Mont Ventoux

Mont Ventoux, at 1912m, is the highest mountain in Provence and due to its isolation from other mountains of similar size, it's by far the most prominent geographical feature in northern Provence. Mont Ventoux is an east-west oriented ridge located about 20 km north of Carpentras in the Vaucluse. The top of Mont Ventoux is accessible by road and there are spectacular views from the top of Provence and the Rhône valley, the southern Alps and, when the air's particularly clear, you can even see the Pyrenees. Visibility is usually best in the early morning or around sunset when the haze from the heat of the day has dispersed.

The Mistral winds blow especially strong on the mountain, gusting over 50 mph 200 days a year, and giving Mont Ventoux its name - vent being the French for wind. The top of the mountain appears to glitter from a distance, giving the illusion that it is snow capped even in summer. Actually, Mont Ventoux is only snow-covered above 1300 m from December to April, and for the rest of the year the summit is just bare limestone, free of any vegetation. The winds and the barren landscape make Mont Ventoux an especially challenging climb for cyclists.

Mont Ventoux can become cloud covered with little warning and icy blasts of Mistral winds are not uncommon, so it's a good idea to bring along warm clothes and rain gear even in summer.

Hiking Mont Ventoux

The GR4 long distance walking trail runs up Mont Ventoux's nothern face before joining the GR9, and both trails follow the same bare white ridge before splitting, with the GR4 winding eastward to the Gorges du Verdon. The GR9, which takes in most of the areas ranges, including the Monts du Vaucluse and the Lubéron, is considered to be the most spectacular trail in northern Provence.

Cycling Mont Ventoux