Learn to climb on the cliffs of the Prealps of the French Riviera
In summary
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Sports
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Duration2 days
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LevelAll levels
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DestinationFrench Alps / Alpes-Maritimes
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AgeFrom 15 - 35 years
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CO₂-Emissions30.19 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
In a few words
Experience a vertical immersion in the heart of the Prealps of the French Riviera , a prime playground for learning or perfecting your outdoor climbing skills . For two days, let yourself be guided on cliffs renowned for their accessibility and the quality of their limestone. Under a radiant sun, you'll discover iconic sites such as Saint-Auban, Aiglun, and the Verdon Gorge , offering an incredible variety of slabs, cracks, and crimps.
Accompanied by an expert instructor-guide , you'll calmly approach the feeling of heights while mastering fundamental techniques : rope handling, belaying, and precise movements. From the very first session, you'll be put into practice immediately, ensuring a smooth progression tailored to your pace. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced indoor climber looking to take the plunge into the natural environment, this course emphasizes safety and the joy of climbing. This short stay is a unique opportunity to conquer the rock face in a wild and pristine setting, leaving you with a solid foundation for independent climbing on crags .
The highlights
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Iconic sites of the Prealps of the French Riviera with varied profiles ranging from slabs to fissures
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Learning safety techniques to become self-reliant in natural environments
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Immediate activation on quality limestone for smooth progression
Photos
Sport
Level
Rock climbing
The expert's opinion
Young climbers who are already practicing, climbers who wish to learn and then improve their climbing techniques.
This weekend is aimed at beginner climbers or occasional climbers (bouldering or pitch climbing) whose level ranges between 4c and 5b when seconding.
In figures
Rock climbing
- Average duration/day: 4h
- Predominant type of road : Cliff/Rack
Management
French
You will be supervised by a certified climbing instructor. They will be equipped with a VHF radio connected to the emergency services, a satellite phone, or a cell phone. They will also have a group first aid kit.
Program
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Climbing course: From top-roping to lead climbing
- Transportation Car - 01h - 40km
- Activity Rock climbing
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Predominant type of road Cliff/Rack
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Your adventure begins near the Touët-sur-Var train station, where your instructor will welcome you with a hot drink. After a complete inventory and distribution of technical equipment, you'll head to the Saint-Auban climbing area. Perched at over 1000m altitude, this granite crag is perfect for working on grip and friction. This first day is dedicated to getting acquainted with the equipment: you'll learn how to adjust your harness, operate the different belay devices, and master fundamental safety rules such as the double-check.
In the afternoon, you'll put the theory into practice with workshops on the figure-eight knot and top-rope belaying. The instructor will use these first climbs to assess your skill level and define your areas for improvement. Depending on your comfort level, you'll begin to learn the basics of lead climbing, including clipping quickdraws and secure rope handling. Wearing a helmet is mandatory throughout the session for your safety. You'll then return to your accommodation for dinner and the night.
Day 1 -
Learning self-reliance on cliffs: from limestone to the Verdon
- Transportation Car - 00h30 - 10km
- Activity Rock climbing
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Predominant type of road Cliff/Rack
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
For this second stage, you'll head to the legendary Verdon Gorge, a site renowned worldwide for the quality of its limestone. Based on your experience from the previous day, you'll progress towards greater technical mastery and increased independence. The morning begins with reading guidebooks and an introduction to the use of specific equipment such as nuts and cams. After a warm-up traverse, you'll consolidate your skills in lead climbing and belaying the lead climber, while also learning about climbing grading systems.
The session intensifies with an introduction to rock climbing and freefall for those who wish to participate. You'll experience the force of impact and learn how to fall safely or how to dynamically control a fall. The afternoon is dedicated to learning how to rappel. Equipped with your helmet, you'll learn to tie a self-locking knot, such as the Machard knot, to secure your vertical descent. Your course concludes in La Palud-sur-Verdon around 5 pm. Please note that the instructor may adapt this program depending on the weather or your physical condition.
Day 2
Accommodation
Access
Go to the starting point
Price details
The price includes
- Accommodation in a gîte with half-board (Saturday evening meal, accommodation and breakfast)
- The overall organization, booking accommodation, instructor, equipment, and managing your registration
- Collective safety and progression equipment
The price does not include
- Saturday and Sunday's picnic
- Personal expenses: drinks...
- Civil liability, repatriation and cancellation insurance
- Equipment rental
- Transportation to and from the meeting point.
- Transportation to the climbing sites
- Generally speaking, anything not listed under "Price includes".
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment to bring
- A harness
- A screw-gate carabiner
- A 40cm strap to serve as a cow
- Quickdraws and other equipment that you wish to use or learn to use
- A pair of comfortable climbing shoes
- A backpack to carry the day's equipment to the base of the routes, approximately 35 liters
- Bring containers that can hold approximately 2 liters of water.
- Small knife
- Camera
- A small first-aid kit tailored to your personal needs, also containing elastic bandages and double-layer plasters for potential blisters.
Clothing to bring
- A pair of category 2 or 3 protective sunglasses
- A beanie and a cap
- A climbing-approved helmet*
- Long-sleeved underwear, a fleece or softshell jacket
- A Gore-Tex type windbreaker that protects against rain
- A pair of thin gloves
- A pair of leather mittens, like cycling or sailing gloves, for rappelling and belaying.
- Warm climbing pants
- Lightweight trousers
- A short
