A travel guide for visiting the area?

July 22, 2025

 A travel guide for visiting the area?



🏞️ Mont Ventoux Travel Guide – Provence, France

📍 Where is Mont Ventoux?

  • Region: Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, southeastern France

  • Department: Vaucluse

  • Nearest towns:

    • Bédoin (most popular base for cyclists)

    • Malaucène

    • Sault

Mont Ventoux is known as the “Giant of Provence”, rising 1,909 meters high and dominating the landscape for miles around.

🧭 How to Get There

✈️ By Air:

  • Avignon Airport (~1 hr drive)

  • Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) (~1.5 hrs drive)

  • Nice (NCE) (~3 hrs drive)

🚆 By Train:

  • TGV to Avignon, then rent a car or take a bus

🚗 By Car:

  • From Avignon: ~1 hr

  • From Marseille: ~1.5 hrs

  • Having a car is highly recommended for exploring the area.

🚴 What to Do

1. Cycle Mont Ventoux

  • One of the world’s most famous climbs, especially via Bédoin or Malaucène

  • Three cycling routes:

    • Bédoin: hardest, most iconic (Tour de France)

    • Malaucène: similar in difficulty

    • Sault: easiest and scenic

  • Tip: Do the “Cinglés du Ventoux” (All 3 ascents in one day!) and earn a medal!

2. Hiking & Nature

  • Numerous trails on lower slopes and to the summit

  • Mont Serein and Chalet Reynard offer shorter hikes

  • Spring & early summer are best for wildflowers and lavender

3. Scenic Drives

  • Drive up from Bédoin or Sault to the summit

  • Amazing panoramic views from the top – sometimes you can see the Alps and even the Mediterranean Sea

4. Wine & Lavender Tours

  • Nearby villages like Gigondas, Vacqueyras, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape are famous for wine

  • Visit lavender fields around Sault in June–July

5. Visit Charming Villages

  • Bédoin – cycling base with cafes and Saturday market

  • Sault – perched village surrounded by lavender

  • Vaison-la-Romaine – Roman ruins and medieval town

  • Crillon-le-Brave – stunning hilltop views


🏨 Where to Stay

🛏️ Cyclist-Friendly Hotels & B&Bs

LocationHotel NameHighlights
BédoinHôtel des PinsSpa, bike storage, great food
MalaucèneDomaine des TilleulsQuiet, pool, cyclist friendly
SaultHostellerie du Val de SaultScenic, lavender views, great dining
Crillon-le-BraveHôtel Crillon le BraveLuxury option, incredible views

🛎️ Many accommodations offer bike storage, repair tools, and early breakfast for cyclists.

🍷 Local Food & Drink

  • Provençal cuisine: goat cheese, olives, tapenade, herbes de Provence

  • Wine: Try the Ventoux AOC reds, or wines from Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  • Lavender honey, nougat, and local cheeses make perfect gifts

  • Popular dishes: daube de boeuf, pissaladière, ratatouille

📅 Best Time to Visit

SeasonWeatherHighlights
April–JuneMild, greenFlowers, quiet roads, pre-summer calm
JulyWarm to hotLavender in bloom, cycling festivals
AugustHot, windyPeak season – busy and dry
Sept–OctCool, scenicFewer crowds, harvest festivals

Avoid midday ascents of Ventoux in July–August – the summit gets extremely hot and windy.

🛍️ Markets & Events

  • Bédoin Market (Monday) – fresh produce, local goods

  • Sault Lavender Festival (mid-August)

  • Vaison-la-Romaine – antique market & wine fair

🧳 What to Pack

  • For cycling: helmet, windproof jacket, gloves, padded shorts, sunscreen

  • For hiking: trail shoes, hat, water bottle, layers

  • For summer: sunglasses, light clothing, hydration gear

🧠 Tips

  • Summit Winds: Mont Ventoux means “windy mountain.” Check weather before going!

  • Cycling Season: April to October (snow may block summit in winter)

  • Renting Bikes: Available in Bédoin, Malaucène, Sault

  • Travel Insurance: Recommended, especially if planning to cycle or hike

🗺️ Want a Custom Itinerary?

Let me know how many days you're visiting, your interests (cycling, hiking, wine, relaxation), and your budget — I can build a personalized itinerary for your Mont Ventoux trip!

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