July, 2015. Updated May, 2026
KmM = Kilometer Marker
The Luberon is an area in Provence, with Mont Ventoux to its north and the town of Apt to its east.
Mont Ventoux
Here’s how 100GCC describes the climb from Bédoin: “The final journey to the summit, across the desolate peak, is without doubt the most unique and wonderful experience you can have on two wheels, which, together with the satisfaction of reaching the top, make Ventoux THE greatest cycling climb in France.”
We rode Mont Ventoux, also known as the Géant de Provence, from Bédoin early on a beautiful, calm, sunny day in early July, 2015. There were already riders on the road, and there were many riders on top, but the remarkable thing was how many riders we saw coming up as we were riding down. We started down at about 10 a.m. and I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many people on a climb that was not an organized ride. Mont Ventoux is such a popular ride that there were two professional photographers in different locations on the upper 6 km moonscape section, taking photos of the riders as they passed. After taking the photo, the photographer would rush out and tuck a business card in the back pocket of the passing cyclist.
This is definitely a must-do climb. From Bédoin (the classic, most popular climb), it’s a bit over 21 km with about 1,639 meters (5,377 feet) of climbing. From Malaucène (the second hardest way), it’s about 21 km with about 1,535 meters (5,036 feet) of climbing, but it only has about 1.5 km of moonscape at the top. From Sault (the easiest way), it’s about 26 km with 1,152 meters (3,780 feet) of climbing, and it shares the moonscape section with the climb from Bédoin.
Of course, some people do all three sides in a single day. There’s even a club, the Club des Cinglés du Mont-Ventoux, which you can join by doing 3, 4, or 5 verified ascents in one day.
Gorges de la Nesque
If you are in the area, another ride you might consider is the Gorges de la Nesque. It’s an incredible road, never very steep, about 23 km long between Villes-sur-Auzon and Monieux. The road, the D942, is perched on the edge of the gorge with several narrow tunnels to go through. Riding uphill (west to east) you can the frighten yourself looking into the gorge and trying to avoid the edge. The higher you climb, the more dramatic the views and the more tunnels you go through. Fortunately there are very few cars on the road. The climb and the gorge end a short way above Monieux, and you then descend into Monieux.
Some people continue past Monieux to Sault, and a few intrepid people also ride up Mont Ventoux as part of a big loop. Many people descend the same way they went up.
Here’s a page about riding Mont Ventoux and the Gorges de la Nesque in a 90 km day. Here’s a page about the Gorges de La Nesque road as being one of the world’s most spectacular roads.
The ride described here turns right in Monieux and follows the D5 down the other side of the gorge. The D5 starts with a 5 km climb then there’s a lovely easy descent through pretty countryside to the village of Méthamis. You don’t see the gorge until the later part of this descent. This loop is about 53 km with 2,345 feet of climbing.
The ride starts in Villes-sur-Auzon. Some people ride to Villes-sur-Auzon from Bédoin, but we were staying in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, so I drove to Villes-sur-Auzon and parked at the Municipal Sports Complex at 44.05490942722607, 5.237153098097084. Another possible parking area seems to be at the beginning of the town, at 44.057050301580745, 5.227486755985906.
After the delicious climb through the gorge, turn right in Monieux and follow the D5 down the other side of the gorge to the village of Méthamis. As I was heading down the D5 I saw lots of people riding up, including one group of about 20 riders. It’s obviously a very popular climb, especially since there is almost no traffic on the road.
In the later part of the descent you see lots of wild boxwood bushes by the side of the road, all of them trimmed into rectangular blocks by the Vaucluse Department. It was started as a safety feature to maintain good sight lines around the curves and has since become officially recognized as a valuable part of the aesthetic and cultural heritage of the area.
Just after Méthamis turn right on the D14, which takes you back to Villes-sur-Auzon in about 6 km.
Here’s the ride on Ride with GPS.
Cycle Uphill 