Very good at Lac d'Esparron

It's been several years since I last put the wheels in the area. It's quite close to my house but still quite far away. So in general, I just pass through to go further inland. But this time, I decided to return there. Because I was told that things had further evolved for mountain biking. So I wanted to check it out with my own eyes. Arrival at Gréoux-les-Bains is early in the morning. Out of season, this village known for its spa treatment is very calm. It is also the best time to enjoy the hills and nature. Especially on a weekday! Luxury for me that can ride at any time. Here I am leaving in the company of Antoine, a local mountain bike instructor, who knows the region and the terrain like the back of his hand. We are heading towards the woods, today the program is busy, I feel that my Kern's battery is going to be put to the test. Even though the climbs are never very long, there is no real flat area here. Everything is very hilly. In such a territory which really resembles a labyrinth, being guided is truly comfortable. We turn left, then right, left again, and left and finally right. After 1 km, without a clear view, I no longer know in which direction our starting point is. When we reach a high point, the view opens up over the entire territory. The village of Gréoux is already far away, the mountains of the Southern Alps reveal themselves as a backdrop. I can't wait to discover Lake Esparron, it is still hidden behind the multitude of hills and valleys. We take a nice descent then suddenly the magic happens. At the exit of the dense holm oak forest, while the trees become more discreet and less tall, the body of water becomes clearer! He is there, in front of me. Impounded in 1967, Lake Esparron is an artificial water reservoir which was created following the construction of the Gréoux dam, on the course of the Verdon. It is smaller than its neighbor, Lake Sainte-Croix, but can nevertheless contain 80 million cubic meters! Upstream, but we will see that the end, the Basses Gorges du Verdon, are the most spectacular part of the body of water. However, in front of us, pretty limestone cliffs fall into the turquoise waters of the lake. We shoot at a right angle, then follow a beautiful path that runs along the water. We overlook the lake by approximately 50 m. Here the trail is perfectly marked, no way to get lost or wander. Especially since it is a very sensitive natural space. The path is very fun, sometimes rocky with some very easy slabs, sometimes earthy. At the end, we turn left to visit a very pretty beach. It's total calm. Only a boat in the distance disturbs the horizontality of the water. Antoine explains to me that here, in the summer, attendance increases significantly, with tourists coming to seek the coolness of the water. Water activities are beating their plan. But for all that, there is no engine noise because only sailing, rowing or electric navigation is authorized. This indeed seems to be a good thing for the tranquility of the place. After this break at the water's edge, we head back inland. After a few kilometers of transitions, we take a pretty path on the right. It meanders between the trees, making the most of the slope and the environment. A whole program designed for mountain biking. Further down a good technical passage occurs, it can be avoided from the left, then it is a quick and playful end which brings us back to a crossroads. From there we pedal a little more to reach a new high point. The first part of the descent is very technical: you have to negotiate very tight turns in the rocks. And in this game, e-MTBs are not the best machines. Because there is no point in going fast, you have to find the right places, place the wheels properly, play with balance, manage your pedaling, not jerk too much otherwise you will be destabilized. Because the machines are heavy, at least unbalanced, it's a downer. Further down, Antoine goes straight ahead and heads towards a promontory: a chapel sits opposite the village of Gréoux-les-Bains. This is Our Lady of Eggs. And the history of this place is quite incredible. Here the tradition at the time was that on Easter Monday, women wishing to have a child went up to the chapel with an egg in each hand. The eggs, objects and symbols of fertility, had to arrive intact. Arriving at the chapel, the women swallowed one of the eggs and buried the other at the foot of the chapel. And on September 8, the day of the Nativity of the Virgin, they returned to dig up the egg! The day is already well underway, and so are the batteries. Antoine wants to show me the pretty village of Esparron-de-Verdon as a conclusion to our day. The transition is a bit long because it is impossible to cross the lake and you have to return to the entrance to Gréoux-les-Bains to find the only bridge that spans the Verdon. But here too, the VTTAE is of great interest: moving quickly from one interesting area to another. We follow the river via a small road then reach the other bank of the lake. The kilometers pass quickly, while talking, it always goes faster. As we approach the village, Antoine shows me some pretty trails. The terrain is a joy to ride: whether you're a beginner or an expert, there's something for everyone. And also, the height differences are never very significant. For the end of this discovery, we stroll on magnificent rock slabs facing the lake. Even though the line is not very long, it is superb. At the very end, we finish at water level on the large pebble beach. We turn left then go back towards the village and its charming streets. The town is not very big, but its visit is really a pleasant moment. It's time to go back, the batteries are almost empty, we'll have to play tricks so as not to return completely dry. But history doesn't say that. Everything that is said to Esparron, stays to Esparron… Well almost! Tourism information www.durance-luberon-verdon.com Itineraries Access all the Itineraries with VTOPO Premium: www.vtopo.fr/itineraires VTOPO MTB Alpes de Haute-Provence - 3rd edition VTOPO MTB Roaming Alpes de Haute Provence VTOPO MTB Enduro Southern Alps Have to do The Verdon which flows in the middle offers all the aquatic activities necessary to enhance your stay: swimming, electric boat, kayaking... Don't miss the visit to the Basses Gorges du Verdon! Roaming We are here at the end of the TransVerdon to be found in the VTOPO VTT Itinérance Alpes de Haute Provence . It is possible to contact the Tourist office to find out about all the possibilities offered with nights in a gîte. Monitors There are several of them. The easiest way is to ask at the tourist office, they recommend the one you need based on demand.

Very good at Lac d'Esparron

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