Provence Tour Accommodations

Sunday
Hôtel d’Europe, built in 1580 by the Marques de Graveson, was lived in by the Graveson and Forbin families, overlooking one of the most beautiful squares of Avignon, until the French Revolution of 1789.  The building was eventually transformed into a hotel by Madame Pierron, on the insistence of her friend Napoléon Bonaparte, and the hotel still carries the name chosen by Madame Pierron to this day.  The hotel was the only hotel in Avignon to appear in the very first Michelin Guide in 1900.  The 19th century saw many distinguished guests staying at the hotel including the Queen of Spain in 1832, Victor Hugo in 1839 and also Charles Dickens.  Perhaps the 20th century saw some of the more well-known residents, and these included, after World War II, Picasso and Salvador Dali, and Jacqueline Kennedy in 1993 on her visit to her ancestor’s home town of Pont Saint Esprit.  In 1996 the hotel was used as accommodation for Mr Chirac, Mr Kohl and Mr Jospin during a French-German summit.

Monday
Château de Mazan was built in 1720 during France’s early Regency period and perhaps its most notorious owner was Donatien Alphonse Francois, the Marquis de Sade (1740 – 1814), French aristocrat, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer famous for his libertine sexuality and lifestyle.  Sade lived a scandalous libertine existence and repeatedly procured young prostitutes as well as employees of both sexes in his castle in Lacoste.  He was also accused of blasphemy, a serious offense at that time.  His behavior included an affair with his wife's sister, Anne-Prospère, who had come to live at the castle.  In total the Marquis was incarcerated in various prisons and in an insane asylum for about 32 years of his life until, during the French Revolution, he was elected as a delegate to the National Convention.  Many of his works were written in prison.

Tuesday
le Pré du Moulin is situated in Serignan du Comtat, a small village surrounded by the famous vineyards of the "Côte du Rhône". Le Pré du Moulin began life as an 18th century mill and later became a primary school, the courtyard of which is now the restaurant’s Summer dining area. 

Wednesday
la Bastide de Gordes is a 16th century bastide built into the old ramparts of the town.  With its gourmet restaurant perched on the patio overlooking the Luberon Plateau, and its Sisley Spa spread over three floors this superb 5 star hotel cannot fail to impress.  From the moment you arrive and take the elevator hidden at the end of a tunnel deep in the rock you’ll be impressed by the authenticity and uniqueness of this building.

Thursday
Mas de l’Oulivié is nestled at the foot of the steep rocky hills of les Alpilles and only 2 kilometres from the village of Les Baux de Provence, classified as one of the ‘Plus Beaux Villages de France’.  The hotel is surrounded by an olive grove and landscaped Mediterranean gardens with 120 species of trees and a beautifully landscaped swimming pool.  You will be spoilt for choice with what to do: tennis, boules, relaxing by the pool or booking a facial or a full body massage in the treatment rooms.

Friday
le Barrème is situated in the heart of Arles and is a unique hotel  where the traditional values of welcome and hospitality are upheld.  It is situated in an ideal position to quickly immerse oneself in the vibrant city and to explore the narrow streets and visit the Roman amphitheatre.  As well as having been a popular meeting place for travellers and local Arlesiens over the years the historic walls of this delightful three hundred year old residence has also played host to numerous historic figures such as Pierre Pomme, the medical consultant to Louis XV.

 

Stay in Luxury Accommodation

Hotels : Loire Valley | Provence | Dordogne

You will be staying in the most carefully selected chateaux and hotels on route, chosen for their setting, ambience and quality. Equal attention has been paid to the restaurants that allow you to sample the best gourmet regional cuisine of the areas that you are passing through.

Invariably they are in exceptional surroundings with the added benefit of a pool for that well deserved après-ride dip. All of our evenings offer that little bit extra, with many of our stays being at Chateaux or hotels of great pedigree and heritage. When you’ve been outdoors all day you really do deserve to be pampered and soothed in style and luxury.

Deluxe Cycle Tours has been recommended on Simonseeks.com. Simonseeks.com is a website where a community of travellers, journalists and celebrities can upload travel guides and share their tips on the best places to stay, eat and visit. Ranging from best hotels in Nice to cheap hotels in Cannes.