From the summit to the source — La Grande Traversée du Vaucluse en VTT

The department of Vaucluse, in the south-east of France, is gradually revealing its best kept secrets. April 2021 saw the creation of the Grande Traversée du Vaucluse (GTV) mountain bike route. This eighth Grande Traversée VTT, approved by the French Cycling Federation, is a physical and technical route, crossing the Vaucluse from north to south.

Through this Collection, you’ll discover an exceptional territory lying between Mont Ventoux, Dentelles de Montmirail, Monts de Vaucluse and Luberon. By following this itinerary of almost 300 kilometres (186 mi), you’ll encounter beautiful landscapes and picturesque villages. The GTV is dedicated to mountain biking but gravel bikes can handle it too.

The landscape here is extremely changeable with varied and fun terrain. Since its launch, the route has evolved and offers even more possibilities for exploration. There are now two main mountain bike routes through the Vaucluse: a more recent ‘eastern’ section that lets you explore the Luberon, and a ‘western’ section that forms the original route.

I’ve chosen to take you on the original route, as I think it’s more complete. It starts at the foot of Mont Ventoux at the village of Savoillans on its northern slope, and ends at Mérindol on the southern slope of the Petit Luberon massif.

This trail passes through two emblematic and unmissable places in this magnificent department. The summit in the title of this Collection refers to none other than the epic Mont Ventoux. As for the source, it’s the underground resurgence of the Sorgue, which you’ll find in the charming village of Fontaine-de-Vaucluse. As you explore the mountain and the river, you’ll soon understand why the locals are so attached to these two natural symbols of the region.

You can ride this route all year round if you like. However, it’s not recommended for beginners. For experienced mountain and gravel bikers though, it’s a real treat.

To get there, Savoillans is served by the Lieutaud bus 104 from the town of Vaison-la-Romaine. At the end of your journey in Mérindol, you’ll have to take bus 8, from the Haute-Provence coach company. All these companies are grouped under the name ZOU. The ZOU website covers all passenger bus operators in Vaucluse and includes the most remote areas of the department. For more information on timetables, see their website: zou.maregionsud.fr/se-deplacer-en-bus/se-deplacer-en-bus-dans-le-vaucluse (in French)

For accommodation during your adventure, there’s a website dedicated to cycling which offers a wide range of possibilities, accessible to all pockets. The accommodation on offer ranges from campsites and stopover gîtes to hotels and guest houses. For more information, visit this website: provence-cycling.co.uk/cycling-accommodation/offer-1-2.html

One last piece of advice: after your adventure, don't hesitate to discover the great historical sites such as the Palais des Papes in Avignon and the Pont du Gard.

Have a nice trip!