Trip to Ventoux

simon johnson

My wife and I are going to see the final TDF stage again, but seeing that the penultimate stage ends on the Ventoux we're ( no, I'm) tempted to try seeing that and rushing to Paris overnight (I guess-not looked into that yet).

Anyhow, I would probably choose to see the Ventoux out of both those days, so any logistical tips would be much appreciated. Neither of us drive. I've not done any of my own research yet but intend to get started soon, found a useful train traveling site:

http://www.seat61.com

which may come in useful.

Thanks for your time.

Simon.

Kléber

Catch the high speed TGV train. It cuts up the Rhone valley to Paris in a couple of hours. You'd probably need a rental car to get to Ventoux and back but it's all possible. Nearest stops must be Montelimar or Orange, not sure if the TGV goes there but this should get you started.

Richrd2205

Kléber wrote:

Catch the high speed TGV train. It cuts up the Rhone valley to Paris in a couple of hours. You'd probably need a rental car to get to Ventoux and back but it's all possible. Nearest stops must be Montelimar or Orange, not sure if the TGV goes there but this should get you started.

The TGV goes striaght to Avignon without stopping from Gare de Lyon in Paris. It takes 2.75 hours & cost about 20 Euros per person each way last year.

Avignon TGV station is a bit remote, but there's a good bus service into Avignon & plenty of taxis that could take you to the Airport (which is closer than Avignon) where there'll be loads of car hire places. Be warned though, taxis are insanely expensive in Avignon (21 Euros for a 4km journey last year).
The drive from Avignon to Ventoux is quite easy & dual carraigeway all the way to Carpentras, then a decent road up to Ventoux. Public transport is a bit patchy & has amusing timing outwith Avignon, so best not to rely on it (there is a bus to Bedoin from Avignon, but I'd not want to rely on being anywhere at a given time if I were using it). Getting from Ventoux to Paris in time might cause some difficulty since lots of folk are likely to be doing the same thing & the TGV is pretty busy at that time of year anyway. You might want to check availability & cost soon: http://www.sncf.co.uk/ should help. There is a user of this board who runs trips around the Ventoux area, but tends to be found in tours & expedition rather than racing.

Enjoy your trip: it's a gorgeous part of the world...

simon johnson

Many thanks for your replies so far.

We will have to rely on public transport/taxis; unfortunately neither of us possess a driving licence. We'll aim to get to the Ventoux area the day before the stage and try our best to get to Paris in time for the final; if we get there, we get there; it's really the Ventoux I want to see



If anybody has details of somewhere to stay close to the Ventoux (I have no idea, so not sure if it's an area with B&Bs etc) or anymore transport tips it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again.

Simon.

Richrd2205

OK....

I spent a week in Provence last year relying on public transport: it'll be an interesting experience!

You'll need to travel to Avignon Gare TGV & take the bus to Carpentras (timetable here: http://www.vaucluse.fr/1119-recherche-de-lignes.htm ). Carpentras has plenty of places to stay & is a lovely town.

Then the bus to Bedoin (timetable here: http://www.ventoux-comtat.com/transport ... baines.php ). You can see that there's no bus on a Saturday & not much in the week....

There appear to be four hotels in Bedoin http://en.federal-hotel.com/hotels_bedoin_45375.htm they'll all book very early.

You'll need decent french (& be able to cope with the provencal accent) & to be OK with the relaxed attitude to timekeeping to cope with Provencal buses. Or you'll need to budget lot of money to get taxis....

There was a bike shop offering a bus up Ventoux, but can't find the details just now. Otherwise, there should be plenty of folk heading up.

Given your limitations, travelling from Bedoin to Paris is unlikely to be possible