The Mont Ventoux by bike

Crillon le Brave is a protected setting. It offers a wonderful opportunity to try new experiences and discover the region from a different perspective. Conquer Mont Ventoux by bike! You’ll be able to admire the landscapes of Provence like never before. Solo, as a duo, with friends or family, everyone can go at their own pace to climb the hills on two wheels. But for all, in any case, it’s a legendary ride with extraordinary panoramas of the Ventoux and Luberon at the end.

Mont Ventoux, located in the Vaucluse, is a must for cycling enthusiasts. With its summit reaching 1,912 meters and steep slopes, it’s often called the “Giant of Provence”. It attracts cycling enthusiasts from around the world looking for an unforgettable challenge. With its mountainous profile, typical landscapes, and spectacular viewpoints, this legendary summit of Mont Ventoux is a unique experience. This ascent promises to combine physical effort, natural beauty, and fabulous cycling history.

Crillon le Brave, a Haven Facing Mont Ventoux

Lulled by the song of cicadas under the radiant Provençal sun, Crillon le Brave is the ideal place to reconnect and recharge your batteries. Located in total harmony with the renowned Mont Ventoux, this hotel offers you an inspirational view day after day. Between dips in the pool with your loved ones, try new adventures. Climbing Mont Ventoux by bike can be one of them and it is sure to be unforgettable.

At the hotel, you can easily rent your two-wheeler (electric bike, hybrid bike, road bike, or mountain bike). The more adventurous can opt for exploring slopes, trails, and gorges by scooter. Cycling enthusiasts can challenge themselves by completing the ascent of Mont Ventoux by bike without stopping, worthy of an improvised original Tour de France. Others can enjoy the immense pleasure of a motivating bike ride, with views of lavender fields and hamlets nestled in the Provençal forest.

The Ascent of Mont Ventoux, Another Experience of Provence

Exploring Mont Ventoux by Bike and Reaching the Top of the World

The name “Ventoux” is believed to originate from the Celtic language, with a prefix “ven” that immediately announces its height. A translation that leaves no doubt that it deserves its nickname of giant. Reach the summit of Mont Ventoux and you’ll overlook Provence!

Whether you choose to reach it from the south side or the north face, you’ll be at over 1,900 meters in height. An incredible dominant position, to rival Mont Blanc, with the Luberon, its verdant nature and bright blue sky, offering a stunning view to gaze upon. The reward is worth the effort. You’ll be left breathless, more likely from admiration of the vista than from having climbed Mont Ventoux by bike!

As you progress in the ascent of the Giant of Provence, you cross fragrant pine forests, feel the mistral wind charged with Provençal scents, discover sometimes lunar landscapes composed of white rocks. At the end of the effort, there is 360-degree panoramic view from the summit: no one can forget this kind of landscape. On a clear day, it’s even possible to see the Alps, the Mediterranean, and the surrounding valleys.

Crillon le Brave Hotel, the Ideal Starting Point for a Successful Bike Tour

Do you want to take on an extraordinary and original challenge during your vacation? At Crillon le Brave, your wish is easy to fulfill. The hotel blends harmoniously with the surrounding heights, it is intimately connected to Mont Ventoux. It is therefore only natural that it is an ideal starting point for your next bike tour.

From the hotel, travel (by bike or transport arranged by the hotel) to one of the three villages: Bédoin, Sault, or Malaucène. Are you there? Then the adventure can begin. The time has come to freely enjoy crossing the region’s landscapes. Crests, passes, needles, gorges, steep slopes, sides, victorious descents, and unforgettable memories await you! Depending on your starting point, the time needed to ascend Mont Ventoux by bike can vary between 1.5 and 3 hours.

Cycling Mont Ventoux: Prepare Your Outing from Crillon le Brave

To best anticipate this day of effort, take advantage of the privileged setting of Crillon le Brave to prepare your escapade down to the smallest detail. All the staff on site are at your disposal to give you the best advice. A question? Need advice? Our guide, knowledgeable about the region, is happy to answer you. She shares her tips with you for a truly successful discovery of Mont Ventoux by bike. Call on her to help you plan your outing, ahead of your arrival at the hotel.

On D-day, before hitting the road, check the weather and bring windbreakers and warm clothes. The temperature on the summits is very different from the warmth of the small starting villages. Of course, bring cool drinks and food in your hiking bag to feel good from the first kilometers to the last. The chef at Crillon le Brave will prepare your gourmet picnic.

Even if the ascent of Mont Ventoux by bike is also planned for beginners, good physical preparation is the best way to enjoy the climb of this difficult summit. Leave rested and take it easy before getting on your bike. Treat yourself to a little prior training you feel you need it, and pamper yourself once back. After a day spent pedaling up hills and down dales, treat yourself to a relaxation break in the comfort of your room, a well-deserved cool shower, a toast between cycling friends on the panoramic terrace with views of Mont Ventoux which you summited a few hours before.

Some Tips for Climbing Mont Ventoux by Bike

For any cyclist planning to take on the challenge of Mont Ventoux, here are some good tips to savor this highlight:

Good physical preparation is essential to climb Mont Ventoux by bike.

Climbing Mont Ventoux by bike is an exciting adventure, but potentially daunting if you overestimate your physical condition. Are you just starting your vacation and still carrying the stress of the year? Take time for a rebalancing treatment at the spa, allowing you to relax and reenergise.

A good tip to adapt your bike ride to your form: know that the ascent can start from three cities of choice (Bédoin, Malaucène and Sault) and that each of these routes has its own characteristics. The climb from Sault is for example considered the easiest, but it is also the longest due to its lower slope percentages.

In any case, the journey will last at least 21 km and a competent cyclist will take about 2 hours to reach the summit of Mont Ventoux by bike. It’s important to take into account the duration of the ascent and its difficulty. It is wise to carefully analyse the profiles of the different climbs and prepare physically and mentally to face the challenge, as long as necessary.

Hydration, nutrition and safety to reach the summit

A common mistake, valid for all sports activities, is not drinking enough. When practicing an endurance sport such as trail running or cycling, you need to hydrate during the effort, and even more than usual if it’s very hot. Bring enough water to stay hydrated until the last kilometers of your ascent of Mont Ventoux by bike. Also bring energy snacks to maintain your glucose level and avoid performance drops. A good safety reminder: continue to respect the road code and be attentive to other cyclists and motorists. In case of excessive fatigue or unfavorable weather conditions, don’t hesitate to interrupt your ascent or descend carefully.

Choose your cycling route well

The particularity of the Giant of Provence is to offer 3 sides, each with its characteristics. Study the different possible routes to climb Mont Ventoux by bike and choose the one that best matches your abilities and goals.

• The best known, and certainly the hardest side, starts from the village of Bédoin. Long and difficult, the ascent is 21 kilometers at 7.5% average slope, with a total of 1590 meters of positive elevation gain. This generally takes between 1h30 for a trained cyclist and 2h30 for a cyclist of average level.
• The west side, from Malaucène, is almost as arduous as that of Bédoin: 21 kilometers and 7% average slope. This side is much more irregular, as the road has both very steep passages and gentler passages around 2 and 3%.
• The east option, from Sault, is the third possibility to climb the summit of Mont Ventoux by bike. It’s the longest route, but also the easiest, with an average slope not exceeding 4.5%. Although this option presents more kilometers to cover (25.7 km), it is considered the most reasonable choice to reach the summit. Why such a difference between this passage and the other two through Bédoin and Malaucène? The reason is quite simple: the village of Sault is located at 760 m altitude, which means that the total elevation gain to climb is less than if you start from another side.

A final tip: for the ascents of Mont Ventoux by bike, check the opening dates of each access.

Check weather conditions

As with any high-altitude outing, check the weather forecast before your ascent of Mont Ventoux by bike. The Provençal Giant is known for its rapid climatic variations and the marked presence of the famous mistral wind. Prepare accordingly with suitable clothing. Don’t just consult the weather and forecasts of the starting villages, also look at what they announce at altitude.

Correctly target the times of your cycling tour, from the moment of its departure to the return descent: in summer, a departure, early or late in the day, allows you to reach Mont Ventoux by bike whilst avoiding the midday heat. Postpone your ascent to another day if the wind is too strong or the temperatures too hot.

Fully charge your electric bike before your ascent of Mont Ventoux

The development of electric bikes is a blessing to make Mont Ventoux accessible to less trained cyclists. However, the ascent is long and often represents a major challenge for their batteries. Many cyclists have to turn back due to insufficient autonomy. If you plan to rent this type of bike in Bédoin, Malaucène or Sault, make sure to inquire well before embarking on the ascent!

Access to the summit opened via Bédoin and Sault on April 7.

Recovering Well After the Ascent of Mont Ventoux by Bike

As a nod to cyclists or hikers measuring themselves against Mont Ventoux, the spa of Les Écuries at Crillon le Brave hotel also offers targeted treatments. They are perfectly adapted to provide comfort to the most important areas.

• The invigorating treatment: the alliance between our team’s expertise and the benefits of Pressotherapy makes this treatment a truly restorative outlet. It aims to optimise recovery and fitness after the effort of climbing Mont Ventoux by bike. The drainage of toxins and elimination of water accumulation in tissues will bring relaxation and soothing to the entire body, to get back in the saddle quickly!
• The post-Ventoux massage: a perfect liaison between movements, stretches and joint mobilisation. It optimises muscle response and dissipates tensions and contractures for better recovery. Let yourself be carried away by this moment of pure pleasure and relaxation!

Crillon le Brave Hotel opened its doors on March 29, 2024. For more information or to book your stay, visit our website or contact our reservation team.