South of France Recommendation.......

Misk · Post by **Misk** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 12:30 pm

Hi, We're back from an excellent trip to the maritime Alps. We stayed with Ruth and Ulric (http://www.pottyplace.com/) at the foot of Col de Blein. I'd forgotten just how nice this area is, the weather for us wasn't classic but when we weren’t flying the skiing, walking and drinking were great. Have a look at the website and think about going along. Ruth is keen to promote the area so advice on alternative accommodation / camp sites is free!

for Ruth and Ulric's!

John Wallis · Post by **John Wallis** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 12:44 pm

I just love the maritime Alps had so many flying and non flying holidays in this area. There is such a nice ambiance about this part of France. The scenery is awesome, the Verdon Gorge is a place to die for. A visit to Castellane is also well worth a look. The drive down from the UK is horrific but flying to Nice would be a doddle. I would guess it would still be a couple of hours from Nice airport by car and the roads are like something from the Italian Job after you pass Grasse, great fun!

St Andre is just up the road if you have big balls

Defo a thumbs up for the area and flying.

Misk · Post by **Misk** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 12:57 pm

Only a 90 minute drive passing flying sites all the way. We're going back next chance we get............ If your after flying Ulric can give advice and will guide /retrieve for a very reasonable rate.

Dave Hume · Post by **Dave Hume** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 3:37 pm

A few of us are talking about driving down to France around the end of July. Maybe take in Annecy and Laragne for the British HG Nationals. Did you see any other sites that might be good for hang gliding Ian?

Incidentally Woody has worked out that getting the overnight ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam works out about the same as driving to Dover and getting the cross channel ferry. Saves quite a chunk of driving this end and Amsterdam to Annecy is about the same distance as Calais - Annecy.

Sad Northerner · Post by **Sad Northerner** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 9:03 pm

If its not flyable you can entertain yourself by reading Ruths collection of 'Hello' magazines or listening to her account of when she worked as retrieve driver the Italian paragliding team.

Misk · Post by **Misk** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 12:27 am

Very civilised HG sites Dave!

>>>>>>>>

Both Col de Bleyne (see photo on the left and below right), and Lachens, have very big flat, easy landing fields if you don't fancy going cross country. The summit launch at Lachens is 1685m and the landing field is at 937m, giving a top to bottom of 748m. From the Gourdon take off at 1150m to Gourdon's lowest bottom landing field at 140m, is a wonderful 6km glide past the chateau affording great views out to the Mediterranean coast and a top to bottom of 1010m. The St Andre take off is at 1540m and the landing field at 884m giving a top to bottom of 656m.

There are a host of other flying sites within a reasonable driving distance, including those around Moustieres, La Colmiane, Laragne, St Vincent and Monaco, to name but a few.

Check out Ozone's excellent site guide (http://www.flyozone.com/paragliders/en/ ... y-gourdon/) for more details. We have a paper copy of the site guide in the apartment. There are two Lachens websites, this one has some good photos and this Lachen's website, is very informative with a helpful map on it.
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