Page 212 - Lonely Planet France’s Best Trips (Travel Guide)

many patients on-site Pas de l’Essaure and Pas The Drive » Follow the D537
and taking the rest to de l’Aiguille (look for the and D937 south through tiny
Grenoble to be shot or monument to Resistance St-Disdier, enjoying stunning
deported. Memorial fighters who battled the views of the Massif de Dévoluy’s
plaques mark the site, Nazis at these high alti- austere rocky face, punctuated
and lantern-lit tours are tudes). Lower-elevation by the pencil-shaped spire of the
11th-century Mère Église. Zigzag
offered in summer. walks in surrounding south along the D117 (5km
valleys include the
The Drive » The D518 travels southeast), D17 (7km southwest)
30km south to Die, culminating themed, family-oriented and D937 (16km south over Col
in a switchbacking descent 5km walk, Sentier des de Festre). From here, follow the
from Col de Rousset. The D93 Artisans de la Terre. D994, D1075 and D4075 south
and D539 continue southeast 54km into Sisteron.
14km through sun-drenched 4 p213
farmland to Châtillon-en-Diois, The Drive » Follow the D7
a good lunch stop. The final and D526 east 17km to Mens, 6 Sisteron
31km stretch along the D120 then cruise another 19km east Perched on a promontory
and D7 snakes over Col de on the D66 through hayfields
Menée (1457m) to Chichilianne, backed by the Dévoluy massif’s high above the Durance
affording spellbinding views of sawtooth ridgeline. Wind 8km River, Sisteron’s stun-
Mont Aiguille en route. south on the D66A and D537, ner is its citadel (www.
descending to the Souloise citadelledesisteron.fr; €6.40;
River. Just before the bridge, h9am-6pm Apr-Oct, to 7pm Jul
TRIP HIGHLIGHT
turn left onto the D217, following & Aug). For centuries this
4 Chichilianne signs for ‘Sources des Gillardes’ imposing fortress guarded
Its lovely hayfields and parking at the trailhead. the strategic narrow pas-
strewn with red poppies sage between Dauphiné
in late spring, Chichil- and Provence – though
ianne has deep roots in 5 Défilé de la Napoléon did somehow
mountaineering history, Souloise sneak past here with 1200
ALPS, JURA & RHÔNE VALLEY 18 FOOTHILLS OF THE ALPS
dating back to 1492 when Forming the border be- soldiers after escaping
Antoine Deville scaled tween the départements Elba in 1815! Today it still
massive cube-shaped of Isère and Hautes-Alpes, commands bird’s-eye
Mont Aiguille by order of the sheer-faced Souloise perspectives of Sisteron’s
King Charles VIII (accom- Gorge is an idyllic spot to medieval streets, the eye-
panied by stonemasons stretch your legs. From catching stratified rock
and master carpenters the parking area, an easy face Rocher de Baume
who helped build ladders hike (200m each way) and the Durance Valley
and attach ropes!). Long leads to the Sources beyond. Architectural
nicknamed the ‘inacces- des Gillardes, France’s highlights include a 13th-
sible mountain’, and second-largest natural century chemin de ronde
celebrated by writers such spring. Alternatively, (parapet walk) and a pow-
as Rabelais, Mont Aiguille continue downriver on der magazine designed by
continues to capture the the delightful Canyon de French military architect
imagination of all who l’Infernet trail, through Vauban. On summer eve-
venture near. fragrant evergreen forest nings the hilltop comes
Superb high-country sandwiched between grey alive with open-air dance
hikes around Chichil- and orange rock walls. and classical-music con-
ianne include the Sentier About 1km along, cross a certs during the Festival
des Charenches up Mont bridge and loop back up des Nuits de la Citadelle
Aiguille’s southern flanks, the opposite bank to the (www.nuitsdelacitadelle.fr).
and the six-hour loop to parking area. 5 p213
the Vercors plateau via

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