This route takes you to the Comtat plain at the foot of the Ventoux. From village to village, church to church, and to paved streets, the local heritage will reveal itself. Take a short walk around Mormoiron and discover the many colours present due to the gypsum and the ochres.
Start your tour in Carpentras heading south towards St Didier. A charming avenue of plane trees welcomes you to visit the village. Discover some attractive fountains in the small streets behind the church. We highly recommend a gourmet pause at the Silvain nougaterie !
Head off for Malemort du Comtat (direction Venasque) on a road lined with vines, cherry trees and almond trees, then follow signs to Mazan, passing the gypsum quarry with its mounds of compacted remains. By foot, pass through one of the old gates (la Porte de Carpentras, la Porte du Planet, la Porte de Mormoiron) into the historic centre and discover the Marquis de Sade’s castle, now a hotel and restaurant. See also the unusual early Christian sarcophagus in the cemetery.
Follow the signs Villes sur Auzon to go to Mormoiron and then continue on to Flassan. Village reputed for its colourful façades (due to the nearby ochres in Mormoiron !) and its attractive fountain to be found under an ancient plane tree at the entrance to the village.
Bédoin will be our next stop. The historic centre with its narrow streets, colourful houses and floral squares is dominated by the church, offering a splendid viewpoint.
From Bédoin head to Crillon le Brave. A magnificent stone hilltop village steeped in history with beautiful views of the Mont Ventoux and the Dentelles de Montmirail. The typical provençal architecture has been well preserved and many of the houses in the centre now belong to a hotel classified ‘Relais et Châteaux’.
On leaving the village follow again the signs to Bédoin. Continuing down the hill, at a wide bend, take a narrow road to the left which will take you to the hamlets of Sidoine and Gargory to then rejoin the D19, (beware, the junction is almost at 180°). At the top of the hill take a pause to contemplate the view before continuing to Malaucène via the Col de la Madeleine. Be careful, this road can be quite busy (cars and cyclists).
Once at Malaucène take a wander around the historic centre with its fountains, medieval streets and passageways…Admire the steeple and bell tower before heading up the paved street to the Calvary with its panoramic view of the ‘Giant of Provence’ (Mt Ventoux).
Return to Carpentras on the main road D938, at the ‘four à chaux’ turn left towards Caromb. Before entering the village you can branch off to the left to discover the barrage of the Lac du Paty, an ideal and peaceful spot for a walk or a picnic.
Caromb has a beautiful 14th century romanesque church with an unusual bell tower. In the old centre you can follow the ‘‘promenade du Mont Ventoux’’ above the ‘‘Grande rue Basse’’. An attractive walkway with ancient olive oil presses that offers beautiful views of Crillon le Brave and the Ventoux !
Roundtrip 70 km