Val d'Issole Haut Verdon "Camaieu de verts" Circuit

From Saint-André-les-Alpes, take the departmental road of the Issole valley and follow the silver thread of its watercourse.
Make a quick first stop to discover the aqueduct "Pont des Sept Arcades" (Pont of the Seven Arcades), a work of art built in 1863 under Napoleon III. This aqueduct spanned the Issole, bringing the waters of the Verdon to the villagers' vegetable gardens. This bridge had a short life: although restored in 1893, its main arch collapsed around 1923, then it was dynamited during the war and ended its destiny after about sixty years, ruining the hopes of the market gardeners and slowly deteriorating over time. Only three intact arches remain today.

Continue on your way, at each bend the Issole welcomes you with its shades of green.

First of all, the dark green of the dense forest dominated by conifers: Scots pines, black pines, mountain pines, and larches at high altitude, occupying the steepest and least sunny slopes. This community of immense trees is the result of reforestation campaigns. The presence of beech forests on the north-facing slopes and oak groves brings a plant diversity. Garrigue with box, broom and lavender, and downy oaks appear on the sunniest and most stony slopes. A walk in the forest calls you, all your senses will be on alert! It smells good of life, wood, moss, sap. Numerous insects to observe, birds to listen to, mushrooms or raspberries to pick.

Then comes the soft green of the meadows and cultivated fields characteristic of the agro-pastoral system of the mountain valleys. Pastoral activity is omnipresent; perhaps you will be lucky enough to spot a few flocks of sheep grazing peacefully, if they haven't all left for the mountain pastures.

Finally, above this bucolic setting, the pastel green of the mountain pastures can be seen.

This large agricultural basin is surrounded by high mountains such as the Cheval Blanc massif, which peaks at 2323 m (a challenging hike of over 6 hours). The Haut Verdon valley opens onto hamlets and villages that are well worth stopping for a stroll.

At Château Garnier, you can discover the St. Thomas Chapel, built in the 12th century and remodeled over time. It contains frescoes from the same period depicting Jesus Christ, the supreme judge, seated between the sun and the moon. To visit it, you can request the keys from the Chailan honey house, a local producer. A visit to the farm, facilities, and beehives without stinging is also suggested!
In the village of Thorame-Basse you will be spoiled for choice: either continue left towards the charming hamlet of La Valette or stroll along the easy path to the Piégut site with its botanical trail, Stations of the Cross, chapel and eponymous medieval tower (starting opposite the church, allow about 2 hours 30 minutes) unfortunately partly ruined. It appears as a square tower of about 6m on each side, with bossage stonework. It is vaulted inside with ribbed vaults. The semicircular arch of the entrance door rests on a powerful lintel. A lovely panorama to admire.
Ready to go again?

On the outskirts of Thorame-Basse, the organic brewery “Cordoeil” opens its doors to you.
The malting-brewery workshop facilities can be visited all year round by appointment. Tasting tour: €3 per person.
Now continue towards Thorame-Haute. Along the road, stop at the edge of Lac des Sagnes.
You may have heard about Thorame-Haute throughout 2018 on television thanks to its "Pont du Moulin" which was one of the monuments selected for the heritage lottery and the Bern mission. This work of art which marks the entrance to the Haut Verdon Valley Val d'Allos is currently closed for renovation work but it remains visible from the edge of the departmental road with a breathtaking view of the mountain ranges and an overhang of the Verdon.
It is a humpback bridge, 41 meters long and 2 meters wide. Its height varies from approximately 30 meters to 7 meters above the bed of the Verdon. It comprises two unequal arches in circular segments, with a radius of 11 and 11 meters.

Our loop now continues on the departmental road towards the Chemins de fer de Provence station, known as the “train des Pignes”.
This railway line connects the towns of Digne les Bains and Nice, starting in the Alpes-de-Haute Provence and then crossing the Nice hinterland before reaching the Côte d'Azur. From the land of fine lavender to that of chestnut trees, the Train des Pignes has been a strong element of Provençal collective memory for over a century. It is also a wonderful experience to enjoy during your stay by taking the steam train between Puget-Théniers-Entrevaux and Annot (from May to September)
On the forecourt of Thorame train station, the beautiful church of Notre Dame de la Fleur and its stained-glass windows are worth a visit. Be careful, it is not always open due to the risk of damage. The story of the construction of this church relates the appearance of celestial spirits to a shepherd from Thorame, who are said to have marked, eight kilometers from the village, the location of a chapel to be built in honor of Mary.
A rose plucked from the garden of heaven was left to the shepherd as an authentic sign of his vision, earning Mary the title Our Lady of the Flower. Every year on Whit Monday, a procession brings the virgin from the church of Thorame-haute back to her flower sanctuary.

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