As part of our series featuring the most beautiful motorcycle trips in France, we invite you this time on a ride to the White Giant of Provence: Mont Ventoux.
The Rhône River, flowing south toward Provence, curves westward, skirting the Roman city of Orange.
To the east of Orange rise the hills of the Dentelles de Montmirail and the Ventoux massif.
On the slopes of these hills and all around them stretch renowned vineyards, while to the north, Nyons is known as the heart of olive oil production.
The most beautiful villages to ride through by motorcycle at the foot of Mont Ventoux.
Carpentras
Located on the edge of the pastures south of the Dentelles de Montmirail and Mont Ventoux, Carpentras is both a market town for local market gardeners and a center of light industry.
One of its main landmarks is Saint-Siffrein Cathedral, a 15th-century Gothic building, approached through the Jewish Gate (in flamboyant Gothic style). The gate takes its name from the Jewish converts who once passed through it to receive baptism.
To the west of the cathedral, on Boulevard Albin-Durand, stands a museum housing the Inguimbertine Library, an important collection assembled by an 18th-century bishop, featuring several rare and remarkable volumes.
Carpentras once had a thriving Jewish community, which included—until the French Revolution—a ghetto of around 1,200 people.
Its 15th-century synagogue, the oldest in France, can still be visited. Inside, you will find the sanctuary on the upper floor, the bakery used for making unleavened bread on the ground floor, and ritual purification pools in the basement.
Mazan
In this village, the most striking feature is a series of Roman sarcophagi forming part of the cemetery wall.
Within the same cemetery stands the semi-underground Chapel of Notre-Dame de Pareloup. Built in the 7th century, the chapel was intended to protect the dead from demons believed to devour them—demons said to take the form of wolves.
Nyons, the capital of Drôme Provençale at the gateway to the Baronnies
The town of Nyons is located in the Drôme rather than in Provence, yet its climate and appearance are unmistakably Provençal, offering a perfect introduction to the South of France. It is popular with retirees year-round.
In winter, the surrounding hills dotted with shrubs protect the town from the mistral wind; in summer, a refreshing breeze known as the pontias blows through the Eygues Valley, easing the heat. The river’s name is sometimes spelled Aigues, but both forms simply mean “water.”
To the north of the town, arcaded streets lead to the Forts district, built in the Middle Ages. The Randonne Tower, dating from the 8th century, houses a tiny chapel. Rue des Grands-Forts, a beautiful covered gallery, leads to an old gate—one of the last remains of the former fortress. The bridge over the river, with its single arch spanning 40 meters, dates back to the 14th century.
A visit to the Nyons olive oil mill, open to the public, is well worth it. Here you can discover the local specialty: black olives preserved in brine.
Vaison-la-Romaine
Although Vaison-la-Romaine is best known for its Roman remains, the medieval town and its 13th-century cathedral are just as picturesque—even if access by motorcycle can be somewhat challenging.
The final part of the town’s name is revealing of its past and points to the Roman remains we will explore in a future article dedicated to a motorcycle route in Provence. But Vaison-la-Romaine has much more to offer than its ancient ruins.
Notre-Dame de Nazareth is a superb 13th-century cathedral in the Provençal Romanesque style—simple yet remarkably elegant. Inside stands the sarcophagus of Saint Quenin, bishop of Vaison-la-Romaine in the 6th century, placed in front of the episcopal throne within an apse of truly exceptional beauty.
On the opposite bank of the Ouvèze River, a steep road climbs to the upper town, dominated by the ruined castle of the Counts of Toulouse. In this picturesque part of the city, a fountain sits at the center of Place du Vieux-Marché, from which narrow streets radiate outward. The tall houses are often adorned with wrought-iron grilles, adding to the town’s distinctive character.
Must-see sites for your motorcycle ride in the Luberon
The Dentelles de Montmirail
The limestone hills of the Dentelles de Montmirail attract motorcycle travelers as much as hikers, climbing enthusiasts, artists, and nature lovers.
Geologically speaking, the Dentelles de Montmirail are the final foothills of Mont Ventoux. If movements in the Earth’s crust had not lifted the limestone into a jagged ridge line resembling lace—giving the range its name—the landscape would consist of gentle hills covered in vineyards and crowned with pine and oak forests.
The peaks are highly regarded by climbers and are considered an excellent natural climbing school. The best access is from Suzette to the east or from Gigondas to the west. Lower down lie charming wine-producing villages. Séguret, nestled against a steep hillside, offers magnificent views along with many other attractions: sloping streets lined with old houses, a 7th-century church, a 15th-century fountain, and the ruins of a castle.
From Séguret, a road winds around Montmirail to reach Gigondas, whose Grenache-based red wine is considered among the finest in the region, often ranked just below Châteauneuf-du-Pape in quality. From the village, a road climbs to the Col du Cayron, in the heart of the Dentelles.
Mont Ventoux is the westernmost ridge of the Alps. Its highest point, at 1,909 meters, is bare and exposed, shaped by the wind that seems to blow there almost constantly. In Provençal, the mountain is called Ventour, meaning “windy mountain.”
Its slopes are covered with forests of pine, oak, and beech, which gradually give way to broom and, higher up, to a scattering of alpine flowers.
At the summit of Mont Ventoux, you will find a weather station, a television transmitter, and a radar installation. From here, a 360-degree panorama opens up, along with an orientation table that helps identify landmarks such as the Luberon, the Alpilles, and Montagne Sainte-Victoire.
In summer, it is possible to walk along the bare ridgeline, following in the footsteps of the Italian poet Petrarch, whose ascent of the summit in 1336 marked its first recorded conquest.
Thanks to its distinctive shape, Mont Ventoux has long attracted cycling competitions and motorcyclists from around the world. Until 1973, it served as a training ground for mountain routes and continues to feature regularly in the itinerary of the Tour de France.
It was on these slopes that the British rider Tom Simpson suffered the only fatal accident in the history of the Tour de France.
You can ride across Mont Ventoux by motorcycle from Malaucène, heading east along the D974.
The return journey on the southern side of the mountain offers the opportunity to visit Caromb, home to a fascinating museum of traditional agricultural tools, and Le Barroux, where a restored Renaissance castle stands overlooking the village.
It is common to spot photographers positioned at strategic corners, capturing cyclists and motorcyclists for posterity. Take note of the website name displayed, and as early as the same evening, you’ll be able to find photos of your motorcycle exploits on Mont Ventoux.
Where to stay during your motorcycle trip in the Luberon and on Mont Ventoux?
Domaine Les Cabasses in Séguret (3-star hotel)
This hotel, set within a wine estate, offers an ideal base for exploring the Mont Ventoux area while enjoying a beautiful setting and excellent cuisine. It is also a great opportunity to discover and taste the estate’s own wine production.
Liotard Chalet on Mont Ventoux
Located at 1,432 meters, this hotel-gîte offers breathtaking mountain views in a warm, family-style atmosphere. Very quiet in the evenings, once the day visitors have left.
Where can you find motorcycle roadbooks for your Luberon getaway?
Visit the website of our partner Mototrip, where you will find numerous motorcycle routes throughout the Ventoux and Luberon regions.
Planning your motorcycle road trip in Vaucluse and the Luberon
To complement this article with plenty of activities and places to discover, visit the official Luberon destination website. A wealth of ideas to help you plan your next motorcycle weekend in Provence and the Luberon.
Discover Mont Ventoux on a guided group tour
We accompany riders in this region on our Route des Alpes and Provence tour, available as a guided group trip or in a self-guided format.