Tag: rafting paca

The Route des Cretes, Verdon Gorges

- Various articles

A route des Cretes generally offers magnificent views in a mountainous tourist region. The route des cretes des Gorges du Verdon – D23 is one of these and will not leave you indifferent.

The route des Cretes, Verdon Gorges (D23)

It was built and moved in large part by the inhabitants of La Pallud between 1948 and 1972. This road which follows an old mule track at a length of 23 km and a 100% tourist vocation. It has 14 lookouts that overlook the Verdon over a height that can exceed 700 meters above the river. A perfectly safe route but one that remains impressive even for those who are used to grandiose landscapes and alpine roads.

It travels clockwise in a camping-car, car, motorbike, or even bicycle. Although the electric bike is also a great alternative. Verdon E-Bike offers bikes very well adapted to the elevation encountered. It takes between 1:30 and 3:00 to travel the entire route. It is one way on 15 of the 23 km that make it up. From Jas d’Aire to Chalet de la Maline exactly. We will therefore pay close attention to the indications.

From the Escales and Carelle belvederes, you can admire climbers in climbing routes over 300 meters. Rougon scavengers generally spend the afternoon enjoying the rising winds created along the cliffs. We sometimes have the impression that they pass a few meters from us. At the very bottom you may see the “Aqua-Randonneurs” on the half-day route of the Samson corridor. From the Imbut belvedere, you will dominate the impressive chaos or rush into the Verdon and end the Aquatic Day Hike course























Access the D23 from the Alpes de Haute Provence














It is located in the municipality of La Pallud-sur-verdon. From Moustiers-Sainte-Marie; Follow the D952 towards Castellane and allow around 40 minutes for 20 km of road. From Castellane; Also follow the D952 towards Moustiers-Sainte-Marie and allow around 45 minutes for 25 km of road. About 800 meters after leaving La Pallud-sur-Verdon from Moustiers is the start; The Auberge des Crêtes.


 It ends 23 km further on at the Hotel de Provence, still in the municipality of La Pallud-sur-Verdon. Please note, because of the risk of ice, the road is only open from April to the end of November. Only access to the Chalet de la Maline and access to the Carelle belvedere remain open all year round.






The Belvederes of the Route des Cretes


You might want to stop at each Belvedere, the view is so splendid. The Belvédère are equipped with barriers but we always pay attention to children. Remember that there may be people downstairs, it is strictly forbidden to throw stones. It is also not recommended to try to jump on the backs of vultures that pass by.


Belvédère de Trescaire – Belvédère de la Carelle – Belvédère de l’Escales – Belvédère de la dent d’Aire – Belvédère du Pas de la Baou – Belvédère – Belvédère du Tilleul – Belvédère de la gorge de Guegues – Belvédère des Glacières – Belvédère d ‘ Eycharme – Belvédère de Guegues – Chalet de la Maline – Belvédère de Maugué – Belvédère de l’Imbut – Belvédère Armanet – Belvédère de Baou Beni














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Hiking and legends; Robion Mountain

        

       - Hiking    

      


  

    


Hiking and legends


Robion, one of the most characteristic mountains of Verdon. It rises to 1,660 meters, 950 meters above Castellane. A characteristic massif since rafting and canoe route from Castellane and ending at Pont de Soleil. Practically goes around the mountain of Robion on the right. In other thermal baths, one could say that the mountain of Robion is located on the left bank of the course … From Castellane, behind the swimming pool, you take the small departmental road in the direction of Bourguet. You quickly come across the small yellow signs that mark the path to the summit of Robion. Allow around 4 hours to make the round trip.


In summer, it is recommended to start early to climb before the heat. From the summit a bright day, you can see the Mediterranean! Personally, I have never had this chance. It is also possible to make a loop by borrowing the ascent or the descent, the route known as “Tour de Robion”. From the village of Robion, on the route du Bourguet, you will also discover the chapel of Saint Trophime. An 18th century troglodyte chapel hanging on the mountain and dedicated to the first bishop of Arles.




Robion and the Knights Templar


Unless the legend has endured over the centuries in some secret circles. It was at the beginning of the twentieth century that the discovery of a parchment in Siberia awakened curiosity about the past “Templar” of the Verdon. Nevertheless, you can read this article on the legend of the treasure of the Knights Templar in the Verdon. The persecuted Templars carried their treasure from the east to the Verdon and hid it in the greatest secrecy. We then searched in the subfields of the castle of Valcros without success. It is also believed that the treasure can be found in an immense underground lake contained in Robion Mountain also called The Island of the Watchers.


Stop at the Moulin de Soleils Bakery on the road to Draguignan, the boss, passionate about this story is inexhaustible on the subject.


 


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Transverdon with MTB. Allos pass to Gréoux-les-bains

        

       - Mountain biking    

      


  

    




The transverdon with MBT


The Transverdon, only for the braves !! 3 – 2 – 1 – GO !! to your bikes !! 260 km, certified by the French Cycling Federation, La Transverdon is one of the 10 largest mountain bike crossings in France!


The route begins at the sources of Verdon, met at the Allos Pass at 2247 m altitude. A particularly Alpine, sporty and demanding route that crosses the mountains and joins the lakes of altitude. Thereafter, starting from Saint-André, with the entry in the Natural Park of the Verdon, one joins Castellane, Chasteuil, Rougon, Moustier Sainte-Marie and Gréoux-les-bains by remounting old forgotten roads. A second part more Mediterranean or it will always be good to refresh yourself in the beautiful lakes of Verdon if you start from the month of June.




A course divided into 15 sections


The course is divided into 15 sections plus an annex (from Barcelonette to the Col d’Allos and one at the arrival of Gréoux les Bains to Manosque). Perfectly identifiable, these sections are linked in the order you want, it is also easy to find accommodation on the course.


Here’s how we linked 15 sections of the transverdon in 5 days. First three days in the fall, followed by two more in June of the following year:


Day 1 / Allos Pass – Colmars les Alpes (sections 1 and 2) We start by crossing a magnificent forest of larches, the day will be tough for both the driver and the machine.


Day 2 / Colmars the Alps – Thorame Basse (sections 3, 4 and 5) The most difficult day I think, we find ourselves pushing the bike on very steep slopes … Black runs in winter .. The arrival at Lake Lignin is sublime.


Day 3 / Thorame Basse – Castellane (sections 6, 7 and 8) It goes down! Not quite … Beautiful views of Lake Castillon from Blaron. Personally very tired after these three days, I am very happy to put the transverdon in pause until next June


Day 4 / Castellane – Moustiers Sainte-Marie (sections 9, 10 and 11)

We resume the course in June with the first beautiful days so much so that the heat made us suffer a little.


Day 5 / Moustiers Sainte-Marie – Gréoux-les-Bains (sections 12, 13, 14 and 15) With much less height difference than in the first sections, the course of 4 sections is still very long


It is strongly recommended to train beforehand on the course of Castellane can be ..


 


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In Castellane, the Pétardiers Festival at the end of January

        

       - History    

      


  

    
Fête des Pétardiers


Every last Sunday in January, the Fête des Pétardiers has been celebrated in Castellane for almost 450 years.


At the end of January, it’s cold in the streets of Castellane and the town is almost deserted. The Fête des Pétardiers is a chance for everyone to get together. A theatrical re-enactment of the event is organized, with period costumes on loan. A group of Castellanese get together every week for most of the year to put on the show. A re-enactment handed down from generation to generation There’s also a dance and music show. Birds of prey demonstration, medieval catering, mulled wine…


Before turning to the events that took place on January 31, 1586, let’s look back at a few key episodes in the troubled times that pitted Catholics and Protestants against each other in Provence, and in Castellane in particular.


The Wars of Religion in Provence


Since 1530, the Vaudois, who had settled in Luberon for the previous century, had been subjected to brutal repression. The Vaudois claimed Protestant beliefs, which had been declared heretical in 1501. Several Luberon villages were wiped off the map. A veritable civil war broke out throughout Provence and many other parts of France. Despite the terrible violence, Protestantism gradually spread throughout the kingdom. It wasn’t until the accession of King Henri IV in 1594 that the situation finally calmed down. True peace was consolidated a little later with the Edict of Nantes in April 1598.


The Wars of Religion in Castellane


The first outbreaks of religious unrest in Castellane occurred in 1559. Brun de Caille had converted the Castellane family to Protestantism. In the summer of 1560, a Protestant captain named Paulon de Mauvans plundered the town. He moved in after signing an agreement with the governor of Provence. On October 4, 1574, a new Protestant attack was repulsed by the Castellanese and inhabitants of neighboring villages.




The day of the attack in Castellane


Les Pétardiers, January 31, 1586. Protestants led by the Duc de Lesdiguère and the Baron d’Allemagne marched on Castellane. They attempted a surprise attack to take and plunder the town once again. Judithe Andrau, coming from Barréme, her place of residence, spotted the troops in the forest and hastened to sound the alarm when she reached Castellane.


With no military support, the Castellanese had to organize their own defense against the attackers.


Not much remains of the siege’s history. We do know, however, that Judithe Andrau, the heroine of the day, killed Jean Motte, the captain of the attackers. In fact, she threw a cauldron of boiling weight over his head from the top of the Porte de l’Annonciade. This gate, which still exists today, was the city’s weakest point at the time. As for the German Baron, he was shot in the back. This sounded the death knell for the Protestant attackers.


The last Sunday in January has been a busy one for centuries. Long before tourism became Castellane’s summer glory. Come one, come all in January – if we run out of costumes, there’ll always be neoprene suits!


 


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