Le Pas des Ondes

Cornillon-sur-l'Oule

Le Pas des Ondes

Fauna

Waters and rivers

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A family stroll along the water of the Pas des Ondes, true "oasis” of the Baronnies Provençales.

This flat path road oscillates between the Pas des Ondes lakes and the bank of the Oule river. This easy walk and walkable with a stroller (if you do not go to the Clue) invites the stroll and the observation of nature related to these aquatic environments.

9 points of interest

Water and rivers

The Pas des Ondes: the landscaped oasis!

Due to their good integration into the natural site of Pas des Ondes, these two water bodies do not necessarily show that they are actually artificial. Developed in the 90s to support local tourism development, the site of Pas des Ondes has since been an oasis particularly popular in the summer season. The smallest of the water bodies is intended for swimming while the largest is reserved for fishing.

Water and rivers

Hydraulic operation of the basins

The hydraulic system of the bathing water of the Pas des Ondes reconstitutes a natural scheme of operation thanks to its settling basin where circulates the water that comes from the Oule with a flow rate of 30 L / s. The purpose of this pond is to filter and capture the fine particles of silt in suspension to limit the turbidity of the water and to keep a maximum of clarity for swimming. Once past the swimming lake, the water flows into the fishing pond before returning to the Oule.

Fauna

The Pas des Ondes birds

Between the banks of the river and those of the lakes, the gray heron and the Martin fisherman each have their hunting stations while the Black Milan occupies the role of the cleaner by recovering the corpses of fish and amphibians. The water bodies also host several species of remarkable birds for the region, in staging areas such as the Knights Cul-blanc and Guignette, the Northern Shoveler or Garganey and exceptionally the Osprey.

Fauna

Fish and recreational fishing

The fish fauna of the lake was introduced during the creation of lakes in the 90s. Among these non-endemic fish in the environment are carp, roach, tench and rainbow trout, introduced to promote recreational fishing. The most representative species is the carp but we also find the Chevesne and the Common Perch (only predator). Two fishing pontoons are set up on site, including one for people with reduced mobility.

Patrimony and history

The Cornillon old castle

The Cornillon-sur-l'Oule castle is one of the most impressive testimonies of the Provencal comtal power which controlled, between the 13th and the 15th century, a set of seigniories in the Oule valley, called the "claverie de l'Oule". The dimensions of the sides of its triangular enclosure are 44, 30 and 51 meters. To the east and below the castle stood the medieval village of Cornillon which only a portion of the northern wall that meets the castle is still visible.

Geology

The tufo waterfall

On the right bank of the Oule, at the beginning of Pas des Ondes parade, a tufo waterfall flows into the river. The tufo that forms the yellow structure of the waterfall is a type of rock that is formed by the limestone and CO2 contained in the water that gushes at this location. The limestone "precipitates" by enveloping the algae and mosses that grow on the waterfall. The plant engulfed by limestone dies little by little and contributes to create a limestone structure perched with small holes: the tufo.

Panorama

La Cluse: True Pas des ondes!

The lakes of "Pas des Ondes" take their name from the nearby natural site downstream. The true Pas des Ondes is indeed the clue of the parade of Oule between the two cliffs falling from the mountain of Chamousset on the one hand and that of the Castle on the other hand. The river has dug its way to this place, forming small gorges whose calm, freshness and rustling water contrast with the landscaped site.

Fauna

The inhabitants of the Oule cliffs

The Pas des Ondes cluse is a remarkable habitat for many European birds of interest that nest in its high rocky boulders. The sector is classified in Natura 2000. We can see the discreet bluebird, jumping from stones to rocky promontories, and the Circaète Jean-le-Blanc. When the day merges with the night, it is the turn of the largest of our nocturnal raptors, the Golden Owl, to spread its wings and to fly over the cliffs and rocky slopes.

Fauna

The beaver, this amazing builder!

Emblematic of the Oule Valley, the Beaver is the largest rodent in Europe with a size of 1.20 m including 30 cm for the tail for a weight of around 30 kg. Protected and strictly vegetarian, it feeds mainly on willow bark, alder and poplar: 600 to 800 gr / day. Ze can notice the remains of the trees that he cuts down by their shape cut in pencil tip. The dams that he built favor other species such as amphibians and dragonflies.

Description

By being parked in the Pas des Ondes car park (parking and access to the water body in July and August are not free), return to the entrance gate of the site. Take the bank path between the Oule river and the lake : The starting point of the theme trail "Faune aquatique du Pas des Ondes" is located there. Follow this flat path for 600 meters to the end of the second lake and pass to the left of the educational pond.

1- Shortly after the two fishing pontoons, facing the hill surmounted by the ruins of the castle, take the small path that goes up the slope. After a turn on the left, the path leads to another path: take a right on this new path crossing towards the river, down to a road. Take a left on the path which turns into a path and join the bank of the river to a pebble beach.

2- Turn back and join the previous intersection.

3- Follow straight on the flat path between the river and the treatment plant and return to the educational pond.

4- Continue the tour of the water bodies along the banks by the flat road or the path through the grass that can be seen near the shores of water bodies.

Departure : Body of water of the Pas des Ondes, Cornillon-sur-l'Oule

Arrival : Cornillon-sur-l'Oule

Towns crossed : Cornillon-sur-l'Oule, La Motte-Chalancon

Altimetric profile

Recommandations

Parking and access to water body are not free in July and August.

Access and parking

4 km south of La-Motte-Chalancon, by the D61.

Parking :

Parking du Pas des Ondes

Accessibility

The route is accessible to wheelchairs that do not perform the optional loop described in points 1, 2 and 3.

A pontoon for wheelchairs is installed on the fishing pond.

Disabled person

Stroller

Emergency number :114

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