Mont Ventoux from Sault in Provence

Mont Ventoux is in the Provence region of the south of France. It is the largest mountain in the region and has been nicknamed the ‘Beast of Provence’.

After a short descent you climb up through the lavender fields before a few short sharp sections lead up into the forest and a steady climb for 8km. The road then sweeps left at 1263m where a gentle section trends south to the viewpoint and belvedere at 1327m. From here to Chalet Reynard the gradient is very gentle and the last 2km are almost flat. The last 6km from Chalet Reynard are exactly the same as the Bedoin route. It is a section that is very exposed and weather dependent and has the reputation of being very windy.

On leaving Chalet Reynard there is a short steep section before a drop in gradient with an average of approximately 7% for the next 4.5km. The last part from the Simpson Memorial rears up again and the last 1500 metres are at an average of 10% gradient.

Mont Ventoux has been ascended 15 times by the Tour de France, most infamously in 1967 when British Cyclist Tom Simpson died during the race to the top.

Length: 25.7km
Height at start: 760m
Height at finish: 1912m
Average gradient: 4.5%
Maximum gradient: 11%