Mont Ventoux, the "Giant of Provence", rises alone above the Vaucluse — its bare limestone summit looks snow-capped all year from a distance. It is the most feared climb in France: the Tour de France has crowned it many times, and in 1967 the British rider Tom Simpson collapsed and died near the top, where his memorial still stands. Three roads lead up: from Bédoin, the classic and hardest ascent through the forest; from Malaucène, its equal but better sheltered from the wind; and from Sault, the gentlest approach through the lavender fields. Riding all three in one day — over 4,300 m of climbing — makes you one of the Cinglés du Mont Ventoux, the madmen of the mountain.
Mont Ventoux
1909 m · France
Road D974
Open on the map →The 3 sides
| From | Length | Gain | Avg | Max | Cat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bédoin | 20.8 km | +1580 m | 7.6% | ≈11.6% | HC |
| Malaucène | 20.8 km | +1565 m | 7.5% | ≈12.2% | HC |
| Sault | 24.4 km | +1202 m | 4.9% | ≈11.2% | HC |
From Bédoin
Hors catégorie≈9 hairpin bendsfaces SW
From Malaucène
Hors catégorie≈10 hairpin bendsfaces W
From Sault
Hors catégorie≈15 hairpin bendsfaces SE
0–4%4–7%7–10%10–12%12%+
The climb
Race history
18× Tour de France · 10 summit finishes · 1951–2025