26th October, A Circumnavigation of Mont Ventoux

Mont Ventoux is dominating and has a mystical and captivating effect about it. It  overwhelms the country side in this region of Vaucluse and presents in different forms depending from which direction you view it. What better way to view these different presentations than to circumnavigate "Le Ventoux" and to get  different perspectives of  the countryside, from the lavender country around Sault to the east, to the wine country of  Vaison la Romaine and others  in the west, and the beautiful and little-known villages scattered in between.

We set off with Sault set into the GPS thinking this would take us in an anti-clockwise direction through country we hadn't previously travelled.  But no, we were led off in the opposite direction past turnoffs to known places but our girl came through and soon we were in unfamiliar territory passing by cliff hanging villages with enchanting names like Entrechaux and St-Leger-du-Ventoux to the north of "Le Ventoux".

Soon we veered off the "D40" and ascended to the little village of Brantes, precariously perched high up and with a fantastic view of the Mont Ventoux and the valley to the west. One thing the villages here have in common – they are all extremely photogenic. And Brantes more so than most. This tiny village looks like a giant has tossed a chapel and some houses on top of a small, sharp hill. It is a "walking through" village and consists of steep narrow cobblestone walkways and steps and this feature probably precluded us from seeing some of the village - but what we did see, and the views, were très magnifique.

Continuing along  on the eastern side saw us passing through other villages with similar enticing names like Savoillan ( at the foot of the Mont Ventoux, lost in time, the sort of place you might safely live in if you were being pursued by the mob), Reilhanette (guarding the southern entrance to the Toulourenc valley), Aurel (whose winding streets and clarity of light make it a magnet for painters, we are told) and eventually Sault, to the south east of Le Ventoux. 
The countryside east of Mont Ventoux is lavender country and the area around Sault is thick with lavender fields, which, we understand, provide a thrilling spectacle in the flowering season from late June to early August. We stopped here, took some refreshments, purchased some Provençal wares and nearly filled the memory card on the camera. The scenery was so spectacular. Sault’s market day is Wednesday, and has been running since 1515.
The descent drive into Flassan from Sault, through woods, gave us filtered views (through pine trees right up to the roadway) of Le Ventoux to the north but limited pull over spots to take photographs. The pullover stops that are along the road provided obscured views of the mountain, except one which we took advantage of. Flassan though surprised us. When we stopped to reset the GPS for home,  a casual glance in the rear view mirror provided probably the best view of the mountain all day.

BTW The white nature of the summit of Mont Ventoux, as seen from the east and south, is not snow, it is limestone rocks. The summit does though cover in snow throughout the winter from December to  March.
 

Mont Ventoux looking SW with Sablet in the foreground

 

View over vine filled valley around Vaison-le Romaines

Ann negotiating cobblestones in Brantes

Walkway scene in Brantes

Mont Ventoux to the west of Brantes

Mont Venteux to the NE of Sault

Mont Ventoux from Sault and over the lavendar fields

Mont Ventoux on descent fom Sault looking north

Mont Ventoux Looking NNE

Mont Ventoux from Flassan looking north