Gorges du Verdon

Our plan was to ride to La Palud sur Vedon, check into our hotel, leave our panniers, and do the small loop out to view the canyon. We planned to stay two nights and do the large loop around the canyon the next day, also encumbered by panniers. But first we had to climb to La Palud with all our gear.

This is Europe's widest and deepest gorge. We found it spectacular and took loads of pictures, which of course do not truly to it justice. Here we are looking back toward the bridge we were just on.

The weather was still lovely and warm and sunny mid day, so Pamela took every opportunity to sun worship!

The bridge was at 489 meters. We are now at 656 meters.

At 710 meters we stopped for a photo op, of what we thought was the top. The sign says La Colle d'Olivier.

Now we are 915 meters. We have climbed 1000 feet in about 3.5 miles. (600 of which came after the col.)

Altitube 1076 meters. La Palud is 2 km away. We have finally reached the top! We looked up the word colle in our dictionary. It translates as teaser!