Refuge d’art: the complete work of art in Haute-Provence

Morning appointment in Digne (time to be confirmed). Short cab transfer (10 min.) from Digne to the small village of Courbons. Hike from Courbons to Thoard via the crêtes du Siron and the Chapelle Sainte-Madeleine art refuge. Dinner under the plane trees in Thoard. Overnight at the village gîte.

Ascent + 720 m; - 800 m; 13 km.

Hike from the village of Thoard to the La Forest art refuge via the crests and the Col de Mounis. Dinner and overnight stay in an art refuge lost in the wilderness.

Total ascent + 830 m; - 730 m; 13.5 km.

Hike from La Forest to the village of Saint-Geniez via the Dromon chapel, whose crypt contains remains from the Roman period. Dinner and overnight in a gîte in Saint-Geniez.

Total ascent + 470 m, - 300 m; 9 km.

Transfer to Feissal via Andy Goldsworthy's Sentinelle du Vançon. From Feissal to Barles via the crêtes de Chine, the proposed site of the Refuge d'Art de Chine, the Descoure ravine and the windows of herman de vries. From Barles, short transfer to the village of Verdaches. Dinner and overnight at the Flagustelle gîte.

Ascent + 520 m; - 960 m; 12.5 km.

Short transfer from Verdaches to clues de Barles. From the clues de Barles to Vieil Esclangon via Andy Goldsworthy's Sentinelle du Bès, the roche rousse sanctuary, a work by herman de vries and the spectacular Vélodrome geological formation. At Vieil Esclangon, two traces of herman de vries. Climb to the viewpoint to contemplate the Vélodrome d'Esclangon. Dinner and overnight stay at the Vieil Esclangon art refuge.

Ascent + 750 m; - 510 m; 9 km

From Vieil Esclangon to Mousteiret via the Refuge d'art du col de l'Escuichière. Descent into the Bléone valley. After lunch, we reach the village of Le Brusquet, then climb the La Blache ridge (1200 m) to descend to the Refuge d'art de la Ferme Belon, a former Resistance training school. Dinner and overnight at the Refuge d'art.

Total climb + 950 m; -1050 m; 16 km

From Ferme Belon, we reach the Col de la Cine before descending to the village of Tartonne. We pass the spectacular clue de la Peine. Overnight at the Robines gîte.

Ascent + 800 m; - 810 m; 16 km

A day of "rest", when we take our light bags to see Andy Goldsworthy's Sentinelle de l'Asse. Loop via the Notre Dame d'Entraigues chapel and the Salaou spring. Overnight at the Robines gîte.

Ascent + 300 m; - 300 m; 10 km

We climb the Barre des Dourbes, aiming for the Pas de Tartonne (1658 m). Descent to Les Dourbes, where we spend the night. Overnight in a bivouac or gîte.

Ascent + 850 m; - 700 m; 13 km

From Dourbes, we'll walk to the Refuge d'Art des Bains Thermaux. After lunch, we'll return to Digne to visit the Gassendi Museum, where we'll see Andy Goldsworthy's final work, River of Earth, which is part of Refuge d'Art and brings this tour to a magnificent close. End of trip around 4pm.

Total climb + 100 m; - 550 metres; 8 km

We may need to modify the itinerary indicated, either for organizational reasons (overcrowding of accommodation, changes in terrain conditions, landslides, damaged trails, etc.), or at the guide's discretion (weather, group level, etc.). These modifications are always made in your interest, for your safety and comfort.

We'll be carrying our gear for the 10 days + a picnic lunch + occasional food for bivouacs in the Refuges d'art.

Autonomous hiking covers a whole range of practices, including radically reducing the weight of your backpack. It's also a state of mind that refuses to depend exclusively on modern infrastructures (tarmac roads, automobile transport, etc.). This is possible by choosing light equipment - which is not necessarily expensive - and keeping only the bare essentials. For us, comfort is all about carrying a light backpack, not carrying what's superfluous. For years, we've been choosing this way of traveling out of a sense of consistency. Firstly, because we love the freedom it brings. Secondly, out of respect for nature, we believe it's preferable to keep luggage transport by vehicle to a minimum. Lastly, our taste takes us to isolated, beautiful and peaceful places, far from road networks and difficult to access. In addition, we feel that this is a good way to discover the work of Andy Goldsworthy and other artists who have spread throughout our mountains. Consequently, if you strictly follow our recommendations, the weight of your rucksack, excluding food and water, may not exceed 6 kg (you'll be carrying most of what you need for a comfortable night's sleep, a change of clothes and toiletries), and must under no circumstances exceed 8 kg, as you'll need to add food and 2 liters of water for the day (approx. 3 kg). In the gîtes, you can wash your change of clothes yourself. In the various gîtes where we'll be staying, we'll have deposited food supplies that we'll take with us for dinners and breakfasts in the art refuges. These provisions are prepared almost exclusively with organic and/or local produce, bought in bulk, with little plastic or non-recyclable packaging, with the aim of achieving zero waste by the end of our stay. We'll be cooking together in the refuges d'art, and you'll discover that it's possible to enjoy tasty cuisine simply by bivouacking.

5 nights in a gîte or B&B. 3 nights in an art refuge. 1 night in a bivouac.

In Thoard: communal gîte in the old center of this typical Provencal village (rooms from 2 to 4). Dinner at La Beluguette restaurant, under the plane trees on the village square. In Saint-Geniez: Dinner and overnight stay at Gîte d'étape Le Dromon (small shared dormitories). In the village of Verdache: Gîte de Flagustelle (small rooms of four with bunk beds and bathroom) In Tartonne: Dinners and 2 nights at Gîte des Robines (small shared dormitories). Aux Dourbes: Dinner and overnight stay in a bivouac or at the Gîte de Ville-Cris (double rooms). At La Forest, Belon and Vieil Esclangon: as an art refuge (wooden benches and floor) We've carefully chosen these accommodations because they're warm and friendly, and they prepare tasty meals using local produce. The Refuges d'art de La Forest, de Belon and du Vieil Esclangon, where we'll be staying, are old stone buildings in the heart of nature, restored in the early 2000s. In addition to the artworks, there's a living area with a table and benches, and a sleeping area with a wooden floor and wooden benches. There is no running water, electricity or sanitary facilities (leaflets are outside). * The above accommodations are indicative and subject to change without notice. Accommodation in gîtes or inns is in double or triple rooms (twin beds) or in dormitories. Please contact us if you would like single rooms (not always available) or a double bed.

Don't neglect your backpacking equipment (see list below). We insist on sun protection (hat, sun cream); a light sleeping bag, effective against the cold (at night, the temperature can drop to +5°); a comfortable mattress (no beds in the art refuges, we'll be sleeping directly on wooden benches); comfortable mountain boots with good soles, counterfoils and good waterproofing; a mini first-aid kit with a second skin (Compeed type), bandages and painkillers, and any personal medicines you may need. The guide will carry a basic first-aid kit.

In spring and autumn, weather conditions are ideal: not too hot during the day, not too cool at night. A sweater is often sufficient for the evening, but you'll need a good sleeping bag. The weather is generally dry, but a shower or thunderstorm can never be ruled out, even in midsummer, when temperatures drop sharply. That's why you'll need to have something with you to protect you from the rain and cold. If you need advice on choosing the right equipment, don't hesitate to call or write to us.