From its lofty 1,909 metres, the massive Mont Ventoux soars above the Provençal region below. Known as the Giant of Provence, the mountain's very isolation ensures its visibility from vast distances all around. Your first outings are fairly easy, becoming gradually tougher as time goes by in order to prepare you for the final assault on the Giant at the end of your stay...if you want !
On the climb, the colours of the countryside evolve like those of an impressionist's palette.
Leaving narrow backroads that meander through a Mediterranean ambiance evoked by vineyards, olive trees, fruit orchards and lavender fields, you find yourself in a distinctly Alpine atmosphere. Once the forest is behind you, your way lies through a shining lunar desert you are unlikely ever to forget, all the way up to the high-perched weather station of Le Mont Ventoux. You can also admire the Giant of Provence from the Gorges de la Nesque, a wild canyon emblematic of the Provencal landscape.
Pretty Provençal village through which the Ouvèze flows. Remarkable bridge and fountain.
Dinner and night in family hotel with its own pool, in the heart of the old village.
D2
Ride from Mollans sur Ouvèze to Sault
36 km stage with total uphill 740 metres. About 4hrs30.
Today you'll encounter the valley of the Toulourenc, a river that flows at the foot of the Mont Ventoux. The largest water course draining the mountain, its source is beside the Château d'Aulan near Montbrun les Bains. It flows full 30km down a narrow valley with deep wild gorges to gush into the Ouvèze after sweeping through several very pretty places, and thus limiting in a starkly definitive way the north face of the Mont Ventoux.
Dinner and night in a 3* hotel.
D3
Ascension of the Mont Ventoux, return to Sault
30 km stage with total uphill 650m. Somewhere around 3 hrs.
This route takes you through the heart of the lavender-growing region and its charming hamlets. You'll climb up to the viewpoint at le Rède, the high point of the walk, from where you can contemplate Mont Ventoux overlooking the Gorges of the Nesque.
51 km stage with total uphill 1220m. Somewhere around 5 or 6 hrs.
Variant possible: 40km with 700m uphill. Somewhere around 4hrs.
The ascension of the mountain by Sault is the easiest of the 3, but also the longest.
We can suggest a round trip which will permit you to retrace your route should you not feel up to the entire climb.
The Mont Ventoux is of course a legendary mountain pass that has attracted thousands of both amateur and professional cyclists since the very dawn of the bicycle! In spite of all, some of the most honorable pages of the history of the Tour de France have been written along its zigzags...
Dinner and night in a 3* hotel.
D4
From Sault to Mollans sur Ouvèze
40 km stage with total uphill 300m, level 2/5. Around 3hrs30.
One of the pleasures of today's ride is that the profile shows that there is more downhill than uphill. (You've earned it!) You'll have time to enjoy a visit to the hilltop village of Montbrun les Bains and why not take in a little detour to see Buis-les-Baronnies, whose shady terraces lend this popular borough an undeniable charm.
Departure
Tariffs high season
FROM JULY TO AUGUST, DEPARTURE EVERYDAY
IN DOUBLE ROOM
Adult : 490 €
Junior (12 - 17) : 490 €
IN TRIPLE ROOM
Adult : 465 €
Junior (12-17) : 465 €
IN SINGLE ROOM
610 €
SOLO TRAVELLER
710 €
Tariffs low season
From April to June and from september to october, departure everyday
IN DOUBLE ROOM
Adult : 470 €
Junior (12 - 17) : 470 €
IN TRIPLE ROOM
Adult : 445 €
Junior (12-17) : 445 €
IN SINGLE ROOM
590 €
SOLO TRAVELLER
690 €
What's included?
Accommodation is half board in 2 and 3 star hotels, one with its own pool.
Roadbook and detailed maps provided.
Update GPS tracks.
Technical and logistical assistance.
Baggage transfers assured.
Optional
Bike rental from :
Bike rental for adult or junior : 95 €
Electric power bike for adult or junior: 140 €
What's not included?
Beverage and extra
Round trip transfer from Home to the first accomodation
Facultative cancellation and repatriation insurance
Characteristics of circuits
Cycle tour from place to place, without accompaniment.
Daily stages: between 30 and 52kms, around 3 to 5hrs cycling per day.
Total dail uphill between 300 and 1220 metres.
Altitudes vary from 250m to 1,909m.
Road type: narrow country roads.
Cycle recommended: road bikes or country bikes.
Organisation
These rides are much more about relaxed exploration than athletic performance. We transport your luggage to each stopover location. A detailed roadbook will be your guide throughout your trip. We also provide the logistical and technical support necessary.
Accommodation is in either 2 or 3 star/'épis' guest houses or hotels, chosen for their atmosphere, warm welcome, environmental and architectural setting.
N.B : the accommodation described above is given as an indication and may have to be modified according to availability at the moment when final reservation is confirmed.
Access
By car
Highway A7 exit Bollène - 50 km
By air
Marseille-Provence airport or Lyon St-Exupéry airport
By train
Orange railway station then by bus or taxi to Mollans-sur-Ouvèze. The entrance to the first accommodation with public transports is not recommended. Call the agency for more information
From its lofty 1,909 metres, the massive Mont Ventoux soars above the Provençal region below. Known as the Giant of Provence, the mountain's very isolation ensures its visibility from vast distances all around. Your first outings are fairly easy,…
High above us soars the Mont Ventoux (1909 metres), the “Géant de Provence” that cyclists the world over fear and respect. But there are also innumerable little roads which run hither and thither, weaving their way over the lower…
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