Mont Ventoux
Offering an exceptional view and right across from the hotel, Mont Ventoux is referred to as Provence’s Mount Fuji and is the highest peak in the Vaucluse. Nicknamed the Giant of Provence or Bald Mountain due to the lack of vegetation on its summit, Mont Ventoux has become legendary thanks to its role in cycling tours and races. A fixture for races and tours since 1951, the greatest names of cycling have become legends here, and many amateur cyclists are keen to scale it too. The peak of Ventoux is visible from some kilometres away due to both its geographic isolation and its distinct white colour, a result of its limestone formation. It provides an exceptional 360° view across the surrounding plains and, on a very clear day, over Mont Blanc and the Mediterranean.
The Luberon
In the Vaucluse, a number of villages stand like hilltop fortresses or are built into the hillside. Sault is one such village to have this typical feature of Provençal and Mediterranean towns and villages. Perched atop a rocky outcrop, it dominates the plain that stretches out at the foot of Mont Ventoux. And it’s not the only hilltop village in the area, with many more easily accessible from our hotel. With the likes of Gordes, Ménerbes, Lacoste, Roussillon, Simiane-la-Rotonde, Séguret and Venasque, these are some of the most beautiful villages in France. They each have their own unique atmosphere thanks to their charming houses of weathered stone, their narrow streets, and their refreshing courtyards dotted with fountains.
The Baronnies
A couple of kilometres from the village and the Hostellerie du Val de Sault, just beyond Mont Ventoux lies the natural and historic region of the Baronnies. Now a Regional Natural Park, this low mountain area gets its name from the Barons of Mévouillon and Montauban who, from the beginning of the Middle Ages, got a certain degree of independence from the Count of Provence and the Dauphin. The Baronnies has a unique terroir where lime trees, apricots, grapes, olives and truffles are cultivated. The area contains well-preserved landscapes such as the Toulourenc Valley and towns that have survived through the ages such as Nyons, a medieval city classed as one of the best detours in France.
Toulourenc Valley
The Toulourenc is a small river that winds its way between Mont Ventoux and the Baronnies and which flows into a narrow valley for 30 kilometres. This valley is a real haven of peace, offering one breathtaking spectacle after another, with the landscape of the Ventoux mountains, stone bridges, swimming ponds and gorges. During the summer period, the river bed, practically dried up, can be used as a trail across this small paradise. To enjoy this walk from the Hostellerie du Val de Sault, head to Saint-Léger-du-Ventoux where the river is easily accessible, then follow its course to the bridge in Veaux. Moments of peace and relaxation are assured!
Gorges de la Nesque
Listed as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the Gorges de la Nesque offer one of the most spectacular natural settings of Southern Ventoux. Just a few kilometres from the hotel, this wild and grandiose canyon stretches across 12 kilometres with a depth of up to 400 metres. Its trail is dotted with viewing points where you can admire the rocky outcrops. Don’t miss the Rocher de Cire, a cliff more than 300 metres high and which gets its name from the natural beehives that reside there (“Cire” is the French word for “wax”). Down below and near the river, you can also visit the Saint-Michel de Anesca Chapel, a cave chapel dating back to the 12th century.