Day 13 Moustier-Saint-Marie to Castellane 50 miles
Garmin file: https://connect.garmin.com/course/8759982 Elevation Gain: 1434m
Overview
One of the most spectacular days cycling of the whole tour awaits as we venture into the Gorges du Verdon. This stunning gorge is the 2nd largest gorge in the world after the Grand Canyon in USA and makes for some truly memorable cycling. The azure waters of the Lac de Saint Croix marks the start of the glorious ascent to the top of the canyon. After lunch the route is mostly flat and down hill as the route takes us along the top of the gorge then down to the strikingly aquamarine Verdon River which we follow to all the way to Castellane. Once we have descended to the gorge and are cycling by the river there are many great places for a swim if you fancy a dip!
Practical Notes
The climb up the Gorge du Verdon is the 2nd hardest climb of the tour but the scenery is stunning!
The road away from Moustier can be busy for the first 5 miles.
The road through the gorge is a tourist road and can have coaches making wide turns on it.
There are lots of ups and downs on the run in to lunch
Part way into the second climb on the gorge you go through a tunnel that you need lights for.
There is another tough climb of a few miles after the Balcones restaurant.
Map
Elevation Profile
Start point – At the bicycle garage of the Hotel La Bonne Auberge at the bottom of the town at 8.30.
Lunch – Picnic lunch around 26 miles.
Evening meal – There are lots of choices in Castellane for evening meal.
Route Notes
Miles Route
0 Start from the garage at the La Bonne Auberge. If staying at the Relais Hotel then go L and follow the road down for approx. 500m until you come to La Bonne Auberge on your L. If staying at Le Ferme Rose then follow the road into Moustier and continue until you see La Bonne Auberge on your L.
Go L away from the hotel down to a r-bout and go L for Castellane, Gorges du Verdon along the D952.
1.3 You will come to another r-bout. Go straight over here DON’T go L to Gorges du Verdon & Castellane (we want the road on the other side of the canyon). Go straight on to Aiguines along the D957.
5.4 Turn L to Auguines 7 & and Gorges du Verdon along the D19.
The road becomes much quieter after you have turn onto the D19. The climb starts gradually and then further on the gradient varies.
8.8 Follow the road round through Auguines continuing to the Gorges du Verdon. Continue along this road which climbs for some time.
Around 13 miles in the road starts to descend for a while, this is a busy tourist road so please watch your speed going into blind bends as coaches can often be taking wide turns so please stay in control.
18.8 You will pass a café. You will cross a bridge at about 23 miles.
Around 27 miles in you will have gone past a hotel and climbed out to the top of the climbing, somewhere at the top or part way along the downhill after this point the brew van will be stopping for a magical mystery lunch, either that or we may stop at the hotel we pass.
32.3 When you come to Comps-sur-Artuby go L to La Bastide & Castellane. There are some public toilets here.
After approx 150m turn L to Castellane. Be careful not to miss this turn. The road climbs up then descends, towards the bottom there are a number of tight turns.
42.3 Eventually you will go over a bridge and meet with the D952. On the other side of the bridge go R to Castellane 12.
49.9 Go under a bridge and a few hundred metres on come to a mini r-bout. Take the first exit to Grasse and Cannes. About a hundred metres further along on your L just before a pink house, go L through the gates to the Hotel du Commerce.
There is a green fence at the side of the hotel and a car park and garage. This is where you need to put your bikes before you check in. The Hotel du Levante is next to the front of the Hotel du Commerce so turn L at the Hotel du Ville.
Hotel du Commerce 0033 4 92 83 61 00
Place Marcel Sauvaire, 04120 Castellane
Hotel du Levante 0033 4 92 83 60 05
6 Place Marcel Sauvaire, 04120 Castellane