Cycling Mont Ventoux:
Sault route

Highlights of Mont Ventoux (Sault)

The road up Ventoux from Sault is awesome as you can get in a steady rhythm and power up; it’s so much fun it almost doesn’t feel like you can be climbing Ventoux!

So it’s a bit of a shock when you get to Chalet Reynard and hit the multitudes grinding up from Bédoin. You can’t help feeling a bit smug that a) you’ve got to the same point as they have on significantly less effort and b) you still get the benefit of the incredible last six kilometres.

Route notes

1. The beginning and the middle: 0-20 km

You descend slightly from Sault, down to the valley bottom, and then gently meander upwards, through trees, meadows and lavender fields. This is a gorgeous, gradual ride. It’s peaceful too with few other cyclists or cars to bother you.

2. The lunar landscape from Chalet Reynard: 20-26km

You join the road from Bédoin at Chalet Reynard.  It’s then an unforgettable six kilometres through the white rock to the summit. Be prepared for wind; if you don’t get a brutal headwind, you’re lucky!

3. Descent

The road down can be hair-raising. The gradient is severe, the road is often wet, there are multiple hairpins and strong gusts of wind.

Café stops

In Sault, Dylan from Mont Ventoux Cycling Club recommends the café at Hotel le Nesk (map) – it’s got a great cycling museum and nice terrace looking across at Mont Ventoux. 

Once you’ve left Sault on the Sault to Mont Ventoux route, there’s nowhere to stop for water/refreshment between Sault and Chalet Reynard.

Take a look at Ventoux (from Bedoin) for details after Chalet Reynard. In summary:

• Chalet Reynard has a bar-restaurant with an indoor area and outdoor terraces. It serves simple food and drinks.
• There is a water fountain near the Tom Simpson memorial. 
• At the summit, there is a restaurant that serves basic meals.

Accommodation

The village of Sault is the starting point for this route up Ventoux. You can find our suggestions for hotels in and around Ventoux here.

Dylan from Mont Ventoux Cycling Club says “Some of the outlying villages around Bédoin are also worth considering as bases as they’re quieter and less touristy. For example, Mormoiron and Villes-sur-Auzon are particularly well positioned as they are a good springboard to the Luberon, Gorges del la Nesque and yet within easy reach of Bédoin, Malaucène and Sault.” 

Tips

Our tips for cycling Ventoux are a good starting point.

Don’t expect the milestone markers found on the other routes up Ventoux: there are none between Sault and Chalet Reynard. Likewise, there are no barriers at the side of the road.

Dylan from Mont Ventoux Cycling Club has this tip if you’re looking for a warm up ride before the Bédoin or Malaucène routes up Ventoux: “Our favourite climb up Ventoux is the Sault climb – and not just because that is the ‘easy’ side! If you have a chance to ride the Gorges de la Nesque and then do the climb from Sault it sets you in really good stead to take on the more challenging climbs from Bedoin and Malaucène.” 

If you’re interested in an even bigger challenge – check out our Q&A on the Cinglés du Ventoux: three times up and down Ventoux in 24 hours!

Found this Mont Ventoux via Sault guide useful?

We’d love to hear from you – comment below or drop us a line.

Don’t miss our ride guides to the other routes up Ventoux via Malaucène and Sault.

Check out our complete guide to planning a holiday in the Ventoux and Provence region plus other articles on the region, below.