Chamonix and Lausanne

Paula turned 30 in October (time flies!), and we planned to combine her birthday with both our passions, and arranged a surprise weekend with her in Chamonix, in secret communication with Jasper. It is halfway between our house and Lausanne, and also the location where Mary discovered her love for the mountains, more than 40 years ago. The trip also coincided with great autumn weather: blue, crystal clear skies and great views everywhere. 

The first afternoon we did a hike ourselves, to the Chalets de Chailloux, with great views over the Mont Blanc massif. The following morning Paula and Jasper arrived, and we decided on a classic hike: from Chamonix to Mer de Glace, once a huge glacier, now withdrawn to higher altitudes. From the viewpoint we took the Montenvers train back down with many other tourists, and finished the day with a nice dinner in town.

The next day we drove towards Switzerland, and hiked near Lac d'Emosson, one of the largest dams in the country, and again very popular for day visits. We stayed at Paula's apartment in the evening, and tested the new raclette set, that she got for her birthday. The trip was wrapped up with a morning walk along Lake Geneva, and the vineyards on the slopes above the lake, all within easy reach from their place. After lunch we drove back to a week of rain and wind in the Oisans...

Hiking to the Chalets de Chailloux

Great views everywhere!

Sunset over Mont Blanc, seen from Chamonix

Hiking towards a viewpoint over the Mer du Glace glacier

Stunning scenery

Paula and Pippin at Emosson, with another view towards Mont Blanc

Hiking near Emosson

Lunch at Lac d'Emosson

Pippin found a new friend

Lausanne: enjoying raclette with Paula's new toy

Hiking and wine

As we had more time this year we teamed up with our friend Frits during his yearly wine pilgrimage down the Rhone valley. Normally we joined him for one night only, in the excellent hotel Les Florets in the wine village of Gigondas. This time we tagged along for 6 days, spending the mornings hiking (just us and Pippin), and tasting some wines in the afternoon. This way we did a road trip from Gigondas, to Tavel, Pic Saint Loup and Bandol. At the last moment Paul decided to join as well for a few days, and he was picked up and dropped off at the Avignon TGV train station. And the whole trip with nice summer weather, and dining outside a few evenings!

We met Frits in Gigondas (Les Florets), where we did two nice hikes in the Dentelles de Montmirail area. We then drove to Tavel where famous rose wine is produced, something we wouldn't normally taste or buy, but we gave it a fair chance. This was followed by two days in Pic Saint Loup, an area just north of Montpellier, with several wine villages around two spectacular limestone cliffs. The hike to the top of Pic Saint Loup was apparently famous, and quite busy, especially compared to the Oisans. Unfortunately this was the one overcast morning and the views were somewhat greyish. This was compensated by excellent tasting at Mas Bruguiere, Mirabel, Lascaux and Lancyre, all recommended. The Pic Saint Loup appellation was only recognised in 2017, and is up and coming!

The last stop was at the coastal town of Bandol, doubling as beach and wine resort. We visited and tasted old favourites Galantin and Gaussen, and added the unknown Tempier winery as well. The next morning we did a coastal walk, again with many, many other hikers. We then drove back to the quiet Oisans, dropping off Paul on the way, to continue the rest of our holiday.

Piet and Frits making an important decision at Les Florets: which Champagne to order as aperitif

In the Dentelles de Montmirail

Hiking in the Dentelles

A rare sight: Piet and Frits drinking rose in Tavel

It's hunting season in southern France: a sign near Tavel

Aperitif in our B&B in Pic Saint Loup: L'Oustal

Piet and Paul discussing the wines of Chateau Lascaux

Morning walk in the Lancyre vineyards, with a view of Pic Saint Loup (left) and Pic de l'Hortus

Tasting remains serious business at Chateau Lancyre

Domaine le Galantin

Chateau Jean Pierre Gaussen doesn't look like a castle

Evening walk along the Bandol boulevard

Bandol: Mediterranean sunset

Bandol: paddle boarders getting ready in the morning

France (2025 - V): autumn

We did our last trip of the year in the month of October, to enjoy the usually beautiful autumn weather in the French Alps. We were lucky again this year, with a few beautiful weeks of sunshine, shorts and t-shirts, work in the garden, bike rides and hikes. We also managed two short trips (see the next two posts), and caught up with many of our friends in the area. The last week the weather turned real 'autumn', with lots of rain and wind. Also the first snow fell higher up in the mountains; the region was slowly getting ready for winter. We cleaned the house and garden, and locked up, planning to return early 2026.

Ready for a Sunday ride with UC Oisans

Great weather along the Romache

Miroir des Fetoules, above St Christophe

Piet heading towards St Christophe

Beautiful autumn colours in Villard Notre Dame

Pippin jumping over a fallen tree, after the first storm of the season

The first snow on the lower slopes of the Oisans