Attention : cette visite est organisée en collaboration avec l'Alpine Garden Society du Royaume-Uni et sera donc proposée en anglais.

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In collaboration with the Alpine Garden Society, and with kind support from the Hendry Fund, JBAM is very pleased to offer an introductory tour to the mountain flora of the Alpes-Maritimes, to take place from 8th - 15th June 2024.

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This will be a 7 day trip, allowing 2 days for travel and 5 days for practical activities.

 

Day 1: Arrival at Nice airport. Transfer to Gréolières (50 mins) to settle in accommodation. Afternoon: local trip to Caille wet meadows / clue de Aiglun / Gréolières-les-Neiges ski station (depending on arrival times). Evening: dinner and introductory talk on the JBAM project and the flora of the Alpes-Maritimes.

 

Day 2: Day exploring the flora of the Préalpes d’Azur Regional Park. We will travel a short distance to the karstic plateau of Caussols, where in an area of around 60 km² over 800 species of plant can be found. The plateau ranges from 1100 – 1450m and includes a variety of habitats including wet meadows, limestone pavements, beech woodland and garrigue.

 

Day 3: A hunt for the chasmophytic endemics of the southern Alps. We will explore the gorges and clues of the préalpes, looking at how these have acted as refugia for plants over millennia and the unique plant communities that have developed within them. Swimming costumes recommended!

 

Day 4: Depart by 8am for 2 hour drive to drop off point in the Vallon de la Gordolasque. Starting at 1700 m we will move from forests of Pinus cembra and larch to discover the siliceous flora of the stunning Gordolasque valley. We will climb up to the Refuge de Nice, perched on a promontory above the Lac de la Fous and surrounded by alpine meadows. Night spent in dormitories at the refuge.

 

Day 5: After breakfast at the refuge we will climb up to the highest point of our itinerary, the Baisse du Basto (2700m) then gradually descend between alpine lakes into the Vallée des Merveilles. This glacial valley was used for millennia by the itinerant herdsmen of the region, and today is protected as a vast outdoor museum dedicated to the carvings they left inscribed on the rocks. We will explore the chasmophytic and scree vegetation, as well as the wet habitats that surround the many lakes and watercourses that run through the landscape. Return to Gréolières.

 

Day 6: A day exploring the calcareous alpine flora of the Alpes-Maritimes. We will drive to the ski station of Valberg (2 hours) and walk up the southern flank of Mount Mounier, into the Mercantour National Park, to botanise on one of the highest calcareous peaks in the southern Alps.

 

Day 7: Depart accommodation by midday. Drop-off at Nice airport for return journey.

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Practical details:

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The kind support of the Hendry Fund has made it possible for this tour to be offered at a cost of ### per person. This does not include flights nor travel insurance, which is obligatory for each participant. Places on the tour are limited to 10 people. However, the exigences of finding accommodation in a small mountain village mean that 3 double rooms, 2 twin rooms and a single room are available.

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The tour will be self-catering with opportunities to purchase food at local supermarkets or resturants. The night staying at the Refuge de Nice includes an evening meal, breakfast and a packed lunch for the following day.

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Participants should also be aware that some elements of this itinerary require a good level of physical fitness and up to 6 hours walking over often rocky and steep terrain.

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Membership of the Alpine Garden Society is a prerequisite for participation in this tour.

 

For more information or to express an interest in participating in this tour please contact David Richter at dkrichter@hotmail.com or +0033 7 85 79 18 26

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