Dentelles de Montmirail travel guide
Visit Dentelles de Montmirail (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France)
Book a visitThe Dentelles de Montmirail is a chain of mountains found in the Vaucluse department of Provence, to the west of Mont Ventoux, south of the popular town of Vaison-la-Romaine and north of Carpentras.
The Dentelles range can be seen from far off in the region, with their very distictive jagged outline emerging dramatically from the vineyards of the Cotes du Rhone, and the forest and scrub of the lower slopes to dominate the horizon for miles around.
Up close the dentelles take on a more dramatic appearance with sheer cliffs up to 100 metres high creating an inspiring mountain landscape.
Explore the Dentelles de Montmirail
Geographically the dentelles fall into several sections, such as the Sarrasine Dentelles, the crests of La Salle, Saint-Amand and Cayron, and the passes through the mountains at the Col de Cayron and the Col d'Alsau.
The highest point in the chain of mountains is at Saint-Amand, 730 metres above sea level, while the highest point in the sarrasine dentelles is the Rocher du Turc at 625 metres above sea level.
As you will have guessed, the Dentelles de Montmirail region is above all visited for the scenery and the opportunities for outdoor activities - you will be missing out on a lot of the scenery if you stay in your car during your visit!
Among the villages well places to explored the Dentelles de Montmirail are Gigondas, Suzette, Lafare, Malaucène and Beaumes-de-Venise, and most of these also merit being explored as you pass...
The range provides some of the best and most dramatic scenery to be found in France, and is best explored on foot.
The entire region is well known for the hiking opportunities it offers and several waymarked paths will help you explore the region, from short local trails below the peaks to the more ambitious grande randonnée that traverses the range.
Suggested walks in the Dentelles de Montmirail
The most popular trail, and a very lovely introduction to the region, leads to the summit of Mont Saint-Amand. Don't let the word 'summit' put you off, it is only about 725 metres above sea-level and you start at almost 300 metres so it isn't really very arduous.
The path is signposted from the parking for Col du Cayron, near Gigondas, and takes about four hours for the round trip. We followed the guide at altituderando: Mont Saint-Amand
Another walk starting from the same place, with exceptional scenery but significantly more challenging, leads to the Dent et Chambre du Turc.
Other popular activities include rock climbing on the dramatic cliffs along the crests and mountain bike riding.
Local Wines
The region is also renowned for the Cotes du Rhone wines produced here. The village of Gigondas is the best known for the wine but others such as Seguret, Vacqueyras, Beaumes-de-Venise and Sablet are also highly reputed.
Attractions nearby
South of here you can explore one of our favourite regions in France: the Luberon, with its beautiful villages and scenery - although the villages are rather more crowded than those in the area around the Dentelles de Montmirail. See our Luberon guide for the highlights.
You can find more travel ideas in the Vaucluse guide and the Provence guide.
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Hotels in Dentelles de Montmirail
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Map of Dentelles de Montmirail and places nearby
Visit near Dentelles de Montmirail with France This Way reviews
Seguret
Seguret is a very picturesque village east of Orange, now classified among the most beautiful villages in France
Seguret guide
Le Barroux
From the castle ramparts in Le Barroux you have very far-reaching views across the vineyards and olive groves of the region
Le Barroux guide
Vaison-la-Romaine
You are spoiled for choice in Vaison-la-Romaine, with substantial Roman remains and also a large medieval centre to explore
Vaison-la-Romaine guide
Carpentras
Carpentras is a sizeable town, and although not always considered a 'tourist town' we found it had a good number of sites of interest
Carpentras guide
Naturoptère
Naturoptere is a biodiversity centre where you can learn of the interaction between nature and insects
Naturoptère guide
Pernes-les-Fontaines
Pernes-les-Fontaines takes its name from the large number of historic fountains in the town - 40 at last count!
Pernes-les-Fontaines guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Vaucluse
Address: Dentelles de Montmirail, Provence, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 44.179, longitude 5.0606
Plan your visit to Dentelles de Montmirail, Vaucluse
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Seguret: most beautiful village (4 km)
- Cathédrale Notre Dame de Nazareth (Vaison-la-Romaine): religious monument (7 km)
- Vaison-la-Romaine: town of art and history (7 km)
- Carpentras: town of art and history (14 km)
- Mont Ventoux: grand site of france (17 km)
- Jarditrain: remarkable garden (20 km)
- Pernes-les-Fontaines: recommended detour (20 km)
- Orange Roman Theatre: heritage site (21 km)
- Nyons: recommended detour (21 km)
- Venasque: most beautiful village (21 km)
- Jardin du château de Brantes: remarkable garden (24 km)
- Gorges de la Nesque: site of natural beauty (26 km)
The French version of this page is at Dentelles de Montmirail (Francais)