Day 10 Vallon Pont D’Arc – Vaison-la-Romaine 57 miles
Garmin file: https://connect.garmin.com/course/8759786 Elevation Gain – 1324m
Overview
After a flat start the route climbs away up out of the gorge from the valley to rise to fantastic views over the Ardeche. This wonderfully scenic road has many viewpoint along the way to stop and take photo’s.
Eventually the route drops down to the beach at St Martin D’Ardeche, a wonderful place to stop for ice cream and paddle your feet in the water, it is a short day after all!! Afternoon sees us passing through some small villages and hamlets, some industrial, some farmland and you will notice the giant of Provence in the background slip in and out of view. The end of the day sees us arriving at the beautiful, historical town of Vaison-la-Romaine.
Practical Notes
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The road away from Vallon is busy so please take extra care. The road is winding and narrow so drivers will be impatient. Please don’t cycle in large groups as drivers won’t be able to get past.
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There is a tough climb after a few miles miles.
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You will pass through a few tunnels so lights are necessary.
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The middle part of the day is on narrow road at times with the occasional fast car.
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There is a tough climb towards the end of the day at 45 miles. The heat will have really built up by then so go steady. The brew van will be at the top of this climb.
Map
Elevation Profile
Start Point – Outside the hotel at 8.45.
Lunch – Picnic lunch at 32 miles.
Evening meal – There are a nice selection of restaurants in Vaison.
Route Notes
Miles Route
0 Go L from the Hotel Belvedere.
The road drops down and then further on you face a stiff climb out of the gorge, towards the top you will go through a tunnel.
2.8 At the top of the climb follow the road round to the R to St Martin D’Ardeche and then simply stay on this stunning, winding, hilly road all the way following signs to St Martin D’Ardeche.
Take care for wildlife on some the descents and take great care near the edge!!
19.8 You will drop down towards St. Martin d’Ardeche you will come to a r-bout. Turn R here (1st exit) for Auigueze and St. Martin d’Ardeche.
Keep going and follow the road round. You will have the river Ardeche on your R and will then see a suspension bridge up ahead. Follow the path by the river and continue underneath the bridge.
20.3 Further on the road forks L away from the river, go sharp L here to Barjac along the D200 up towards the bridge, get into the L filter lane and then cross over the bridge.
20.8 At the junction go L to Pont-St-Espirit along the D901. Continue over a bridge and keep straight on.
21.3 The road rises and you will see a turn to your R for St. Julien. Don’t take this R turn but take the next R turn about 80m after this turn (marked by a stone cross). Stay on this road.
Further along the road bends to the R and then climbs and you will be able to see Mt Ventoux to your L.
24.6 Further along you will come to the village of St-Paulet-de-Caisson and come to a mini r-bout. Go R here.
24.7 Go past the market square and come to a T-jcn. Go R here at the sign for Pont-St-Espirit 4.5 along the D343. Shortly after this turn go L at the mini-bout.
The road is busier along here and cars can go quite fast so please take care.
26.4 At the r-bout go straight over (3rd exit) to Bollene and A7 along the D23.
27.2 Further along you will come to a r-bout with a large fountain in the middle. Take the 2nd exit (straight over) to Bollene, Mondragon & Montpellier.
You will continue over a lovely old bridge over the river Rhone. The road snakes in and out here so please be aware of the traffic behind you.
27.9 You will come to another large r-bout. Take the 2nd exit along the D44 to Mondragon 6.
A few hundred metres after the last turn, follow the road as it bends round to the L then take the 2nd R turn following the small yellow sign on a wooden signpost to Mondragon. Be very careful not to miss this turn. Continue along this narrow road making no turn-offs along the most obvious path.
29.7 You will come to a small sort of crossroads at a sign for Carriere Acces Interdit. You need to keep straight on at this sign heading towards some electricity cables. You will see Mt Ventoux in the background.
You will continue under a rail bridge.
30.5 At the next junction go L and straight away you will meet a busier road and go R along the D44. Continue over another suspension bridge. Stay on this road.
Further along you will pass over a bridge over the A7 motorway then over a smaller bridge and keep straight ahead (don’t turn off to Mondragon).
31.3 You will come to some traffic lights at a junction with a main road. Go straight on here and continue under a small rail bridge. The road is rough here so take care.
31.4 At the next junction go R and continue through the village.
31.9 Go past a school on your R and come to another r-bout. Go L here (3rd exit) to Rochegude 10 along the D152 (sign hard to see). The road climbs gradually.
36.7 When you come to a jcn with another road go L to Bollene 7 along a minor road then take the next R along the D206 to Rochegude.
There are some really bumpy bits on the descent along here so please take great care
38.5 When you come into Rochegude you will wind your way round to a T-jcn. Go R here and then take the next R down Rue de Portail.
A few hundred metres on come to a crossroads and go L along the D117 to Bollene & Carpentras.
A few hundred metres further on come to a stop sign, go straight over to Suze larousse and continue past the post office and a water fountain.
38.8 After the fountain go immediate R for Autres Directions.
38.9 You will come to a r-bout. Go R here along the D8 to Ste-Cecile les Vignes 4, Carpentras 32. You will have great views of Ventoux as you cycle away from Rochegude.
This is quite a fast road but there is a cycle lane. Take great care for the large tree roots in the cycle path
41.6 When you come into St-Cecile you will follow the road round to the R for Autres directions and Centre Ville then follow the road round to the L for Centre Ville, Cairanne, Carpentras & Marseille.
44.5 When you come into Cairanne look out for the L turn to St Roman de Malegarde along the D51 (be careful not to miss this turn). After a short rise you need to go R at a mini r-bout and continue along the D51. There are a few ‘undulations’ along this road.
48.4 Continue straight on through St Roman de Malagarde.
50.2 When you come to a roundabout go straight over (2nd exit) to Villedieu & Busson continuing along the D51. Keep straight on following sigs for Villedieu.
51.9 When the road forks keep L for Villedieu 3.
53.3 The road climbs up into the village and the road forks, keep L and follow the road round to the R. You will come to a little square. There is a nice cafe here which makes for a good place for a brew. In the village go L and then L again to Vaison la Romaine 7 along the D94.
55.7 Further along you will meet with the D51. Go L to Vaison la Romaine 3.
56.9 Further along go L at the curved junction taking care for traffic and then at the r-bout go R to Centre Ville.
Continue past the tourist office and keep going into the main part of town. Keep straight on and when you come to Societie Marsseilaise de Credit this is where the route splits to the different accommodations.
Direction to Hotel Burrhus
At Societie Marsseilaise de Credit go straight on (L,R Dogleg) along the narrow road and then follow it immediately round to the L. You will come to a tree lined market square with the hotel on your L.
Hotel Burrhus, 1 Place Montfort, 84110 Vaison la Romaine. 0033 490 360 011
Direction to Le Beffroi, L’Eveche & La Fete
At Societie Marsseilaise de Credit go straight on and continue along a street will lots of shops (street name). Further along the road drops down and bends to the L to the Roman Bridge. Cross over the bridge and go R along the road that rises up to Vi’le Medievale. Follow the signs for the B&B’s and you will come to Le Beffroi, L’Eveche and La Fete further along.
Direction to La Bastide 04 90 36 03 35
At Societie Marsseilaise de Credit go straight on and continue along a street will lots of shops (street name). Further along the road drops down and bends to the L to the Roman Bridge. Cross over the bridge and go R following the lower road by the river. Follow this road along. When you get to a roundabout go straight over. Stay on this road until you see the track on your R with the sign for La Bastide de Vaison. Turn R along this track to your accommodation.
Direction to Le Logis Du Chateau 04 90 36 03 35
At Societie Marsseilaise de Credit go straight on and continue along a street will lots of shops (street name). Further along the road drops down and bends to the L to the Roman Bridge. Cross over the bridge and go R along the road that rises up to Ville Medievale. Stay on this road as it rises up through the old town. When the rad forks at the pizzeria keep straight on. Follow the road round and keep an eye out for the road on your L. You will see a sign for La Fete and a small sign for Le Logis du chateau. Turn L here and follow the road up at the sign Ville Medievale. Follow the road up and eventually you will see the hotel du Chateau.
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