ARTISTIC IMMERSION IN HAUTE-PROVENCE

We'll meet at 9:30 a.m. in front of the Palais des Congrès in Digne-les-Bains, where you can leave your vehicle for the duration of your stay. After transferring your luggage to your guide's vehicle, we'll start the day with a visit to the Promenade museum, whose grounds are home to numerous works of art, veritable hymns to the omnipresent water (Agathe Larpent, Dominique Bailly, Andy Goldsworthy, etc.). We then drive up the Bès valley and its impressive clues. Our route will then be punctuated by numerous stops to encounter works of nature (such as the 200-million-year-old ammonite slab) or works by artists specially designed to be inserted into this landscape (Paul-Armand Gette, hermann de vries, Andy Goldsworthy, Joan Fontcuberta). We'll then spend a relaxing evening with our hosts at the Flagustelle gîte in Verdaches, where we'll enjoy a dinner featuring local produce.

After breakfast, we'll drive to Le Vernet, where two humorous works from the Art en montagne collection (Stéphane Bérard and Trevor Gould) await us. We'll then return to Digne-les-bains, from where we'll take a short walk to Andy Goldsworthy's Refuge d'art des Bains thermaux, the gateway to his Refuge d'art art trail, which crosses the region for 150 km and a ten-day walk. After a picnic at the foot of the Château de la Reine Jeanne, we'll visit the Musée Gassendi, whose many rooms house a diverse collection dedicated to the arts and sciences, featuring works by many of the artists we'll have had the opportunity to discover over the course of the two days.

In the event of a bad weather forecast, or for any other reason beyond our control, we may have to modify this program on an exceptional basis. During the trip, your tour leader remains the sole judge of this program, which he or she may modify at any time for reasons that could compromise the safety of the group and the smooth running of the trip.

By train to Aix-TGV station (3h from Paris). Then by direct bus to the Digne-les-Bains bus station (Bus Zou! Express n°66, to be taken directly from the station - 2h15 journey time); with your own vehicle: 2h from Marseille; 2h45 from Grenoble.

Your guide's vehicle will be used throughout your stay. You can park yours at the Palais des Congrès parking lot, our meeting point. If you arrive by bus, don't forget to let us know so we can pick you up at the Digne-les-bains bus station.

You must provide your own picnic on the first day. The picnic on the second day is included in the price.

We'll be staying and having dinner at the Flagustelle gîte in Verdaches, in the Bès valley. We'll divide up between the different rooms (one double room, two 4-person rooms and a small 8-bed dormitory).

The walks are of an easy level (level 1 out of 5), on very practicable paths, accessible to the greatest number of people. But don't forget to bring comfortable shoes. During the day, your luggage will be in the same vehicle as you. However, bring a small bag for your picnic, a bottle of water, cap and sunglasses. Days in the Alpes de Haute Provence are generally warm and sunny in spring and autumn. In the event of rain or bad weather, however, temperatures can drop rapidly. Bring rainwear and a pullover, as well as a hat, sunglasses and sun cream.