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Our area is one of the best in France for canyoning thanks to its unusual topography of gorges cut through by rivers, combined with a lovely warm climate.
The sport of canyoning involves descending these gorges, sometimes in the water, swimming or just letting yourself drift along with the current. Sometimes it involves abseiling, or going across a Tyrolian, a single wire you traverse across on. Sometimes the easiest way to get from a rock pool to the one below is to simply take the plunge and jump. Top fashion prevails at all times of course - smelly old wetsuit, gloves and a helmet. For an idea of what we mean by canyoning have a look at the following websites with good photos of canyoning down Clue de Aiglun, Clue de St Auban, Riou de Gourdon, Gorge du Loup, Clue des Mujouls, the Verdon Gorge and Clue de Riolan. All of these Clues and Gorges are easily accessible from Les Basses Beaumettes:
Clue de St Auban is in our village, while Clue d’Aiglun, Clue des Mujouls and Clue du Riolan are all within half an hour's drive. Further afield, the Gorges de Daluis, Gorges du Cians, Riou de Gourdon, Gorges du Loup and the Verdon Gorge are all less than an hour's drive away.
Guided canyoning
Canyoning can be done either with a guide or independently if you are suitably qualified. There is guided canyoning down the Clue de St Auban (3 km away), weather permitting.
For further information on guided descents have a look at the following websites :
Gite Tonic website (The Outdoor centre in St Auban)
Lou Païs website
Independent canyoning
Statistical information about each canyon can be found here. Look under randonnees, then descentes de clues to find a list of clues in the area.
The Rando Oxygene series gives excellent information about local canyoning, press on the visualiser carte symbol to get a map.