Drôme Provençale © Alexis Nouailhat[/caption]
As an illustrator and watercolour artist, I have been roaming alpine paths since childhood. This mountain environment is a constant source of wonder and admiration, and I capture that emotion with every brushstroke!
Explore here, in watercolours, a travel journal of a hiking trip through the Drôme Provençale, astride my bike. A lovely route to take at a leisurely pace, between 3 and 6 days.
Keep an eye out for vultures — there are 4 different species in the region!
« October — the forests are ablaze with colour, the temperature isn't yet fleece-worthy cold, perfect for exploring winding back roads! My travelling companions opted for a trailer; I went with panniers and the bare minimum: a tent, a down sleeping bag, a ground mat, pencils for sketching, watercolours for painting, and no food at all since we planned to stock up from local producers: walnuts, cheeses, apples and tomatoes!
From the Col de Lus la Croix-Haute, we head to Lalley in the footsteps of one Jean GIONO, a passionate admirer of the Trièves; French writer and screenwriter. The silhouette of Mont-Aiguille rises before the Balcons du Vercors.
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Griffon vultures © Alexis Nouailhat[/caption]
Col de Menée, Combau rock, Archiane cove, Châtillon-en-diois, we spot ibex, griffon vultures and bearded vultures recently reintroduced. Supplies stocked up at the colourful market in Die, filled with the scents of essential oils…
From the Quint valley, we head to Beaufort-sur-Gervanne via the Col de la Croix. Then, Plan-de-Baix, the Gorges d'omblèze, the Druise waterfall and the cascade de la pissoire. From Saillants, we climb back up the Gorges de la Roanne beneath the falaises des trois Becs!
Saint-Nazaire-le-Désert, Col de Roustans, wind in our faces all the way to la Motte Charlancon, we bivvy at Michel Marchand's place, in a Mongolian yurt.
Rémuzat, Col de Soubeyrand — at every farm we sample honey, cheese and walnuts. The bike lets us make unexpected stops and venture down uncertain tracks… all the way to the Gorges de la Méouge via Saint-Auban sur ouvèze and Séderon.
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Dolphin fountain in Mollans sur ouvèze© Alexis Nouailhat[/caption]
After several bivvies, another night in a yurt at Eourres is most welcome! The next day we hike on foot along the long ridge dominating the Jabron valley as far as Sisteron, facing the north slopes of Lure and the Ventoux to the west.
Return to Saint-Beanie through the Buëch region, the Montagne de Saint Genis, the Ceüse cliff face and the Montagne de Charance, the canal du Drac accompanying us gradually to the Café-épicerie "La Juncha", AMAP distribution point!
For more information about this trip or my illustrations, contact me via my website. See you soon, Alexis.Did you enjoy this article? Share your thoughts on the CimAlp Facebook page, and spread the word to help more people discover your profession and your hiking adventures!
