Mont Ventoux, an icon mountain for cycling fans. The giant of the Provence that dominates the landscape of the Vaucluse. With its lunar landscape and its legendary cycling history, Mont-Ventoux attracts cycling enthusiasts from all over the world. But the Vaucluse also has a lot to offer off-road with 500 kilometres of gravel bike routes.
On a gravel bike explore the Vaucluse in all its wideness, from the Barronies Provençales Natural Park in the north to the Luberon in the south. Along the way, you will be treated to a beautiful and varied landscape. Depending on the season, you can cross purple lavender fields, cycle between vines full of bunches of grapes or the scent of jasmine meets you in the villages.
Around the Dentelles de Montmirail, along the vineyards, the villages or at the foot of Mont Ventoux, several routes have been designed that are perfect for a challenging gravel tour.
Gravel ride: Col de la Madeleine – View of the Mont Ventoux summit loop from Carpentras – 98,5 km, 2.260 alt.
Experience the rugged beauty of gravel biking in the Vaucluse department. Whether you’re looking for challenging climbs or scenic trails, here you will find one of the best gravel bike routes in the Provence. Starting in Carpentras and leading through the Parc Naturel Regional du Mont Ventoux. It is a hard gravel ride and would require a good condition. However, it is suitable for all skill levels.
Maplibre | © komoot | Map data © OpenStreetMap Contributors
Leaving Carprentras, city life will soon transform in the impressive nature of the Vaucluse. First, it will take you to the Madeleine pass with superb landscapes of surrounding vineyards. A good warm-up before Ventoux, and a must see between Bédoin and Malaucène.
Then you need to conquer the giant of the Provence, Mont Ventoux. Reaching the top at 1.912 meters, you will have views of the Albion plateau to the Mediterranean and the Belvedere of the Alps which opens onto the northern part. On a clear day, you can clearly see the department of Drôme, the Pre-Alps and the Alps.
On the descent, you pass the memorial dedicated to Tom Simpson who died July 13, 1967 during the Tour de France of that year.
Back in Carpentras, you can enjoy this city of history and architecture. Since ancient times, Carpentras has always been a market town, the Greeks and the Phocaeans already came there to buy honey, wheat and sheep. It still retains its tradition today with its colorful Friday morning market that enjoys a reputation throughout the region.
For more details about this route or GPX download, go to https://www.komoot.com/smarttour/41613032
Discover the landscapes of Mont Ventoux, the Rhône Valley and the Luberon in complete freedom by following the routes adapted to gravel riding in the Vaucluse. Here you will find several routes for road, gravel or mountain biking: https://www.provence-a-velo.fr/
Images/video: VaucluseProvence/Komoot/ProvenceGuide