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Start from a car park on the left of the D5, between Malemort and Méthamis, after a right-angle bend and crossing a small bridge over the Vallat de Coulombey.
(S/E) Take the small path below the car park and go under the bridge, heading towards Méthamis. You will come to a junction with a sign for “Ratonneau”.
(1) Continue along the D5 on the same path, skirting a field of lavender, then turn right. Cross the Nesque, which is always dry at this point, and reach the sign for “Coste de Laous”.
(2) Take the yellowPR® marked path opposite and start climbing. This path runs between tracks laid out for motocross and climbs quite steeply for 1.7 km. Numerous breaks will give you a chance to catch your breath and admire the scenery: the hilltop villages of Blauvac and Méthamis, and the ever-present Mont Ventoux. You’ll reach a four-way junction with the sign “Crespion, alt. 469 m”.
(3) At this large crossroads, leave all the main tracks behind and take the small, barely visible path on the left marked91GR®. Look for it near the oak grove where the “La Crompe” and “Danger: wolves” signs are located. This path soon descends into the Ravin de Crespion: take care on this descent. At the bottom of the descent, join thePR® de la Combe des Nisardes coming from the right and continue in the same direction.
(4) Turn right, still on theGR® 91. Reach the junction with the “Serre Clouvet” sign.
(5) Turn right towards Méthamis: note the beautiful Larat estate on your right as you pass. The path becomes a track; this is the Chemin de Larat, which leads into Méthamis.
(6) At the end of Chemin de Larat, turn right onto Chemin du Pommier Rouge for 100 m, then left onto Chemin de Bel-Air until you reach the War Memorial on Place de l’École. Turn left and head towards the junction at the bottom of the village.
(7) Turn right to reach the beautiful fountain and the wash house.
(8) Start exploring the village via Rue de la Mairie on your left, then turn right onto Rue du Chemin Vieux leading to Place des Aires.
(9) Start a circular route along the paved slanting street on the left, which will take you to the Place de l’Église Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul. After a break in this pretty square, continue your circular route along Rue du Rempart, which takes you back to Place des Aires.
(9) Take the same streets as on the way up to return to the wash house.
(8) Turn right.
(7) Take the main road opposite that leads downhill (D5), towards Malemort. Continue to the junction marked ‘La Roubaude’.
(10) Turn right onto Chemin du Moulin, towards Blauvac. Pass the sewage treatment plant, cross the Nesque and emerge onto Chemin de Mormoiron. Turn right and follow for about 100 metres until you reach a four-way junction.
(11) Turn left onto Chemin du Plan, signpostedPR®. This is a tarmac road that climbs gently at first, then more steeply until you reach a junction with a stone hut on your left.
(12) Turn left and walk for 500 m along the boundary fence of Bagnol Abbey until you reach the sign for “Les Plantades” and the Font de Bagnol. This fountain, dating from 1897, serves as a drinking spot for many bees and wasps (take care).
(13) Turn left towards Ratonneau, then turn left at the junction to follow the Chemin de Saint-Jacques. After 500 m, you will pass a huge ruin, the Domaine de Saint-Jacques.
(14) Take a small path on the right which runs parallel to the tarmac road and leads into the Vallat de Coulombey valley. If you miss the start of this path, don’t worry; 250 m further on, on the right, you can also reach the Vallat de Coulombey. Continue along this valley to the car park (S/E).
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