It doesn't feel much like winter. With temperatures flirting with 20°C, a slight Mistral headwind, and a beautiful Provençal sun, I set out from the town of Malaucène for an 18km walk to Vaison la Romaine. This stage marks the final walk of Walk Inn's weeklong self-guided tour of Mont Ventoux and the Dentelles de Montmirail. Speaking of the latter, the tooth-like limestone chains of the Dentelles are clearly visible in the photo below, with the tiny village of Suzette (and its population of 99) also visible here:
From the highest point of the walk, at the Pas du Loup, in the heart of the wild garrigue (shrub land of aromatic herbs, boxwood, and sparse aleppo pines and evergreen oak). The limestone breach provided shelter from the Mistral wind as I faced south and bathed in the sun, and ate my not-so-Provençal peanut butter and jelly sandwich...
About two thirds of the way through the walk the hamlet of Le Crestet appears, a tiny cluster of limestone buildings and cobbled streets set on a high perch, overlooking the valley below. Normally the "Panoramic" bar here provides a wonderful ice cream and coffee break, complete with one of the best views in Provence, but hélas, it's winter, and the bar is closed...
Le Crestet, through the branches of a truffle oak:
Mont Ventoux looms in the distance, and only tiny dots of snow seem to grace the north face of the mountain today (the white at the top is bare limestone, not snow). Quel dommage for the ski resort up there...
Reaching Vaison from behind, the silhouette of its medieval castle protecting the town:
In the heart of Vaison, the cathedral and the setting sun:
