Orange / Carpentras

Onwards to Carpentras, a town known for having the oldest synagogue in France, as well as producing culinary specialities, notably fine strawberries and berlingots, traditional boiled sweets with provençal flavours. On this stage, the Via Venaissia leads you away from the Rhône, splendid views opening up onto the Massif des Dentelles de Montmirail, a remarkable, jagged hill range, and the Mont Ventoux, the Giant of Provence, notorious as a punishing judge of even the fittest of cyclists on the Tour de France (nicknamed by celebrated journalist Albert Londres as “les forçats de la route”, or “slaves of the road”). At Loriol du Comtat, the Aqueduc des 5 Cantons draws your attention, forming a vital part of this town’s irrigation system, along with the Canal de Carpentras. On a stop-over, relish local specialities derived from the vines, olive groves and almond trees you’ve passed, bringing truly local flavour to your dining… as well as filling you with energy for an early start the following day.

The route

From the Gare d’Orange (the town’s railway station), ride out alongside the station car park, then along a cycle lane allowing you to join the Via Venaissia south of the Orange military air force base (Base Aérienne Militaire d'Orange). After that, you cycle along a greenway up to the town of Carpentras, from where you can join a signposted link to the Tour du Mont Ventoux cycling circuit.

Don't miss

• Orange: the Roman triumphal arch and theatre, plus the associated Musée d'Art et d'Histoire. Orange’s Théâtre Antique is one of the rare theatres from antiquity to have preserved its stage wall, reaching a dizzying 37m (over 100ft) in height. Make the most of the virtual 3D tours available, with soundtrack.
• Carpentras: the historic synagogue
• Loriol du Comtat: the Aqueduc des 5 cantons, above the D950 road. This fine piece of engineering was built to transport water from the Durance River to the Carpentras Canal.