Sports and leisure activities Forcalquier

The Ochres by bike ? The country of Forcalquier and the mountain of Lure? Or the whole loop at your own pace? This is what this beautiful region has to offer! Choose your itinerary (IGN map: Parc Naturel Régional du Luberon, 1/60 000e; or Michelin map: 81 and 84, 1/200 000e). And for those who are still hesitating, a brochure is available for free download online.

For those who have already decided, this is a fabulous family walk, where you can take the time to discover nature while getting some exercise. Since summer 2002, 130 km (Forcalquier, Manosque, Lourmarin, Cavaillon section) have been added to the existing 105 km (Cavaillon to Forcalquier, via Apt), for a total loop of 236 km. If you don't want to pedal all that, there are already many sections to enjoy. For example, a 22 km greenway that passes through Apt, or "le pays d'Aigues à vélo", a beautiful 91 km circuit, soon to be marked out.

But if you opt for the 236 km loop, you can start from wherever you want, and will not necessarily need a map. Indeed, to facilitate your orientation, the loop is marked out in both directions. But don't forget to bring sun cream, sunglasses, a cap and a bottle of water! The stages are punctuated by perched villages, Provençal landscapes, bories, lavender with stops for tasting local products, this 5 to 7 day route guarantees pleasure and discovery!

It is left for 3 hours of adventure! Early in the morning, we leave with the team in 4X4 towards the site of takeoff. On the instructions of the pilot, we prepare the aircraft... 300 kilos of fabrics! At the end of a small hour, the balloon is formed. The magic is installed. It is the moment to take place in the basket and to let oneself be carried by the wonder, the beauty of the lavender fields, the surrounding villages... Forcalquier seen from the sky. An incredible experience rocked by the softness of the wind, the uncertainty of the landing place and the path taken. Grandiose !

Don't miss these strange stone mushrooms that have emerged from the earth only a few kilometres from Fourcalquier! Several routes are possible to reach this unusual site from the tourist office and by climbing the path that passes by the chapel of Saint Marc. The shortest is entirely marked out in yellow. Another one combines yellow, white and red and then yellow again. Important information for people with reduced mobility: you can also get there by following the D12, known as the route de Fontienne.

The geology of Les Mourres is spectacular, with the presence of numerous limestone rocks with original shapes that stand out in the traditional surrounding landscape of the Pays de Forcalquier. It is the progressive erosion of the marl originally enveloping them that has revealed them. But the interest of the place is also due to the presence of a particular fauna and flora that have adapted to the harshness of this natural semi-desert environment. This is how you can observe, among others, the presence of the Villars broom heath, the ocellated lizard, the Lusitania marbled bird or the eared traquet...

Didactic panels will help you on the spot to describe your own observations in more detail. An important piece of advice however: this natural area is fragile. It is important to preserve it by not straying from the marked paths and not climbing on the rocks. Also remember to keep dogs on a leash