MONT VENTOUX
Aptly nicknamed “Beast of Provence” and “Bald Mountain”, the Mont Ventoux is a mountain located in the Provence region of southern France, hailing on a deserted peak with recorded winds (Ventoux not by chance) reaching up to 320 kph. The road leading up here and the very same summit are magical though, because of the incredible scenery you get all around, with the lack of vegetation turning everything into some sort of extraterrestrial landscape.
Location: Mont Ventoux, Brantes (FRA)
Elevation: 1.912m
Type: mountain road
Like a lot of several amazing driving roads, Mont Ventoux has been included in the cycling competition Tour de France, thus offering enthusiasts more drama during one of the toughest climb of the season, but getting here by car is just as special, just like from 1902 to 1976, where cars and motorcycles were taking part in the Mont Ventoux Hill Climb. Some history lesson then? The first time this peak has been conquered dates back in 1334, while Italian poet Francesco Petrarca wrote a fictional account of his and his brother’s ascent here in 1336. In 1882 a meteorological station has been built, however it’s no longer in use. Ok, let’s go back to the road because getting up here you’ll have a good amount of hairpin bends and fast bits as well. It’s a place your best driving roads journal cannot miss for sure as once on top you can relive the extraordinary experience just looking in a random direction. That’s what driving nirvana is all about.
Cover photo by Drome Provencale Tourism / Other photos by Mont Ventoux Official