Hike #22: Forêt de Peyrolles

Leaders:   Florence 

Date:       May 06th, 2025

Après une 1ère partie sur un chemin large et facile, nous arriverons à l'ancien canal du Verdon que nous suivrons sur une bonne distance. Ce canal a été exploité jusqu'en 1970. De son rebord, nous aurons plusieurs vues sur la vallée de la Durance et du Lubéron. La dernière partie de la rando se déroulera dans la forêt de Peyrolles.

Attention: Cette rando est déconseillée aux personnes souffrant de vertiges car nous longeons le canal sur l'un de ses 2 bords avec parfois des surplombs.

 

A la découverte du patrimoine hydraulique de la région : Une vie d'eygadier:

 

After a 1st section on a wide, easy path, we arrive at the old Verdon canal, which we follow for a good distance. This canal was in use until 1970. From its edge, we'll have several views over the Durance valley and the Luberon. The last part of the walk takes place in the Peyrolles forest.
Caution: This walk is not recommended for people suffering from vertigo, as we follow the canal on one of its 2 sides, sometimes with overhangs.

Discovering the region's hydraulic heritage: The life of an "eygadier":
The departmental technical centre employed a number of canal guards, also known as "eygadiers", who lived in small houses on the banks of the water. They worked day and night. As they worked by task, they organised their days according to what was most urgent: mowing the banks, cleaning the gullies, cleaning the gates. By managing the hammer gates, the "eygadiers" ensured that customers' needs were met according to their subscriptions. From the main branch of the canal, tertiary channels carried the water to the fields and ponds. The amount of water allocated by subscription was divided between the various plots. The water guards were responsible for ensuring that each irrigator's water allocation was respected during the watering season.

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Lunch: Picnic

Dogs: OK

Difficulty: 5/6 (NOT recommended for people suffering from vertigo) 

Length: 3h30 + lunch

Distance: 9.4 kms

Elevation: 200m

Meeting point: Directly at the start of the hike at 10 am

Leader: Florence

 

Directions:

Drive to Peyrolles-en-Provence, and to "Chemin du Loubatas". Drive 750m from the Canal on this "Chemin du Loubatas" and you will arrive to the Loubatas Car Park on your left.

 

GPS: 43.636447, 5.588401

To view the pictures of the hikes use the web site addresses below.
Pour regarder les photos des randonnées utilisez les adresses Internet ci-dessous.

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