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.
Madeleine Pass – Summit arrival loop from Carpentras – 97,6 km, 2.250 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
Gravel Up: Gravel bike trips for a different way to travel
A great way to explore the region around Mont Ventoux are the all-inclusive gravel bike adventures offered by Gravel Up. This is an organisation that specializes in organising multi-day trips in small groups to discover the hidden gems in the region.
Carefully crafted routes through nature, designed by their local guides. Exploring the hidden trails and remote gravel roads that wind around the Giant of the Provence, far from the hustle and bustle of the paved routes. With destination: the Baronnies Provençales, a dream playground for gravel riding, with wild valleys, panoramic ridgelines, oak forests, and sun-drenched hilltop villages.
Gravel Up offers two formats to choose from. Either a 4 days / 3 nights format consisting of day trips from the basecamp. Or a 5 days/4 nights trip going point to point, a discovery of the entire region, from the Sault platasu to the foothills of the Mont Ventoux. They take care of everything.
Join a small group of passionate riders or book a private trip starting from just 4 persons.
For more information about Gravel Up, the packages they offer and specifically tours around Mont Ventoux, check out:
https://gravelup.earth/en/destinations/ventoux/vtx_adv