From the Windswept Alpilles to Perched Lubéron Villages

It's a slower pace of life here in southern France. Amid the Alpilles, where olive trees glisten silver in the breeze. Where limestone hills press wavelike against the ultra-blue sky. And sun-drenched villages tempt you to linger, relax over a pastis or a local rosé. In the Lubéron, it's a celebration of color, be it poppies and wildflowers in spring, lavender in summer or changing grape leaves in fall. Pedal quiet roads to medieval hilltop towns. Soak up views of vineyards, orchards and windswept countryside. And rejoice in the Provençal cornucopia: fresh goat cheese, honey, olives, tapenade, sun-dried tomatoes and heavenly pastries. Find bliss in Provence, with Backroads, on a bicycle.

Day 1 Incredible biking through perched villages, vineyards, olive groves and orchards Warm up your cycling muscles and get to know the Alpilles, a world of windswept crags dotted with oak, pine and cypress trees  Explore Les Baux, perched high above a limestone landscape pockmarked with caves and said to be frequented by witches and goblins.

Day 2 Discover the vibrant artist community of St-Rémy, filled with fountains, gardens, cheery cafés and tree-lined boulevards Join a historian on a visit to the asylum where Vincent van Gogh spent his last days Drop in at a delightful olive oil mill, for a tour and tasting.

Day 3 Before bidding adieu to the dramatic scenery of the Alpilles, bike to Eygalières, a small terraced town guarded by an ancient castle  Spin to the picturesque walled village of Ménerbes nestled in the Lubéron mountains Ride along the route de Jean Moulin, a scenic road bordered by pine trees, vineyards and quintessential Provençal scenery.

Day 4 Marvel at the beauty of Gordes, a striking village perché clinging to the craggy southern face of the high Vaucluse Plateau Quiet roads lead through rolling fields of lavender and wheat into the foothills of Mont Ventoux, the "Giant of Provence" Rub shoulders with the locals in quintessential Provençal villages such as Venasque, listed among Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (France's Most Beautiful Villages).

Days 5-6 Savor farm-fresh cuisine and noteworthy regional wines   Views of Mont Ventoux, the "Giant of Provence" are unsurpassed on your ride today  Surrounded by venerable Côtes du Ventoux vineyards, relish a final spin through idyllic hamlets of the Vaucluse.