Gravel : Là-haut, un petit paradis

The mountains may be one of our last natural spaces, but they are also inhabited places, with their forestry and agro-pastoral activities. What a joy it is to drive along this path of happiness, where fields of flowers lead to the alpine pasture of the hamlet of Lombard, a little paradise at the end of the valley, living in total communion with nature.

1 - Aiguilles
From Aiguilles, the carriage road climbs straight up, drawing beautiful arabesques on the mountainside. It twists and turns, winding its way past the Pas de l'Ours landslide, which showed its claws in 2017 when a section of rock collapsed and blocked access to the upper Guil valley. Winding up and down, I soon dominate the valley. The carriage road bends and leaves the mountainside to enter a green Eden.

2 - "L'alpage du Lombard" (1850 m) is covered with a thousand flowers in spring. It's almost time for the transhumance... The Lombard mountain pasture is the story of a mountain shaped by years of summer pastures. And in this context, the role of the shepherd is essential. Their dogs are the companions of work and life on the mountain pastures. They guide the herd, while the patous and other Anatolian shepherds keep watch. These guard dogs belong to the breeders, not the shepherds. At night, they are formidable guards against the wolf. During the day, they remain placid, but are on constant alert. Hikers should take this into account, without demonizing them. And they must not cross a herd: the dog will perceive them as a threat. So ride around them and get off your bike, without making any sudden movements.

3 - The Lombard
My rhythm is dictated by the clatter of the derailleur, which opts for the lowest gear, because it's climbing! In spring, the myriad dots of yellow, blue, red and white flowers lead me to the end of the valley. At the bend in the road, "le Lombard" (1920 m) appears, a hamlet isolated from the rest of the world.

4 - Les Eygliers
On the way down, I make a short detour to the abandoned hamlet of "Les Eygliers" (1965 m), whose chapel is said to have been built thanks to a gift from Louis XIV. In the apotheosis of the descent, the houses of Aiguilles appear, wrapped around the church, as if to protect themselves from this powerful mountain.

In Aiguilles, after your walk, you can enjoy a meal in one of the village restaurants.
In summer, remember the right thing to do when faced with patous. Slow down and go around the herd. Don't shout or threaten the dogs. In the off-season (spring and autumn), you'll have plenty of time to cross the alpine pastures without dismounting your steed, while enjoying the flower-filled landscapes or the flamboyance of the forests in autumn.

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