Going hiking in the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur region? Discover Mont Ventoux and the surrounding villages!
The highest point in the Vaucluse mountains and department, Mont Ventoux – nicknamed the « Giant of Provence » or the « Mont Chauve » – is a peak that stretches from east to west. – is a summit stretching 25 kilometers from east to west, and 15 kilometers wide from north to south. Reaching an altitude of 1,910 metres, it is home to a wealth of flora and fauna, and has been designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and Natura 2000 site.
Mont Ventoux is also a winter and summer sports resort, and a favorite year-round destination for hikers. The emblem of Provence, it is famous for being devoid of all vegetation, capped by the winds and made of limestone, adorning the summit with a white cap. On a clear day, climbing Mont Ventoux offers spectacular views of the Alps, Massif Central, Cévennes, Rhône valley, Camargue, Etang de Berre, Mont Sainte-Victoire and Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde in Marseille.
Looking for somewhere to stay near Mont Ventoux? Eleven villages in the Vaucluse lie in the foothills of the massif. Here’s where to book accommodation near Mont Ventoux.
Carpentras
Photo credit: Wikipedia – Webcarpentras
Capital of the Comtat Venaissin and sub-prefecture of the Vaucluse region, Carpentras is located 35 kilometers southwest of Mont Ventoux. It has a population of 28,554, but its tourist appeal and historical and cultural heritage keep the population swelling, especially in summer. Classified as a « Pays d’art et d’histoire », Carpentras boasts a wide range of monuments to visit, including the Arc de Carpentras (1st century), the Porte d’Orange, and the Cathedral of Saint-Siffrein. You can stay in Carpentras, around the cathedral, to be just a few minutes away from the hiking trails, while enjoying a pleasant urban lifestyle.
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Malaucène
Photo credit: Flickr -fs999
Staying in Malaucène means access to the northern slopes of Mont Ventoux, via the Route du Mont Serein – the D974 – a 21-kilometer-long serpentine road that links the Mont Serein ski resort with the summit of Mont Ventoux by car, or for hiking and biking. The town center of Malaucène (population approx. 2,900) offers a wide range of hotels and apartments for rent. Don’t miss the Malaucène panoramic site.
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Bédoin
Photo credit: Flickr – dierk schaefer
With a population of 3,100, Bédoin is home to one of France’s largest communal forests, covering 6,280 hectares between Carpentras and Mont Ventoux.
Would you like to punctuate your Mont Ventoux hikes with other things to do in Bédoin? There’s no shortage of things to do and see in this village: the Dentelles de Montmirail, the Demoiselles Coiffées, hiking in the Combe de Curnier – a narrow path on the southern slopes of Mont Ventoux.
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Sault
Photo credit: Shutterstock – cge2010
From Sault, take the Ventouret road, the D164, through the combe de la Font de Margot and the combe Brune to climb the 19-kilometer Mont Ventoux.
Sault is a typical Provencal village of 1,370 inhabitants, south-east of Mont Ventoux and perched at an altitude of 760 meters. It’s a great starting point for exploring Mont Ventoux and its riches, but staying in Sault also offers access to the Baronnies Provençales (in nearby Drôme) and the Lure mountains (Alpes de Haute-Provence).
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