Since much of the EV8 in Provence Verte is rural, there are few opportunities to get your bike repaired if you have a serious problem. Here we give you the rundown on workshops within reasonable distance of the cycleway.

Meyrargues - Cyclic Services

If you arrive in Meyrargues with a technical problem, the closest cycle repair workshop to the station is Cyclic Services, 4 kilometres to the south. 

To get there, after you exit the station turn right on to the Chemin des Bouches du Rhône. After about a kilometre you come to a small crossroads where the road ahead curves to the right. Turn left to reach the main D96 road. Turn right here to cross the bridge over the Canal de l’EDF. There is a wide pavement if the traffic on the road is too busy. Once across the canal, take the first left (Cours des Alpes) towards the centre of Meyrargues. Follow this road all the way through the village and out the other side, where it curves to the right. After another left curve, turn left on to Chemin de Reclavier. Now follow this small road for another 1.5 kilometres until you see the sign for Cyclic on your left, on the Chemin des Vallons des Bastides. Cyclic Services are 500 metres up this track.

Tel: 07 85 84 83 75

Email: contact@cyclicservices.fr

Website: cyclicservices.fr

FR

Pertuis - Mondovélo

A bit farther afield, in Pertuis, there is a bike shop called Mondovélo with a pretty comprehensive workshop. Mondovelo are a French network of bike shops and workshops that provide specialist services for a number of makes. They are open 6 days a week (closed Sunday) but watch out for their 2 hour lunch break (12-2pm), and Monday morning closure.

Remarkably, the 7.5 kilometre trip from Meyrargues to Pertuis, though via busy roads for most of the way, is largely served by cycle lanes and some stretches of separated cycleway. This makes the journey much less stressful, especially if your technical problem is slowing you down!

To get to Mondovélo from Meyrargues station, take the first right as you exit the station (chemin des Bouches du Rhône). After 500 metres or so you reach a small crossroads. Turn right here (signposted Station d’Épuration), and follow the track to the main road D15. Turn left and follow the road signs to Pertuis – there is a cycle lane or cycle path all the way.

You will enter Pertuis on the D956, where there is a separated cycleway. Follow this as far as the 4th big roundabout with Dacia car dealer on your right, where you can turn right on to Rue Alain Bajac. Follow this for about 400 metres, and take the second left on to Rue Phillippe de Girard. After a further 500 metres you will see Mondovélo on your right.

Website : https://www.mondovelo.fr/magasins/148-mondovelo-pertuis

Address: 36 rue François Gernelle, ZAC Saint Martin, 84120 PERTUIS

Tel: 04 94 09 17 33

Email: veloluberon84@gmail.com

*NOTE : There are also a few trains per day direct from Meyrargues to Pertuis. Check sncf-connect for times.

Carcès - Chris Bike (My Cycles)

Between Meyrargues and Draguignan there is no cycle repair facility at all. The nearest workshop on this stretch lies 12 kilometres to the south of the EV8, in the village of Carcès. Chris Bike (formerly My Cycles) is a friendly and popular workshop, serving a wide area. The closest point to them on the EV8 is between Salernes and Lorgues.

From Salernes, heading south towards Lorgues you need to leave the EV8 before it branches away from the D31 road just outside the village, and take the D31 to Entrecasteaux. From there you continue south to Carcès. Chris Bike is on the south side of the village, on the D562 towards Brignoles.

From Lorgues, you can take a shortcut to Entrecasteaux. Some 1800 metres after you pass the entrance to Chateau Mentone, take a left at the fork. There are some walking signposts on your right at this junction. Follow this lane for 3.5 kms to Entrecasteaux. Note that you need to turn left just before a small bridge over the river Bresque. Again, there are signs for walkers here showing you the way to Entrecasteaux. Ride through the village and join the D31 to Carcès and on to Chris Bike.

Open: Tuesday to Saturday 9:00 to 12:00, 14:00 to 18:00

Closed Sunday and Monday

Website : mycycles.fr

Address: Lou Courredou, route de Brignoles, 83570, Carcès

Tel: 04 94 80 56 42

Draguignan - Dragui Cycles

Dragui Cycles sells, rents out and repairs a range of bicycles. They are the only repair facility belonging to the Accueil Vélo initiative. Although they don’t have a website, they are fairly active on Facebook. Their shop lies on the western side of the town centre, some 500 metres from the EV8. If you are coming from Flayosc and the west, and follow our route, you will arrive at the T junction and Boulevard Maréchal Foch, where you turn right on to the busy street. At the first roundabout, instead of turning left on to Boulevard Georges Clemenceau, continue straight on (boulevard du Maréchal Joffre) for 500 metres. Dragui Cycles is on your left.

Open: Monday : 14:00 to 19:00 

Tuesday to Saturday 9:00 to 12:00, 14:00 to 19:00

Address: 245 av 4 Septembre, 83300 DRAGUIGNAN

Tel: : 04 94 67 08 91