UKC

Hello all

I plan to spend a couple of weeks having a adventure driving around France in my van travelling from the UK on the tunnel crossing as well as meeting some friends in the Verdon Gorge.

So I would love some recommendations of places to visit of a cultural nature as well as climbing ideas. In terms of climbing I climb up to around 7a (although I am aware that 'French' 7a's are tough) and E2ish trad wise, I will also be with my wife for the first week which means I need recommendations of places to climb that have easy climbs and harder climbs but ideally in beautiful settings.

So far on my hit list I have a short stop at Font (although i'm not really much of a boulderer) should I check it out to break up the drive or is there somewhere better to go?

Verdon Gorge (have been there but love it) planned for second week

Chateauvert (have also been)

Any specific route recommendations would be gratefully received (If not sandbags)

would like to try some new places though! Have done some of the stuff around Toulon and Marseille area.

Love Arts and my wife is into craftwork so any ideas on that would be great.

Must visit places would be worth knowing as well as good places to sleep at in the van.

Thanks in advance for any tips and ideas

Jon

In reply to jon_gill1:

Have you been to the Alpes Maritime area? Lots of crags with good sport climbing and a variety of grades.

Gorge du Loup - Lots of single pitch sport but also some really fun multipitch at L'Hermitage. Also try;

Greoliere, awesome spot with technical routes from 6a to 8a. Nice walk in as well.

Mesa Verde - One of my favourite crags in the area. Not much below 7a. Best for 7b and above.

La Phasme - Opposite Mesa Verde and gets sun in the afternoon. Fantastic tufa climbing! Some great routes at 6b and up. Can seep after rain, but it is only a 2 minute walk in so you can bin it quickly and go elsewhere if wet.

Outside of the gorge;

La Turbie - Lots of variety, though some some of the easier routes are polished. Busy at weekends.

Peillon - North of Monaco and La Turbie. 15-20 minute walk in. Good variety of routes and grades.

Gorbio - Haven't climbed there yet, but everyone I have spoken to says it is great with lots of routes in the 6's and low 7's.

There are loads of others in the area, but the above I do recommend.

We will be in the area for a week from Sat 24th Oct to Nov 1st. Drop me an email via here if you want to meet up at one of local crags.

There are lots of villages that specialise in the local arts and crafts, such as glass making, painting and others. Pay a visit to St Paul de Vence, really nice hill top village full of artisan shops.

Cheers,

SMS.

In reply to Southern Mark Smith:

Nice one Mark,thanks very much for that,I will look them all up over next few days! Sadly I think I will have headed home just as you arrive but I will definitely look you up if not!

In reply to jon_gill1:

Ecrins? Briancon / Vallouise / Ailefroide area (Haute Durance)?

Orgon / Orpierre / Cavaillon area?

JW

In reply to jon_gill1:

I'm doing the same - heading to the Vanoise for crags and VF. Long range forecast seems OK but it too long range to trust!

If you are into culture/history then a visit to the Ariege and the Cathar Country might interest.

'places to climb that have easy climbs and harder climbs but ideally in beautiful settings' The Dentelles de Montmirail' might fit the bill?