Dive into a 3 day adventure at the foot of Mont Ventoux, the “Giant of Provence” that has tantalised cyclists the world over. Are you ready to get away from the well ridden routes in search of unknown gravel trails?
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3 days / 3 nights - 1190 €
Mont Ventoux. Well known for road cycling but an emerging giant on the gravel scene, you’ll find plenty of trails in the area to explore. Over 3 days you’ll be immersed in all things Provençale from our Basecamp in the village of Sault, at the base of Mt Ventoux.
Join a small group of enthusiasts! You also have the option to book a private trip for groups of 6 or more. Contact us.
GravelUp's strengths:
A local guide who will introduce you to a variety of exceptional landscapes: vineyards, pine forests, picturesque villages, lavender fields, winding gorges...
Carefully selected routes that combine sport, pleasure, and discovery. Mount Ventoux opens the doors to an exceptional adventure!
Comfortable accommodation and gourmet cuisine.
A support van: luggage transportation, technical assistance, refreshments.
The possibility to rent high-quality gravel bikes: muscular or electric.
-> Check out our bikes
Groups are limited to 12 cyclists, and there’s the option to create your own private group from 8 people. Contact us to find out more.
By booking with us, you also do good for our planet!
Exemplary hospitality meaning you can really relax and discover Ventoux from a different slant.
What to expect on the bike? 3 days of fixed-base gravel riding from our basecamp in Sault with around 160km and 2500m+ in total. An adventure that’s ideal for experienced cyclists and beginners a-like. If you’d like a new challenge and to improve your bike handling across all types of terrain, it’s for you. We ride for fun, our mantra is “start together, finish together”.
Total immersion in Provence - an incredibly diverse landscape that’s unique every season. You’ll find winding roads and trails connecting tiny hamlets perched high above gorges, taking you through vineyards, lavender fields and olive groves. You won’t know where to look!
Downtime - make the most of our whole holistic experience, both on and off the bike. Local healthy cuisine, yoga sessions, wine tastings… your enjoyment is our priority!
Optional gravel bike rental - bring your bike or rent one of ours. Our fleet of bikes, from French brand Origine, boasts the pedal powered Graxx ll and Help ebike, recently voted gravel bike of the year. Our guides will be on hand for all things mechanical so you don’t need to worry. You can be sure that you’ll be on a bike perfectly adapted to the varied terrain.
All our guides are super passionate about all things Gravel. Just as comfortable on the bike as off it in the workshop, they are best placed to show you all the sights of their local area and more. Stories and shared experiences, in a fabulous location, with great company. They are on hand to ensure your trip is everything you want it to be, and more.
Languages spoken - French and English.
Safety is our priority, and our guides will help with technique and tips to ensure you can ride the (sometimes rough!) trails with confidence.
Located at the foot of Mont Ventoux, in Sault, you will be accommodated in an 18th-century building completely renovated, overlooking the lavender fields and managed by a cycling enthusiast! A place specially designed for cyclists by our host where everything has been thought out to pamper this community of athletes.
We have both traditional and electric high end gravel bikes available to rent in Ventoux from our bike partner Origine. Extra price: €60/day for a non eBike, €80/day for an eBike. supplement to be added during your registration process).
Repeatedly voted Gravel Bikes of the Year, you can choose between the carbon framed Graxx (weighing only 8.1kg) or the Help eBike (not much more at 12kg). Both combine performance and versatility in a lightweight frame so that you can have faith your steed throughout the trip.
Note : Origine is offering you the first day's hire of your bike, fully refunded if you decide to buy a Graxx or Help afterwards. It's the perfect opportunity to try out these bikes for real before making a potential purchase.
Find out more about our bikes
This trip is suited for occasional cyclists.
This trip is for you if:
You engage in physical activity at least twice a week.
You are able to undertake bike rides of at least 4 hours (at a leisurely pace).
By train or plane: Our meet up points are Avignon TGV station or Marseille Airport at 6pm on arrival day, where one of our team will welcome you. We’ll then take you in the minibus to Basecamp. You’ll return to the station or airport for 5pm on the last day of your trip for onward travel.
By car: you can come straight to our Basecamp in Sault if you prefer - we’ll let you know the address once you are booked on. Please plan to arrive by 8pm to start your adventure, and to leave after 3pm on the last day.
However you arrive, once at Basecamp our team will take care of everything so you can fully relax. Your total break can begin!
Equipment
Yes, our trips will go on paths and small roads where neither road bikes nor mountain bikes will be suitable.
You can bring your own gravel bike or hire one from ours. Our well specced bikes with tubeless tires means a much lower risk of punctures and mechanical problems during your trip.
Booking
At GravelUp you won't find a day-by-day programme. We adapt each trip to the profile of the group and the conditions of the terrain (which can depend on the season and the weather), so we prefer to remain flexible in our choice of routes, while maintaining a healthy dose of adventure!
Level
We have 3 levels of expeditions - you can find them on this page HERE by clicking on the "Compare the levels" link. These levels have been designed to enable as many people as possible to join one of our trips. Our expeditions are adventures, not races. We start together and we finish together, it's the GravelUp speed.
If, however, you are still unsure, you can write to us at bonjour@gravelup.earth and we will contact you to help you assess your level. We can also help you prepare for your adventure, just ask us.
Safety
Our guides are carefully chosen based on their experience and local knowledge of each region to guarantee you an unforgettable adventure. All our guides have French State validated bike qualifications. They are also French levels 1 and 2 first aid trained as you would expect.
Booking
You can change the date of your trip free of charge up to 30 days before departure. You can also cancel at any time before the start of the trip subject to payment of a cancellation fee. If the cancellation occurs:
More than 90 days prior to Departure => Receive a Refund of 75% of all payments already made (including deposits) OR a Trip Credit of 100%
Between 61 and 90 days prior to Departure => Receive a Refund of 50% of all payments already made (including deposits) OR a Trip Credit of 75%
Between 31 and 60 days prior to Departure => Receive a Refund of 25% of all payments already made (including deposits) OR a Trip Credit of 75%
30 days or less prior to Departure => No Refund OR Trip Credit of 50%
Please note that a Trip Credit cannot be converted to a refund at a later date.
To protect yourself against last minute cancellation, we advise you to subscribe to our cancellation insurance through our partner Chapka insurance, with a guarantee which also covers you in case of contracting the Covid-19. Please note that such insurance can only be subscribed within 48 hours following the order of your trip. Subscription link available here.
Important: the realisation of the trip is conditional on the registration of a minimum number of participants to guarantee the departure. We commit ourselves to confirm a trip at the latest 30 days before the departure date. In the event that the trip cannot take place because the minimum number of participants is not reached, you will be reimbursed for any sums paid but will not be entitled to any compensation. You will be informed by email whether or not a trip is confirmed.
An amazing Gravelup trip in the Ventoux! The organization was fantastic, and our guide Oliver shared his passion by taking us along all the stunning gravel trails around Ventoux with some serious climbs and taught us how to descend safely without falling!
And let’s not forget Olivier, our organizer, who took great care of us, always ready with some local snacks for a little boost, and even setting up a table with a tablecloth at the top of a pass!
An unforgettable experience!
Bravo, Gravelup!
Marie L.
As usual, three very well-organized days of gravel riding on beautiful, secluded trails. A wonderful Ventoux experience with sunshine as a bonus! Bravo, Gravel Up!
Ben B
A fantastic gravel trip to reach the summit of Ventoux. Breathtaking landscapes, backroads through the woods, charming villages...
An incredible human adventure
An amazing guide
A great team, as always!
I did the Morvan trip with Gravel Up last year. Now, just need to decide on the next destination.
Gaëlle M
A fantastic experience!! Three incredible days in the Vaucluse, with the Ventoux ascent on the second day! Everything was perfect: our guide, Olivier, passionate, fascinating, and a gravel expert; the organizer, the other Olivier ;), always attentive to every client; the gravel routes with breathtaking scenery; and the amazing hotel (Le Nesk)—in short, flawless!
Next stop, the Vosges with Gravel Up!!
Romain V.
I had an unforgettable weekend with Gravel Up around Mont Ventoux! The organization was top-notch, and the group dynamics were super engaging, making the experience even more enjoyable. This was my first weekend with Gravel Up, and I'm already looking forward to the next one. I can only highly recommend this experience!
Pat D
Gravel weekends in the Morvan in May 2023, the Vosges in September 2023, and the Ventoux in May 2024. Each time, breathtaking landscapes and excellent organization by Gravel Up, from the guides, lodging, meals, support, and bikes, to of course the gravel routes through pristine nature and absolute tranquility. It’s always an amazing experience, and I can’t wait to do more!
Christophe J.
Fantastic weekend in the Vaucluse (Mont Ventoux). Highly recommended for the guidance, equipment, routes, and atmosphere.
Philippe B.
5 days of gravel adventure on a roaming journey around Mont Ventoux, to experience the Giant of Provence from every angle!
Our team has designed routes to satisfy all types of riders, from sporty riders to bikepacking enthusiasts.
Join us for a 3-day or 5-day escapade, exploring the Ventoux massif by gravel and admiring breathtaking landscapes. During your adventure, GravelUp takes care of everything for an unforgettable gravel experience: comfortable accommodations, breakfasts, meals and snacks adapted to the effort of cycling.
But not only that: our guides will introduce you to some of the local figures for some authentic and picturesque gourmet breaks. All you have to do is choose your formula and prepare your gravel for this memorable expedition.
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