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Cycling
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Almond tree in blossom
Villes-sur-Auzon is situated in an ideal area for cycling. There are routes for all abilities, and for all tastes. The legendary Mont Ventoux is not far away, and awaits the most ambitious cyclists, but there are also easier routes amidst beautiful scenery on relatively quiet roads.
This route will take you through the villages of Methamis, Murs, Venasque and Malemort du comtat. The north side of the Monts de Vaucluse, up to the Col is very wild. At the top is the Mur de la Peste (Plague Wall) built in 1720 to prevent plague victims from entering the "Comtat Venaissin". Between Murs and Venasque the road passes through a spectacular gorge. The total distance is about 60 km.
3° Around Mont Ventoux
This is a longer route that will take you through the Toulourenc valley, and let you discover the wild north side of the Mont Ventoux. You will start by going up the Nesque gorges, then go through Sault, Reihanette, Saint-Léger-du-Ventoux, Entrechaux, Malaucène and Bedoin. Just before Saint Léger, you can make a detour up to the village of Brantes, where your effort will be rewarded by a magnificnent view of the Mont Ventoux. The total distance is almost 100 km.
This is a severe route which should only be undertaken by people in good physical condition, and requires serious training. The summit is 25 km from Villes-sur-Auzon by road, and the climb itself covers about 18 km with an average gradient of 1 in 10. It is best to avoid the hottest time of the day in summer. There are three routes, via Sainte Colombe (Bedoin), the hardest, via Sault, the easiest, and via Malaucène.
Under the summit
Almond tree in blossom
Villes-sur-Auzon is situated in an ideal area for cycling. There are routes for all abilities, and for all tastes. The legendary Mont Ventoux is not far away, and awaits the most ambitious cyclists, but there are also easier routes amidst beautiful scenery on relatively quiet roads.
Here are a few suggestions:
1° The Nesque Gorges
It is a 38 km ride up to the highest point of the gorges (730 m altitude) and back. The climb is fairly easy and the scenery magnificent, with several breathtaking viewpoints looking down to the river bed far below. If you wish, you can continue to the picturesque village of Monieux, and even climb the Col des Abeilles (1000 m) which will bring you back to Villes sur Auzon, in which case the total distance is 50 km. At Monieux you can also turn right and take the road to Methamis giving other view points on the Nesque and Mont Ventoux. This route is quieter than the Col des Abeilles.
It is a 38 km ride up to the highest point of the gorges (730 m altitude) and back. The climb is fairly easy and the scenery magnificent, with several breathtaking viewpoints looking down to the river bed far below. If you wish, you can continue to the picturesque village of Monieux, and even climb the Col des Abeilles (1000 m) which will bring you back to Villes sur Auzon, in which case the total distance is 50 km. At Monieux you can also turn right and take the road to Methamis giving other view points on the Nesque and Mont Ventoux. This route is quieter than the Col des Abeilles.
 The Mont Ventoux seen from the Nesque Gorges |
 The chapel at Les Abeilles |
2° The Col de la Ligne, and col de Murs
This route will take you through the villages of Methamis, Murs, Venasque and Malemort du comtat. The north side of the Monts de Vaucluse, up to the Col is very wild. At the top is the Mur de la Peste (Plague Wall) built in 1720 to prevent plague victims from entering the "Comtat Venaissin". Between Murs and Venasque the road passes through a spectacular gorge. The total distance is about 60 km.
 Methamis |  The Nesque Gorges & Mont Ventoux |
This is a longer route that will take you through the Toulourenc valley, and let you discover the wild north side of the Mont Ventoux. You will start by going up the Nesque gorges, then go through Sault, Reihanette, Saint-Léger-du-Ventoux, Entrechaux, Malaucène and Bedoin. Just before Saint Léger, you can make a detour up to the village of Brantes, where your effort will be rewarded by a magnificnent view of the Mont Ventoux. The total distance is almost 100 km.
 Lavender fields near Monieux |  The north side of the Mont Ventoux |
The north side of Mont Ventoux
4° The Mont VentouxThis is a severe route which should only be undertaken by people in good physical condition, and requires serious training. The summit is 25 km from Villes-sur-Auzon by road, and the climb itself covers about 18 km with an average gradient of 1 in 10. It is best to avoid the hottest time of the day in summer. There are three routes, via Sainte Colombe (Bedoin), the hardest, via Sault, the easiest, and via Malaucène.
Under the summit