Le Mas du Moulin and Mas la Jasse: Ideal Vintage Travel properties from which to view the Tour de France first hand
There is the La Vuelta a España and El Giro de Italia, but the big daddy of them all is the Tour de France, which is taking place this year from July 2nd to 24th. This major event on the annual sporting calendar is a magnificent spectacle, as the world’s top cyclists fly across picturesque areas of France, battling it out over three gruelling weeks in the saddle. Watch the Tour de France live to experience the adrenaline rush and the pageantry that follows behind. In places the curbs are crowded with enthusiasts and families, and every village along the route turns out to watch, with many getting dressed up in all sorts of carnival attire.
Don’t think that it’s all over quickly, once you have seen the yellow, green, and white polka-dot jerseys battling it out there is still may be the rest of the competitors to pass! In a recent survey 47% of spectators come also to see the unique publicity caravan that follows the cyclists. This is a giant parade of highly decorated advertising vehicles giving away all sorts of free gifts. The floats are intentionally very funny and inventive and everyone joins in the fun. It is also an excuse for many villages to incorporate their own fiestas during the rest of the day. You can also jump in a car and follow the race on other days.
Make it a great holiday by staying in one of our fabulous properties in France. The Montpellier to Mt Ventoux section of the tour passes close to the villages of Cavaillon, Gordes, Mazan and Bedoin, that are all near Le Mas du Moulin. This two bedroom, two-bathroom villa can sleep four guests. It is a wonderful property near Caromb, an old fortified village, from which you can see the finish of that day’s racing on Mount Ventoux.
Another incredible French property is Mas La Jasse, a pretty stone farmhouse that has three bedrooms and two bathrooms and can sleep six guests. Mas La Jasse has been restored to extremely high standards in the Luberon Valley, just minutes away from the hilltop village of Gordes.
July 14th marks the Montpellier to Mont Ventoux section of the race. With beautiful views of the mountains and the winding, serpentine roads leading to the summit, this section of the race is truly iconic within the sport.
The area has much to offer besides the Tour de France. The Tour coincides with the French National Day, so there will be plenty of celebrations, which will no doubt include the natural sweet wines of the area such as Cote de Rhone and Cotes de Ventoux, wonderful local goat’s cheese, pork and lamb cooked to traditional recipes.
Mount Ventoux is a UNESCO biosphere, nicknamed ‘the Giant of Provence’ or ‘the Bald Mountain’. It has incredible views stretching from the Alps down to the Mediterranean.
The region has a wealth of wildlife, plants and flowers, and 129 varieties of birds, including majestic golden eagles – the perfect place to watch the best cyclists in the world battle it out to be crowned with the legendary Tour de France yellow jersey.