Gorges de Régalon

(see also our youtube video)
The most narrow canyon of the Provence - this are the Gorges de Régalon. This enticed us to a hiking tour. Our hiking guide says: about 11 km and 3:15 hrs for this loop path. We drive via Carpentras in direction of Cavaillon, turn eastward at the outskirt of the "melone capital" Cavaillon (acc. to the ads) to the road D 973. On the right the Durance is flowing and to the left the Lubéron mountains are raising. After 10 km we must be very careful not to fail the weathered sign on the left side: Régalon. Strangely, someone has crossed the name Régalon out. Soon we will know, why. We turn left on a small parking lot, then we march in direction mountains. We come to a sign: "Gorges de Règalon - Danger - Acces interdit". Official stamp and signature from Febr 2009. Cause - danger of rockfall.

What to do? Back again the 40 km drive? No, we decide to check the dangers and to do the first steps in the canyon. The waether is calm, no wind and sunny. To say it in advance: we hike competely through the canyon.

The entrance of the canyon

Indeed, a lot of stones and boulders are lying on the ground . But it doesn't look that they are dropped just now.

Water is not to find in the canyon. The way goes always up and down. Small climbing interludes make the trip a little adventurously . Then a point comes where we must crawl through a dark cave to find the most narrow part of the canyon. The 40 meters high rocks are here only 50 centimeters apart. We must go sidewards at some points to avoid to jolt the rocks. It is almost dark here. It's strange, the birds twitter with hall-effect. But soon the canyon is getting wider. The way leads throug a shady small forest of box trees, privets and evergreen oaks. Whe we reach the end of the canyon, a sign warns about the dangers in the canyon, once more. Well, we have bumbled through.

More and more narrow

Now, we come on a wide way through the Vallon de la Galére continuously rising until 380 meters height. From the highest point we have a marvellous view on the canyon and on the Mountains of Lubéron. Interesting is also the vegetation here: typical Mediterranean - evergreen bushes of rosemary and juniper, between the famous herbs of the Provence thyme, oregano, sage. The name for it is garrique. The scent is undescribable.

Above the gorge - an impressive panorama of the mountains of Lubéron

Shortly, we pause at the ruins of the Bastido de la Petrossi. they are decayed and the history is unknown (for us). We have "googled" after the the vacation, but we found nothing about "bastidon = small cottage".

Now, the way is getting down. Shortly, before we reach the flat country we cross again a small canyon, but not so spectacular as the Régalon canyon.

Afterwards we visit the city of Cavaillon. We find even a free parking lot in the city center at the Place du Clos . A Roman arch from the 1st century attracts our attention. The square is surrounded by a lot of restaurants, bistros and small shops. Melons are here enough and to spare,the most exotic kinds. We bought a 1.3 kg melon for - believe it or not - 4.50 €! In Germany the French melons cost a forth! Generally, fruits and vegetables are very expensive in France, although the Vaucluse is the vegetable garden of France .

Roman ruins in Cavaillon