1. Tour du lac d'Esparron - Etape 1
Une première étape pour une mise en jambe, avant le départ faites une petite visite de Gréoux-les-Bains puis parcourez les bords du Verdon pour atteindre le sommet du « Marchand de nuages » pour redescendre vers le village médiéval de Saint-Martin de Brômes, si vous êtes en forme poursuivez jusqu’à Esparron de Verdon à 12 km sinon faites une halte gourmande, flâner dans les ruelles ou à l’ombre des platanes à la fraicheur des fontaines et profitez du calme d’un authentique village Provençal.
7 points of interest
Patrimony and historyYou would like to lend a book?
There's nothing like a walk along water edges to read a book, to share a story with family and friends. Novels, comics, newspapers, etc... are waiting to be borrowed at the Lucien Jacques de Gréoux library. This is without taking into account its fine collection of regional works, then this may be the opportunity for you to learn a little more about the Verdon?
- Patrimony and history
Thermal baths of Gréoux
Called "Romantic Oasis of Verdon" by Jean Giono, this spa, nestled in a multifaceted and generous nature at the gates of the Verdon Nature Park, is a great place for your family fun. Gréoux is known since Antiquity under the name of Nymphis Grisélidis, in relation to the hot springs (nymphs are the deities of springs), converted in thermal baths by the Romans. After a long period of neglect, the baths were revived at the end of the 17th century.
FaunaBeaver lodge
More typical of wetlands, semi-aquatic mammals such as the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) are present in the water stream of the Verdon. The beaver, with its nocturnal habits, and sometimes coming out at dusk if it is not disturbed is a discreet animal. Its presence is easily detected due to the many tracks left: fallen and eaten-away trees, tree branch barks, it builds a large hut made of branches with submerged entries. National protection of the species and its habitat.
Water and riversEmergency water
The Verdon bank is colonized by a particular and rare flora in Provence, that of wetlands. Willows, poplars represent the majority of the trees present. At the waterfront, a procession of rushes and sedges. At the bottom of the Verdon itself, aquatic plants line it in quieter areas. This vegetation threatened by trampling, shoreline development and deterioration of water quality are some of the current challenges of preserving the natural heritage.
- Fauna
The best view
The common buzzard is very active, often flying in the open, gliding over fields and forests, and also spending long periods hovering high. It feeds on small mammals it chases on the ground, and also birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects. The preys are located by sight, flying at low altitude while making circles, but also at distances of a few hundred meters. We consider that the common buzzard has the sharpest sight of all birds of prey.
- Patrimony and history
Parish church of Saint-Martin
The parish church of Saint-Martin is a former priory of the abbey of Saint-Victor de Marseille it has received from the hands of the brothers Gontard and Hughes in 1042. The term "ecclesiam" mentioned in the act can also mean a territory. This transaction confirms that Saint-Martin was at that time a monastic domain and no longer a seigniorial one. An Act of 13 March 1343 mentioned the exchange between Saint-Victor and Boniface de Castellane, allowing him to recover the land of Saint-Martin.
- Patrimony and history
The Clock Tower
The tower was built in the 14th century on the initiative of Boniface de Castellane, the Lord at that time. It is now recognized as the most beautiful military building work of Haute-Provence. Its military aspect is clear, but its function seems less defensive. It could be used to store the seigniorial tax (in the form of food). We can speak of "dungeon" marking conspicuously the power of the Lord. At the top, the machicolations allowed to defend itself if attacked.
Description
À l’entrée du parking des thermes, descendre à droite jusqu’au Verdon par la rue des Eaux Chaudes (suivre le balisage du GR®4 blanc et rouge) et passer un petit pont.
1 - Laisser à gauche le chemin de Babaou et continuer tout droit. Au bord du Verdon aller à gauche, passer la barrière et suivre l’itinéraire du parcours de santé. Remonter ainsi le long du Verdon en suivant le chemin stabilisé sur près de 1,2 km.
2 - A la fin du chemin (barrière), prendre la petite route montant à gauche pendant 500 m jusqu’à la route D 952.
3 - Traverser la D 952 et poursuivre en face par le GR®4 sur le chemin de terre.
4 - Arriver au poteau directionnel « Ruines de Pujol » prendre à droite toujours sur le GR®4 pour arriver jusqu’au poteau 13 « Marchand de nuages ».
5 - Continuer tout droit pendant 400 m jusqu’à la « Draille de la partie ».
6 - Puis bifurquer sur la droite.
7 - Arriver au poteau 2 « Basset » continuer légèrement sur la gauche et descendre en passant alors devant le camping « le Bleu Lavande » pour arriver au village de Saint-Martin de Brômes en suivant toujours le GR®4.
- Departure : Gréoux-les-Bains
- Arrival : Saint-Martin-de-Brômes
- Towns crossed : Gréoux-les-Bains and Saint-Martin-de-Brômes
Forecast
Altimetric profile
Recommandations
Information desks
House of the Verdon Regional Nature Park
Domaine de Valx, 04360 Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
House of the Verdon Regional Nature Park
OT Gréoux-les-Bains
7 place de l'hôtel de ville, 04800 Gréoux-les-Bains
Access and parking
A 8,5 km depuis Vinon sur Verdon en suivant la D952 ou à 12 km depuis la sortie autoroute de Manosque en suivant la D907 puis la D4 et la D82 jusqu’au parking des thermes.
Parking :
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