The Climb
This classic climb is notorious for the unpredictable and often harsh weather conditions, wind being the biggest factor that can turn this tough climb into something more of character building exercise. The "moonscape" landscape at the top of the mountain is the image that may first come to mind to most, this is the image most seen in the TV coverage of the "Tour De France", don't get me wrong that part of the climb is not exactly flat but the toughest part of the climb happens back in the forest. Nothing under a 10% grade for what seems like forever, I'm not sure if its the fact that you get to see the top and the end is in sight when you come out of the forest but it does seem to get a bit easier once you get to this open section.There are 3 routes to choose from when tackling this climb, Bedoin, Malaucène and Sault, the most well known and the toughest is the route from Bedoin, this of course will be the route that we will be taking (no guts, no glory guys).
Here is the profile, note the consistent 9-10% in the middle of the climb....
The Ventoux Triple
If you are mad enough you can climb all three routes in one day. This would entail 72 km of climbing with 4300 meters of vertical gain, approximately similar to a major day in the mountains in the Tour de France (except far more concentrated). If you can do it you will be able to join the Club des Cinglés de Ventoux (literally the Maniacs of Ventoux Club!).Please note - if you did happen to want to do this you will need to let me know if advance so we can make arrangements.
Hotel des Pins
The hotel’s style has been designed by hotel owner Guillaume Roux, a trained architect and painter, and his wife Anne-Sophie. Whether the rooms have a natural, designer, Baroque, contemporary or romantic theme, each one combines cosy and comfortable surroundings with unrivalled tranquillity.
In the shade of the pine trees, dive into the swimming pool and unwind in the garden, soothed by the gentle song of cicadas, a great way to ease some of that muscle soreness after your big day of climbing and if thats not enough then there is the option of treating yourself to a massage.
The Food
Hotel des Pins’s restaurant, L’Esprit Jardin, is aptly named, given that the garden spirit is well and truly present in the form of the dining room’s green wall, or vertical garden, which will both surprise and charm you as you enjoy your meal.Chef, Laurent Archias, offers guests the opportunity to discover his creative cuisine, peppered with a Provençal accent. He selects his produce with the upmost care from local markets, giving priority to regional ingredients and flavours.
For example, you may enjoy the renowned Luberon green asparagus with a parmesan crisp, and confit Ventoux lamb served in a cabbage leaf.Mediterranean fish is also on the menu. L’Esprit Jardin offers guests its fish of the day with a tapenade sauce or its bouillabaisse-style sole.
These dishes celebrate Provençal culinary traditions, and use some of the finest ingredients the region has to offer.
Your time in Provence may be only short but have no doubt it will be memorable.
