Lavender fields, limestone and quiet roads shape the opening kilometres. Beyond Simiane-la-Rotonde, the route climbs via Sault towards Mont Ventoux, reaching Chalet Reynard at just over 1,400 metres. The summit stays close, but the route turns before the final push and drops in a long descent towards Bédoin. Provence then softens again: Caromb, Beaumes-de-Venise, Vacqueyras and Cairanne bring vineyards, olive groves and the jagged Dentelles de Montmirail into view before Bollène arrives in the Rhône Valley.
