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The map shows a wiggly round-trip road all the way around Mt Ventoux. Is it necessary to do it all in order to get panoramic views from the top, or can one access the summit without doing the entire trip?
Presumably if doing the whole trip, the best views are from the southerly section. But my map shows a place called "observatoire" which is accessed from the north section of road, and which (I'm guessing) is the summit view point. Is this right?
My problem is time. I'm trying to fit the countryside north of Gordes (from Orange across to, say, Sault, and up as far as Vaison-la-Romaine) into a single day. Don't know if it's possible, but you see why I'm keen to reduce time on Mt Ventoux if I can see the best of it without doing the entire loop.
(I could for example come across from Sault to the Mt Ventoux loop and do the north "observatoire" section on its own, finishing at Maluceune. (Excuse spelling if I got that one wrong - I wrote it from memory!)
Grateful for any suggestions.

Your "loop" is going to make for a really long day. There really is only one road up and over Mont Ventoux (the D974) and its got plenty of twists and turns.

From your post I'm guessing that you'll be heading out from Gordes ? If that is the case, I'd skip Orange and go straight up to Sault and over to Malaucène and then up to Vaison-la-Romaine. Then, if you found you had the time, you could go to Orange.

I've never gone up Mont Ventoux.... just skirt around it all the time, so I can't tell you how long it would take.
If you only wanted to go partly up the western side (closest to Malaucène) there is a stopping point
with "panoramic views" about 20 kilometres after town.

PB

This is a long and tedious drive. It goes through beautiful lavender country if you are going in the summer. As I recall there are no short-cuts.

Would recommend the following drive: from Gordes take the D2 to St. Saturnin and then head north to Sault and then up and over the Mt. Ventoux on the D974. As PB points out, the road is quite twisty. But the scenery is gorgeous the whole way, especially if you are there when the lavandar is in bloom. From the top of the Ventoux to Malaucène, it is about 30 minutes. So the drive is entirely doable and well worth it. One thing to note, however, is that if you happen to have a cloudy or hazy day, skip the Mt. Ventoux. You want to be there for the breath-taking views, otherwise, it is not worth the effort.

-Kevin

Thanks for all that. Yes, the road I was thinking of was the D974, leaving east out of Malaucene across the northern side of Mt Ventoux. After 16k it reaches what my Michelin map calls the "observatoire", which is probably the stopping place you had in mind PBP Provence?
After the observatoire the D974 loops around to the south side of Mt Ventoux, changing its name at Bedouin to the D19, eventually coming back out 3k south of Malaucene. From everybody's comments here, I gather this section beyond the observatoire is tedious and boring?
Just 6k beyond (east of) the observatoire, the D974 is joined by the D164 from Sault. Is this the route you are referring to Kevin?
I'm probably approaching the region from the east (Sault) and am considering that very approach. However, another that's been recommended to me is up from Sault to Montbrun then west via Brantes to Bruis-le-Baronnies and Vaison-la-Romaine. Any comments on these alternatives?
Surprised re comments about Orange. It looked to have some interesting Roman arches and other stuff.

we found driving up to the observatoire a surrealist experience. I agree with PB and Kevin. Orange is dull.

I should say though that the antique theater is still in use. It was built 211 centries ago!!!!! that's why I took the train there. I believe it's the best preserved amphitheater and I must say that emperer Augustus is really something, but my real interest was outside Orange in Serignan, where the home and garden of Jean-Henri Fabre is now a museum. At the turn of the century, "L'Hommedes Insectes,"" discovered plants with medicinal qualities and only now are his theories proved to be correct.

Orange may be dull, but the Roman Theatre there is worth a stop. I didn't see anything else in the town, though - and was on my way to Vaison from Avignon, so it was an easy stop. I loved driving through the vineyards to Vaison - beautiful countryside, and very peaceful. Especially after the trafficky areas south of there, I loved the peaceful roads.

Whenever I feel like getting into "real" Provence, I head for Sault. Lavender fields, cute villages, not so many tourists, some mountains. Very pretty area - we've spent hours just driving around there. We'll be in Bedoin for 2 weeks in late June for a return visit. Stop in Brantes for a quick visit or to have a drink.

The road from Malaucene is faster than you might think. On the way down from Mt Ventoux going east, we followed a bike rider all the way - he was going as fast as we could (and we were in a car).

Stu Dudley

stu, have you stopped in Sault at the beautiful shop oh the nouget maker, André Boyer, family run since 1887.

...for a very nice remembrance of the
area drop into the tourist office in
Sault. It's on the east side of the
main road going in. They have posters
suitable for framing that are very
attractive. My family room sports a
colourful "Pays de Sault" often admired
by guests (and me).

On the road leaving Sault going east
is a little shop selling lavender seeds
- another nice souvenir if you have a
few green thumbs!

I'd agree on skipping Orange - yeah,
the theatre is wonderful but unless
you're a real Romantique get your fill
in Vaison IMHO, of course.

Remember, it ain't called Mount Windy
for nothin'........

Such a lovely part of France!

We drove all the way to the top of Mt. Ventoux in September. Although the view is beautiful from the top, it was just as pretty from the middle observation area AND we were able to get out of the car and enjoy it. The reason the mountain looks like it has snow on top, from a distance, is because the strong winds have blown anything resembling a living organism to smitherines! It is very windy and baren up there...you won't be missing much if you only go half way, and use the time to see some other place.

>> stu, have you stopped in Sault at the beautiful shop oh the nouget maker, André Boyer, family run since 1887.<<

Nope - probably walked by it several times, though. I'll have to pay a visit in June.

Stu Dudley

The top of the Mont Ventoux is like the moon. Bare white rocks. The observatory is just a closed off NASA-looking thingy.

We used to go up to the top every trip, on my insistence (I like heights and vistas). Spouse who is driver rebelled. And I realized it isn't all that interesting, esp. after the 5th visit or so.

Mimi, I think we've talked about this restaurant before--la Table du Comtat in Seguret; does it look out on Mt. Ventoux or am I mistaken? It's been several years since I was there.

No, it doesn't but maybe it did,the trees were over grown in front of the outdoor dining area. I had read it had a great view but the same village has a restaurant I prefer, "Mesclun."

besides the roman amphitheater, orange has a fine triumphal arch--and a very good hypermarché, if you can fund it,

Great information!
But to clear up a point of confusion, tedgale, when you say "the top of Mt Ventoux is like the moon (but) the observatory is just a closed-off NASA-looking thingy", are we still talking about that point 16k east of Malaucene on the D974 for both places - that is, the point labelled "observatoire" by Michelin?
If not, where is "the top" exactly, and how does one reach it?
Thanks,

Flower -

The top is the spot labeled Observatoire on the D 974. That is the only way up to the top unless you feel like a very strenous hike or know someone with a helicopter. And the D164 is the road I was referring to.

As for your alternate route via Montbrun and Brantes - it is gorgeous as well. You will, however, just be at the foot of the Mt. Ventoux. The drive through the Toulerenc Valley is great and Brantes is one of the prettiest villages you will ever see - very isolated, and so much less touristy than others. There is a little cafe/bookstore with an outdoor terrace that has a view to die for. And if you lean over the railing just a bit too far, that is exactly what will happen.

-Kevin

Cigale -

You are right, La Maison Boyer makes a mean nougat. Just north of Sault there is another family -run outfit that makes a lavander-flavored lemonade which is sold all around the region. They even have a tasting room, but it has been closed every time we've gone by.

-Kevin