Cycling Region Guides

Compare regions and find your perfect cycling destination

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Informed by data, riding experience and local expertise

Our guides combine structured cycling data, research and our own riding experience to help you compare regions. For the best local advice, we recommend speaking with local experts, tour providers and tourism agencies who know the region best.

Why Ride Provence

Ventoux-anchored climbing region combining Europe's most iconic standalone summit with supporting plateau, hill, coastal, and extension high-col terrain across southern France.

Terrain & Riding Structure

Ventoux objective rides and heritage-climb benchmarking: Isolated peak with three distinct ascent roads and fully exposed summit zone
Supporting days around Ventoux and training-volume circuits: Rolling plateau terrain with steady climbs and strong tempo/endurance riding value
Recovery rides and easy supporting terrain: Lower hills with short punchy climbs and active-recovery suitability
Multi-col extension days and higher-altitude objective riding: Separate high-col network requiring car transfer from Ventoux bases
Off-day variation and lower-altitude winter riding: Rolling coastal roads with lower elevation output and year-round access

Cycling Bases

Bédoin

Primary Ventoux base village at the foot of the south face. The standard and most demanding Ventoux ascent begins here. Benchmark base for Ventoux-focused training camps.

Best for: Ventoux south faceView Map

Malaucène

North face Ventoux base. Access to the northern approach — comparable length and gradient to Bédoin but different character. Suits riders targeting both Ventoux faces in a single camp.

Best for: Ventoux north faceView Map

Sault

Plateau base for the eastern Ventoux approach via Chalet Reynard. Gentler gradient than Bédoin or Malaucène — the longest of the three main routes. Access to Luberon roads and high plateau endurance terrain.

Best for: Plateau enduranceView Map

Apt

Luberon valley base with access to rolling Luberon plateau roads and Ventoux via the Sault approach. More varied terrain than Ventoux-specific bases — better for riders wanting a mixed endurance week.

Best for: Mixed enduranceView Map

Manosque

Eastern Luberon base with access to the plateau roads and Durance valley circuits. Flatter immediate surrounds suited to endurance training days and tempo work.

Best for: Luberon ridingView Map

Forcalquier

Luberon plateau town with rolling roads in multiple directions. Positioned for quiet agricultural riding and Luberon climbs without the Ventoux proximity of western bases.

Best for: Quiet plateauView Map

Routes & Key Climbs

Signature Climbs

Mont Ventoux (Bedoin)21.4 km • 7.6 %avg • 1912m gain
Mont Ventoux (Malaucene)21.3 km • 7.2 %avg • 1912m gain
Mont Ventoux (Sault)26 km • 4.4 %avg • 1912m gain
Col d'Izoard19.2 km • 5.9 %avg • 2360m gain
Col de Vars19 km • 5.7 %avg • 2109m gain
Col d'Allos14.3 km • 5.7 %avg • 2250m gain
Col de la Cayolle29.8 km • 5 %avg • 2326m gain
Col de la Gineste9.4 km • 5.8 %avg • 321m gain
Montagne Sainte-Victoire (north approach)8.2 km • 6.2 %avg • 1011m gain

Plan Your Trip

Supporting information, logistics, and additional insights to help you prepare