Brantes par les crêtes

A long hike from Plaisians to the Toulourenc valley. After an effort to reach the southern crest of Bluye, the descent, along quiet paths, reveals here and there the nearby peaks, from Nible to Ventoux. This itinerary allows us to make a small incursion into the Vaucluse, at the village of Brantes. It's a small village clinging to the side of the mountain, characterized by narrow streets and vaulted passageways, whose economy is based on crafts, goat breeding and cheese-making. The village's location, once a toll booth between Mollans-sur-Ouvèze and
Montbrun, offers breathtaking views of Mont Ventoux. The loop also includes a section of a thematic trail on the geology and agricultural heritage of the Toulourenc valley, from Saint-Léger-du-Ventoux to the Col de Fontaube, as well as a section of the Brantes botanical trail.

Departure point: From Buis-les-Baronnies, follow the D5 towards Mollans-sur-Ouvèze. Shortly after leaving the village, turn left onto the D72 towards Plaisians. Pass the village of Eygaliers, then take the D526, still heading for Plaisians. Park in the parking lot 100m further on, on the right of the road. This is the Clue parking lot (alt. 440m).

1. From the parking lot, take the road to the left as far as the intersection between the D72 and D526. After 100m, turn left onto the road to Fontaube.

2. 100m further on, leave the main road and turn right onto chemin de Bluye.

3. At the fork in the road, turn left. Pass a few houses. At the second fork in the road, go straight ahead. Go past the house, then along the apricot trees (respect the arboriculturist's work).

4. At a wooden shed, leave the track and turn left through a gate. Close the gate carefully. You start to climb through the forest on a sometimes faint path, following the signs.

5. You reach a pass (alt. 841m on IGN). Take the left-hand path. You are now on the ridge, where you come across several itineraries.

6. At the fork in the road, turn left onto the downhill track. After a bend, continue straight ahead on the main track at the crossroads.

7. Turn right to reach the Col de Chaussène crossroads (679m), then straight ahead on the track towards Brantes via Col de Fontaube (GR91 signposts). 100m further on, at the fork in the road, stay on the left-hand track and turn right after 50m.

8. At the fork, stay on the main left-hand track.

9. You reach the Col de Fontaube (alt. 635m). Continue straight ahead on the D41 towards Brantes.

10. Leave the road and turn right onto a downhill path, always following the main path. As you descend, you come to a fork in the road. Turn right on the downhill track and join the road on the left.

11. At a bend in the road, turn right onto a rising path. Turn right a second time. You'll come to the village of Brantes. Go straight ahead (blue and yellow markers), cross the road and take a path. The path passes between a field of olive trees and a house, then drops down to the road.

12. Turn right and after 250m leave the road to follow a path on the left, which descends through the houses, becomes paved and curves. Pass under a porch on the left. Continue straight ahead along the main road, following the GR9 route. Follow this road out of the village.

13. You come to the Christole crossroads (573m). Keep to the right of the main road, following the GR9 signposts. At two points, a path leads off the road.

14. You reach the Oratoire de Saint Gens crossroads (608m). Take the left-hand path towards Buis-les-Baronnies and Trou du Pertus. This then joins the road, which you take uphill on the right.

15. You reach the Trou du Pertus (670m). Take the left-hand track towards Ruisseau de Senaris. Stay on the main track.

16. Reach "Ruisseau de Sénaris" (620m). Turn left towards La Clue via Fontaube. Leave the GR9 markings.

17. After 2km, join the road, which you take on the left. At the bend 100 m further on, leave the road and take a track straight ahead, which soon turns left.

18. After 100m, turn right at the fork.

19. Keep left for 800m.

20. Leave the road and take the right-hand track in a hairpin bend. Then take the left-hand path, rejoin the track and turn left twice. You'll find the road again, take it on the left and return to the parking lot.

Spoken languages

• French

Labels and ranking

• Open air