Mont Ventoux is known as the Giant of Provence, because it can be seen from most of Provence. It is the highest point in Provence. On a clear day one can see from the Alps to the north to the Pyrenees in the southwest. After looking at it for years, today we drove up Mt. Ventoux.
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| Mont Ventoux from the Camargue (south) |
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| Mont Ventoux from Vaison-la-romaine (northwest) |
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| The alps in the distance |
This steep hill climb is often a part of the Tour de France bicycle race, and as a result, cycling up to the top is a pilgrimage for many cyclists. Today we passed quite a few. And the conditions were not particularly easy to cycle in: some stretches had fresh oil and gravel. We tried to stay out of the way of the cyclists, even if they were on the wrong side of the road.
Unfortunately, the road was blockaded to vehicular traffic at the very top. So we didn't make it to the limestone white top of the mountain. But just before the blockade, a café was open, so we stopped there.
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| The café below the summit (mountain top tower seen upper right) |
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| Looking north over the ski area from the café. |
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