This
is probably due to their location; they sit almost entirely in
the region of Provence. These mountains dominate almost all
of Provence and are a large influence on the life in this
wonderful region, but it is the lifestyle of the people, the
charm of the villages, and the beauty of the coast that give
Provence its well deserved reputation. Although these
mountains sit merely as a backdrop to the fabric of Provence,
they are most certainly deserving of our awe and respect.
Tall, rugged, remote, beautiful, and most important, laced
with small winding roads climbing and descending the cliffs,
valleys, and gorges of these wild and wonderful mountains.
The Tour de France
regularly challenges these roads and their cols. The
climb up Mont Ventoux is considered one of the hardest and
most revered of the Tour. The Col de la Bonette is the
highest paved pass in europe. The Col d'Allos, Col de
Vars, and the Col d'Izoard, were the major climbs of the
hardest stage of the 2000 Tou, and the Izouard will be
revisited on next season's 2003 Tour. Impressive climbs,
yes, but still it is the myriad of small roads with little or
no traffic that make this one of the greatest cycling areas in
Europe.
Well conditioned cyclists
will love not only exploring the Maritime Alps, but relaxing
and experiencing the lifestyle of Provence.
