Drôme Provençale © Alexis Nouailhat[/caption]
As an illustrator and watercolourist, I have been roaming Alpine paths since childhood. This mountain environment is a constant source of wonder and admiration for me — emotions I capture with every brushstroke!
Explore here, in watercolour, a travel journal of a hiking trip through the Drôme Provençale, straddling my bicycle. A beautiful route to take at a leisurely pace, over three to six days.
Keep an eye out for vultures — there are 4 different species in the region!
« October — the forests are ablaze with colour, the temperature is not yet freezing, perfect for exploring small, winding backroads! My travelling companions opted for the trailer; I chose panniers with the bare minimum: a tent, a sleeping bag, a sleeping mat, pencils for sketching, watercolours for painting, and no food whatsoever — we plan to stock up from local producers: walnuts, cheeses, apples, and tomatoes!
From the Col de Lus-la-Croix-Haute, we head towards Lalley in the footsteps of a certain Jean Giono, a lover of the Trièves region and celebrated French novelist and screenwriter. The silhouette of Mont Aiguille rises up before the Balcons du Vercors.
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Griffon vultures © Alexis Nouailhat[/caption]
Col de Menée, Rocher de Combau, Crique d'Archiane, Châtillon-en-Diois — we spot ibex, griffon vultures and bearded vultures recently reintroduced. We stock up at the colourful market in Die, fragrant with essential oils…
From the Vallée de Quint, we reach Beaufort-sur-Gervanne via the Col de la Croix. Then on to Plan-de-Baix, the Gorges d'Omblèze, the Druise waterfall, and the Cascade de la Pissoire. At Saillans, we head up the Gorges de la Roanne beneath the Falaises des Trois Becs!
Saint-Nazaire-le-Désert, Col de Roustans, riding into the wind all the way to Motte-Chalancon, we bivouac at Michel Marchand's place, in a Mongolian yurt.
Rémuzat, Col de Soubeyrand — at every farm we taste honey, cheese, and walnuts. The bike allows for unexpected stops and adventurous tracks… All the way to the Méouge Gorges via Saint-Auban-sur-Ouvèze and Séderon.
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Dolphin fountain in Mollans-sur-Ouvèze© Alexis Nouailhat[/caption]
After several nights of bivouacking, a new night in a yurt at Eourres is most welcome! The following day we walk along the long ridge that dominates the Jabron valley all the way to Sisteron, facing the north-facing slopes of Lure and Mont Ventoux to the west.
Back to Saint-Bonnet through the Buëch countryside, the Montagne de Saint-Genis, the Ceüse cliffs and the Montagne de Charance — the Canal du Drac gradually guides us to the Café-épicerie "La Juncha", an AMAP distribution point!
For more information about this ride or my illustrations, get in touch via my website. See you soon, Alexis.Did you enjoy this article? Share your thoughts on the CimAlp Facebook page, and spread the word so more people can discover your craft and your hikes!
