Exploring some of our hotels Part 2 - Provence Tours!
We wanted to shine a spotlight on some of the amazing locations at which we stay and in this edition, we will focus on Provence, in Southern France.
One of France's most famous and most appealing regions, Provence is known for its wonderful light quality, beautiful scenery, rustic villages and relaxed pace of life.
How we select the hotels for our French cycle tours
The hotels in Provence (just like for all our tours) are selected for the character, charm and for the people who run them! We think it is important to build up a partnership with the hotels we use, so that this connection lasts and improves each visit and is reflected in the service and warm welcome offered to our guests when we arrive - often on two wheels and a little dusty or sweaty from the bike ride!
Because our guided cycle tours aim show you the best of France, we try to choose independent hotels and accommodation that reflect local character. We like our rooms furnishing individually and with beautiful finishing touches, and we appreciate a hotel's well maintained estate or grounds, and pool. Some of our hotels are in older, heritage buildings so maintaining the character is important not just for the hotel's sense of identity and style, but in recognition of the part the owners are playing in the upkeep of these properties that come with such a history.
Finally, and importantly! We know our cyclists enjoy a splash in the swimming pool after a day's riding, so where possible, we seek out hotels that have a pool.
Hotel L’Hermitage
We stay in this gorgeous hotel during both tours in Provence - Roman Heritage and Provence - Villages of Luberon.
View of the Hotel l'Hermitage terrace from the avenue of plane trees
When you choose an accommodation and use it for two of your cycle tours you know it is something special...
A few years ago we needed a new start location for our Provence tours and selected the Hotel L’Hermitage. For us it depicts the exact essence of a typical Provençal home. And a home is exactly what it feels like when you stay here. Owners Philippe and Marie and their wonderful dog Oscar could not be more welcoming.
The hotel is set in a century old park and has a swimming pool to relax by and soak in the Provençal sun.
The sound of the cicadas as you stroll in the garden, admiring the fountains and statues hidden around the grounds, followed by a glass of pale Provençal rosé on the terrace instantly puts you in vacation mode.
There are 21 rooms (of which some are triple or quad) and they all have air conditioning and free WiFi, as well as either a shower or bath. After a good night's sleep, we enjoy a gorgeous breakfast (on the terrace when possible) and get ready to ride down a lane of plane trees up to the old iron gates of the manor, to start our cycling adventure...
Cycling in Provence
To book one of our two Provence cycle tours, ask us a question, email us at fch@frenchcycling.com or see our upcoming tour dates.
Choosing one of our Provence tours (Roman Heritage and Villages of the Luberon) will reward you with that quintessential South-of-France magic – your photos will be as sparkling and sun-kissed as your skin after a week spent in this magical location.
Terrace of the Hotel l'Hermitage in Provence