TO ART REFUGES 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.

Total climb + 610 m ; - 650 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.

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. Overnight at Gîte des Monges, Authon.

Total ascent + 440 m ; - 300 m / 9.5 km.

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

Ascent + 500 m; - 910 m / 12.5 km.

Very easy bike descent from Verdaches to the clues du Pérouré, via the clues de Barles and the Sentinelle du Bès. Along the way, works by Andy Goldsworthy, Joan Fontcuberta, herman de vries and Paul-Armand Gette. Ascent to Vieil Esclangon, to discover the Refuge d'art of the same name and three traces of herman de vries. Ascent to the viewpoint to contemplate the Esclangon velodrome, then descent to the village of Esclangon. Transfer and short walk to the Refuge d'art de la ferme Belon, where we'll dine and sleep.

Total ascent + 475 m ; - 385 m / 11 km.

Hike from the Belon farm in Draix, then transfer to the Refuge d'art des Bains thermaux (short walk) where we'll have a picnic. Return to Digne for a visit to the Musée Gassendi, where we'll discover Andy Goldsworthy's River of Earth, part of Refuge d'Art. On some packages, this visit can take place on the first day.

Total ascent + 70 m ; - 210 m / 3.7 km.

- 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 (see equipment list at the end of this document), the weight of your rucksack, excluding food and water, may not exceed 5 kg (you'll essentially be carrying enough to sleep comfortably, a few changes 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.

3 nights in gîte or chambre d'hôte. 2 nights in art refuges.

● 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 Authon: Dinner and overnight stay at Gîte des Monges (rooms for two with bathrooms). ● In the village of Verdache: Gîte de Flagustelle (small rooms for four with bunk beds and bathroom) ● In La Forest and Vieil Esclangon: in 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 La Forest and Vieil Esclangon art refuges, where we'll be staying, are old stone buildings in the middle 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, please call or write to us.

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.