Vercors
A secret corner of France in spring
Sunday 1 - Sunday 8 June 2008 (8 days)
We return again to a superb mountain area on the edge of the French Alps, the Vercors, when the birds and flowers are at their best!
© Mike Read
Mixed forest and the Rocher de Combeau, Vercors
Mixed forest and the Rocher de Combeau, Vercors
Between Grenoble and Valence, the Vercors is an area of mountainous limestone cut by deep gorges and topped by a plateau rising to over 2,300m. The cliff scenery is dramatic. It is an area little-known outside France, that we 'discovered' a few years ago, and our first full week’s tour there last year proved that the area can provide a superb week of wildlife in its own right.
Scenic and accessible, this jumble of limestone mountains provides a rich range of flowers, birds, mammals and butterflies, all adding their own magic to a stunningly beautiful part of France. And then, of course, you add in excellent wine and food (but not necessarily in that order!), and you know this is another typically good Travelling Naturalist destination.
The high tops here have a good range of mountain birds, including Alpine Chough, Golden Eagle and Citril Finch. Below the plateau, the forests show a decidedly Central and Eastern European influence, with Hazel Grouse and Tengmalm's Owl amongst the beeches and firs, and even the odd breeding Nutcracker. Other owls include the very local Pygmy Owl, and Eagle Owl on some of the cliffs.
The mammals here are also fascinating, with Chamois and Mouflon quite widespread, while Alpine Ibex are the subject of a reintroduction scheme. We also visit a colony of Alpine Marmot close to where Alpine Choughs nest in a cave.
On one day after an early evening meal, we will go out to search for owls among the high coniferous forests. We don’t always see them but there are often bonuses as a 'roding' Woodcock croaks and squeaks its way across a dusk sky, or perhaps we glimpse Badger or Wild Boar in our vehicle headlights as we return to the hotel.
During the day we search for the special wildlife of the region. On our previous trips we have seen birds as varied as Wallcreepers and Dippers, Goldcrests and Griffon Vultures; the latter being part of a re-introduction scheme. The flora is superb with alpine meadows full of yellows, blues and pinks. Orchids are abundant and may include Lady’s-slipper Orchid, though this does depend on the timing of the season. Last year we saw twenty-nine species! How fabulous it is to stroll through areas so full of flowers that it might take an hour to progress a couple of hundred yards. And then an interesting butterfly flits past and the leader makes Linford Christie look slow (not really!).
Mature broad-leaved woodlands give us the possibility of seeing Black Woodpecker and Goshawk, while several roads cross spectacular passes from where we may see Golden Eagles and other raptors.
If the frequent mention of ‘Alpine’ makes you nervous, don’t worry. This is always a gently paced tour with the vehicle taking the strain of reaching higher locations; and once you have visited the Vercors, if you are anything like our leader, you will want to return time and again.
Our co-leader, Bruno Veillet, is an excellent naturalist who lives in the area, and takes a particular interest in the owls.
Scenic and accessible, this jumble of limestone mountains provides a rich range of flowers, birds, mammals and butterflies, all adding their own magic to a stunningly beautiful part of France. And then, of course, you add in excellent wine and food (but not necessarily in that order!), and you know this is another typically good Travelling Naturalist destination.
The high tops here have a good range of mountain birds, including Alpine Chough, Golden Eagle and Citril Finch. Below the plateau, the forests show a decidedly Central and Eastern European influence, with Hazel Grouse and Tengmalm's Owl amongst the beeches and firs, and even the odd breeding Nutcracker. Other owls include the very local Pygmy Owl, and Eagle Owl on some of the cliffs.
The mammals here are also fascinating, with Chamois and Mouflon quite widespread, while Alpine Ibex are the subject of a reintroduction scheme. We also visit a colony of Alpine Marmot close to where Alpine Choughs nest in a cave.
On one day after an early evening meal, we will go out to search for owls among the high coniferous forests. We don’t always see them but there are often bonuses as a 'roding' Woodcock croaks and squeaks its way across a dusk sky, or perhaps we glimpse Badger or Wild Boar in our vehicle headlights as we return to the hotel.
During the day we search for the special wildlife of the region. On our previous trips we have seen birds as varied as Wallcreepers and Dippers, Goldcrests and Griffon Vultures; the latter being part of a re-introduction scheme. The flora is superb with alpine meadows full of yellows, blues and pinks. Orchids are abundant and may include Lady’s-slipper Orchid, though this does depend on the timing of the season. Last year we saw twenty-nine species! How fabulous it is to stroll through areas so full of flowers that it might take an hour to progress a couple of hundred yards. And then an interesting butterfly flits past and the leader makes Linford Christie look slow (not really!).
Mature broad-leaved woodlands give us the possibility of seeing Black Woodpecker and Goshawk, while several roads cross spectacular passes from where we may see Golden Eagles and other raptors.
If the frequent mention of ‘Alpine’ makes you nervous, don’t worry. This is always a gently paced tour with the vehicle taking the strain of reaching higher locations; and once you have visited the Vercors, if you are anything like our leader, you will want to return time and again.
Our co-leader, Bruno Veillet, is an excellent naturalist who lives in the area, and takes a particular interest in the owls.
Price: £ 1,125
Single supp.: £ 110
Deposit: £ 300 per person
The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of 7 nights' accommodation as detailed above, meals in France, return scheduled flight London-Lyon*, minibus transport, admissions, and leadership.
The price excludes holiday insurance, drinks and other personal expenses.
*For an ex-flight cost (ex-Lyon) please deduct £ 110 from the tour cost. Clients may opt to travel by train to Lyon (St Exupery) airport.
Leaders: Mike Read & Bruno Veillet
Itinerary
Days 1 - 3
We take a scheduled flight from London to Lyon from where we drive to Chichilianne for a three-night stay, with Mont Aiguille as a lovely backdrop
Three nights Chichilianne
Days 4 - 7
We cross over the Col de Menée with a chance of some high altitude birds, before dropping down to La Chapelle-en-Vercors for a four-night stay. We are close to the pine-woods here, and hope to go out on at least one evening to look for owls.
Four nights La Chapelle-en-Vercors
Day 8
We drive back to Lyon for our return flight to London.
Accommodation
Both hotels are 2-stars with all rooms en suite.
Numbers: Max. 12 clients
Days 1 - 3
We take a scheduled flight from London to Lyon from where we drive to Chichilianne for a three-night stay, with Mont Aiguille as a lovely backdrop
Three nights Chichilianne
Days 4 - 7
We cross over the Col de Menée with a chance of some high altitude birds, before dropping down to La Chapelle-en-Vercors for a four-night stay. We are close to the pine-woods here, and hope to go out on at least one evening to look for owls.
Four nights La Chapelle-en-Vercors
Day 8
We drive back to Lyon for our return flight to London.
Accommodation
Both hotels are 2-stars with all rooms en suite.
Numbers: Max. 12 clients