Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
beneath Mediterranean sunshine. The River Verdon's source is at La Tête de la Sestrière
(2572m).
In wintertime, there's stellar skiing at
Foux d'Allos
(
www.valdallos.com
)
; its low-rise
base village is cuter than Pra Loup, whose ugly towers lie just beyond the pass. The high-
mountain hiking is spectacular. The National Forest Office maintains wilderness cabins,
accessible on all-inclusive guided hikes with
Retrouvance
( 05 34 09 82 06;
www.retrouvance.onf.fr
;
6-day hikes €550)
(they even carry your bags). Note: Pra Loup
and Foux d'Allos are linked in winter by ski lifts, but the road connecting them is open in
summer only.
Nearby tiny
Allos
has a water park (open June to September) with swimming, canoeing
and slides. Downstream, the Vauban-fortified village
Colmars-les-Alpes
(elevation
1250m) was the 14th-century frontier of Savoy; its maze of ancient streets lies beyond
never-breached zigzagging ramparts of brilliant geometry. Get a bird's-eye view on the
ramparts from the adjacent hilltop fort and little
museum
(place Joseph Girieud; adult/
child €3/free; 10am-noon & 3-6.30pm Jul-mid-Sep)
.
It's worth the trek (and metered traffic) to reach Europe's largest alpine lake,
Lac
d'Allos
(2226m; inaccessible from autumn to spring). From Allos, narrow, bumpy D226
climbs 12km to parking; then it's a 40-minute walk. Trail maps are available from the
Parc National du Mercantour hut
( 06 32 90 80 24;
www.mercantour.eu
; Jul &
Aug)
at the car park. Have lunch (call ahead) or overnight (in dorms) at the rustic
Refuge
du Lac d'Allos
( 04 92 83 00 24; dm incl breakfast & dinner €40)
.
Sleeping & Eating
La Ferme Girerd-Potin €€
TRADITIONAL FRENCH
( 04 92 83 04 76;
www.chambredhotes-valdallos.com
; rte de la
Foux; menu €29.50; r per person incl breakfast and dinner €42-55; by reservation
Oct-Apr, Jul & Aug; )
On a working 17th- century farm, high above the Verdon, this
cosy
ferme-auberge
grows everything it serves for thrilling rustic-Alpine dinners, served
fireside in a candlelit, wood-and-stone dining room. Everything - from vegetables to
foie
gras
, bread to cheese - is homemade. Make reservations 24 hours in advance. Upstairs are
B&B rooms, some with kitchenette and wood-burning fireplace. The farm is 5km north of
Allos.
B&B
Attrapeur de Rêve €€
