Day 12 Moustiers to Castellane

Last night’s ‘dinner’ was a boulangerie picnic, rose wine and a very early night! Breakfast was at 7.30am so also a much welcome extra hour in bed.
Today’s ride was all about the spectacular Gorges du Verdun, starting with a meander down the shoreline of the Lac de Sainte-Croix.

We then climbed 12.5km up the southern rim of the gorge with spectacular views, light traffic and lots of photo stops.











Thanks Chris for the last one. Near the top, I got chatting to some French tourists who thought I was completely mad! They kindly took this photo.

Coffee stop was at a restaurant with gorgeous views and a lavender hedge crowded with butterflies.





There was a bit of a descent them more sweaty climbing.

Then our last picnic lunch (tomorrow’s lunch will be in a restaurant by the Mediterranean). The route came back down the gorge along the Verdun river with dramatic overhanging walls.



I was tempted to have a paddle but my legs were like lead after all that climbing and were demanding an ice cream.


The rather lovely hotel is in Castellane with a beautiful chapel sitting above the town on a huge rock. Apparently it’s worth a visit but that would involve persuading my knackered legs to walk up a hill.







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