A Visit to the Haute Alps of France

We leave Grenoble in our rented Mercedes, a very small version of the real thing, and head for the tiny village of Puy Auillard in the Haute Alps of France. We will be visiting our long-time friend Lionel Taupin and his new bride, Nadine.

We drive through, lush valleys with blue green rivers running through. We pass by tree-covered mountainsides dotted with villages and small towns. The farther south we go, the more rugged, massive and spectacular the mountains become. Every so often we spot a church tower peeking through the green and on one occasion spot the largest most colorful rainbow I have ever seen, arcing across a wide valley. The depth of this Phenomenon is immense. I have never seen the likes of this and I have seen many a rainbow. Unfortunately, the driver, who shall be unnamed, did not stop until we were too far to get a reasonable picture of it. I can however still see it in my mind's eye.

We pass though the pretty towns of Gap Sisteron and La Valouise. We arrive in Puy Auillard around noon, after driving up a treacherous narrow mountain road. Puy Auillard is a tiny village with just a few houses and in the center, a wonderful spring, where fresh mountain water runs into a small reservoir. The view of the valley below is spectacular as are the mountain vistas that surround it. There are Geraniums in window boxes and wild flowers growing in meadows and fields.

Lionel and Nadine greet us and we walk up to their house, a interesting three story wooden building, with a wrap-around porch, also lined with flower filled planters. As we reach the porch, I spot a moth landing on a flower. I have never seen one like this. It looks like a small flying fish.

After a delicious lunch, we chat and get to know Nadine and catch up with Lionel. This is done almost entirely in French. Lionel can speak English. Nadine cannot. Before long the French language again becomes natural to me, if not totally correct.

After our chat, Lionel takes Peter and I out for a tour of Puy Auillard and the surrounding villages. We walk up the mountain behind Lionel's house and there is a tow, for skiing. Lionel has built apartments in his house, which he rents out to skiers in the winter and hikers and mountain climbers in the summer. It is a lovely serene place, laid back, quiet and beautiful. Nadine, and excellent cook plans to serve home cooked meals for future renters.

Go To Page: 1 2