Paul Smit  Mick Palarczyk | Features, Photos and TextTwo faces, one philosophy |
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FEATURE (Category: Europe | Alps | France | summer | scenic drives | outdoor | hiking | mountains | naturereserves)
France: The Vercors - Limestone Fortress among Lavender Fields
France: The Vercors - Limestone Fortress among Lavender Fields
The Vercors is a natural citadel that stretches for 60 km. along the western edge of the French Alps. This elongated massif is bisected by some spectacular gorges, and its chalky white summit is home to a wild and hauntingly beautiful nature reserve. But it is from the surrounding regions, the secluded Trièves in the east, and the lavender rich Drôme valley in the south, that the full splendour of the Vercors' fortress walls can perhaps best be appreciated.
![Smit & Palarczyk > [FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 24.422]
'Pont-en-Royans-2.'
The Bourne River leaves the Northwest edge of the Vercors massif by way of a green canyon. On this spot the village of Pont-en-Royans has several 'maisons suspendues' (hanging houses) clinging tot the steep sides. Photo Mick Palarczyk.](http://paulsmit.smugmug.com/photos/128499696_5uTrm-Ti.jpg "Smit & Palarczyk > [FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 24.422]
'Pont-en-Royans-2.'
The Bourne River leaves the Northwest edge of the Vercors massif by way of a green canyon. On this spot the village of Pont-en-Royans has several 'maisons suspendues' (hanging houses) clinging tot the steep sides. Photo Mick Palarczyk.")
![Smit & Palarczyk > [FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 24.427]
'Pont-en-Royans-3.'
The Bourne River leaves the Northwest edge of the Vercors massif by way of a green canyon. On this spot the village of Pont-en-Royans has several 'maisons suspendues' (hanging houses) clinging tot the steep sides. Photo Mick Palarczyk.](http://paulsmit.smugmug.com/photos/128499689_mq7fL-Ti.jpg "Smit & Palarczyk > [FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 24.427]
'Pont-en-Royans-3.'
The Bourne River leaves the Northwest edge of the Vercors massif by way of a green canyon. On this spot the village of Pont-en-Royans has several 'maisons suspendues' (hanging houses) clinging tot the steep sides. Photo Mick Palarczyk.")
![Smit & Palarczyk > [FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 24.431]
'Grande Cournouse.'
From the Gorges de la Bourne near Choranche there is an imposing view of the steep limestone walls surrounding the Grande Cournouse (right). The gorges of the Vercors have been cut by glaciers and melt water during the Ice Age. Photo Mick Palarczyk.](http://paulsmit.smugmug.com/photos/128499679_2Utxe-Ti.jpg "Smit & Palarczyk > [FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 24.431]
'Grande Cournouse.'
From the Gorges de la Bourne near Choranche there is an imposing view of the steep limestone walls surrounding the Grande Cournouse (right). The gorges of the Vercors have been cut by glaciers and melt water during the Ice Age. Photo Mick Palarczyk.")
![Smit & Palarczyk > [FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 24.436]
'Gorges de la Bourne.'
The Bourne River leaves the Northwest edge of the Vercors massif by way of a green canyon. Photo Mick Palarczyk.](http://paulsmit.smugmug.com/photos/128499669_t5cZu-Ti.jpg "Smit & Palarczyk > [FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 24.436]
'Gorges de la Bourne.'
The Bourne River leaves the Northwest edge of the Vercors massif by way of a green canyon. Photo Mick Palarczyk.")
![Smit & Palarczyk > [FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 24.438]
'Waterfall of Choranche-1.'
Near Choranche a waterfall descends the steep northern side of the Bourne Canyon. The chalky water has formed umbrella-shaped limestone accretions that are overgrown by mosses. Photo Mick Palarczyk.](http://paulsmit.smugmug.com/photos/128499660_ncsyo-Ti.jpg "Smit & Palarczyk > [FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 24.438]
'Waterfall of Choranche-1.'
Near Choranche a waterfall descends the steep northern side of the Bourne Canyon. The chalky water has formed umbrella-shaped limestone accretions that are overgrown by mosses. Photo Mick Palarczyk.")
![Smit & Palarczyk > [FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 24.446]
'Waterfall of Choranche-2.'
Near Choranche a waterfall descends the steep northern side of the Bourne Canyon. The chalky water has formed umbrella-shaped limestone accretions that are overgrown by mosses. Photo Mick Palarczyk.](http://paulsmit.smugmug.com/photos/128499650_RrmLF-Ti.jpg "Smit & Palarczyk > [FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 24.446]
'Waterfall of Choranche-2.'
Near Choranche a waterfall descends the steep northern side of the Bourne Canyon. The chalky water has formed umbrella-shaped limestone accretions that are overgrown by mosses. Photo Mick Palarczyk.")
![Smit & Palarczyk > [FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 24.451]
'Hikers on mule track-1.'
South of Pont-en-Royans an ancient mule track leads up the perpendicular slope of the Grande Cournouse towards the Pas de l'Allier. Till the 19th century tracks like these were the only way to cross the Vercors in an east-west direction. They were mainly used by charcoal burners who worked high up in the woods. Photo Mick Palarczyk.](http://paulsmit.smugmug.com/photos/128499641_AoduR-Ti.jpg "Smit & Palarczyk > [FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 24.451]
'Hikers on mule track-1.'
South of Pont-en-Royans an ancient mule track leads up the perpendicular slope of the Grande Cournouse towards the Pas de l'Allier. Till the 19th century tracks like these were the only way to cross the Vercors in an east-west direction. They were mainly used by charcoal burners who worked high up in the woods. Photo Mick Palarczyk.")
![Smit & Palarczyk > [FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 24.455]
'Hikers on mule track-2.'
South of Pont-en-Royans an ancient mule track leads up the perpendicular slope of the Grande Cournouse towards the Pas de l'Allier. Till the 19th century tracks like these were the only way to cross the Vercors in an east-west direction. They were mainly used by charcoal burners who worked high up in the woods. Photo Mick Palarczyk.](http://paulsmit.smugmug.com/photos/128499634_WbUmF-Ti.jpg "Smit & Palarczyk > [FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 24.455]
'Hikers on mule track-2.'
South of Pont-en-Royans an ancient mule track leads up the perpendicular slope of the Grande Cournouse towards the Pas de l'Allier. Till the 19th century tracks like these were the only way to cross the Vercors in an east-west direction. They were mainly used by charcoal burners who worked high up in the woods. Photo Mick Palarczyk.")
![Smit & Palarczyk > [FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 24.462]
'Hikers on mule track-3.'
South of Pont-en-Royans an ancient mule track leads up the perpendicular slope of the Grande Cournouse towards the Pas de l'Allier. Till the 19th century tracks like these were the only way to cross the Vercors in an east-west direction. They were mainly used by charcoal burners who worked high up in the woods. Photo Mick Palarczyk.](http://paulsmit.smugmug.com/photos/128499627_FSiPf-Ti.jpg "Smit & Palarczyk > [FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 24.462]
'Hikers on mule track-3.'
South of Pont-en-Royans an ancient mule track leads up the perpendicular slope of the Grande Cournouse towards the Pas de l'Allier. Till the 19th century tracks like these were the only way to cross the Vercors in an east-west direction. They were mainly used by charcoal burners who worked high up in the woods. Photo Mick Palarczyk.")
[FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 24.431]
'Grande Cournouse.'
From the Gorges de la Bourne near Choranche there is an imposing view of the steep limestone walls surrounding the Grande Cournouse (right). The gorges of the Vercors have been cut by glaciers and melt water during the Ice Age. Photo Mick Palarczyk.
'Grande Cournouse.'
From the Gorges de la Bourne near Choranche there is an imposing view of the steep limestone walls surrounding the Grande Cournouse (right). The gorges of the Vercors have been cut by glaciers and melt water during the Ice Age. Photo Mick Palarczyk.
![> [FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 24.431]
'Grande Cournouse.'
From the Gorges de la Bourne near Choranche there is an imposing view of the steep limestone walls surrounding the Grande Cournouse (right). The gorges of the Vercors have been cut by glaciers and melt water during the Ice Age. Photo Mick Palarczyk.](http://paulsmit.smugmug.com/photos/128499679_2Utxe-S.jpg "> [FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 24.431]
'Grande Cournouse.'
From the Gorges de la Bourne near Choranche there is an imposing view of the steep limestone walls surrounding the Grande Cournouse (right). The gorges of the Vercors have been cut by glaciers and melt water during the Ice Age. Photo Mick Palarczyk.")
[FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 24.431]
'Grande Cournouse.'
From the Gorges de la Bourne near Choranche there is an imposing view of the steep limestone walls surrounding the Grande Cournouse (right). The gorges of the Vercors have been cut by glaciers and melt water during the Ice Age. Photo Mick Palarczyk.
'Grande Cournouse.'
From the Gorges de la Bourne near Choranche there is an imposing view of the steep limestone walls surrounding the Grande Cournouse (right). The gorges of the Vercors have been cut by glaciers and melt water during the Ice Age. Photo Mick Palarczyk.
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