Tag: sport

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.

 

The Funny Helmets.

Days of rafting and water levels on the Verdon

- White Water activities

Rafting days and water levels on the verdon? You mean there are days for rafting and days without rafting on the Verdon? Is the river closed or is it? No, the flow is regulated by a dam.

Operation of the dam outside July-August

It is the Chaudanne dam which has this role, it regulates the flow from the Verdon from Castellane to Lake Sainte Croix. In the spring, EDF provides us with its information on water flows the day before for the next day. Saturday-Sunday in May and June are not normally turbined (dam closed). Indeed, this measure serves to secure the most abundant attendance of weekends. Over this period, you will therefore need to be patient. During the week, the next day’s activity cannot be confirmed until the evening before. For fans of rafting and canoeing, it is always possible to go sailing on Haut Verdon for an additional hour’s drive from Castellane.

Operation of the dam in July-August

In summer, this is somewhat different … Indeed, EDF assures us two days of releases per week in the months of July and August, which lets a little see coming … These days are Tuesday and Friday for rafting and canoeing. The remaining five days are open to the Aqua Treking activity, day and half day.

Now, from year to year, there can be big changes as evidenced by an article published this fall on the blog. Indeed, the accumulated snow reserves during the winter play an extremely important role. In fact, with a lot of snow, there is more days of water in summer. Heavy snowfall and cool weather in the spring play a large part in increasing the number of turbined days in summer.

Reserved flow

The days of “closure” correspond to what is called the “reserved debit”. In fact, EDF ensures the survival of the river by maintaining a minimum flow on closing days. The reserved flow is 3 cubic meters seconds all year round but increases to 1.5 cubic meters seconds from June 15 to September 1.

So, “Rafting days and water levels on the verdon” have no more secrets for you.
The Funny Helmets.

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 ..

 

 The Funny Helmets

Regional Natural Park of Verdon, the Guardian of the Temple

- Various articles

Regional Natural Park of Verdon

Created on March 3, 1997. Like any Regional Natural Park, it ensures that the economic development of its territory is harmonized with the conservation and enhancement of its natural heritage. Thus, they differ from the National Natural Parks which are territories protected from human activity.

In addition, surrounded by culminating landscapes at an altitude of more than 1,800 meters, the Parc du Verdon was created around the watershed of the river: the Verdon. It includes 7 landscapes; The Valensole plateau, Artuby, Lakes and Mountains, Lake of Sainte Croix, The Gorges of Verdon, The Low Gorges of Verdon and The hills of Haut Var.

Finally, in addition to the 46 member municipalities, the departmental councils of Hautes Alpes and Var. As well as the regional council of Provence Alpes Cotes d’Azur. Together, they constitute the Joint Syndicate. Each participant of the Joint Syndicate is represented by a delegate who sits on the Syndical Committee. It is the decision-making body of the Park. To put its decisions into action, the Parc du Verdon knew how to equip itself with a team. It is made up of thirty-eight agents with multiple and varied skills.

The Park Charter

The Verdon Regional Natural Park is based on a charter formalizing its project and defining its main directions. It is structured in 4 varied chapters;

-Transmission of heritage – The man at the heart of the project – Sustainable development of resources – Experimentation with new relationships between municipalities

The Park and Tourism

The economy of the region evolving towards an increasingly dominant tourist activity, the Verdon Regional Natural Park also relies on professional guides from Verdon to inform their large clientele about the fragility of the natural heritage discovered during whitewater activities for example.
Regional Natural Park of Verdon welcomes you to the Park House;

Domaine de Valx in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie.
Monday to Friday, 9 am to 12:30 pm and 2 pm to 5:30 pm
Such. : 04 92 74 68 00 | Fax: 04 92 74 68 01 info@parcduverdon.fr   www.parcduverdon.fr

 

The Funny Helmets.

Sirenians of the Col des Leques, 40 millions years ago

- History

The Sirenians

The Sirenians of the Col des Lèques existed 40 million years ago. You have probably had the pleasure to read our previous article. So you certainly know the pass that leads to Castellane from Dignes; the Col des Lèques. Just after the camping des Sirènes on the right (coming from Castellane), you will find a parking lot. Leave your vehicle there, here begins the path. It will lead you to the site of the Sirenes, set up by the Geological Natural Reserve of Haute Provence. Count about thirty minutes of walking to discover the region 40 million years ago!

The Sirenians of the Col des Lèques are marine mammals also called sea cows but also manatees dugongs. Indeed, they are herbivores that feed on algae and aquatic plants. They live mainly near the coasts in warm regions. The fossils present on the site thus come from a very ancient relative of the current dugongs and manatees.

 

A deposit of sirenians unique in the world

This deposit is one of the oldest and most abundant in the world. Who would have thought that in addition to its many attractions, the Verdon region would also be the world capital of the Sirenians? Indeed, unlike other Sirenian deposits which generally present only a few dimensions, this one is much richer. He was able to bring to light skulls, lower jaws, forearms… Numerous bones which are very seldom present of accustomed. If the Sirenians were so well preserved, it is because they were buried very quickly. It is undoubtedly a storm or a hurricane which is the cause. A meteorological event that may have caused a collapse or a landslide covering this poor manatee population. The region has certainly known a tropical climate in the past, 40 million years ago.

Finally, the Sirenians are buried in marls and yellowish greasy limestones dating from more than 35 million years ago. The latter rest on Jurassic limestones dating from 145 million years ago! 110 million years separate them and are not represented by any rock?

 

Site formation

Indeed, after a first phase of erosion (from -145 million years to -35 million years), the sea returns and the primitive valleys are covered with water. The site was in fact at that time a kind of marine creek. The layers of mud and sand that were once deposited there became the yellowish rocks of today that contain the Sirenians.

A detail remains to be clarified; how is it that the site which shows fossilized marine mammals is today at an altitude of more than 1000 meters? Indeed, the uplift of the Alps began more than 30 million years ago. This enormous uplift gradually raised in altitude all that was in its periphery. It is this phenomenon that created the so-called “pre-Alpine” massifs such as the Vercors, the Chartreuse, the Diois-Baronnies, the Monts de Vaucluse-Luberon, the Préalpes de Digne and others. The Verdon massif is called “Préalpes de Castellane”.
In this respect, it is interesting to note that the Alps continue to rise by one millimeter per year in some places.

The Funny Helmets.

The pass of Lèques, departure of mountain bike circuits

- Mountain biking

The pass of Lèques. We have chosen to present you today some mountain bike tours starting from this magnificent pass. The pass of Lèques culminates at 1146 meters of altitude, it dominates Castellane on the N85 leading to Digne-les-Bains. It is also the starting point for a cultural excursion, that of the Sirenians.

 

The ascent to the pass of Lèques

Two choices are offered to you;

The most courageous will go up from Castellane by riding their bike. They will face a difference in altitude of 428 meters over a distance of 9 kilometers. Enough to warm up the calves. It is not recommended to do this itinerary at 2pm in the middle of summer or you will end up dried out like a prune.

The others will organize a shuttle system to arrive at the top of the pass without getting too tired. Once there, you can always enjoy the view on the valley. You can also have a drink on the terrace of the Sirenes campsite, it is also possible to eat there before the activity. Remember to reserve if you want to eat there in the evening.

Then comes the time of the adventure, are the bikes ready? Helmets on the head, patches or a spare inner tube are packed in the backpack.

 

The descent from the pass of Lèques

We mount our bike and we leave on the left (coming from Castellane). Then we cross the hotel complex and its ground of tenis to the abandonment. One continues always on this track in direction of the telephone relay. To note that for the most lazy, we can also continue by car on this track. The economy made in legs is paid then in shock absorber of car.

After two kilometers of track, a first junction leaves on the left between two iron bars. This track brings you back to the beginning of the ascent of the pass of Lèques. We will pay attention to the trees that have fallen in the middle before arriving at a farm. A very wild route, which is apparently not used by any four-wheeled vehicle. The farm seems to have remained a prisoner of the past centuries.

Another route; From the track coming from the pass, continue for another two kilometers after the first junction described above. This time you reach a track that takes you through a valley and back to Brayale. From there, you can go down to Castellane in the direction of the road of the gorges. An excellent route!

 

Villars Brandis

Finally, if you continue this track from the pass in the direction of Cadières de Brandis, you have this time the possibility to go down to Villars Brandis. For my part, I appreciated less this route. Indeed, it imposes some portages (always a little frustrating to have to carry your bike to go down, especially when you sweated a lot before to go up). Moreover, you will meet three patous (imposing Pyrenean shepherds), which is always a bit stressful. According to a friend who lives there, they are as adorable as cuddly toys. Well, you have to let them approach to realize it.

Have a nice trip!

The Funny Helmets.

 

Canyoning in the Ravine of Venascle, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie

- Canyoning Verdon

I don’t have to introduce you anymore Christophe, my canyon guide friend with whom we have already discovered the Val d’Angouire canyon. This time he is going to a tributary of the latter; the famous Vénascle ravine. A canyon very rarely in water. But thanks to the rainy spring of this year, there is enough water to evolve all along the course. Indeed, it is always more interesting to practice a canyon in water. A dry canyon is somehow cut off from the fun aspect that a water canyon can offer. Finally, it is good to know that a canyon that does not flow generally presents stagnant pools. A not very healthy atmosphere that we prefer to keep away from.

Approach walk and organization for the Vénascle ravine

We leave Castellane at 8:30 am because for the last few days the weather has been turning stormy in the early afternoon. It is never advisable to take the rain in the middle of a narrow passage. Indeed, we often fear the “flush” effect. It is therefore better to leave before the rain. A good hour of road is necessary to arrive at Moustiers-Sainte-Marie by the D-952. We know it by heart but it is always very pleasant. Especially early in the morning when the road belongs to us.

To perfect our last adventure, we decide to take this time two cars. In order to make a shuttle between the lodging of Vénascle and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. This allows us to save the two and a half hours of walking we did the week before, loaded like mules. Too bad for the warm-up this time!

We park quietly on the plateau and we prepare the stuff. Once the bags thrown on the back, we are ready to leave! We ask ourselves then the following question “Where is the departure? We begin to look for, to look for… This famous departure is not easy to find. We turned back several times to find this very badly indicated departure.

 

Progression in the Canyon of the ravine of Vénascle

We change quickly and Christophe who already growls (I make fun of him :))) “Let’s hurry up, it’s getting covered!” We cover 50 meters before putting the first rappel and already, the scenery is set. A long narrow passage interspersed with small abseils. Even if there is only one jump, I have the impression that this route is more fun than the one in Val d’Angouire. The anchors are not as new but they held! Several passages under waterfalls, do not forget the hood!

At the end of the route, a few passages of de-escalation are mandatory. Two or three meters at the most but that will not be easy for the less adventurous, we will be careful not to slip… Then at the arrival, we join the Val d’Angouire which today is very wet. Probably too much to be able to cross it serenely.

A walk of 40 minutes is necessary to return on the highest parking of Moustiers, it is recommended to follow the red paint marks at the beginning not to get lost and to join the botanical path.

The Funny Helmets.

Angouire valley, canyoning in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie

- Canyoning Verdon

This morning, it’s 9:30 am and I enjoy my coffee with a chocolate bread on the terrace of the “Tourisme”, an institution of the village where the outdoor professionals like to meet. Christophe, a canyoning guide friend is passing by. “Say, I’m going to do a canyon, the Angouire valley in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, are you coming ? And I answer: “Well, listen, no activity on the Verdon this afternoon, come on, let’s go! It’s still an hour’s drive from Moustiers-Sainte-Marie to Castellane on the D952, known as the “route des gorges”. In July-August, with two-three campers in front, it can take a little longer.

 

Approach walk and organization

So here we are on the road to Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. It is now 11:30 am and we are leaving for a canyon day, le Val d’Angouire! Fortunately, there are only two of us and we know that we will go faster than a group of beginners. However, it is always interesting to be one more in order to share the material and especially the ropes!

We leave the car on the highest parking of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie and start the ascent towards this medieval road which leads to the Roman way leading to Castellane via Chasteuil.

First impression; this walk must be unbearable in summer under the sun. Second impression; it is better to come with two cars and take a shuttle to get closer to the start of the canyon because we walked for more than two hours at a rather steady pace before starting the activity. To do this, it is necessary to take the direction of the lodging of Venascle. We follow a track at the exit of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie which also leads to a takeoff of paragliding.

 

Progression in the Canyon of the Val d’Angouire

This canyon is in a particularly wild and little frequented environment. It dries up very quickly in the season, so it is only practicable in spring, even in years with a lot of rain. We are finally at the start, it is already time to get equipped. We do the first rappels which are not difficult at all. Even on a sunny day, I’m glad I put on my 7 mm wetsuit because the abseils under the waterfalls are very very refreshing…

We finally arrive at the passage known as the “Pear”. Here, the phenomenon of erosion reaches its paroxysm, the water cut about 30 meters into the limestone layer to form a narrow corridor. The sunlight even has some difficulties to come to the bottom. This is often the problem in this sport.

Little by little, the canyon comes to an end. We finish in a luxuriant vegetation, decorated with multiple tuff waterfalls. Another 40 minutes of walking to find the car left in Moustiers. Be careful to follow the way back or you will quickly end up at the neighbor’s. He is not very inclined to receive “canyoneurs” on his property.

The setting was great and the route was quite sportive as we took more than seven hours in total, at a rather steady pace. Still a good day as we like them, we did not make the road for nothing.

 

The Funny Helmets.

Vultures Fawn and Monk vultures of the verdon

- Natural environments

In the Verdon, when the weather is good, it is almost impossible not to see vultures flying in the sky. And as the weather is very often good… Take a walk in the area of Point Sublime or from the first viewpoints of the Route des Crètes. You can also see them very well from the part of the 952 road that leads from Carajuan to Point Sublime. Look up, they are there! They had disappeared in the XIX century in the Verdon. Indeed, these majestic birds were accused in the past of being bad omens. They lived very badly the arrival of the rifles and the other rifles.

Thus, the association Vautours en Haute Provence launched in 1993 a project of reintroduction of the griffon vulture by installing several of them in an aviary above the village of Rougon. This aviary is still present, it is in this place that the population is supplied every week. Indeed, they are now quite numerous for the few carcasses that can be found in the vicinity.

 

The Griffon Vultures

It has a wingspan that goes from 240 cm to 280 cm for a length of 95 to 105 cm. It has long wings and a small whitish head. The Griffon Vulture is the first vulture to help itself to a carrion. It feeds on soft flesh (muscles and viscera). It has a long neck that allows it to get inside the carcass. The latter is covered with down. Indeed, the dried blood cleans better on this support than on feathers or naked skin. The first griffon vultures were released on October 16, 1999. Between 1999 and 2005, 99 griffon vultures were released from the aviaries of Rougon.

 

The black vulture

The reintroduction program saw an evolution from 2005 with the arrival of the black vulture. Eleven specimens were released. They fly from the Mercantour to the Barronies, nevertheless, a couple is now breeding in the Verdon. With a wingspan of 250 to 295 cm for a length of 100 to 110 cm, it is the widest of the European raptors. The young have a black plumage while the adults have a brown plumage. Its head has a powerful beak that allows it to get interested in the hardest flesh such as tendons, skin, ligaments, cartilage …

 

Percnopter vultures

Also called “Egyptian vulture“, it is a migratory bird of prey. It has not been reintroduced in the Verdon but it benefits from some mass graves in the region. This vulture feeds mainly on dead animals but is also known to eat eggs that it breaks with stones. It has a wingspan of 165 to 170 cm and a length of 56 to 75 cm. It has long rectangular wings and a narrow head. The plumage of the young is chocolate brown while that of the adults is white and black.

 

The Bearded Vulture

It is a bone crusher that throws them from great heights before going to feed on the ground. With a wingspan of up to 275 cm, this vulture is rarely seen in the Verdon. It is rather found in the upper Ubaye valley or in the Mercantour National Park.

 

The Funny Helmets.

The Roc of Castellane, breathtaking view of the Verdon.

- Villages of the Verdon

It does not matter which path you take to come to Castellane the first time. We will always remember the appearance of the Roc of Castellane in the landscape. For my part, I came that day from Digne-les-Bains. Once the bus arrived at the top, at the Col des Lèques, I saw this enormous block of limestone below. Le Roc; surmounted by its small chapel, rising above the village of Castellane. This memory still comes back to me each time I take this road more than came years later.

 

The Roc of Castellane

It culminates at 930 meters, this limestone formation rises more than two hundred meters above the village. The ideal place to take shelter from the Verdon floods and invaders. Indeed, during the middle ages, the habitat moved to the top of the Roc. It was appropriate at the time to protect oneself from the Moorish invasions which led lightning attacks from the Mediterranean coast. Afterwards, the village was set up a little lower down on a small plateau with easier access. Some traces of this site called Sinaca are still visible during the ascent.

The site has been classified since 1933 and climbing is prohibited there mainly to avoid rockfall in the village. Some say they saw someone base jump from up there.

A few years ago when the summers weren’t too dry, the July 14th fireworks display was shot from the Rock. Unfortunately, following these events, the Roc experienced many fire problems. This is why for several years now, the municipality has chosen the primary school at the bottom of the village as a launching point for the many rockets that illuminate the sky of Castellane on that evening.

 

Go up to the Notre Dame chapel

The Notre Dame du Roc chapel installed at the top of the limestone complex. This building, which may have replaced an older place of worship, was erected as a chapel in the 12th century. Only the south-eastern facade remains from this period, the rest of the building was restored in the 18th and 19th centuries. The chapel remains open at all times, go inside! The walls are covered with votive offerings; These plaques affixed by believers who have seen their requests come true. In addition, we saw fit to let a little relaxing music scroll, day and night. Guaranteed atmosphere.

It is not possible to drive up to the Roc because no road leads there. However, it is also not necessary to go there by helicopter, a 30 minute path will get you there. To do this, go to the Place de l’Eglise then take a tour of the Church of the Sacred Heart. You will then come across the famous Stations of the Cross which goes up to the Roc. You can also get there by a slightly longer path. It starts at the exit of Castellane towards Digne. On the right, following the fire station, the small yellow signs lead you to the top. You will pass by the Pentagonal Tower and its gardens, a magnificent place of relaxation overlooking the village and little frequented even at the height of the season.

An ideal excursion to complete a half day of Rafting!

The Funny Helmets