Col d'Aulan & Col Propiac

If we hadn't just cycled Mont Ventoux, today would most certainly claim the best day of the hols. The scenery has been tremendous; ever changing and seriously picturesque.

We headed up in the direction we descended the other day from Brantes with those wonderfully foreshortened views of the top of Mont Ventoux. Pure blue sky and getting hot but at a delightful gradient.

We then descended a little way before taking a left hand turn to pick up the route to Col d'Aulan. It was here the landscape changed dramatically for the first time - a quintessential Provençal village followed by a pretty and wide high plateau of lavender coming into bloom and fields of wheat. Butterflies were everywhere and ahead, nestled into the hillside was yet another quaint village. On taking the final turn before the col, we began our ascent up a narrowing gorge with the odd people paddling or walking on an upstream adventure. It had become dramatic as the slanting layered cliffs towered either side of the narrow road. 

Finally, ahead was the Chateau d'Aulan perched at the top of the gorge but not quite at the col with a fairytale tower and castle wall, just how you'd imagine it would be. We took the extra ascent for a little explore (and in the hope of refreshments but that wasn't to be) before taking the now shallow gradient and winding roads through the plateau to the col.

It had already delighted but the descent just kept adding points to the day. Crags, streams and magnificent roads took as down to a wonderful village where there was a restaurant but the wait was more likely over an hour so we continued our journey down to Buis-les-Barronies. 

A little history for us here, for in 2000, on our post-honeymoon honeymoon, we headed to the Alps for my marriage test of going up Mont Blanc. The weather turned grotty so we headed south to Buis to sit it out, rock climbing until the weather cleared up... 18 years ago! In our short visit, I remembered not a jot apart from the name of the hotel, the Truite d'Or, and a little crag looked somewhat familiar that we passed after lunch. 

It was over lunch that Rich suggested going over a col that he'd done on the first day. Rather than riding the same flatter drag back and having the opportunity to see a little of what I missed out on, we headed up once more. 90 degrees by now but well worth the extra effort and to enjoy the only descent into our hilltop village base. 

Despite the dodgy start, I do feel like I've done plenty of cycling and explored plenty in the area. The network of quality roads is simply superb and the variety of varied views, outstanding.

What a week!