around Grignan by riding to La Garde d'Adhemar. The village of La Garde d'Adhemar is classified as one of the 100 most beautiful villages in France as its medieval atmosphere from the 12th century has remained virtually intact. Same hotel as yesterday.
Daily Riding: 40 km
Daily Riding: 31km or 41 km
Daily Riding: 31 km
Daily Riding: 41 km
Daily Riding: 47 km
Day SEVEN
August 26th 2014
Ride from Vaison-la-Romaine to Mazan
You have two riding options today based on how you feel and your interests.
Option 1 is the easier ride that passes through the wine villages of Gigondas, Casqueras and Beaumes de Venise. Option 2 crosses the Dentelles de Montmirail passing through Malaucene and Beaumes de Venise. Malaucene is the capital of the Ventoux. The village lies around its ancient fort which is at the highest point in village. Beaumes de Venise is name after the many caves (les blames) that are found on the hillside. We continue on to the small village of Mazan, where you will be staying. The Chateau de Mazan in 1772 had the very first Theatre Festival in France. Dinner at your hotel Chateau de Mazan.
Day EIGHT
August 27th 2014
Transfer back to Avignon
After breakfast we will transfer you back to Avignon. You can choose to stay in Avignon or we can bring you to the TGV station where you can catch a train to your next destination.
Daily Riding: 40km or 65km if you want to climb the famous Mt Ventoux.
