The Mas au Départ gallery in the village of Villard Joli

Visit the tunnel dug between 1913 and 1933 to search for water, overlooking the Gillardes resurgence, with magnificent scenery throughout the walk.

Details

n°9663870

Creation:
23 May 2021

Last update:
26 Sep 2026

Last review:
14 Sep 2026

Activity: Walking
Distance: 5.88 mi
Average duration: 4h 25
Difficulty: Moderate
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 1,946 ft
Descent: - 1,949 ft
Highest point: 5,640 ft
Lowest point: 4,104 ft

Country: France
Areas: Alps, Dévoluy, Dauphiné
City: Saint-Disdier (05250)
Start/End: N 44.729042° / E 5.887365°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3337OT, 3337OTR
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Description of the walk

Park along the main road.

(S/E) At the far end of the village, take the path that climbs north-north-west and follow it to the point with an altitude of 1278. In its second section, it descends slightly (ignore the paths branching off to the left)

(1) Shortly after the 1278-metre altitude, the path veers to the left. Follow it to the junction at the 1486-metre altitude (signpost indicating only ‘Pierre Baudinard’ and ‘Pierre Orcel’).

(2) Take the path branching off to the right, which climbs steeply towards the Clos du Mounard (not signposted). Since the creation of the Tour de l’Obiou, from point 2 to point 5, follow the yellow-red-yellow markings.

(3) Once you reach the entrance to the meadow, with the hut in sight, climb the embankment on the left and follow the edge of the meadow to a small gate. There is no marked path on this section for about 150 m. From the gate, the path – which is sometimes a little narrow – winds its way through the broom and fir trees, cutting a line through the grass straight up the slope; follow it to the 1,705-metre mark. Follow a few cairns and finish on the small scree slope.

(4) Now follow the flat path towards the Pivallon valley (north-west). Follow a wide bend to reach the shoulder on the opposite side of the valley, at the 1700-metre mark.

(5) From the ridge, follow the path heading due north, following the contour line. Take the path where the GRP® marker cross is located (ignore the main GRP® path, which descends). At the end of this path lies the entrance to the tunnel (200 m), visible only at the last moment, on the left, at the level of the platform.

(6) Whilst exploring the main tunnel, you’ll come across several short side tunnels. After your visit, retrace your steps in the opposite direction to elevation 1705.

(4) Keep to the right, on the path (more like an animal track) which continues through the broom and fir trees. Follow the clearest track, which tends to climb slightly and leads to the drinking troughs.

(7) Now head, by sight, across the mountain pasture to reach the Baudinard rocks, clearly visible in the distance.

(8) At the Pierre Baudinard hut, take the clearly visible path (north of the rocks) and follow it all the way down to the 1,278-metre point, where it turns to the right, keeping to the path that leads back to the village of Villard Joli (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : mi 0 - alt. 4,108 ft - Car park along the main road
1 : mi 0.69 - alt. 4,226 ft - Junction (at around 1,290 m)
2 : mi 1.46 - alt. 4,869 ft - Crossroads downstream of the circular loop
3 : mi 1.7 - alt. 5,069 ft - Junction
4 : mi 2.06 - alt. 5,597 ft - Crossroads upstream of the circular loop
5 : mi 2.4 - alt. 5,574 ft - Junction
6 : mi 2.53 - alt. 5,581 ft - Platform at the entrance to the tunnel
7 : mi 3.34 - alt. 5,558 ft - Watering holes
8 : mi 3.94 - alt. 5,295 ft - Pierre Baudinard Hut
S/E : mi 5.88 - alt. 4,104 ft - Back in the village of Villard Joli

Notes

As the herds are up in the mountain pastures in summer, it’s best to have your water with you right from the start of the hike.
If you’re on your own, make sure you have at least two torches in case one fails.
I can’t say whether the Baudinard hut is open; I didn’t go prying.

Worth a visit

From the viewing platform, in front of the gallery, continue along the flat path northwards to catch a glimpse of the local landmark, ‘l’Obiou’.

Do pop along to see the springs – both large and small – at Gaillardes, which are on the road to Monestier d’Ambel, not far from the village of Saint-Disdier.

Reviews and comments

4.1 / 5

Based on 8 reviews

Reliability of the description
3.9 / 5

Ease of following the route
4 / 5

Route interest
4.5 / 5

chris05

14 Sep 2026 at 16:15

A big thank you, Papounet JP

It’s great to get such positive feedback as yours!
I’ll update the GPR markers – that’s definitely worth mentioning!
All the best with your hikes

Christian

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Papounet JP

14 Sep 2026 at 11:05

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello, we went on a walk on 13 September!
A walk well worth the trip, both for the scenery and for this fascinating historical and ‘architectural’ attraction!
Thank you for sharing this and for the quality of the description…
For your information, with the creation of the Tour de l’Obiou and its designation as a GRP route, the route is now clearly marked and signposted in red and yellow from point 2 to point 5 There, you need to take the level path marked ‘X’ in yellow and red and yellow!
For the return journey to Pierre Baudinard from (4) to (7), the wilderness reclaims its territory and the paths fade away and change as animals pass through… The marked route and the level indicators to follow are clear enough to ensure you don’t get lost!

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MiChaBa

17 Aug 2026 at 08:12

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike with extraordinary views around the Dévoluy. The ascent is relatively steep and the start of the descent is a ‘free walk’! Watch out for the sun, which is barely shaded by the few trees.

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chris05

21 Jul 2026 at 21:03

Good evening, maellili

Thanks for your feedback!
Yes, it really is a fascinating sight!

Have a great hiking season

Christian

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maellili

20 Jul 2026 at 08:48

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk – the tunnel is a real sight to see and the chalet is very cosy too, despite its steep climb… You’ll need a sat-nav to find your way to the chalet
Thank you for sharing this lovely experience

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Bartozzi

06 Jul 2026 at 08:31

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 03, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

To reach the entrance to the Faillette or Lyonnais tunnel, stay on the path along the contour line; do not take the path on the right (GR) or the track leading uphill. After about 150 metres, you will reach a platform formed by rubble that was once removed using small mine trolleys; the entrance is on your left.

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chris05

04 Sep 2023 at 20:37

Good evening, Emmanuel
Thanks for your feedback on the hike!
I’m always happy to share ideas for outings.

All the best
Christian

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Emmanuel G2.

04 Sep 2023 at 20:02

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk to go on, with a chance to explore the Mas Gallery, which is quite a sight.
Thank you to the creator of this route for sharing it.

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chris05

27 Mar 2022 at 07:51

Hello Lasker38

Thank you for your feedback and for the name of the gallery!
Have a great hiking season
Christian

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lasker38

26 Mar 2022 at 18:29

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 23, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : Not used / Not applicable
Very busy route : No

Completely on my own; large patches of snow remained, meaning I had to use an ice axe to cross them towards the end. The entrance to the tunnel was blocked by a large snowdrift (I didn’t have a shovel); that was to be expected. The junction leading to the path towards Baudinard isn’t obvious, as all the tracks were more or less hidden by the remaining snow. You can have a bite to eat at the brand-new shepherd’s hut at Clot de Meunard, which is clearly visible on the descent. Superb view of the Pic de Bure, still well covered in snow! I’ll be back, even though the western valleys are particularly beautiful at this time of year! There’s a small car park with space for about eight cars in the centre of the hamlet of Villard Joli. This tunnel is actually called the ‘Galerie des Lyonnais’ or ‘Galerie Faillette’.

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ChristianNant70

14 Sep 2021 at 16:41

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 09, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A walk whose main attraction (in my opinion) is simply a visit to the gallery.
The rest of the landscape can already be seen from the Col de l’Aup or other places.
Sheep in the valley before the tunnel: the shepherd calmed them down whilst we passed through… lucky for us.
An ‘interesting’ tunnel stretching for a few dozen metres, but of little interest unless you enjoy exploring tunnels and caves.
It was swarming with mosquitoes when we were there. And very chilly: make sure you pack warm clothes!!

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chris05

16 Jul 2021 at 19:55

Thank you, Lamarcheur65

Have a good weekend
Christian

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chris05

15 Jul 2021 at 18:03

Lemarcheur65

Here’s the route and the guide have been updated

All the best, and have a lovely evening
Christian

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chris05

15 Jul 2021 at 17:33

Hello Lemarcheur65
I’ll change the starting point and the route!
But as for the reason for this problem – I’m 60 km away and won’t be passing through there this summer, so what’s the issue?

Have a lovely rest of the day
Christian

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chris05

11 Jul 2021 at 07:21

Hi rores
What can I say? If there’s a bit of a maverick at the start of the hike, just set off from the village of Villard Joli and the problem’s sorted!
You shouldn’t be so rigid as to insist on sticking to a route down to the last metre!
The explanations aren’t very helpful, though I do think I’m writing in French, even if there are some spelling mistakes!

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