The weather has been beautiful — blue skies, bright sunshine and temperatures in the high 50’s during the day. Our daughter, Laura, is here with us at Chez Mirabel for the holidays. We decided to spend a full day on a grand sightseeing circuit of the Baronnies, the surrounding hills for which our village was named. This tour was inspired by our friends Dick and Laura, who live in the nearby village of Piégon. This past November they took Rick and Martha on this splendid outing. We were inspired to follow suit, based on their glowing report.
Patient sheep dog watches as his herd grazes during a lunch break by the side of the road.
Highlight of the day for us was being stopped on the road to Le Poêt Sigillat by a large herd of sheep and goats. Shepherds walked along the road with the herd and sheepdogs kept the strays in line. Many of the sheep and goats had bells on their necks, clanging as they walked. Listen to the sheep and goat bell music we heard.
Steve and I in front of the church at the Chateau d’ Aulan
Here’s our itinerary — we had a wonderful day! We drove up the Eygues valley to near Rémuzat, turned right onto a very small road up & over Col de Soubeyrand, dropped down into the beautiful Ennuye valley, went over Col de Peyruergue to the upper Ouvéze valley, had a lovely lunch at the small restaurant Auberge de la Clavelière in Saint Auban sur Ouveze, took road to the historic chateau at Aulan, stopped at beautiful gorge below it, took a quick look at Montbrun les Bains (with another restaurant we must try), passed right under north flank of Ventoux through Brantes, and then took the back way to Mirabel (through Faucon). –Dory
Laura enjoying a café outdoors at picturesque Montbrun-les-Bains.