Day 8: Cavaillon to Manosque

March 2, 2025: Tour de France racer Bernard Richard in Manosque! 87km 1,000m up

As was enjoying my meal at Le Grand Paris (👍👍👍) when I noticed a classy couple at the next table looking and smiling. The gentlemen, having seen my bike out front with the flags, asked if I cycled all the way from Switzerland... adding he was a cyclist too... I explained my journey from the HQ of the Olympic Committee in Lausanne to Ancient Olympia in Greece. He mentioned also having a passion for cycling... This is how I met Tour de France racer Bernard Richard and his wife!

Bernard Richard was a a professional rider from 1984 to 1990 (with Fagor and Café de Colombia) with two Tour de France and three Tour d'Espagne and classics like Paris-Roubaix under his belt. He was in the peloton with such giants as Fignon and Hinault, Indurain, Chiapucci, Roche and Lemond... He even took part in the Grand Prix des Amériques in Montreal that I saw live and remember riders climbing Mont-Royal - what memories!

Bernard Richard Photo crédit: L'Est Républicain

From Cavaillon to Manosque

I started the day in Cavaillon by cleaning my bike and gear following the heavy rains last night. My shoes had mostly dried up by the fireplace that Martine had kept feeding for the occasion. I also said hi to Glory and gave her some carrots before thanking my great hosts for the fantastic hospitality. Merci Martine and Sangam!!!

For memory, I have been riding the ViaRhona (Eurovélo17) from Switzerland until Beaucaire, just south of Avignon. This is a 650km ride if we take the Lyon section that I avoided by riding through Crémieu - a much better option as far as I am concerned.

ViaRhona / Eurovélo17 from St-Gingolph to Beaucaire : 650km

Beaucaire always reminds me of Alfonse Daudet and his nouvelles including Les lettres de mon Moulin - "moulin" that we can also see in nearby Fontveille, just a bit further to the south.

It is in Beaucaire and Tarascon (east side of the Rhone) that I turned onto the 7,350km EuroVelo 8 Mediterranean Route  that crosses 10 countries from Spain to Greece and further to Turkey and Cyprus.

Today way my first day riding entirely on the EV8 and I re-discovered the fantastic landscapes of the Vaucluse and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence where I started climbing for breathtaking views of the alps and their ice covered summits. This is a perfect time for riding this region, there is little to no traffic and the sun is warm and comfortably warms you up after a cold morning.

Eurovélo 8 in the Luberon

Great morning ride and my spirits are high! So I decide to stop for a coffee ☕️

First stop at Le Troquet... a drunken "artist" was bothering my and I decided to leave after downing my coffee... It is 1pm and he is already completely drunk... the barman had to escort him out - clearly a local... :)

That city was at the bottom of the hill, but was destroyed by invading barbarians in the 10th century. The residents moved the city to the top of the hill and built a castle for defense. The castle was destroyed duringGreat place for a refill after a short but demanding climb to the village of Reillanne

That city was once at the bottom of the hill, but was destroyed by invading barbarians in the 10th century. The residents (there are about 1,700 souls in Reillane today) moved the city to the top of the hill (about 200 meters of climbing at 6-7%) and built a castle for defence. The castle was destroyed during the wars of religion but the village is still there.

A bit confused, they will not even serve me dessert as I arrived too late... Only drinks.. I will have to settle for coffee :)

It was good 🤣

One of the few cyclists in Apt, very nice and relaxing ride with a few climbs to warm up the legs for what will come later.

Can you see snow?

Manosque is where I ended the day and found le Grand Café firstly to relax and then I ate there in the evening and the next day. It was an interesting time there (at the café) as I was drinking my tea... I noticed an elderly man (that everyone seemed to know) cheerfully talking and telling stories to anyone who would listen. He had a magic gift: making people laugh. Suddenly, a lady and a man appeared - dressed as nurses. It turns out he escaped (again) from an old folks home and they were taking him back there (home?).... I am told he is a regular and can't help but wonder...

Café de Paris in Manosque - I strongly recommend!