After following Lieven Loots through the first two chapters of his extraordinary journey from Saint Malo to Nice, we come to the final moment of this unique experience with Ciclitorino Sport & Tour. We cycled with him through breathtaking landscapes, discovering the essence of slow travel: a way of life that combines exploration, awareness and passion for cycling.
In this last section of his story, Lieven takes us towards our destination, but not without giving us new reflections. Each kilometre covered represents a continuous dialogue between man and the land, between movement and time that stops to observe, listen and learn.
A finale that celebrates the soul of Ciclitorino Sport & Tour: it is not the destination that counts, but the journey itself, made of emotions, sharing and contemplation. Find out with us how this adventure ends and be inspired to get on the saddle (of a Ciclitorino…) to write your own story.
The next stage of our trip takes us along the Dordogne River first and then the Lot River, passing through some of France’s most beautiful villages such as Rocamadour, Figeac and Entraygues. There are more tourists here, almost making you long for northern France’s fields again, but not for long as scenery becomes ever more spectacular as we now enter the Cévennes National Park, climbing the Col de Goudard, the Col des Tribes and the Col du Mas leading us into the spectacular Gorge de L’Ardeche where we stop at the Pont d’Arc, one of France’s most famous picture-perfect spots. Yes there are plenty of tourists here as well! The Gorge de l’Ardeche then spits you out in the Rhone Valley where flat roads and cycle paths lead to Chateauneuf-du-Pape, wine country!
Crossing the Rhone also means entering Provence, so we’re almost there then? Well, not quite, there’s Carpentras to navigate and the Gorge de Nesque – another one of France’s picture-perfect bits of land, but a lot less touristy – to cycle through. And, once you arrive at Sault, maybe you could consider a short detour up that hill there? What’s it called again? Ah, le Géant de Provence, his majesty Mont Ventoux! It’s an optional on this trip, but who wouldn’t when asked, and yes your guide will happily cycle up with you. From the top of Mont Ventoux then of course it is all downhill to Nice … except for, well, another couple of cols to climb and two gorges to cycle through. This includes the Gorge du Verdon which offers view after view of the blow-you-away type of amazing, and the Gorge du Loup, taking you down on an exhilarating descent to the Med and the Promenade des Anglais at Nice.
