Hilltop Villages of Provence with E-Bike

Fountain de Vaucluse is a charming village with the biggest spring in France and the fifth largest in the world. Enjoy the Provence style hotel and relax in the peaceful garden of this former mill, underneath hundred year old trees, or taste a glass of local rose wine by the pool. You stay at Hotel du Poete (breakfast included).

After breakfast, ride along country lanes where a mixture of climbs and freewheeling takes you through some of the most beautiful villages in Provence. First there's Oppede le Vieux. From here you'll freewheel down before another short climb to Menerbes, made famous by the books of Peter Mayle, and a great place to stop for lunch. Then it's on to Lacoste to explore the ruined castle, once a mighty fortification and now a spectacular viewpoint. You stay at Hotel du Poete (breakfast included) (B).

The first stop of the day is in Gordes - Explore the village, discover the cobblestones streets and the winding passageways in the lower part of the town. Outside Gordes, do not miss the Village des Bories, with scenic views over the village and Senanque Abbey surrounded by lavender fields, one of the Provence's icons. Continue to the village called Roussillon. This multicoloured village is set on top of an ochre hill and is well known for the ochre cliff right in front of the main square.

In Roussillon do not miss to hike the ochre trail and then lose yourself in the small street to the top of the village from where the view on the Luberon countryside is amazing. Ochre are the treasure of the Luberon. Stretching on nearly 25km, the ochre landscape is very special from this area. Their shade infused this part of the Luberon with their colours from the whitest to dark red contrasting with the Provencal blue sky and the green of the pine trees. You stay at Hotel du Poete (breakfast included) (B).

Today you can relax and explore the village. Find the crumbling ruins of the castle of the Bishop of Cavaillon, a museum about the Resistance and a number of lovely cafes and restaurants. Alternatively you can spend your day in L'Isle sur la Sorgue which is just few km ride from your hotel. Surrounded by the River Sorgue, this is a charming town to potter around, its narrow streets filled with quaint cafes, little antique shops, old bridges and water wheels, not to mention a bustling market every Sunday. You stay at Hotel du Poete (breakfast included) (B).

Leave the beautiful Regional Natural Park of the Luberon and ride to the Comtat Venaissin area and the foot of the Mont Ventoux. Ride to L'Isle sur la Sorgue, then through apple country where you'll see orchards aplenty. Following the lanes brings you to the mediaeval town of Pernes-les-Fontaines where you can explore the numerous ancient stone fountains and lavoirs.

Then, ride along cherry orchards to popular St-Didier and continue up the hill to the medieval settlement of Venasque (one of the prettiest villages in France) with its three Saracen towers. You'll then follow lanes and tracks up past Malemort-du-Comtat and then dropping down into the medieval village of Mazan with its church wall that is made up of more than 60 Roman sarcophagi. You stay at Chateau de Mazan (breakfast included) (B).

Day devoted to the Dentelles de Montmirail area, a jagged limestone mountains chain, famous for the picture postcard landscapes. Pedal through orchards fields, vineyards and tree-lined roads with wonderful views of Mont Ventoux. Then, leave Les Dentelles behind as you head for the village of Beaumes-de-Venise with its muscat wines and olive oil museum. Then it's a gentle ride along quiet lanes, past olive groves at the foot of Mt Ventoux, heading south through the vineyards to the mediaeval village of Mazan. You stay at Chateau de Mazan (breakfast included) (B).

A day in the Comtat Venaissin area at the foot of the Mont Ventoux. Ride to the lovely village of Bedoin, which is one of the three gates to access to the Mont Ventoux and is the starting point of the classic climb for Tour de France. Explore the lively village of Bedoin, named for the 8th century Bedouins who settled there and home to the imposing church of Saint-Antonin, with its unique Spanish style - so different from any other in Provence. Follow established cycle routes to the Chateau Pesquie, which offers everything from a stroll in the vines, to a guided cellar tour, to a tasting, to a full picnic lunch in the gardens. You stay at Chateau de Mazan (breakfast included) (B).

The tour ends after breakfast in Mazan (B).