France: Annot - Wonderland of petrified sand
Just a 45-minute drive from Nice and the Mediterranean coast, Annot is located in the arrière pays, also accessible by steam train from Puget-Théniers. The walk above the village is surprising, because nowhere else will you find a similar collection of towering blocks of sandstone, arches and gorges hidden in a chestnut forest. There is even a secret King's Chamber.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 30609] A natural arch straddles the rim of the sandstone plateau above the Provençal village of Annot. The name for this arch is given on most maps as Les Portettes (The Little Gates) a plural that doesn't quite fit this single arch and seems to have been originally reserved for the double arch that can be found 150 meters in a northerly direction. A path passes under the arch that forms part of a well known circuit that brings you to all the geological highlights of the Grès d'Annot, the Sandstone of Annot. Photo Mick Palarczyk.
Canyon in sandstone plateau near Annot.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 30618] Above the Provençal village of Annot fissures and cracks in a sandstone plateau have been eroded into small canyons with fantastical forms. In some of them you find huge boulders wedged in above your head. Photo Paul Smit and Mick Palarczyk.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 30583] Butcher's shop Rigault is one of the oldest and most frequented shops in the centre of the village of Annot. The newly installed vintage facade stresses the importance of its tradition and blends in well with the old houses. The Provençal village of Annot is situated in the valley of the Vaïre, a tributary of the Var. Photo Paul Smit and Mick Palarczyk.
The village of Annot in the valley of the Vaïre.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 30562] View of the medieval Provençal village of Annot, which is situated in the valley of the Vaïre, a tributary of the Var. Behind the railroad viaduct huge boulders of sandstone are visible, which in a distant past have broken loose off the plateau above Annot and have tumbled down into the valley. One of the boulders even reached the spot that is now occupied by the central village square. Jutting out from the tangle of roofs is the tower of the Église de Saint-Jean-Baptiste (Church of St. John the Baptist.) Photo Paul Smit.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 30585] Gate in the medieval village of Annot, connecting the Basse Rue to the Grand Rue. The building material used is sandstone. The Provençal village of Annot is situated in the valley of the Vaïre, a tributary of the Var. Photo Paul Smit and Mick Palarczyk.
The village of Annot in the valley of the Vaïre.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 30565] View of the medieval Provençal village of Annot, which is situated in the valley of the Vaïre, a tributary of the Var. Behind the village huge boulders of sandstone are visible, which in a distant past have broken loose off the plateau above Annot and have tumbled down into the valley. Some ended up on the higher slopes that are covered with chestnut forests, others came to rest a bit lower, in a zone that is nowadays occupied by agricultural terraces and the Chapelle Notre-Dame de Vers-la-Ville. One of the most adventurous boulders even reached the spot that is now occupied by the central village square. Jutting out from the tangle of roofs is the tower of the Église de Saint-Jean-Baptiste (Church of St. John the Baptist.) Photo Mick Palarczyk.
The village of Annot in the valley of the Vaïre.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 30567] View of the medieval Provençal village of Annot, which is situated in the valley of the Vaïre, a tributary of the Var. Behind the village huge boulders of sandstone are visible, which in a distant past have broken loose off the plateau above Annot and have tumbled down into the valley. Some ended up on the higher slopes that are covered with chestnut forests, others came to rest a bit lower, in a zone that is nowadays occupied by agricultural terraces and the Chapelle Notre-Dame de Vers-la-Ville. One of the most adventurous boulders even reached the spot that is now occupied by the central village square. Jutting out from the tangle of roofs is the tower of the Église de Saint-Jean-Baptiste (Church of St. John the Baptist.) Photo Mick Palarczyk.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 30588] Fountain in the medieval village of Annot. The Provençal village of Annot is situated in the valley of the Vaïre, a tributary of the Var. Photo Paul Smit.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 30586] Gate in the medieval village of Annot, connecting the Basse Rue to the Grand Rue. The building material used is sandstone. The Provençal village of Annot is situated in the valley of the Vaïre, a tributary of the Var. Photo Paul Smit and Mick Palarczyk.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 30589] Fountain in the medieval village of Annot. The Provençal village of Annot is situated in the valley of the Vaïre, a tributary of the Var. Photo Paul Smit.
Jesus and John the Baptist in Annot.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 30591] A 19th century statue in the Église de Saint-Jean-Baptiste (Church of St. John the Baptist) in the village of Annot shows John the Baptist baptizing Jesus. The Provençal village of Annot is situated in the valley of the Vaïre, a tributary of the Var. Photo Paul Smit and Mick Palarczyk.
Shelter beneath sandstone block near Annot.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 30593] Above the Provençal village of Annot huge sandstone blocks have broken loose off a plateau and have tumbled down the slopes of the valley of the Vaïre. Some of the large blocks found a resting place on smaller boulders and the resulting spaces below have been used as shelters for people and sheep. Photo Paul Smit.
Canyon in sandstone plateau near Annot.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 30598] Above the Provençal village of Annot fissures and cracks in a sandstone plateau have been eroded into small canyons with fantastical forms. In some of them you find huge boulders wedged in above your head. Photo Paul Smit.
Canyon in sandstone plateau near Annot.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 30595] Above the Provençal village of Annot fissures and cracks in a sandstone plateau have been eroded into small canyons with fantastical forms. A wonderland of petrified sand. Photo Paul Smit.
Girl with sweet chestnuts near Annot.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 30602] The slopes of the Vaïre valley above the Provençal village of Annot are covered with largely disused plantations of chestnuts, trees that are fond of the sandstone in the underground. It's no surprise to find plenty of sweet chestnut gatherers here during a walk on a fine autumn day. Photo Mick Palarczyk.
The village of Annot in the valley of the Vaïre.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 30560] View of the medieval Provençal village of Annot, which is situated in the valley of the Vaïre, a tributary of the Var. Behind the railroad viaduct huge boulders of sandstone are visible, which in a distant past have broken loose off the plateau above Annot and have tumbled down into the valley. One of the boulders even reached the spot that is now occupied by the central village square. Jutting out from the tangle of roofs is the tower of the Église de Saint-Jean-Baptiste (Church of St. John the Baptist.) Photo Paul Smit.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 30581] A small gate in the medieval town wall of Annot gives access to the Place de l'Église. The Provençal village of Annot is situated in the valley of the Vaïre, a tributary of the Var. Photo Paul Smit.
The village of Annot in the valley of the Vaïre.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 30564] View of the medieval Provençal village of Annot, which is situated in the valley of the Vaïre, a tributary of the Var. Behind the village huge boulders of sandstone are visible, which in a distant past have broken loose off the plateau above Annot and have tumbled down into the valley. Some ended up on the higher slopes that are covered with chestnut forests, others came to rest a bit lower, in a zone that is nowadays occupied by agricultural terraces and the Chapelle Notre-Dame de Vers-la-Ville. One of the most adventurous boulders even reached the spot that is now occupied by the central village square. Jutting out from the tangle of roofs is the tower of the Église de Saint-Jean-Baptiste (Church of St. John the Baptist.) Photo Mick Palarczyk.
The village of Annot in the valley of the Vaïre.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 30566] View of the medieval Provençal village of Annot, which is situated in the valley of the Vaïre, a tributary of the Var. Behind the village huge boulders of sandstone are visible, which in a distant past have broken loose off the plateau above Annot and have tumbled down into the valley. Some ended up on the higher slopes that are covered with chestnut forests, others came to rest a bit lower, in a zone that is nowadays occupied by agricultural terraces and the Chapelle Notre-Dame de Vers-la-Ville. One of the most adventurous boulders even reached the spot that is now occupied by the central village square. Jutting out from the tangle of roofs is the tower of the Église de Saint-Jean-Baptiste (Church of St. John the Baptist.) Photo Mick Palarczyk.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 30584] One of the four traditional washing places in the medieval village of Annot. The Provençal village of Annot is situated in the valley of the Vaïre, a tributary of the Var. Photo Paul Smit and Mick Palarczyk.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 30587] Fountain in the medieval village of Annot. The Provençal village of Annot is situated in the valley of the Vaïre, a tributary of the Var. Photo Paul Smit.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 30582] A small gate in the medieval town wall of Annot gives access to the Place de l'Église. The Provençal village of Annot is situated in the valley of the Vaïre, a tributary of the Var. Photo Mick Palarczyk.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 30590] A Baroque reliquary in the Église de Saint-Jean-Baptiste (Church of St. John the Baptist) in the village of Annot shows Saint Peter holding the key to heaven's gate. The enclosed relics don't belong to Saint Peter, though, but to Saint Placidus. The Provençal village of Annot is situated in the valley of the Vaïre, a tributary of the Var. Photo Paul Smit and Mick Palarczyk.
Path among sandstone boulders near Annot.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 30592] Starting in the village of Annot, a path meanders up a slope among sandstone boulders that have been eroded into fantastical forms: a paradise for children. The Provençal village of Annot is situated in the valley of the Vaïre, a tributary of the Var. Photo Mick Palarczyk.
Canyon in sandstone plateau near Annot.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 30597] Above the Provençal village of Annot fissures and cracks in a sandstone plateau have been eroded into small canyons with fantastical forms. In some of them you find huge boulders wedged in above your head. Photo Paul Smit.
