Bédoin in summer: things to do and how to enjoy the heat

What to do in Bédoin in summer

• Mont Ventoux, early in the morning: the summit road is open in summer. Set off early to avoid the heat and the crowds, and bring a jacket: it is much cooler at the top.
• The market and the evenings: the Provençal market, the village terraces and the night markets set the rhythm of the days and evenings.
• The villages and Vaison-la-Romaine: more pleasant at the end of the day, when the light softens.
• Cycling: cyclists set off at dawn to climb the Ventoux before the heat.

See also: Summit weather, What to see at the summit, The market of Bédoin, Cycling up, Vaison-la-Romaine

Lavender on the Sault plateau

On the Sault plateau, lavender mainly flowers in the first half of July. Lavandin takes over from mid-July to mid-August, and the harvest takes place at that time. Two distilleries in Sault, Aromaplantes and the Vallon des Lavandes, can be visited during the harvest. Exact dates vary with the year and the weather.

Swimming safely

In summer, swimming is one of the region's great pleasures. Choose supervised lakes:

• Monteux lake: equipped beach, supervised swimming in season, paddleboards, kayaks and pedalos.
• Lac du Paty, in Caromb: fishing, picnics and walks around the lake.

River flow varies a lot in summer: ask the tourist office before swimming in a river.

Coping with the heat

• Plan outings and hikes for the morning or the end of the day.
• Keep the hottest hours for the pool, a nap or the shade.
• Drink plenty of water and protect yourself from the sun (hat, sun cream), especially at altitude on the Ventoux.
• Air-conditioned accommodation makes all the difference for a good night's sleep.

Hiking in summer: access to the forests

From 15 June to 15 September, access to the forests of the Vaucluse, including the Ventoux, is regulated according to the fire risk. Every day, a map published before 7 pm gives the level for the next day:

• Green: access allowed.
• Yellow: access allowed, with a recommendation to go out in the morning.
• Red: access banned, except at exempted sites.
• Red E: access banned.

During this period, camping in the open, lighting fires and parking vehicles in the forests are banned. Check the day's map before every outing, or call +33 4 28 31 77 11.

See also: Hiking around Bédoin

Booking for summer

Summer is high season in Bédoin: holiday homes with a pool are in high demand. Book early, and book directly for the best rate, with no intermediary commission.