Off to Gorge du Verdon

suavecarve said:
There are a couple of reasons why it should be fine. I think it is down as an aire on campercontact for 5 places, there is plenty of space up there. The second reason is "Its France" and you only have to obey the signs if there are at least 5 of them, one after the other. I have heard of parking up there several times and there are certainly not going to be any gendarmes or municipal police (if youre not "allowed") to park up there who would travel the 20 odd kilometres uphill just to tell you and the other people off.

Alternatively park at Bedoin or Sault and cycle or run up there !

Theres a statue for Tommy Simpson near the top https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Simpson
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There is a campsite at Mt Serein but it is still 4 miles from top and we could not walk or cycle that distance even though have electric Bromptons, it would be the coming down that would be problem, brakes not good enough.
Every web site says no wild camping, what if someone comes to move us in dark, not driving in the dark. Totally in two minds!
 
Pool with Mont Ventoux in distance. Might go for a dip, warmest one found so far.
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Riverbankannie said:
I think higher than 31 in the heat of the day, it's still too hot to go inside van now at 9pm. Not much in way of a breeze. Fiat aircon a godsend when driving.
it is just about bearable for me but I have a low threshold tolerance. My ankles swell up.
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Nope, not holiday weather until well into the 30's.:D

suavecarve said:
Go to the top of Ventoux in the evening, park up for the night,
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Done that once never again it's not called the windy mountain for nothing, had to get up at 2 am turn the van into the wind, bike cover ripped to shreds, couldn't open any doors on the windwood side.

Gas bottles after a summer's night on Mount Ventoux.

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Wind is forecast for next Sat and Sun, but now you have worried me, @Lenny HB, 38 degree forecast tomorrow, at present van thermometer says inside 37, outside 31 in shade. I have no idea where the thermometers are placed though, it just comes up on the control panel.
 
@Riverbankannie I really wouldnt be concerned about the gendarmes moving you along. @Lenny HB stayed up there without an issue from them. It is the wind that is the issue. Just make sure there is a good high pressure (which there is atm) then park at the top (about 100 metres from the top)
If still nervous, go up there about 7 ish in the evening. Have a chat with others who may be there. See if they are staying the night in the car park just below the summit. If they are that should alleviate some concerns.
Should you decide not to stay overnight then Sault and Bedoin have lots of parking as does Malaucene (paying) and there is a nice lake at Mormoiran with absolutely shed loads of parking and lovely view of the mountain.

Has to be worth popping up there for the view and making decisions from there. Remember to stop on the way up for the radiator and the way down for the brakes. At least 2 stops on the way down and use your gears

Enjoy
 
Have decided to go for it, from Sault direction.
As you say @suavecarve , we can make decisions as we go along. Have identified options of staying at top, going to campsite at Mt Serein, going to aire at Malaucene which we have found on Google Earth, or searching for the lake at Mormoiron which we have not yet found on Google Earth.
We will take on board your advice about stopping, it is something we would do and always use engine braking.
 
It can be packed at the summit especially at weekends but as suggested, if you plan to bivouac up there, I think you need to time your summit push for the evening. :)
 
We've made it to base camp at the aire in Sault, we can see the signs of those who have made it before us (camper contact @suavecarve )
We have bargained with the locals at intermarche to stock up with provisions for the attempt in the summit,
Wine: check
Beer : check
Cheese: check
Fuel for our packhorse: check
Frozen grapes: Aargh forgot!
Very busy at midday in this aire, but we are resting up and taking on fuel ourselves (tea) .
 
This is where we spent the night, 44.174401, 5.271449
You can see Motorhomes there in the satellite view. Calm when we parked, wind didn't get up until about midnight. Sorts the men from the boys only us and one other van left in the morning.:D

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Lenny HB said:
This is where we spent the night, 44.174401, 5.271449
You can see Motorhomes there in the satellite view. Calm when we parked, wind didn't get up until about midnight. Sorts the men from the boys only us and one other van left in the morning.:D
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Well played. 45 motorhome gonad points awarded.
Were the sunset and sunrise worth it ?
Where are the photos ?
I have to take 2 points off for not having frozen grapes for the wine !
Really hope it was worth it for you
 
There are a couple of nice lakes around there. https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place...3282907bd7d465f1!8m2!3d44.0701265!4d5.1965291 is the one at Mormoiron and you can park overnight free of charge. Possible to fill up with drinking water but not 100 litres as you have to carry it 100 metres. Head over to the right hand side of the lake when you enter the big car park and park up against the trees (beware low telegraph lines near to trees)
The other really nice lake is https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place...x981d89b304f1ddd2!8m2!3d44.0172453!4d4.970151 but it looks like a quarry in google earth. This one is free but you cant stay overnight and there is a huge water park built adjacent where you can stay all day for about 25 euros a head (memory is going) Absolutely masses of water chutes and a couple of really high ones Broken Link Removed
 
Lenny HB said:
This is where we spent the night, 44.174401, 5.271449
You can see Motorhomes there in the satellite view. Calm when we parked, wind didn't get up until about midnight. Sorts the men from the boys only us and one other van left in the morning.:D
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We are on a flat stoney bit towards the small dome. Other vans here. Can't find the GPS settings on my menu to change to decimal, but it is N44 10' 27". E05 16' 19"
Current outside in shade temperature 26 deg, inside 34 deg. To satisfy husband, checked on the hikers weather forecast for Mont Ventoux and wind speed tonight should be 20 kph.
Really don't fancy going back to Sault aire, it was absolutely boiling earlier. If the wind gets up we shall just pretend we are in the Lake District. I remember a whole night without sleep there in a tent.
Thanks for Moirmoron co ordinates @suavecarve .

I don't think think we will get any ice on our tank tonight.
Wish we hadn't eaten all the cherries, I could have frozen them for the wine, never mind I'm sure the wine on its own will do just fine.

No signal on my 3 Mifi so using my phone data. Photos will have to wait until tomorrow.
 
suavecarve said:
Well played. 45 motorhome gonad points awarded.
Were the sunset and sunrise worth it ?
Where are the photos ?
I have to take 2 points off for not having frozen grapes for the wine !
Really hope it was worth it for you
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Found a couple of pics, it was a few years ago, me up for a sunrise you must be joking.:D

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that first photo of @Lenny HB has just made my toes curl and my nuts scrunch up o_O

love the view, just couldn't be that close the edge (y)

but I did like Gorge du Verdon (but not the balconies) :)(y)
 
Lenny HB said:
Silence, did they survive the night on the mountain?:D
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Hello!
Been out of signal for 3 days. Couldn't even pay by card as shop and campsite machines down and their phones down. We were down to our last 10 euros in cash before we moved to our present location!
I did try to post some text and left page updating but it must have timed out.
Here is the post from Mont Ventoux..........

I owe you one @suavecarve it was fabulous up on Mont Ventoux. From Sault, we stopped at Cafe Reynard for a drink and to watch the world cycle by, near the summit, which was an easy drive, we paused to honour Tommy Simpson, and then we first parked on the marked spaces on the tarmac strip whilst having a look around, but then we moved to the stoney area near the communications dome.

My sunset photos not great as it was very hazy, a sort of smog below our level but the views and the atmosphere amazing. So quiet in the evening, just a few lone cycling latecomers struggling up the last few bends, many walking and pushing their bike.

Silence broken only by the whoosh of a paraglider.
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Soon after we arrived about 4 pm, a group of four Brits arrived by bike and one was quickly throwing up. Well done said I , it's a long way.

"Well it is if it's the third ascent today ". was the reply.

My goodness they had cycled up the three ways and cycled between the starting points too. As they cycled off back down for the last time, he called out "all for charity" but he was gone before I could ask for a just giving page or something. What a thing to do especially in that heat.
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As darkness fell, the lights of all the little towns and villages far below us started twinkling and the sky was clear so it was wonderful star gazing .

It was still warm overnight, not a breath of wind, @Lenny HB and so we did wake up for sunrise, but it was very hazy and couldn't see anything so went back to sleep.

Got up and walked back to summit at 7 :30 am, fantastic morning views, too hot to wear a jumper. Some early summit finishers.
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Taking it easy on our return to Sault, we had to be careful both of those coming up and cutting the bend, and of those overtaking us going back downhill.

Passed two on roller blades coming up, with walking poles to help them, and one on a bike with pedal action like stepping machines at the gym. Looked a hard way to do it.
Two campers, like ours, did stay on the gravel edge right near the top! Yikes.
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Sitting here in the Orkneys listening to the rain I am a tad jealous :LOL:

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Riverbankannie said:
It was still warm overnight, not a breath of wind, @Lenny HB and so we did wake up for sunrise, but it was very hazy and couldn't see anything so went back to sleep.
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That's why I don't do sunrises. Got dragged out of bed at 5:30am to see the sunrise over the Taj Mahal, yer right couldn't even see the lumps of marble until nearly 9:00 am.

9:00 am is well early enough to crawl out of bed when away in the motorhome.:)
 
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So our objective is achieved, both sides of the Gorge du Verdun done! Thanks to @clanjones for the inspiration for our trip this year.
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Our next 3 nights were spent at Camping Municipal Les Roches, on the lake side at Saint Croix du Verdon.

On the way, I requested to stop at the L'Occitaine du Provence factory for the tour as it was en route at Manosque. I do love their products. Tour was disappointing so I will not recommend it, very sterile like a pharmaceutical production. I suppose it has to be, perhaps I was fondly imagining vats of rose, lavender and almond blossom scented cream being stirred by Oompa Loompas !

Instead yards of stainless steel and workers in white overalls, masks, hairnets and gloves all to be viewed from behind plate glass. Never mind, the upshot was that I smelt nice all day from trying all the tester bottles in the shop. Hoped there might be some factory mistakes going cheap but of course not so will wait for my next birthday as my DIL always knows what to get me.


The aire at Saint Croix is easy to get to and nicely placed but it was rammed and stonking hot so we were pleased to go on the campsite a few yards further on, for the shade and space to sit out under trees. 18. Euros with EHU and showers etc. Easy access gate to walk across to the lake side and having a dip was heaven. I have been in at least 3 times a day. Many pitches have views of the lake but was quite full when we arrived and we couldn't be bothered to search so settled for one that was easy to get into and just have a beer.

If you want to visit the lakeside here, there is a very large car park alongside, both ways as the road comes down but MH forbidden between 8pm and 8am and this seemed to be observed.


Not being too sure of the ease of the roads for driving and being a cautious pair as you have no doubt observed, after a rest day, we drove the D952 via Moustiers as far as La Palud sur Verdon. As we were booked into the campsite and knowing we had to return, we turned around there after coffee. Along the way we had stopped at various points as you do and pointed out the road on the south side, "look at that up there! Not going that way!"

We returned to Saint Croix via D957, D49 and D71 which was a nice drive with fine views of the lake and the barrage. As we passed the turning for the D71 along the south side of the gorge, we saw a tourist coach turn up. Should we do it?


Next morning, we decided to leave Saint Croix via the D71, D49 and when we got to the turning up the gorge would decide. Well it didn't take us long, let's do it, how bad can it be?


Well of course it turned out to be an easier road than the north road as better surface, no overhangs, less traffic and of course those views. Thoroughly recommend this route from either direction. Coaches seem to be there after midday. We met three near the end but only one caused us to back up as it got into the one of two very short tunnel sections before us. Luckily, no one behind us to complain about backing up.

I cannot describe this amazing place, it goes on forever and neither words nor pictures can do it justice. @clanjones is right, get it on the bucket list.

As I write this, we are stopped on the aire at Castellane by the river but inside temperature over 40 deg at 7 pm with all doors and windows open. This is a lovely little town and the aire is well positioned centrally at the foot of the "rock of Gibraltar". We would like to stay more than one night but temperature defeats us.


There looked a lovely free aire at Trigance on the D90 with gorgeous views, but there was no shade. It would make a lovely overnight stop though for tackling the Corniche Sublime early before any busses and then I would recommend Saint Croix for the next night, or the other way around depending on which side of the road you prefer to drive a gorge, however neither side is a problem. If you are able to stay in the area then it would be fun to hire a kayak or bateau electrique from the eastern end of Lac de Saints Croix and paddle or motor up the gorge. There are plenty of places to stop along the D957 there.

We took a bateau electrique from Saint Croix but would have been nicer to have gone up the gorge rather than just out on the lake.

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Not sure if you are still in Castellane and have some time spare, but a brief days detour around gourge Dalius via valberg and then down gourge du Cians. Make sure you stop before the tunnels and walk some of the old road. Worth a Google if you are unsure.

You get better views if you go up Dalius and down Cians.

You can camp at Entreveux or Puget Theniers, all drivable by motorhomes and of course tandems!
 
clanjones said:
Not sure if you are still in Castellane and have some time spare, but a brief days detour around gourge Dalius via valberg and then down gourge du Cians. Make sure you stop before the tunnels and walk some of the old road. Worth a Google if you are unsure.

You get better views if you go up Dalius and down Cians.

You can camp at Entreveux or Puget Theniers, all drivable by motorhomes and of course tandems!
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I am a bit behind as Internet has been so slow.

We have been travelling north along the Route Napoleon D1075. We camped on ACSI camping Champ la Chevre at Lus -la-Croix-Haute, chosen for its proximity to the road we are travelling. It's a delightful site but on the side of a hill, level pitches but some difficult access and there is some slipping and sliding going on . However the views are amazing as set in a valley within the edge of the Haute-Alpes. Just a few touches of snow on the tops but we are on the south side. Staying 2 nights as hot and sunny but a little breeze to take the edge off and cool at night. Indoor heated swimming pool and flowers on the ground.
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Noticed a free aire in the village as we left this morning, would make a good stopover site.

Today moving on to Chamonix and a fix of Mont Blanc to last me another few years. Have been here twice before. Not liking Chamonix town so much, either its grown or my memory more rose tinted. We are staying in the park and ride car park so as to take a very early cable car and hope to be coming down as the tourist busses arrive and start going up.
 
clanjones said:
Not sure if you are still in Castellane and have some time spare, but a brief days detour around gourge Dalius via valberg and then down gourge du Cians. Make sure you stop before the tunnels and walk some of the old road. Worth a Google if you are unsure.

You get better views if you go up Dalius and down Cians.

You can camp at Entreveux or Puget Theniers, all drivable by motorhomes and of course tandems!
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I've done the Gorge de Dalius but it isn't for the fainthearted!

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I haven't done the Gorges du Cians but it has a 3.1m height restriction at one point according to the Michelin atlas.

http://www.dangerousroads.org/europe/france/4270-gorges-de-daluis.html
http://www.dangerousroads.org/europe/france/310-gorge-du-cian-france.html

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