Assaulting Mont Ventoux

Mont Ventoux, also known as the Giant of Provence, is a legendary summit that attracts thousands of keen cyclists every year. Culminating at an altitude of 1910 metres, it offers an extraordinary sporting challenge and breathtaking scenery.

Three routes to the summit

Cycling up Mont Ventoux is reputed to be one of the most demanding climbs in France. The climb can be made via three routes and at different levels of difficulty:

Via Malaucène, this is the intermediate side, with 20 km and 1,597 meters of ascent. This is the side closest to Vaison Ventoux Provence.
Via Sault, longer but less steep, with a total of 26 km and 1152 meters of ascent.
Via Bédoin, the most difficult, with 22 km and 1622 meters of ascent.

Getting to Mont Ventoux

Start of the GF Mont Ventoux 2023 pro race

The various cycling events

Cycling races are regularly organized to climb the Ventoux, such as the famous Lapierre GF Mont Ventoux cyclosportive race.

For more ambitious cyclists, there’s the Cinglés du Ventoux challenge: the aim is to climb Mont Ventoux three times in one day, and from all three sides (Bédoin, Malaucène, Sault), for a total of 137 kilometers and 4,400 meters of positive altitude difference!

For the less experienced, you can climb Mont Ventoux with an electrically-assisted bike. However, it’s crucial to ensure that your battery is sufficiently powerful to avoid running out of power before reaching the summit.

The secrets of a successful climb

Beware: climbing Mont Ventoux by bike requires training and good physical condition. Here are a few tips to help you prepare for your ascent:

Training: prepare yourself with regular outings and progressive climbs.
Hydration and nutrition: take enough water and food to keep your strength up (e.g. a banana, dried fruit, cereal bars).
Check access conditions: before setting off, check access conditions and the weather. Winds and temperatures can vary considerably at higher altitudes.

Mont Ventoux, with its demanding slopes and panoramic views, remains a mythical event for any cyclist. If you’re looking for an extreme challenge, climbing the Géant de Provence is an unforgettable experience.