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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.ALPSSOUTH 24.401]
'Cyclists in lavender fields-1.'
In the Drôme valley a biking family enjoys the sights and scents of lavender fields near les Payats, south of Châtillon-en-Diois. Photo Paul Smit.](http://paulsmit.smugmug.com/photos/128499855_4inLT-Ti.jpg "Smit & Palarczyk > [FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 24.401]
'Cyclists in lavender fields-1.'
In the Drôme valley a biking family enjoys the sights and scents of lavender fields near les Payats, south of Châtillon-en-Diois. Photo Paul Smit.")
![Smit & Palarczyk > [FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 24.402]
'Cyclists in lavender fields-2.'
In the Drôme valley a biking family enjoys the sights and scents of lavender fields near les Payats, south of Châtillon-en-Diois. Photo Paul Smit.](http://paulsmit.smugmug.com/photos/128499842_Lm5Z4-Ti.jpg "Smit & Palarczyk > [FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 24.402]
'Cyclists in lavender fields-2.'
In the Drôme valley a biking family enjoys the sights and scents of lavender fields near les Payats, south of Châtillon-en-Diois. Photo Paul Smit.")
![Smit & Palarczyk > [FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 24.405]
'Cyclists in lavender fields-3.'
In the Drôme valley a biking family enjoys the sights and scents of lavender fields near les Payats, south of Châtillon-en-Diois. Photo Paul Smit.](http://paulsmit.smugmug.com/photos/128499821_TyFwh-Ti.jpg "Smit & Palarczyk > [FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 24.405]
'Cyclists in lavender fields-3.'
In the Drôme valley a biking family enjoys the sights and scents of lavender fields near les Payats, south of Châtillon-en-Diois. Photo Paul Smit.")
![Smit & Palarczyk > [FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 24.407]
'Lavender near les Payats.'
When the lavender is flowering, hiking in the Drôme valley is a joy for the eye, as here near les Payats, south of Châtillon-en-Diois. Photo Mick Palarczyk.](http://paulsmit.smugmug.com/photos/128500103_2NeEt-Ti.jpg "Smit & Palarczyk > [FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 24.407]
'Lavender near les Payats.'
When the lavender is flowering, hiking in the Drôme valley is a joy for the eye, as here near les Payats, south of Châtillon-en-Diois. Photo Mick Palarczyk.")
![Smit & Palarczyk > [FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 24.408]
'Barnave.'
Surrounded by vineyards, the village of Barnave occupies a secluded side valley of the Drôme valley. Photo Mick Palarczyk.](http://paulsmit.smugmug.com/photos/128500089_3LFSP-Ti.jpg "Smit & Palarczyk > [FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 24.408]
'Barnave.'
Surrounded by vineyards, the village of Barnave occupies a secluded side valley of the Drôme valley. Photo Mick Palarczyk.")
![Smit & Palarczyk > [FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 24.411]
'Evening in the Drôme valley.'
When clouds play along the southern rim of the Vercors massif and the last sun rays of the day illuminate the higher fields, the Drôme valley south of Die becomes a magical place. Photo Mick Palarczyk.](http://paulsmit.smugmug.com/photos/128500079_cNkKm-Ti.jpg "Smit & Palarczyk > [FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 24.411]
'Evening in the Drôme valley.'
When clouds play along the southern rim of the Vercors massif and the last sun rays of the day illuminate the higher fields, the Drôme valley south of Die becomes a magical place. Photo Mick Palarczyk.")
![Smit & Palarczyk > [FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 24.416]
'Storm clouds over the Vercors.'
When storm clouds hit the southern rim of the Vercors during sunset, the Drôme valley south of Die becomes a magical place. Photo Mick Palarczyk.](http://paulsmit.smugmug.com/photos/128500066_xN8ST-Ti-1.jpg "Smit & Palarczyk > [FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 24.416]
'Storm clouds over the Vercors.'
When storm clouds hit the southern rim of the Vercors during sunset, the Drôme valley south of Die becomes a magical place. Photo Mick Palarczyk.")
![Smit & Palarczyk > [FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 24.472]
'White plateau-1.'
On the Hauts Plateaux du Vercors, the southern highest part of the Vercors, even in summer the uninhabited plateau seems to be covered by snow. It is the eroded limestone which covers the surface for large tracts. There are no roads that cross this splendid nature reserve. Photo Mick Palarczyk.](http://paulsmit.smugmug.com/photos/128500350_fAN9S-Ti.jpg "Smit & Palarczyk > [FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 24.472]
'White plateau-1.'
On the Hauts Plateaux du Vercors, the southern highest part of the Vercors, even in summer the uninhabited plateau seems to be covered by snow. It is the eroded limestone which covers the surface for large tracts. There are no roads that cross this splendid nature reserve. Photo Mick Palarczyk.")
![Smit & Palarczyk > [FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 24.473]
'White plateau-2.'
On the Hauts Plateaux du Vercors, the southern highest part of the Vercors, even in summer the uninhabited plateau seems to be covered by snow. It is the eroded limestone which covers the surface for large tracts. There are no roads that cross this splendid nature reserve. Photo Mick Palarczyk.](http://paulsmit.smugmug.com/photos/128500340_JXPQk-Ti.jpg "Smit & Palarczyk > [FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 24.473]
'White plateau-2.'
On the Hauts Plateaux du Vercors, the southern highest part of the Vercors, even in summer the uninhabited plateau seems to be covered by snow. It is the eroded limestone which covers the surface for large tracts. There are no roads that cross this splendid nature reserve. Photo Mick Palarczyk.")
[FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 24.472]
'White plateau-1.'
On the Hauts Plateaux du Vercors, the southern highest part of the Vercors, even in summer the uninhabited plateau seems to be covered by snow. It is the eroded limestone which covers the surface for large tracts. There are no roads that cross this splendid nature reserve. Photo Mick Palarczyk.
'White plateau-1.'
On the Hauts Plateaux du Vercors, the southern highest part of the Vercors, even in summer the uninhabited plateau seems to be covered by snow. It is the eroded limestone which covers the surface for large tracts. There are no roads that cross this splendid nature reserve. Photo Mick Palarczyk.
![> [FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 24.472]
'White plateau-1.'
On the Hauts Plateaux du Vercors, the southern highest part of the Vercors, even in summer the uninhabited plateau seems to be covered by snow. It is the eroded limestone which covers the surface for large tracts. There are no roads that cross this splendid nature reserve. Photo Mick Palarczyk.](http://paulsmit.smugmug.com/photos/128500350_fAN9S-S.jpg "> [FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 24.472]
'White plateau-1.'
On the Hauts Plateaux du Vercors, the southern highest part of the Vercors, even in summer the uninhabited plateau seems to be covered by snow. It is the eroded limestone which covers the surface for large tracts. There are no roads that cross this splendid nature reserve. Photo Mick Palarczyk.")
[FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 24.472]
'White plateau-1.'
On the Hauts Plateaux du Vercors, the southern highest part of the Vercors, even in summer the uninhabited plateau seems to be covered by snow. It is the eroded limestone which covers the surface for large tracts. There are no roads that cross this splendid nature reserve. Photo Mick Palarczyk.
'White plateau-1.'
On the Hauts Plateaux du Vercors, the southern highest part of the Vercors, even in summer the uninhabited plateau seems to be covered by snow. It is the eroded limestone which covers the surface for large tracts. There are no roads that cross this splendid nature reserve. Photo Mick Palarczyk.
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