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Malaucène, its tiled roofs and the bell tower of Saint-Michel church, at the foot of the hills
Village · Vaucluse

Malaucène

At the foot of the north side, the village from which the poet Petrarch set out to climb the Ventoux in 1336.

Photo: Johan Allard, CC BY-SA 4.0

Mont Ventoux todaySummit road openOpen since 17 April on the Bédoin and Sault sides, and since 13 May on the Malaucène side. Winter closure expected mid-November, on the date set by official order.
Next date4 October 2026Ventoux road closed on the Malaucène side
This week on the Ventoux →

Life in Malaucène centres on the Cours des Isnards, where one of the oldest markets in Provence is held every Wednesday. Close by: the old village and its fortified church, the Groseau spring at the foot of its cliff, and further north the Toulourenc gorge, which you walk up with your feet in the water. It is also the start of the north climb up the Ventoux, just as hard as the one from Bédoin.

At a glance

  • Market: Wednesday 8 am – 1 pm, all year
  • Tourist office: 3, place de la Mairie
  • Summit of the Ventoux: 21 km via the D974
  • Summit road: closed in winter beyond Mont Serein, usually from mid-November to mid-May

In Malaucène

The upper slopes of Mont Ventoux and the road
21 km · 1,575 m

Climbing Mont Ventoux

As hard as Bédoin, but up and down: steep ramps alternate with flatter sections. It is the shadiest side lower down, with a bare, twisting finish.
The Romanesque chapel of Notre-Dame-du-Groseau, near Malaucène
Must-sees

Things to see

The fortified church, the Groseau spring, the Calvaire and the Toulourenc gorge.
A Provençal market under the plane trees
38 addresses

Our addresses

Where to stay, eat and taste wine: addresses checked one by one.

What's on

  • 4 October 2026Ventoux road closed on the Malaucène sideFor Ventoux Auto Sensations, the D974 is closed in both directions from 8am to 6pm on the Malaucène side. To reach the summit or Mont Serein, the diversion runs via the Col de la Madeleine and Bédoin.Find out more ↗

Things to see

The Toulourenc beneath the cliffs, in the gorge near Veaux
River walk · Malaucène

The Gorges du Toulourenc

North of Mont Ventoux, the Toulourenc has carved out gorges around a hundred metres high; at the narrowest point, the Estrechon, they are sometimes only 1.50 m wide. In summer, you walk upstream with your feet in the water, between the limestone walls: a refreshing hike that families love.

Practical info. Starts from the car park in the hamlet of Veaux (Malaucène), paid and regulated in summer, often full by mid-morning. Wear closed shoes that can go in the water. Do not go if storms are forecast: the water can rise suddenly. No access during orange or red weather warnings. Find out more ↗

The Romanesque chapel of Notre-Dame-du-Groseau, near Malaucène
Natural site · Malaucène

The Groseau spring and chapel

Just outside Malaucène, on the road up Mont Ventoux, a spring gushes out at the foot of a cliff more than 100 m high: it is the second-largest resurgence in the Vaucluse after Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, tapped by the Romans to supply Vaison-la-Romaine. Close by, the Romanesque chapel of Notre-Dame-du-Groseau was once a summer residence of Pope Clement V.

Practical info. Free access all year, car park and picnic area: a cool spot in summer. The chapel, closed to the public, can be seen from outside. Waymarked 5.4 km loop from the village. Find out more ↗

Saint-Michel church in Malaucène and a gate in the old ramparts
Heritage · Malaucène

Saint-Michel church and the old village

Begun in the late 13th century, Saint-Michel church is credited to Pope Clement V, who spent his summers close by, at the Groseau. It was never finished and was fortified in the 14th and 16th centuries: its machicolation can still be seen on the west front. A listed historic monument, it guards the entrance to the old village, where the poet Petrarch spent three nights in 1336 before climbing the Ventoux.

Good to know. On the edge of the old village, a stone's throw from the Cours des Isnards. Explore the village freely, on foot. Find out more ↗

Malaucène, its tiled roofs and the bell tower of Saint-Michel church, at the foot of the hills
Viewpoint · Malaucène

The Calvaire, a lookout over the village

A castle once stood above the old village; it was taken down stone by stone in the 18th century and replaced by three crosses. A cobbled path lined with thirteen small shrines climbs to this quiet, green hilltop, with a view over the red-tiled roofs and the village's monuments.

Good to know. On foot from the old village, up the cobbled path. Free access. Find out more ↗

A market stall of charcuterie and local specialities
Market · Malaucène

The Wednesday market

Seven centuries old: Malaucène's market is one of the oldest in Provence. On Wednesday mornings the Cours des Isnards fills with stalls: local produce, plants and flowers, clothes. In the warmer months it spills out onto the main road.

Good to know. Wednesday 8 am to 1 pm, all year, on the Cours des Isnards. Find out more ↗

Our addresses in Malaucène 38

Where to stay18 addresses

Hotels 3

  • Hôtel Ventoux Provence – Domaine des Tilleuls

    Hotel & restaurant · Malaucène

    7 avenue Pétrarque, route du Mont-Ventoux

    24 rooms, at the start of the climb. La Magnanerie restaurant, May to October.

    Accueil Vélo

    Website ↗

  • L'Abri du Ventoux

    Hotel & restaurant · Malaucène

    19 cours des Isnards

    Open March to mid-December. Restaurant closed on Wednesdays; aïoli on Fridays.

    Website ↗

  • Le Blueberry

    Hotel & restaurant · Malaucène

    12 cours des Isnards

    19 rooms. Restaurant open all year; closed in the evening Monday to Thursday.

    Website ↗

B&Bs (chambres d'hôtes) 6

  • 1832 la Rabassière

    B&B (chambre d'hôtes) · Malaucène

    Route d'Entrechaux

    Two rooms and a holiday cottage in the countryside. Open all year.

  • Aux Tournesols

    B&B (chambre d'hôtes) · Malaucène

    Quartier Coumpara

    Three rooms and three holiday cottages.

    Accueil Vélo

    Website ↗

  • Clos Saint Michel Resort & Spa

    B&B (chambre d'hôtes) · Malaucène

    Chemin de Clairier

    Suites and lodges with a spa: hammam, sauna, Nordic bath, hot tub. Open all year.

    Accueil VéloClef Verte

    Website ↗

  • La Mireio

    B&B (chambre d'hôtes) · Malaucène

    Chemin de Piochier

    Two rooms. Open all year.

  • Le Prieuré La Madelène

    B&B (chambre d'hôtes) · Malaucène

    Chemin de la Madeleine

    A former 12th-century priory among orchards: five rooms and a holiday cottage. Late January to late November.

    Accueil VéloChambre d'hôtes référence

    Website ↗

  • Villa Champ Signoret

    B&B (chambre d'hôtes) · Malaucène

    Quartier du Grès

    Three rooms.

    Gîtes de France2 épis

    Website ↗

Holiday cottages and rentals 7

  • Gîte Carlota

    Holiday cottage (gîte) · Malaucène

    May to September.

  • Gîte du Rocher

    Holiday cottage (gîte) · Malaucène

    Route du Groseau

    Sleeps three.

    Clévacances2 keys

  • Gîtes du Pic du Comte

    Holiday cottage (gîte) · Malaucène

    Hameau de Veaux

    Three holiday cottages near the Toulourenc gorge. Open all year.

    Website ↗

  • Le Gîte de Claire

    Lodge (gîte d'étape) · Malaucène

    Quartier des Crottes

    A hikers' and cyclists' lodge at the foot of the Ventoux, with large grounds.

    Accueil VéloGîtes de France2 épis

    Website ↗

  • Les Mazets du Ventoux (Garden City)

    Holiday residence · Malaucène

    412 route de Carpentras

    Aparthotel.

    Accueil Vélo

    Website ↗

  • Mythic Ventoux

    Holiday rental · Malaucène

    Au village

    A large house for twelve people, April to October.

    Accueil Vélo

    Website ↗

  • Résidence Arts et Vie

    Holiday residence · Malaucène

    54 chemin du Lignol

    Apartments by the week, from late March to early November.

    Accueil VéloClef Verte

    Website ↗

Campsites and motorhome areas 2

  • Aire de camping-cars de Malaucène

    Motorhome area · Malaucène

    Avenue Charles-de-Gaulle

    34 pitches, service point. Open all year.

    Website ↗

  • Camping Le Bosquet

    Campsite · Malaucène

    428 route de Suzette

    April to mid-October.

    Website ↗

See the Where to stay section →

Eat16 addresses

Restaurants 14

  • Aqui Sian Ben

    Restaurant · Malaucène

    54 avenue de Verdun

    Provençal, bistronomy-style cooking.

  • Chez Laurette

    Restaurant · Malaucène

    29 avenue de Verdun

  • Chez Marina

    Restaurant · Malaucène

    3 cours des Isnards

  • Chez Max

    Restaurant · Malaucène

    27 cours des Isnards

  • Hôtel Ventoux Provence – Domaine des Tilleuls

    Hotel & restaurant · Malaucène

    7 avenue Pétrarque, route du Mont-Ventoux

    24 rooms, at the start of the climb. La Magnanerie restaurant, May to October.

    Accueil Vélo

    Website ↗

  • L'Abri du Ventoux

    Hotel & restaurant · Malaucène

    19 cours des Isnards

    Open March to mid-December. Restaurant closed on Wednesdays; aïoli on Fridays.

    Website ↗

  • L'Atelier de la Ferme

    Restaurant · Malaucène

    2 place Louis-Cornillac

  • La Part d'un Ange

    Restaurant · Malaucène

    15 cours des Isnards

  • La Source du Grozeau

    Restaurant · Malaucène

    1052 route du Mont-Ventoux

    By the Groseau spring, on the road to the summit.

  • Le Blueberry

    Hotel & restaurant · Malaucène

    12 cours des Isnards

    19 rooms. Restaurant open all year; closed in the evening Monday to Thursday.

    Website ↗

  • Le Hangar n°1

    Restaurant · Malaucène

    Route de Beaumont

  • Le Petit Paradis

    Restaurant · Malaucène

    Cours des Isnards

  • Le Pont de l'Orme

    Restaurant · Malaucène

    Route de Suzette

  • Les Terrasses du Ventoux

    Restaurant · Malaucène

    6 avenue de Verdun

Pizzerias 1

  • La Farigoule

    Pizzeria · Malaucène

    2 avenue de Verdun

    Pizzeria and snack bar.

Cafés, bars and bistros 1

  • Le Casino

    Café · Malaucène

    17 cours des Isnards

    Café and crêperie.

See the Where to eat section →

Things to do8 addresses

  • Bureau d'information touristique

    Tourist office · Malaucène

    3 place de la Mairie

    Ventoux Provence tourist office: maps, walks, the Toulourenc gorge, the summit road.

    Website ↗

  • Clos Saint Michel Resort & Spa

    B&B (chambre d'hôtes) · Malaucène

    Chemin de Clairier

    Suites and lodges with a spa: hammam, sauna, Nordic bath, hot tub. Open all year.

    Accueil VéloClef Verte

    Website ↗

  • Les Crinières du Mont Ventoux

    Horse riding · Malaucène

    Chemin du Grès Haut

    Horse and pony rides. All year.

    Website ↗

  • Provence Cycles

    Bike hire · Malaucène

    Cours des Isnards

    Sales, hire and repairs: road, electric, hybrid. Tuesday to Saturday.

    Website ↗

  • Ventourisme

    Excursions · Malaucène

    Chemin du Piochier

    Small-group excursions: Gordes, Sénanque, the Pont du Gard, tastings at wine estates.

    Website ↗

  • Ventoux Bikes

    Bike hire · Malaucène

    Bike hire from a team with a background in racing and sports coaching.

    Website ↗

  • Vélo Vaucluse Découverte

    Guided bike rides · Malaucène

    3 place de la Mairie

    Guided bike rides around Malaucène.

    Website ↗

  • Écurie des Garances

    Horse riding · Malaucène

    Chemin Plan de Laval

    Horse treks. All year.

    Website ↗

See the Things to do section →

Addresses checked on 29/09/2026, listed alphabetically; partners, labelled as such, appear first.