The Malvallon sundial at Le Revest-les-Eaux

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A short cultural walk to see up close the wall on a rocky outcrop in Malvallon, which served as a shadow clock for the farmers working on the terraces to the north of this promontory.

Details

n°4390649
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 1.66 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 404 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 387 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 945 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 607 ft
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Photos

View of the sundial wall circa 1900
What on earth could this opening have been used for?
Shadow of the sundial
Malvallon clock wall seen up close

Description of the walk

Park in the car park on Avenue des Poilus.

(S/E) Take Avenue Delattre de Tassigny (Arrosants district) and follow theGR® 51 trail to a fork. To the left is the Chemin d’Evenos if you like dark, mysterious places where you expect a goblin or a fairy to pop up. A short climb at the end of the gorge, then follow the turquoise markings.
If you prefer a wide, quiet path, head right and take the Chemin des Laurons, then follow theGR®51trail to the turquoise markings.
A group can split up and meet up again at the turquoise trail on a pine-lined clearing.
From there, follow the turquoise markings to the left.

(1) Leave the cairn with the turquoise stone on your left, near a large bay laurel, and continue to the oratory to enjoy the view of the clock wall. And ask yourself what its purpose might have been???

(2) Retrace your steps back to the cairn.

(1) Turn right, following the turquoise-coloured markings to the sundial wall. A short climb.

(3) Observe the shadow cast and imagine the farmers watching for the time indicated by the sundial.

Return to the cairn and turn right again towards the pine-tree esplanade.
Ignore the path you took on the way there (if you went via the gorge) and head opposite onto the Chemin des Laurons, following theGR®51markings again.
Turn right, then veer left to retrace your steps in the opposite direction back to the starting point at the car park on Avenue des Poilus (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 607 ft - Town Hall
  2. 1 : mi 0.65 - alt. 909 ft - Turquoise Blue Cairn
  3. 2 : mi 0.7 - alt. 889 ft - Oratory, viewpoint
  4. 3 : mi 0.85 - alt. 863 ft - Wall clock
  5. S/E : mi 1.66 - alt. 607 ft - Town Hall

Notes

No flip-flops... obviously, but hiking boots with good grip.
There are two short climbs that aren’t too bad unless you’re afraid of heights.
Do not attempt this walk in rainy or wet weather (you can slip on the stones) or in icy conditions (the Arrosants district is aptly named, as it is fed by so many springs... and the road is icy!).
The estimated duration (1h 05m) is a bit short given the uneven terrain.
If you take the time to stroll and daydream about the farming work of our ancestors, it will take you 1 hour 30 minutes.

A pair of secateurs would be welcome to help maintain this new path.

Worth a visit

Views of Mont Caume and the village of Le Revest.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.1 / 5
Based on 5 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
3.8 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
granpa83
granpa83

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk with some lovely views.
Very easy for someone recovering from illness.

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fr6
fr6
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 06, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A short, varied walk (starting with a tarmac section and a rather steep climb), followed by a narrow, steep path and a short, secure “climb”. The turquoise trail? You just need to keep an eye out to find it. Be sure to head to the wayside shrine to see the clock before returning to the turquoise cairn, approaching it via the well-marked path to take in the surrounding scenery. One regret: best explored alone (taking responsibility for your own actions), as the signs reading “private property – climbing prohibited” prevent us from sharing this fascinating local attraction even with a small group.

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Alain E
Alain E
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 10, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The walk through the old sand quarry (“coarse sandstone” on geological maps), with its cliffs nearly 25 metres high, is spectacular. The exit is equipped with two very short fixed ropes. The descent down the eastern slope, with its superb terraced walls hidden in the vegetation—testament to the fact that our ancestors used to farm here a few decades ago—is well signposted.
Unfortunately, access to the rocky outcrop on which the wall stands is prohibited (4 signs!) and branches block the path. It is likely the landowner who does not approve of people being near the wall. It is true that, whilst the climb is extremely easy, the area near the wall is undeniably exposed.

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mbabi
mbabi

OK, thanks. I'll see how I can improve it.
Mbabi

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mandrier
mandrier

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : May 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant and easy start to the walk. Good GR signposting
We couldn’t find the end of the route from the GR-turquoise markings junction.

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mbabi
mbabi

In response to guillaume.sacher’s comment
It’s a good idea to take children on this walk. However, I wouldn’t recommend it for children under the age of 8. Whilst the sarsaparilla plants will only scratch the legs of older children, they’ll be more of a hazard for very young children. Furthermore, the climb up to the peak where the clock tower stands requires close supervision by accompanying adults.
mbabi, the hiker who created the walk.

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guillaume.sacher
guillaume.sacher

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 18, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An informative and fun walk that you can do with children, following in the footsteps of our ancestors, with two short, safe sections of climbing – a really enjoyable experience!

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