| Distance: |
Map
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| 2.700km |
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| Highlights: |
Cathare
castles, Loire valley castles, Lascaux cave |
Day
1: The tour begins in St Raphaël riding up along
the Provence inland sceneries to reach Castle
Ansouis, a surprising architectural example,
its history starting in the Xth century. Following
the originally medieval Castle
of Gordes, which got modified during the XVIth
century. Passing through St Rémy de Provence the
tour will ride up to the Baux
de Provence.
Day
2: Rivers being a major communication way in
the past it is obvious that some magnificent castles
stand on their banks. The Rhône river being a major
one we will ride towards Avignon to enjoy the Palais
des Papes a major gothic piece of work. Facing
it on the over bank on the Rhône stands Villeneuve-lès-Avignon
and its XIIIth century castle. Riding up the Rhône
valley the tour will reach Castle
Grignan (Renaissance), Castle Cruas (XII to
XIVth century), Castle
Crest (Dungeon XVth century, highest exiting
in France) and Castle Lavoulte (Renaissance).
Day
3: Time to ride west and ride by the very few
castles one can find in the middle of France: Castle
Murol (medieval place on the top of a hill dated
XIVth century) and Castle
Bourbon l'Archambault (medieval place from where
the Bourbon dynasty started).
Day
4: Leaving the fortresses from the center of
France the tour rides now north towards the Loire
valley. On the way Castle
Sarzay (XIVth century, one of the last medieval
places, outdated thanks to the artillery progress).
Castle Villegongis (XVIth century) is a soft introduction,
through its charm and finesse, to the extreme magnificence
of the King castles. But before enjoying style and
richly decorated castles the Castle
Loche will remind us that in the XIth century
the Touraine region was, like many others, changing
hands after some fighting.
Day
5 : Rest day dedicated to some of the most beautiful
castles in the Loire valley: Castle
Amboise, Castle
Chambord and Castle
Chenonceau.
Day
6 : Leaving Touraine can't be done without having
a look at what is renowned worldwide as a model
of the French "Elégance": Castle Azay-le-Rideau.
After all those magnificent Touraine Castles the
tour will take you to the Chinon
Fortress (XIIIth century) and its history (people
like King Charles VII and Joan of Arc spent some
time in it). Following comes Castle
Oiron (XVI-XVIIth century). As this day is full
of contrasts here comes Castle Parthenay (XIIIth
century) a superb example of the defensive solutions
evolutions over time. Castle
Coudray-Salbart (XIIth century) is one more
example and among the most impressive French powerful
fortresses, small but strong. Last castle of the
day Castle
Niort (XIIth century) has only its strong dungeon
left standing but again what an impressive one.
The end of the day will take you to the Atlantic
coast for a peaceful rest.
Day
7 : Say good-bye to the Atlantic as the time
has come to dive back to history. Castle Puyguilhem
demonstrates that there is no need to be on the
Loire valley to create a castle full of harmony.
Definitely not the style used for Castle Bourdeilles
(XIIIth century) and its huge octagonal tower. As
the tour is in Dordogne it is time to set the time
machine to go back 17 500 years!! Here comes the
Lascaux
cave.
Day
8 : On the way south the tour passes by Castle
Najac and its ruins. Albi and its Berbie
Palace will demonstrate that the XIIIth century
is not all about big stones and walls. But the cherry
on the cake of this day will be the city
of Carcassonne! 3 kilometers of walls, 40 towers
and a history starting around the VIIIth century.
Day
9 : Starting with a ride through the Languedoc
vineyards the curvy roads ride through some lovely
towns like Béziers
and its historical monuments before getting to the
Mediterranean sea. Close to the sea and on the left
side of the Rhône delta lies the Town of Aigues-Mortes
and its huge walls (defined in 1250 by Louis XI
who wanted a port on the Mediterranean sea). The
day will end in Nîmes
with a time slide towards the roman era.
Day
10 : Last day of the tour and more castles.
Crossing the Rhône river from the west by Castle
Beaucaire to the east by Castle
Tarascon (XVth century) it is time to ride back
through Provence towards Saint Raphaël.
