MONT VENTOUX – A TOUGH CHALLENGE… A TRUE BEAUTY… A REAL MYTH!
The profiles of the climbs speak for themselves, but on top of that, there are the unpredictable winds and sometimes extreme temperatures that make it even more difficult. And then there are the heroic battles that have been fought throughout the history of the Tour de France on the slopes of the Giant of Provence. Cycling history that leaves no cycling enthusiast unmoved. So there are plenty of reasons why this mountain has become a ‘must-do’ for every cycling tourist.
A unique landscape shaped by the power of Mother Earth
Mont Ventoux can be seen from afar and in all its glory from a 360° circle. It is impressive from any point in the circle around the mountain. The limestone mountain, cracked by the freezing cold, has a height of 1,909 meters, is approximately 15 km wide, and stretches from east to west over a length of 25 km. According to science, the origin of Mont Ventoux began with the deposition of limestone layers on the bottom of the shallow sea that covered the area in the Mesozoic-Cretaceous era. Over millions of years, limestone layers were formed by the accumulation of marine animals such as coral and shellfish, whose skeletons and shells consist of calcium carbonate.
"Quand le Ventoux porte son chapeau, il pleuvra bientôt"
This process continued during the Cenozoic era, starting around 66 million years ago. Enormous tectonic forces caused the formation of the Alps, and the same forces caused these layers to be folded and lifted out of the water. This is how Mont Ventoux came into being in its current form. These geological processes are therefore hundreds of millions of years old, but it is estimated that the final uplifts that ultimately shaped the mountain into what it is today took place in the last 5 million years. In more recent history, we see that deforestation (which began in the 12th century) reduced the Ventoux to a barren pile of stones. At the end of the 19th century, reforestation began. The Ventoux was replanted with species such as soft oak, holm oak, black pine, larch, Atlas cedar, beech, and sea pine (a type of conifer).
In addition to restoring nature, this has also been a blessing for the many cycling enthusiasts. Just imagine if this climb from the foot of the mountain in full sun and wind were on the program. Thank goodness for the little bit of shade we can cycle through now!
Mountain of weather and wind
Mont Ventoux is also called the “mountain of wind” because of the extreme wind conditions that often prevail around the summit. The name ‘Ventoux’ itself is derived from the word “vent,” which is French for wind. But feel free to call it “the mountain of weather and wind,” because it’s not just the wind that plays around this imposing mountain peak. Extreme temperatures with hot summers and cold winters and wind all year round teach everyone that nature rules everything. There is also a saying: “When the Ventoux wears its hat, it will soon rain.” So if you see the summit shrouded in clouds from below, you can expect rain around the mountain later on.
“Long live the little bit of shade where we can cycle through!”
The Mistral
As a cyclist, however, you are mainly interested in the wind when you want to tackle a climb like this. Why is the wind so notorious on Mont Ventoux? Well, there are several reasons for this:
- Meteorological influence and its unique location
- Mont Ventoux is located at a point where different air currents converge. Especially when the Mistral—a strong, cold wind that blows from the north through the Rhône Valley—is blowing, it is dangerous at the top of Mont Ventoux because it stands isolated in the landscape as the only high mountain in the surrounding area. There are virtually no other mountains to block or weaken the wind. This allows the wind to blow freely across the open terrain and gain strength.
- When it blows, the wind reaches dangerously high speeds
- At the top of the mountain, gusts can reach speeds of up to 300 km/h. This makes the wind on the Ventoux extreme and dangerous, especially for cyclists. Therefore, always check the weather before you take on the challenge!
- Bare summit
- The summit of Mont Ventoux—the last 5-6 kilometers of the climb—is completely bare, leaving you completely exposed to the wind. Even a moderate wind feels strong, especially after all the effort you have already put in to reach the summit.
The mistral wind blows regularly in the region around Ventoux! It is particularly active several times a month in winter and spring, but this weather phenomenon can also occur in summer. In addition to the mistral, the sirocco wind from the Sahara is also an unwelcome guest on the Bare Mountain. The sirocco occasionally brings warm, dry air and even sand to the region, and then the Ventoux is once again in the middle of the storm. However, it is mainly the mistral that dominates the wind conditions on Mont Ventoux and is so decisive for the rough weather on this mythical mountain.
“The gusts can reach speeds of up to 300 km/h.”
Take on the challenge!
There are three routes to climb Mont Ventoux:
The climb from Bédoin – Mont Ventoux – south side
295-1909 m | elevation gain 1614 m | length 21.5 km | average 7.51%
From Bédoin, the climb up Ventoux is the most challenging. Bédoin is a picturesque village surrounded by vineyards, located at an altitude of 295 m southwest of Mont Ventoux. Take the D 974 from the village to the summit. The D 974 was built in 1882 and opened when construction began on the meteorological observation station at the top of the Bare Mountain.
The fountain in Bédoin is generally chosen by cycling tourists as the starting point for the climb. Others opt for the line drawn across the street a little further on, but then you are already climbing gently. The total climb from the fountain to the summit is 21.5 kilometers long.
The average climbing time is approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes. The fastest time ever recorded in the EPO era was set by Iban Mayo at 55″51′, but something tells us that this time will be beaten in 2025 by the current top riders – read Tadej Pogačar and/or Jonas Vingegaard – at the top of the rankings.
Profile and route
From Bedoin, the gradient does not exceed 5.5% for the first five kilometers, but then it becomes grueling, because the next eight kilometers are climbed at gradients between 8 and 13.3% (steepest 100 meters). In this section, it’s all about survival and there is nowhere to recover, it’s pure suffering. The last 7 kilometers, the gradients decrease (between 5 and 8.5%). But of course, just before the summit, there is another test of more than 11% -10% in the last kilometer – look around the bend.
The climb from Malaucène – Mont Ventoux – north side
327-1909 m | elevation gain 1582 m | length 21.2 km | average 7.46%
Malaucène is also a beautiful Provençal village located on the north side of the Ventoux at an altitude of 330 m.
The village is surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, and asparagus is grown alongside cherries and apricots.
The profile of the climb from Malaucène is completely different from that of the climb from Bédoin. After two kilometers, you already have to deal with gradients of more than 10%. Then the average gradients drop to 5-6%, before reaching an average of 10.5% for three kilometers halfway up. With a few easier sections – even some false flats – and a few short but tough passages of 11 and 12% in the last kilometers, this is a more irregular climb than the one from Bédoin. In our opinion, both climbs are almost equal in terms of difficulty, but they are simply different. The experience is also different, because while the climb from Bédoin to Chalet Reynard is on a narrow road with many sharp bends, here it is a wide road with a nice bike lane along the side.
The climb from Sault
Mont Ventoux – east side
765-1909 m | elevation gain 1144 / elevation meters 1220 m | length 25.9 km | 4.7%
At 765 meters, Sault is considerably higher than the other two places from which the Ventoux can be climbed. The village is located east of the Ventoux and is known for its beautiful lavender fields and the impressive Gorges de la Nesque, which begins nearby—or ends, depending on which direction you are traveling. The area around Sault is famous for its colors and scents. The purple lavender fields, yellow cornfields, and green vines make it a summer spectacle that cannot be admired anywhere else in the world. For that alone, every cyclist should put the easiest climb of Mont Ventoux on their to-do list.
At 25.9 km, the climb is longer than the other two sides and the elevation gain is smaller. From Sault, you first have a short descent of 700 meters, and then the climb begins gently, with the gradient never exceeding 6.4% until you reach Chalet Reynard with an average gradient of only 4.7%. The climb between Sault and Chalet Reynard is therefore fairly easy, but from there on, you’ll need to be in good shape, because you’ll be following the same route as the climb from Bédoin.
The three climbs of Mont Ventoux in one day
Conquering Mont Ventoux via one of the three options is already a huge challenge for most cyclists, but it can be even more.
A truly extreme challenge is to complete all three climbs in succession, known as the “Cinglé du Mont Ventoux.” Human ambition knows no bounds, so if there are three possible climbs, why not complete all three climbs of Mont Ventoux in succession? Is this something for you? Then nothing is stopping you, because it’s not that far from Belgium/the Netherlands. A long drive by car or camper van, a few days of enjoyment and hardship in Provence, and then back home… We say go for it!
Text and image: Patrick Van Gansen
