Ecotourism stay in Vésubie

This guided tour proposes hikes to discover the thousand facets of the Mercantour National Park by taking different paths in the Vésubie and Roya area.

Above all, this ecotouristic stay will take place at the hotel "Le Grand Capelet", a hotel-restaurant overlooking the Gordolasque valley. Its privileged location offers a panorama inviting to relaxation and wonder.

The hosts, Marion and Gabriel, buy fresh and seasonal products from the village of Belvédère. In this context, the commitments and the environmental approach of this structure allowed him to obtain the label Green Key. You can even relax in the sauna after a mountain excursion. In short, it is a real haven of peace far from urban disturbances and pollution.

Finally, go to the heart of this singular open-air museum, in the middle of nature. Indeed, it is in the regulated archaeological zone of the Valley of the Wonders in the Mercantour that you will leave in the steps of the archaeologists. In this context, it is in the company of your certified guide that you will discover these enigmatic rock engravings dating from the Bronze Age.

Detailed program of the stay :

*Day 1: The plateau of the Terres Rouges

First of all, the welcome will take place at the hotel around 10:30 am. After having collected our lunch basket designed by Marion, we will leave the hotel on foot for a first hike towards the Terres Rouges plateau and the Serre de Clapeiruole. You will then be able to admire the peaks of the border chain between the Mercantour National Park and the Italian Alpi Maritime Park.

Finally, we will finish with a culinary workshop to concoct together a dinner of wild plants whose originality will surprise you. For the culinary workshop : 2 groups in rotation - 1h30 : Wild plants gathering - 1h30 : Culinary workshop

* Day 2: The Nice refuge

To begin, a 10 minute transfer. On the program: water, glaciations and mountain huts. Then, upon your return to the hotel, the hosts will welcome you on their sunny terrace with a panoramic view. You will be offered a home-made beer and a blueberry pie or other home-made pastries.

* Day 3: The Valley of Wonders

The day will start with a short transfer to the parking of the Gordolasque valley. Then, you will leave towards the Pas de l'Arpette (2511 m) in order to enter the fascinating cirque of the Vallée des Merveilles. Then, under the guidance of your certified guide for the visit of the rock engravings, you will discover the most beautiful achievements of our ancestors of the Bronze Age. You will understand the motivations that pushed the first farmers in the history of humanity to make this part of the mountain a real sanctuary..

Afterwards, you can, if you wish, finish this day with a moment of relaxation in the hotel sauna..

* Day 4: The drop of Prals

After breakfast, we will leave for a beautiful ascent to the glacial cirque of Prals, a jewel in the Mercantour National Park. Also, we may have the chance to observe the rare flowering of the famous saxifrage florulenta, endemic plant of the Mercantour.

Moreover, during the picnic around the lakes of Prals we will have the opportunity to observe the chamois roaming on the slopes around.

* Day 5 : Permaculture Discovery Workshop : Planting for the future " Everybody talks about it but nobody really knows what it is "

Following breakfast, your host Gabriel will introduce you to the concept of "permaculture". He will discuss the goals and principles before showing you his own permaculture garden.

We will then visit Belvedere, a village overlooking the Vésubie valley, whose narrow streets, squares and gardens have retained their charm of yesteryear. Afterwards, we will continue with a hike in the area of the village.

Finally, we will end our stay with a visit to the milk museum, a former dairy cooperative that contains many old traditional objects used for milk production.

Details of the tour sEE http://www.argos-rando.com/sejours/se jour-ecotouristique/

Highlights of the stay: The comfort of the hotel and the friendliness of the owners - the landscapes of the Mercantour - the rich themed days - the observation of the fauna - the "eco-responsible" workshops - the short transfers from the hotel to the starting point of the hikes.

This service provider is a member of the Mercantour Ecotourism association; discover it here!