Especially in autumn and spring, when cyclists have the roads to themselves. 700 strenuous kilometres in the footsteps of the important Paris-Nice stage race.
Character
The trip from Lyon, France's second largest city, southwards to Nice leads through the Vercors mountain massif into the lonely mountains of the Drôme département, then north past Mont Ventoux into Provence and finally through the limestone massifs of the foothills of the Maritime Alps (Verdon Gorge) to the Côte d'Azur.
The scenery is great cinema, with spectacular views every day. The road conditions are consistently good, and in the low season there are few tourists travelling in their cars. A good level of physical fitness and a reliable mountain gear are prerequisites for unadulterated enjoyment.
Itinerary
680 km, 10,000 m maximum altitude: 1431 m (Vercors), maximum gradient: 13 per cent
Lyon-Satolas (TGV station and St Exupéry airport) - Hauterive (palace of the postman sFerdinand Cheval) - Pont-en-Royans - St Jean-en-Royans - Combe Laval (Vercors) - Col de Rousset - Die - Nyons - Sault (Mont Ventoux) - Apt - Manosque - Verdon gorge - Comps - Fayence - Grasse - Vence - Nice
Best time to travel
April to June and September and October (July and August are very hot in Provence).
Journey
Car: Via Saarbrücken or Mulhouse on the motorway to Lyon (toll). Return by TGV from Nice to Lyon. Book bike transport.
Rail: Outward journey via Strasbourg or Basel / Geneva to Lyon. Return journey from Nice by TGV. Please book your bike transport in good time.
Plane: Outward flight to Lyon-St.Exupéry. Return flight from Nice-Côte d'Azur. Bike transport subject to a charge.
Accommodation
Hotels or "chambresd'hôtes" (guest rooms) can be found in all towns. Double rooms with breakfast from 45 euros. Be sure to book a room in the high season! Campsites from approx. 5 euros.
Maps
From the "Michelin Régional" series, maps 523 and 527 at a scale of 1:200,000 (9.50 euros each). There is an excellent cycling map "La Drôme à Vélo" (Institut Géographique National, IGN) for crossing the Département Drôme.
Travel guide
From the series "Michelin - The Green Travel Guide" the volumes "Rhône Valley-Ardèche-Lyon", "Provence" and "Côte d'Azur", 19.90 euros each.
More info
Atout France - French National Tourist Board, P.O. Box 100128, 60001 Frankfurt am Main, mailto:info.de@franceguide.com , http://www.franceguide.com
