France
The Dentelles de Montmirail are thin limestone fins that rise out of the vineyards above Gigondas, in the Vaucluse north-east of Avignon, with Mont Ventoux as a backdrop. The central Gigondas chain is the highest, topping out at 627 m, and has climbing on both its north and south sides, mostly single pitches and routes of up to four pitches. Gigondas is the base village, 30 minutes by bus from Carpentras. South faces are for the cool months and are sheltered from the mistral; north faces and the crests suit warm weather. In summer the massif can be closed on high fire-risk days.
Where and when
Climate figures for Dentelles de Montmirail are not available yet
1 route
France · Dentelles de Montmirail
A west-to-east traverse of the six towers of the Florets crest, alternating short pitches with five short abseils and ending on a knife-edge. First climbed in 1928, it is the classic introduction to ridge climbing in Provence. The moves of 5 are short but polished and cannot be avoided, and all the rope work makes it slower than its length suggests.
5b9 pitches120 m
Local words
France