A long inland stage through Provence: small roads, pine trees, stone walls and the villages of Provence Verte shape the first part. Salernes adds its ceramic heritage and the Bresque valley, while Sillans-la-Cascade sits close to the route with old walls, narrow lanes and its waterfall. Further west, the ride becomes quieter and hillier. Aups, oak woods and dry plateaus mark the transition towards Haute-Provence. Near Simiane-la-Rotonde, lavender fields, olive groves and pale limestone take over.
