Published by Lyn on 9 June 2016
Looking for a bike-friendly business in France? This one may be for you.
After more than two decades running one of the country's best (and most successful) bike-based accommodation businesses, Peter and Joan at Ferme la Garriguette in Rasteau are calling it a day.
That means they've put their wonderful cycling property in Provence on the market.
If anyone knows anything about cycling in France (and the Provence/Ventoux area in particular), it's these guys.
They've been running been Ferme La Garriguette for 22 years, offering B&B and self-catering accommodation for cyclists (plus tours), and among their guests over the years have been beginners through to Tour de France riders.
The property – a 19th century farmhouse + 4 self-catering gites – is in the village of Rasteau which, in case you were wondering, has views across the Cote du Rhone vineyards to Ventoux.
Despite the proximity to the legendary TdF col (Peter arranges rides out there for guests), the roads around the property itself are varied and ideal for riders of all abilities (think olive groves and lavendar fields and you're getting the idea).
The place is fully kitted out for bikes (workshop, bike storage, 20m pool, local bike hire partners, plenty of route suggestions and lots of local knowledge to pass on).
This is a great base for cyclists, but also great for families and cyclists travelling with non-riders as there's lots to do locally.
"It's a wonderful place and we have cyclists coming back year after year to stay with us," Peter tells me.
"However for us it's time to hand the property over to someone else. We'd ideally like to sell it to someone else with a love of cycling who'd like to continue offering accommodation to cyclists because we have so many regulars. We are keen to find an owner who would continue what we have started."
If that sounds like you, then you can read more about the property here (though note the price is now €725,000 + the chance to take over the bike side of the business).
For more information, contact Peter directly via his website.