For the secret of the Mont Ventoux, you really have to get off your bike and walk.
Le Mont Ventoux is the mountain that has become famous in the Netherlands for the Tour de France. With many beautiful moments and of course that one low point, the death of British cyclist Tommy Simpson who died tragically in 1978 while he was almost at the top. What remains is a monument. The Mont Ventoux is only much more than an untold 1,912 m high pimple in the Vaucluse where every day many hundreds of cyclists look for their ultimate challenge, or the hikers who choose from Bedoin to conquer the 22 km uphill on foot.
It is also the mountain that, like Alpe d’Huez, has been chosen by many organizations as a challenge to obtain funding for the many charities. Precisely because of this, the stories and myth only increase and the mountain seems to have almost magical powers. However, the Mont Ventoux is much more than just a mountain and is of great significance for the entire area. With the beautiful Vaison la Romaine, the popular Bedoin and the a short distance away Avignon all places where you can start to brave the mountain.
Whoever visits the area will not be bored for a day, because the Vaucluse and the Mont Ventoux offer plenty of opportunities for a successful holiday that is always too short once you get there. But the most beautiful spot on the mountain may not be that magical finish line in the infamous moonscape. Who really goes looking should be at the back of the mountain. An area you can’t see when you’re at the top and when better to see it than during the famous golden hour.
Evening walk on Mont Ventoux
Whoever stands on the top of Mont Ventoux can enjoy the great view in clear weather. What is striking is that the differences on both sides of the Ventoux are very different. To the west (Avignon) you see the large reservoirs of the Rhône, who looks eastwards over the rough but oh-so beautiful landscape to the Alps. A hiking tour starts on the eastern side of this bald mountain on top of Mont Ventoux. The path starts just behind the top towards Montgenèvre and allows you to descend quickly via a very narrow mountain path (good mountain shoes are a must) along the back of this mountain to enjoy the special nature. The trail is not suitable for less experienced mountain hikers and does require some adrenaline as you walk along the deep gorges. What you get in return is an absolutely special experience on this so famous mountain.
But it only becomes really beautiful when you go up the mountain towards the evening. The ‘golden hour’ is so beautiful on a clear day that you wish it lasted an entire evening. We were very lucky to experience this after a day of storms and heavy rain, so that the air was completely clean and we could enjoy a breathtaking view in the evening. Anyone who has experienced this once believes in the myth of the mountain and you know for sure that you will come back.
Cedric Demangeon and AVentoux’Rando
Our mountain guide who keeps his hands in his pockets even on the most narrow and steep parts of the mountain is called Cédric Demangeon. Together with his colleagues, he watches over the mountain. Every week, hikers and cyclists are surprised by the enormous climate changes on the mountain. Those who leave at the end of the day on such a bike to the top can still do this at a nice temperature of 25 degrees. However, those who come to the top after a few hours can end up in a temperature that can drop to freezing point in the evening. Bad clothing, no lighting and insufficient food then lead to dangerous situations.
Not a week goes by without his team not going out. Cyclists are definitely in first place, but there are also often hikers who make a mistake about the difficulty of the mountain and the height.
If you really want to enjoy yourself, it is best to do so in the presence of Cédric. He not only organizes the evening walks, but also offers you the opportunity to go up on foot from Montgenèvre. This walk takes approximately 12 hours and starts at 6:00 PM in the evening. During the walk you make a campfire quite a bit below the top and you can enjoy the rising sun with other hikers and then continue to the top. You have to be really well trained for this walk. The walks are organized by AVentoux’Rando and can be booked via the Office du Tourisme in Vaison La Romaine or via this website.
