France: Vercors - Limestone Fortress among Lavender Fields

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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 best be appreciated.

[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.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 24.365] 'Old lady in Châtillon-1.' In the village of Châtillon-en-Diois an old lady proudly poses above her geraniums. Photo Mick Palarczyk.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 7282] 'Sunflowers in Drôme valley.‚' Near Molières-Glandaz, south of Die, the Drôme valley turns yellow with fields of sunflowers. Photo Paul Smit.
[FRANCE.RHONE 24.596 'Abbey of St. Antoine.' The Gothic abbey church of St. Antoine-l'Abbaye catches the last sunlight while behind it a storm is closing in on the western edge of the Vercors massif. Photo Mick Palarczyk.
[FRANCE.RHONE 24.601 'Sketchy portrait.' A simple but elegantly executed portrait of a medieval female saint has just withstood the ravages of time on a wall in the Gothic abbey church of St. Antoine-l'Abbaye. Photo Mick Palarczyk.
[FRANCE.RHONE 24.614 'Sculptor in St. Antoine-1.' Sculptor Claude Chevènement prepares a block of stone in front of his workshop in St. Antoine-l'Abbaye. This medieval village, which has retained much of its original atmosphere, has become a favourite residence for artist sand artisans. Photo Mick Palarczyk.
[FRANCE.RHONE 24.630 'Sculptor in St. Antoine-3.' Sculptor Claude Chevènement prepares a block of stone in front of his workshop in St. Antoine-l'Abbaye. This medieval village, which has retained much of its original atmosphere, has become a favourite residence for artist sand artisans. Photo Mick 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.
[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 24.438] '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.
[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.
[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 24.467] 'Hikers on mule track-5.' 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.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.
[FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 24.554] 'Au Sans Souci.' A chef promises careless diners and lodgings in a Trièves village. Photo Mick Palarczyk.
[FRANCE.RHONE 24.589 'Abbey church and cliffs.' Behind the Gothic abbey church of St. Antoine-l'Abbaye, the vertical cliffs at the western edge of the Vercors massif catch the evening sunlight. Photo Mick Palarczyk.
[FRANCE.RHONE 24.598 'Green winged angel.' The green wing of an angel forms a striking contrast with a red background in a 15th century mural attributed to Robin Fournier. The picture can be found in the second northern chapel of the abbey church of St. Antoine-l'Abbaye and is part of a crucifixion scene. Photo Mick Palarczyk.
[FRANCE.RHONE 24.604 'Medieval village.' The medieval village of St. Antoine-l'Abbaye has retained much of its old houses. Photo Mick Palarczyk.
[FRANCE.RHONE 24.623 'Sculptor in St. Antoine-2.' Sculptor Claude Chevènement prepares a block of stone in front of his workshop in St. Antoine-l'Abbaye. This medieval village, which has retained much of its original atmosphere, has become a favourite residence for artist sand artisans. Photo Mick Palarczyk.
[FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 24.420] 'Pont-en-Royans-1.' 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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 24.464] 'Hikers on mule track-4.' 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.