THINGS TO DISCOVER - ACTIVITIES TO DO

On the spot ... Historical ruins to visit The old feodal tower : remains of a lords castle (private monument) . The bridge of Silvestre : which runs alongside the remains of a Roman bridge .

Prehistorie caves : situated in the canyon these have been recently explored and cave paintings discovered ( protected ).

Dungeon of Sabran castle (14th Century) : located on a mass of rocks which dominated the north of the village. Today the remains of the castle walls can be foundl.
The church of St Michel Archange : entrusted into the hands of the Lérins monks in 1118 the church was damaged during the religions war and restored in the 12th Century and in 1921.
The stone the 3 different coat of arms : in the middle of the wood is a boundary stone which seperates the three communes of Baudinard, Artignosc and Montpezat. The stone is decorated with the 3 different coat of arms of the communes.

The church caves : in this cave walls are decorated with images of people and many objects have been discovered which provide evidence that tha caves were occuped in the Iron Age (entrance forbidden).

L'oratoire Ste Catherine : on the rocks that overlook the road to Moissac, erected in the honor of the couvent where Sainte Delphine of Sabran was raised. The chapel Notre Dame : (approximately. 2 km - 45 minutes)

Dating from the 16th century and situated 710 m above sea level the chapel provides of 6 departements.était jadis précédée d'un curieux calvaire dont on voit encore les débris à l'intérieur. Panorama sur le lac et les Alpes : (aménagement prévu d'une table d'orientation). Le site est inscrit.

The chapel	The pathway to get to the chapel	The view of the lake from the chapel

L'Abbaye de Valmogne (classée) : (approximately 1,5 km - 30 minutes)

Situated on the pathway Vaumougne, a very beautiful 12th century roman priory recently restored.

The propriety	The entrance

Walks in the local area
Pathway Charbonnière (approximately 2 km - 45 minutes)
Following this walk you will not only discover the diverse vegetation of the area but also the remaining traces of an activity that was often carried out in oak forests, the fabrication of charcoal. Thanks to the reconstruction of a "charbonnière", this walk takes you through the stages and process of making charcoal a slow and incomplete combustion of wood whose secret lies in allowing just the right amount of air to penetrate inside the charbonnière.

Charbonnières after war	traditional Charbonnière	View of Verdon

Pathway of museau of the mount (approximately 4 km - 1 h 45 minutes)

This walk sets off from the opposite side of the road next to the lavander field (althrough it can also be joined from the chapel carpak within easy reach from the village). This ancient pathway of charcoal makers leads you up to the chapel "Notre-Dame" in Baudinard which was built in 1599. The chapel is situated at the top of the hill at a height of 710 metres from which you have a brethtaking panoramic view taking in the Maures, the Sainte Baume, the Sainte Victoire, the Lubéron, the Mont Ventoux, the Pic de Bure, and of course the lake of Sainte Croix.

	The lavander field

The windmills of Régusse (a 9 km de Baudinard)

Leaving Baudinard and heading towards Regusse, below the village of Regusse you will find 2 windmills. Originally built in the 12th century by Templiers, they were restored to their original state in 1996.

	Views of moulins of Régusse

Pathway of the low Gorge of Baudinard (approximately 8 km - 2 h 30 minutes )

This walk gives you views of the low gorge of Baudinard and the underside of the dam which was built in order to create the lake of St Croix in 1973. You will see on the cliffs on the other side of the river some impressive caves.

Entrance of gorges	Low gorge	The canyon

Pathway of the low Gorge of Baudinard in boat ride (kayak, canoe or electric boot) (approximately 6 km - 2 h 00 aller-retour)

A beautiful boat ride available to the public is in the gorges of Baudinard where you can enjoy the clear watters. It is possible to picnic on one of several banks of the river below the caves..

Caves	Gorges of Baudinard	View of the gorges

From the Sainte Croix bridge to the Gréoux bridge: (click on the icons for more information)

Horseriding: "Cheval vert" - Baudinard - telephone: 06 70 51 69 73

FunBoard - Sainling: Association Voile et Nautisme - Ste Croix of Verdon - telephone: 04 92 77 76 51
Club Nautique Bauduen - Bauduen - tel. 04 94 70 09 22

Quinson's Prehistoric museum: http://www.museeprehistoire.com/

Events

On and around 15th August - The Notre Dame festival - Baudinard (Aioli (traditional provencal dish),mass of the chapel, games including boules, skittles, cards and children's games organised by the village

In the area ... Leisure activities The Gorges of Verdon are unique in Europe and one of the major tourist attractions in Provence. Below you will find the different activities available as well as usefull adresses . - Rock climing in the Gorges of Verdon - Rambles, horserides and cycle rides (GR4) (GR99) (GR49) - Tennis. swimming and nautical sports on the lake "Sainte Croix"
	Rock and Wall Magazine

The Gorges du Verdon

This immmense and magnificant canyon sits astride the Var and the Alpes de Haute Provence, 2 departements of France.The gorges are a result of erosion caused by the river verdon and can be seen today as gigantic limestone cliffs. The gorges remained relatively unexplored and unknown until the beginning of the 20th Century but since then has attracted and facinated many many visitors... it must be said that it is magnificant.

Situated in the middle of a natural protected area rich in flora and fauna, the views are breathtaking. The villages situated on and close by to the canyon have kept their charm of ancient provencal villages. You will recieve a warm welcome and will have a choice of many acturties gifted by this beautiful nature.

The lake "sainte Croix"

The largest of the verdon lakes it measures 10km in length by 3km in width therefore covering a surface area of 2200 hectares. The tailend of the lake flows into the Gorges from the bridge.

Swimming is surveyed. Use of motor boats, other than those with an electric motor, is forbidden. Water sport centres are situated at Sainte-Croix, les Salles and Bauduen.

Watersports available : sailing, windsurfing, catamaran, fishing, pedalo, canoes.

Astronomical Observatories

Observatory of Caussol (CERGA) : à 120 km

Observatory of Puimichel : à 55 km

Observatory of Haute Provence : à 59 km

Observatory of Marseille : à 97 km

Observatory of Bauduen : à 13 km

  Copyright © 2005 " La Farigoule " by Patrick JUNG