Rgreen1265

Does anyone know how difficult it is to see the Tour de France at Mont Ventoux?
Thank you!

fietsbob

Rather crowded at the roadside.

Caretaker

Try asking in 'professional cycling for the fans'.

axolotl

I biked up Mont Ventoux from Sault then descended to Malaucène. I would think that you'd have to walk from one of the towns at the base of the mountain. The only parking area I recall is at the cafe/restaurant 6 km from the top on the Sault side, and I doubt that race officials would allow parking there on race day. Anyway, if they're starting from Malaucène, you'd need to be on the other side of the mountain.

I once saw the Tour by accident in the French Alps. People parked in both lanes on the side roads which intersected with the Tour route. I was touring. The cops let me ride on the route because the racers were a couple of hours away. I stopped at the intersection where I planned on turning away from the Tour route. There were people standing along the roads hours before the racers came through. People brought picnic materials and walked considerable distances to find a good spot. After the peleton came through, I pedaled through the parked cars on the side road, and since nobody could drive away until the 1st car drove away, I had the road to myself for an entire hour. Nonstop traffic after that, however.

Steve0000

I watched the tour ascend the Alp d'Huez one year. We sat near the bottom and watched hordes of walkers and riders climb the slopes during the morning. Cars were not allowed. I would think Mont Ventoux would be similar in that you would be allowed to cycle up and find a viewing spot in the morning.

Cyclist0094

I went in 2002. Locals advised to head up early morning. We camped the night before outside Malaucène. Next morning we rode/walked (tandem) the 22 kilometers over the top and down to the treeline to get out of the wind and scored a spot 2 km from the finish on a switch back where we were protected from most of the wind. Had such a great time party-ing with some Italians and Spaniards that the race passing was almost a disappointment because the party was over. Most difficult was riding back down after drinking wine all day

BobG

I agree with those above who have suggested arriving by bike if you want the best chance to watch. I was traveling in the Pyrenees during '95 Tour with several friends. We saw the race at start of Col du Soulor...

https://www.bikeforums.net/18853189-post150.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/18853249-post152.html

and at the more popular Col du Tourmalet...



We chose that pass as the race would not arrive there until late in the day. We also climbed from the opposite direction so we had plenty of time to get to the top before cyclists were pulled over. That year recreational cyclists were allowed to stay on the race course up to an hour (or so) before it's arrival. There's always room for another bike on the sidelines but a car or camper? No, every corner on the famous passes will be occupied.

I stayed at a nice campground at Montbrun-les-Bains near Ventoux one year (not during the Tour). Did a loop tour around Mt Ventoux. D72, 40, 5 and 13 west. Then D938 S to Malaucene. Then D974/164 over Ventoux, back to Sault and finally back north to Montbrun-les-Bains...

Philly Tandem

I've been over to view le Tour several times, including in the Alps and on Ventoux. Unless you want to get on the mountain a few days early and camp, walking or biking up is absolutely the best way to get a spot. Get going early, as they close the Tour route a few hours early to bikers (you can usually still walk up), and often on the mountain stages they close the road entirely about an hour before the riders come through (the Tour publicity caravan comes through about an hour before the race does). Assuming you are riding from Bedoin, take plenty of water and food with you, as there aren't that many places to find water on the route, and only one food stop/restaurant (Chalet Reynard, which will likely be mobbed or even closed for a private event). Plus, this year the Ventoux stage is on Bastille Day, so it should be doubly crazy.

If it were me, I'd ride up to about treeline and hang out there, so you have some shade while you are waiting. Above treeline on Ventoux it can be really hot and there is no cover at all.

Be sure to take a windbreaker or raincoat, too, as on the mountains the weather can change quickly. In 2005 I watched the Tour come across the Galibier; when we started riding up in was blue sky and warm, short-sleeve weather. While waiting at the top a storm blew in and it was about 45 degrees and hailing (really). There were a lot of unhappy people up there, especially since the Gendarmes closed the road and we were stuck on the peak with no recourse.

Definitely do it, though! Seeing a mountain stage in the tour is amazing, especially on an iconic mountain like Ventoux, Galibier, Alpe d'Huez, etc. I also saw the Alpe d'Huez time trial in 2004 -- that was completely insane. I've never seen so many people in one place. They estimated 700,000++ people on the mountain.

axolotl

The view from the top of Mont Ventoux: