The Montmeyan lookout

(S/E) Set off from the square by the old co-operative and the town hall. You can park in the car park below, near the motorhome area. With your back to the car park, head up into the village via Avenue du Verdon, turn right onto Rue de la Gendarmerie, and you’ll reach Rue des Lauves.

(1) Carry on straight ahead, continuing along a footpath, and follow it downhill, ignoring the side paths on either side leading down into the valley. You’ll come to a fork in the path.

(2) Turn left at the fork and continue uphill, even when the path narrows. You’ll reach the D30, Route de la Verdière.

(3) Cross it carefully, take the path directly opposite, and you’ll reach a junction.

(4) At the junction, take the path leading uphill to the right and follow it to the watchtower. This is the highest point of the walk. The view is lovely. There is a water tower right next to it; it is fenced off.

(5) Continue along the same path, heading downhill. When you come to a fork, turn right onto a wide DFCI track.

(6) Follow it to the left for about 700 m.

(7) To leave this track, there are several paths branching off to the left. Take the one that appeals to you most to reach the large oak tree (see alternative route in the practical information section).

(8) Follow the path down into the forest. You are now beneath the Trois Croix.

(9) At this junction, take the path that climbs very slightly to the left and follow it along level ground until you reach the junction from the outward leg. Through the trees, you can see the Cadenières farm, where the goats provide milk for the cheese sold directly to the public.

(4) Continue straight on and, following the path in the opposite direction to the outward journey, return to the starting point at the square where the old co-operative and the town hall are located (S/E).

There are no water sources along the way (apart from wild boar wallows for dogs on the DFCI track).

Alternative route: (7) If you stay on the track for 2 km and turn left at both junctions, you will arrive, after a 150-metre climb, at the beautiful Trois Croix viewpoint, a walk described on Visorando starting from the village of Tavernes. There are then two ways to rejoin this route: either retrace your steps to the point (7) or blaze your own trail like a wild boar up the hill to the point (9). This will take about an extra 1½ hours.

You can’t climb the watchtower, but it’s a lovely spot, ideal for playing pirates or Robinson Crusoe.

The village of Montmeyan is charming with its narrow streets and medieval atmosphere. There are information panels on the buildings. Restaurants, a grocery shop and a bakery are open all year round… or almost.