Mont ventoux

There’s no climb more iconic — or more feared — than Mont Ventoux from Bédoin. Rising out of the sleepy Provençal village, this legendary giant of Provence quickly makes you realize why it’s earned such a fearsome reputation among cyclists.

Route

The first few kilometers lull you into a false sense of security. As you roll out of Bédoin, the gradients stay manageable along vineyard-lined roads, passing quaint stone houses and fields buzzing with cicadas in the summer. But make no mistake: the real climb begins the moment you hit the forest at Saint-Estève.

Here, the road kicks up brutally, locking into a relentless 9–10% gradient that barely lets up for the next 10 kilometers. The forest is thick, and the climb becomes a mental battle — there are few views to distract you, and the hairpins offer little respite. It’s just you, your breathing, billions of flying insects in your mouth, and the steady rhythm of grinding your way upward. And not to forget, the hundreds of other cyclists you’re sharing the road with.

The surface is quite good, but it doesn’t make the gradients any easier. Riders often break the climb into mental checkpoints: the sharp bends at Les Bruns, the Chalet Reynard sign that always seems impossibly far away, the brief false flat that tricks you into thinking you’re close.

When you finally emerge from the forest and reach Chalet Reynard, a small café and rest stop, the landscape opens up dramatically. The final six kilometers are completely exposed, cutting through the famous moonscape of white limestone that makes Ventoux so surreal. Here, the mistral wind can either be your worst enemy or your best friend — fierce headwinds are common, and gusts can make even pedaling feel like a battle.

The last stretch is steep again, with gradients tipping back toward 9–10% in places. The iconic weather station looms on the summit, visible but deceptively distant. Each corner you round seems to offer a false promise of being near the top, but the final hairpins demand every last bit of strength. Peaks up to 12% sting in the last push.

Reaching the summit at 1,909 meters is unforgettable. The view stretches endlessly across Provence, sometimes as far as the Alps or the Mediterranean on a clear day. You’ll find a simple stone marker at the top, a cluster of proud cyclists, and the feeling that you’ve conquered one of cycling’s greatest mountains.

Most riders will make a beeline back to their accomodation, but they’d be missing out on the marvelous Gorges de la Nesque. There’s some more climbing to be done, but it’s nothing compared to what you’ve already done. It’s a great way to make this day even better as you ride along the rolling hills of the Provence.

Fueling up

No stops on the way up. On the summit, you may find a mobile stand which sells overpriced water and other beverages.

Tips

Keep a close eye at the weather forecast as the mistral winds can be severe. Wind speeds of 300 km/h have been recorded here.

Also, as this is such an iconic climb, many riders are not seasoned cyclists, and may not be aware of the protocols. Likewise, they may not be very good at going downhill, so be cautious when overtaking them. The same can be said with cars: many people are not used to driving up mountains and may act unpredictably.