Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
5. MONT VENTOUX
The lonely peak of
Mont Ventoux
, at 1,910 m (6,260 ft), seems to guard the gateway
to the region. Bare of trees, its higher slopes are known as the
désertdepierre
(stone
desert) and are snow-covered from December to April. It has featured in the Tour de
France, and even the strongest cyclists dread the treacherous ascent.
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6. LES ALPILLES
The chalky hills of the “Little Alps” rise no higher than 500 m (1,640 ft) but display
an arid beauty. This miniature sierra stretches for 24 km (15 miles) between the
rivers Rhône and Durance, and the GR6 hiking trail which crosses it is one of the
finest walks in Provence (for further details see
Walking Trails
)
.
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7. GORGES DU CIANS AND GORGES DU DALIUS
High in the mountains of Haute-Provence and the Alpes-Maritimes, the parallel
canyons of the
Gorges du Cians
and the Gorges du Dalius are awesome ravines,
carved by icy fast-flowing streams running down from wine-red cliffs. The main
landmark is the Gardienne des Gorges, a huge boulder shaped like a woman's head,
standing at the north end of the Gorges du Dalius.
8. GORGES DU LOUP
The clifftop village of Gourdon, set in rugged limestone country, stands above the
dramatic
Gorges du Loup
,
the most accessible of the gorges and canyons that slash
through this craggy landscape. The Loup stream plunges over high cascades and has
carved deep potholes such as the Saut du Loup (“Wolf's Leap”).
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