Overview
Paris to the Sea
for 9th-12th graders
Overland’s students have biked through the heart of France for many summers. The châteaux of the Loire, the villages of Provence and the sparkling blue waters of the Mediterranean provide the perfect setting for a month of discovery and fun in a small, spirited group (no more than 12 students or fewer than 2 leaders) on our route from Paris to the sea.
On arrival in France, we'll base ourselves in Chartres. During our first days together we'll get organized, take a practice ride and tour Chartres' beautiful 13th century cathedral. Before starting our ride to Nice, we'll head into Paris by train for a picnic lunch by the Eiffel Tower and walk along the Seine to the Latin Quarter and Notre Dame. Then it's on the bikes from Chartres, south through fields of sunflowers toward the châteaux of the Loire. During this first week, our rides average about 30 to 40 miles a day, and the terrain is forgiving. In the Loire valley, we'll ride to impressive Chambord, graceful Chenonceau and fairytale Azay-le-Rideau. We'll then head across France, through a region of woods and wildlife, hidden villages, ponds and lakes. As our skills and fitness improve, the daily mileage increases (to about 45 miles a day in this section), and the terrain becomes more challenging. After climbing over the Massif Central to Tournon, we'll cross the Rhône River into Provence, where sunny hilltop villages look out on rolling vineyards. These last days on the bikes are memorable with beautiful countryside to explore, some challenging days and the building excitement of reaching our goal. Our final day of riding takes us to the Côte d'Azur, bustling Nice and the brillant blue Mediterranean. We'll take the swim of our lives--well earned and thoroughly satisfying--and look back on all that we've seen, shared and achieved during our month together, riding across France on Paris to the Sea, a life experience with value and resonance that extends far beyond the boundaries of a single summer.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Bicycle from Paris to the Mediterranean
- Visit Paris & Nice
- See the Loire châteaux
- Ride through Provence’s villages
- Swim in the Mediterranean
GRADE
For students who will finish grades 9-12 in June 2008. We plan on 1 group with 9th & 10th graders and 1 group with 10th-12th graders. Call us (800.458.0588) to check on current availability.
CHALLENGE LEVEL
6 (1-10, 1 is easiest)
START & END LOCATIONS
Starts in Paris
Ends in Nice
2008 DATES & FEES
4 Weeks
Sunday, June 29 to Saturday, July 26
$5095 (airfare not included)
APPLY TODAY
Most groups fill in January & February. To download an application, click here.
"I had a fabulous time biking, making friends and seeing the gorgeous scenery in France!" Sophia Meyerson, Concord, Massachusetts
Itinerary
Trip Start
Paris to the Sea starts at Paris-Charles deGaulle Airport in France. Once everyone has arrived, we’ll train to Chartres just west of the city to set up camp, prepare our bikes and take a practice ride through the countryside. We'll head back to Paris for an afternoon walk along the Seine--from the towers of Notre Dame, through the Latin Quarter, to I.M. Pei’s pyramids at the Louvre and down the Champs-Elysées to the Eiffel Tower. We'll train back to our campsite in Chartres for dinner and a good night's sleep before we set out on our cross-country journey.
Châteaux Country
The ride south from Chartres takes us through fields of sunflowers toward the châteaux of the Loire. Our first days on the bikes offer easy terrain and moderate mileages. A typical itinerary for this section of the trip has the group riding from Chartres to Bonneval-- 23 miles, to Freteval-- 34 miles, to Bracieux-- 35 miles, to Chenonceau --34 miles, to Azay-le-Rideau-- 34 miles, to Loches-- 30 miles, to Valencay-- 28 miles. In the châteaux country we’ll have the opportunity to visit two of France’s most beautiful châteaux, Chambord and Chenonceau.
The Heart of France
From the châteaux country we turn southeast through a region of small farms. Our daily mileage increases and the terrain becomes more challenging with rolling hills. The route we use generally goes through the following towns and villages: Bourges-- 52 miles, Bourbon-- 62 miles, Jaligny-- 44 miles, and La Pacaudiere-- 29 miles.
The Rhône River Valley
Next we’ll climb up and over the hills of the Massif Central. This is challenging riding but the reward for our efforts comes as we reach Tournon, cross the Rhône River and enter Provence. Typical stops include: Cordelle-- 32 miles, St. Just-- 42 miles, Ste. Signolene-- 37 miles, Tournon-- 56 miles, and Crest-- 35 miles.
Provence & the Côte d’Azur
In sunny Provence we’ll ride through hilltop villages and past vineyards. Our final day on the bikes takes us to the Côte d’Azur for a celebratory swim in the Mediterranean. In the past some groups have followed this itinerary: Visan-- 53 miles, L’Isle sur la Sorgue-- 48 miles, Manosque-- 50 miles, Castellane-- 65 miles, and Nice-- 75 miles.
Buffer Days
During each section of the trip, there are buffer days built into the itinerary to allow for delays en route. Most groups will find that they have some of these buffer days partially or completely off of their bikes for rest, relaxation and exploration on foot.
Trip End in Nice
In Nice, we’ll pack up our bikes, enjoy an afternoon on the beach and explore the city's Promenade des Anglais, a favorite with locals and visitors alike. The promenade's characteristic blue chairs provide the perfect vantage points from which to take in the expanse of the azure blue Mediterranean. After a celebratory dinner out on our final night together, we’ll fly home from the Nice Côte D’Azur Airport.
Supervision & Safety
Overland’s two leaders, a man and a woman, provide 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week supervision of the highest standard. Our students feel safe and secure in our talented and conscientious leaders’ hands.
On an
We set high expectations for each student’s behavior—we expect respect and consideration for others, a positive attitude, and an eagerness to help make the trip a success in every way possible.
In every decision we make, safety comes first. We plan our trips carefully choosing bike paths and bike routes wherever possible, and where they are not available, choosing the best available roads. We ride with care, with a leader at the front and a leader at the rear. We only ride during the day; we always wear helmets, and we attach an orange safety flag to every bike. Since our first trips in 1985 our safety record has been superlative.
For nearly 25 years our caring and competent leaders, our 24/7 supervision, our high expectations, and our commonsense approach to safety have made Overland the number one choice for summer bicycle trips.
Overland Leaders
In a world where strong leadership skills make the difference between the average and the exceptional, Overland recruits and trains only the best to be our leaders. Not only do these remarkable people capably lead our groups, they also offer our students the kind of role modeling for which Overland has long been recognized. Bright, charismatic and accomplished, our leaders ensure the safety and well-being of every Overland student, and then they provide much, much more, inspiring our students to reach for their potential in every way.
You won’t find a more dynamic and talented group of people than Overland’s leaders. Most Overland leaders have played varsity sports and many have captained their teams; they have served as student government officers, volunteered as peer counselors and directed campus organizations. They are high achievers who come to Overland with a lifetime of leadership experience—but just as importantly, they are warm, wonderful people who are eager to work with Overland’s students.
Overland’s leaders prepare carefully for the summer. We know of no other program that requires certification in First Aid, CPR and lifesaving—every Overland leader has all of these plus our own 10-day training program that focuses on safety, supervision and leadership. All of our efforts prepare Overland’s caring and committed leaders to create safe, supportive and valuable programs where each of our students can flourish.
Meet some of our spectacular returning leaders.
How We Put Our Groups Together
We have a number of important criteria for every Overland group:
Size: Every
Gender:
Friends: We allow two pairs of friends in a group (we never allow three or more friends to travel together). With a maximum of two pairs of friends there will always be space available for at least eight students to come on their own without a friend. Furthermore, if we enroll two pairs of friends in a group and both pairs are of one gender, we generally try to: (1) enroll three or four more students of that gender in that group, or (2) close the group to additional students of that gender.
“I could not have asked for a more spectacular trip. Overland went beyond all my expectations. This trip pushed me mentally and physically…and I couldn’t have loved it more.” Sophia Ferguson, Brookline, Massachusetts
Trip Details
Getting To & From The Trip
Families are responsible for making travel arrangements to and from the trip start/end locations. Overland’s leaders will be on hand at the arrival and departure airports to provide supervision and assistance. Paris to the Sea starts in Paris at Charles deGaulle Airport and ends at the Nice Côte D’Azur Airport.
Equipment
Please see the Preparing & Packing page for a complete equipment list. Note that the main pieces of equipment for this trip are: a bicycle (in 2009 we will require a Trek 520 or Cannondale Touring 2 for our challenge trips—European Challenge and American Challenge—if you plan to do one of these trips in the future you should consider buying one of these bicycles now), helmet, panniers (saddlebags), a sleeping bag and a sleeping pad.
The Bicycle
You will need a superior-quality bicycle for this trip. Complete information to help guide you in the selection of an appropriate bicycle is available in the Choosing the Right Bicycle page of the Enrollment Forms.
Additional Costs
Transportation to and from program start and end locations, spending money and personal gear are not included in the program fee. Overland provides group gear including tents and stoves; students provide all personal equipment (e.g., bicycles, panniers, sleeping bags).
“I had an awesome time…the trip was well run and it challenged me.” Tomas Radowich, Baltimore, Maryland
What's it like?
Here’s a page from the notes for this trip (written by a recent trip leader), describing the ride in Provence from Crest to Taulignan. This comes late in the trip, about Day 20 with the Mediterranean just six days away.
“Today’s ride includes some of the most spectacular scenery we have seen—real Provencal beauty: purple lavender, yellow sunflowers and dark green cypress trees, plus small towns, old and charming, each with a central square and fountain. The mileage was about 35—short for this late in the trip but a good workout nonetheless as the day was hilly. Most of the hills were relatively easy, but a few were steep and windy. In comparison to what we’ve done in the past three weeks, however, it should be classified as a moderate day. There is good swimming in the creek along your right side as you climb out of Crest. Also, make sure you stop in Saou and check out the town (great flower-draped stone bridges over the stream that runs right through town plus ridiculously beautiful rock spires that form a backdrop to the town. It’s no wonder that a climbing school is based here).
Stop before Bordeaux to swim in the river on the right side of the road. In Bordeaux be sure to stop, re-fill your water bottles and have a snack because there’s a BIG HILL with switchbacks leaving Bordeaux (it’s tough but nothing that we hadn’t done before). At the top there’s a good view, then a totally awesome down hill—sweet riding on great pavement with light traffic. After the hill out of Bordeaux, there is one later hill and then the rest of the ride is straight and rolling through lavender fields. Where D538 intersects D24 right outside of Taulignan, there is a great entrance to the river where it is possible to eat lunch and relax.”
“This was my first Overland trip and it met all of my expectations…the people were really nice, France was beautiful and the pace was just right.” Caroline Meyer, Darien, Connecticut
