They are foothills of the highest peak in Provence, Mont Ventoux, which is situated just to the east. The dramatically jagged shape of their peaks was formed by horizontal strata of Jurassiclimestone being folded and forced into a nearly upright position and subsequently eroded into sharp-edged ridges and spikes. The highest peak of the Dentelles is St-Amand, at 734 m (2,400 ft). The range, which is about 8 km wide, offers over 600 trails for walking, rock climbing, and mountain biking.[1] The foot of the Dentelles is surrounded by vineyards of the Rhône Valley.
Etymology
Their name dentelles, the French word for lace, refers to their shape obtained by erosion, while Montmirail is derived from the Latin mons mirabilis meaning 'admirable mountain'.
^Rouquette, Jean-Maurice (1974) Provence romane 1st ed. Zodiaque coll. La nuit des temps p. 168.
Further reading
Scheibli, Isabelle (2002) Les Dentelles de Montmirail. Invitation à la flanerie, Conseil d'Architecture, d'Urbanisme et de l'Environnement de Vaucluse, Avignon ISBN2-9518837-0-6(in French)