Le Grand Parcher circuit (no. 6)
sentier en forêt d'adret
sentier en forêt d'adret - rogiervanrijn
Les Vigneaux

Le Grand Parcher circuit (no. 6)

Fauna
Flora
Geology
Embed this item to access it offline
Circling the village of Les Vigneaux and its hamlets, this loop through welcoming and tranquil surroundings offers a magnificent panoramic view over the valley.
This circuit in the municipality of Les Vigneaux follows the Gyronde, on the north-facing side, bringing you to Le Grand Parcher with its traditional houses and the village of Les Vigneaux, on the south-facing side, standing on an alluvial cone.

Description

The circuit starts near the car park on the right-hand bank of the Gyronde, on a narrow track that follows the river upstream, below the road leading to a campsite, the Camping des Vaudois

  1. After going through the campsite, take the track on the left leading towards Le Chambon. This virtually straight path passes through a number of meadows
  2. Cross a bridge (the Pont Haut) and join the local road. After 200 metres, at the next intersection turn right towards Le Petit Parcher
  3. At the crossroads, turn right towards Le Grand Parcher
  4. In Le Grand Parcher, take the road rising uphill to the left. A few metres beyond the Chapelle Saint-André, take a narrow path on the right leading towards the Rocher Blanc
  5. As you ascend, head right on a single track until you come to the Rif Cros mountain stream
  6. Cross the mountain stream and carry on to the centre of Les Vigneaux. When you come to the local road and the Pont du Rif you have reached your starting point
  • Departure : Pont du Rif (right-hand bank of the Gyronde), Les Vigneaux
  • Arrival : Pont du Rif (right-hand bank of the Gyronde), Les Vigneaux
  • Towns crossed : Les Vigneaux and Vallouise-Pelvoux

8 points of interest

  • L'ubac
    L'ubac - Office de tourisme du Pays des Écrins
    Geology and geography

    The "ubac"

    The track rises gently up the right-hand bank of the Gyronde, on the "ubac" side. The "ubac" is the slope that is exposed to the north, so it is in shadow in winter when the sun is low in the sky.
  • Le laser siler
    Le laser siler - Cédric Dentan - Parc national des Écrins
    Flora

    The laserwort

    After the bridge, a large plant with flowers arranged in umbels (in other words, an umbellifer) clings to a small rock bar to the right of the track, the laserwort. This plant belongs to the family Apiaceae, which used to be called umbellifers, and grows in dry areas. It has a distinctive feature: in autumn, the basal part of the stem breaks of its own accord and the entire plant, now dry, sets off rolling down the hillside like a large ball, or is blown by the wind.

  • La Gyronde
    La Gyronde - Office de tourisme Pays des Écrins
    Water

    Thne Gyronde

    No, we're not in south-west France where the Gironde flows! The Gyronde (spelt with a «y»!) is the river that flows between Vallouise and L'Argentière-La Bessée, where it flows into the Durance. It originates from the Gyr and Onde mountain streams which merge in Vallouise.

  • Le torcol
    Le torcol - Damien Combrisson - Parc national des Écrins
    Fauna

    The northern wryneck

    In the spring, an odd song can be heard among the old trees in the orchard, a loud song similar to that of the green woodpecker, only slower. It is that of the northern wryneck. This bird owes its name to the extreme way it extends and twists its neck when it feels threatened. Its French name torcol fourmilier is a reference to the fact that it feeds on ants (fourmils in French). Difficult to spot because its plumage merges into the colour of the tree trunks, it gives its presence away by its song when it returns from its migration.
  • Aiguilles de pin sylvestre
    Aiguilles de pin sylvestre - Parc national des Écrins
    Flora

    On the south-facing slope, pine forest

    The track passes through a forest of Scots pines, mixed with some downy oak trees. It is a forest typical of those found in the lower south-facing slopes (those exposed to the sun) in the intra-alpine valleys.
  • Le chévrefeuille d'Étrurie
    Le chévrefeuille d'Étrurie - Bernard Nicollet - Parc national des Écrins
    Flora

    Etruscan honeysuckle

    Etruria was the territory of the Etruscans, in the area of present-day Tuscany. Although this honeysuckle does not grow only in Tuscany, it is Mediterranean, however, and only grows naturally in the wild in the southern half of France. Being a plant that needs warmth, it does not grow at altitude, except here where the south-facing slopes are particularly dry and warm. Its large pink and yellow flowers are highly perfumed.
  • Le four banal des Vigneaux
    Le four banal des Vigneaux - Office de tourisme Pays des Écrins
    Vernacular heritage

    The communal oven

    Legend has it that the Lord caused a communal oven to be built and kept it maintained. The local people could use this oven in exchange for the payment of a levy. Families would prepare and knead their own dough at home and then bring it to the oven for baking. Names were drawn by lot to establish their turns. 

  • Eglise des Vigneaux
    Eglise des Vigneaux - Blandine Reynaud - PDE
    History

    The village of Les Vigneaux

    In spite of the altitude, the region's dry climate and the local growing conditions of limestone and sediments facing due south made the planting of grapevines possible as far back as the tenth century. The municipality owes its name to the presence of these vineyard operations, which were very significant in the late nineteenth century. The almost simultaneous appearance of the phylloxera aphid and the Briançon train, bringing wine from Provence, spelled the end of this activity here.


Forecast


Altimetric profile


Sensitive areas

Along your trek, you will go through sensitive areas related to the presence of a specific species or environment. In these areas, an appropriate behaviour allows to contribute to their preservation. For detailed information, specific forms are accessible for each area.

Short-toed snake eagle

Impacted practices:
Aerial,
Sensitivity periods:
MarAprMayJunJulAugSep
Contact:
Parc National des Écrins
Julien Charron
julien.charron@ecrins-parcnational.fr

Short-toed snake eagle

Impacted practices:
Aerial,
Sensitivity periods:
MarAprMayJunJulAugSep
Contact:
Parc National des Écrins
Julien Charron
julien.charron@ecrins-parcnational.fr

Recommandations

Rescue services contact details: Secours Montagne(Mountain Rescue): +33 (0)4 92 22 22 22 or 112

Take your litter home

Do not take shortcuts across pastureland

Information desks

Vallouise Park house

, 05290 Vallouise

http://www.ecrins-parcnational.fr/vallouise@ecrins-parcnational.fr04 92 23 58 08

Information, documentation, models, exhibitions, screenings, product sales and works of the Park. Guided tours for school, reservation required. The new Park House opened in Vallouise since June 1, and offers visitors an interactive permanent exhibition inviting to explore the area and its heritage. A temporary exhibition space will allow a renewed offer. Finally, the device is completed by an audiovisual room to organize screenings and conferences Free admission. All animations of the Park are free unless otherwise stated.

Find out more

23 Avenue de la République, 05120 L'Argentière-La Bessée

https://www.paysdesecrins.com/contact@paysdesecrins.com+33(0)4 92 23 03 11

Transport

Public transport >> www.pacamobilite.fr
Consider car-sharing >> www.blablacar.fr

For more information, ask at the Tourist Information Office nearest to the trail starting point >> www.paysdesecrins.com

Access and parking

4.7 km from L'Argentière-La Bessée, take the D994E.

Parking :

Car park close to the Pont du Rif (right-hand bank of the Gyronde), Les Vigneaux

More information


Source


Report a problem or an error

If you have found an error on this page or if you have noticed any problems during your hike, please report them to us here:


Trail news