Castellane itself is at the bottom of a hill so the day begins with a couple of climbs but the gradients are friendly and the views are spectacular. So despite ticking of another col of just over 1,000m the riding does not feel too arduous. Soon enough things level out and our journey down to the coast starts to really take shape. However, we don’t have to put all the climbing behind us, an optional extra for the brave is the Col de Vence which overlooks our destination and the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, a picturesque way to complete a stunningly beautiful week of riding. If we decide to ride the col we’ll be approaching it from the easier of the two sides and will end the day with a superb and thrillingly fast descent into Vence, a fitting finish to both the days ride and our tour of Provence. Vence is a 12th century medieval city which was once home to the artist Henri Matisse, who drew his inspiration from the colours and light of this region. The stunningly beautiful Rosaire Chapel, with its vivid blue roof tiles and luminescent stained glass windows is a monument to his talents. Vence is very beautiful, its narrow streets littered with galleries and arty cafes. We should arrive with enough time to explore and enjoy it to the full before relaxing together for our final celebratory meal.