Mont Ventoux
Near our hotel
Visible from a hill, a high castle tower, or along many of the roads through the Vaucluse, Mont Ventoux is the incontestable star of the region. Nicknamed the “Géant de Provence” (Giant of Provence), this mountain stands tall over the region at a height of 1912 m at the crossroads of the Alps and the Mediterranean.
The road winds its way up through cedars, beeches, holm and white oaks, followed by firs and larches further up, which give way to stones as you approach the summit where you will discover an almost lunar landscape. It’s for this reason that it gets called “Mont Chauve” (Bald Mountain).
Up there, you can enjoy an extraordinary, panoramic view, from the Alps to the Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica in Marseille on a clear day. But be warned; the climate can be harsh, with the wind sometimes blowing at more than 200 km an hour.
Mont Ventoux is a legendary mountain in the history of Provence. The origin of the word “Ventoux” comes from either the Celtic “ven top”, which means white mountain or the Provençal “ventour”, which means exposed to the wind.
Mont Ventoux is a remarkable natural sight, classed as a “Biosphere Reserve” by UNESCO. In these largely preserved natural surroundings, you’ll be able to discover exceptional flora and fauna. Here you can observe a variety of birds, hawks, deer, chamois, mouflons, boar, and even wolves.
Three access points by road allow you to get to the peak of Mont Ventoux in around thirty minutes by car.
> Via Malaucène, northern slope – D 974
> Via Bédoin, southern slope – D 974
> Via Sault - D164