Provence Cycling...Le Tour de France 2009!

The 2009 Tour de France Cycle Race begins July 4, 2009 in Provence and hosts 7 stages across the south of France! This year's start is in Monaco, makes stops in Marseille, the Camargue, Montpellier, Le Cap d'Adge, Perpignan, and returns to Provence near the end with stops at Montelimar and the incredible climb at Mont Ventoux before ending in the streets of Paris on July 26! The route map is available on the race web site:http://www.letour.fr/2009/TDF/COURSE/us/le_parcours.html


This is a totally free event with fun for teens and young ones alike. The precise routings are available on the internet and in the Tourism Offices just prior to the race. With a picnic in a backpack it is really quite easy to park right on the race route in the countryside, sit atop your car or under roadside trees. If you prefer, the villages on the route are delightful centers for fun, meals, and smiling crowds.


In the hour(s) before the riders arrive, the route is filled with promotion cars of race sponsors who generously shower the crowds with treats and momentos of the day: cycling caps, key chains, visors, decals, food samples, and the like. The atmosphere is always fun!
But have your camera ready--the pelaton zips right past in a few blinks of an eye. You will want to capture that photo of the look on your son's face!

Playgrounds for Kids in Provence

Provence is full of kids! French kids love to swing, slide, and see-saw. So, french villages have small public playgrounds for them...and for your children or grandchildren! We plan to write about many of these so you can find one to fit your route through Provence. But for today, we will look at just this one, in La Bastide des Jourdans.

These delightful, secure oases are usually located just off the main roads, not far from the village center. La Bastide des Jourdans has just such a playground in just such a spot.

The village, like most, has one main road through its center. Find the Post Office (La Poste) and turn into the road that runs alongside La Poste. Go about 100 yards or so, turn right into a parking area. You will find the playground situated between this parking area and the village's main road.

It is fenced, sign-posted for children age 3-12, with a prominently displayed telephone number for security concerns.

La Bastide, as it is called locally, is on the route that runs along the southern edge of the Luberon range. From here, there are easy walks in the hills. The Office of Tourism will have maps for you. Bring your young family to enjoy a lovely day in a lovely spot!