Mont Ventoux

Mont Ventoux is a mountain in the Provence region of southern France, located some 20 km northeast of Carpentras, Vaucluse. On the north side, the mountain borders the department of Drôme. At 1,910 m, it is the highest mountain in the region and has been nicknamed the "Beast of Provence", the "Giant of Provence", or "The Bald Mountain". It has gained fame through its inclusion in the Tour de France cycling race; in 2009 it was the scene of the first penultimate-day mountain top finish in the Tour de France, with Alberto Contador sealing his yellow jersey.

As the name suggests, it can get windy at the summit, especially with the mistral; wind speeds as high as 320 km/h have been recorded. The wind blows at over 90 km/h for 240 days a year. The road over the mountain is often closed due to high winds, especially the col des tempêtes just before the summit, which is known for its strong winds. In the 10th century, the names Mons Ventosus and Mons Ventorius appear.