What a face to face when you are at the foot of the Pénitents des Mées, a legendary site and natural curiosity listed as a UNESCO Geopark of Haute Provence. Golden pyramids or steep cliffs. A few steps away, let yourself go to the rhythm of the hooves in the fields of three-hundred-year-old olive trees and discover the subtle flavor of local AOP or AOC Haute Provence olive oil.
Stunning cliffs
What a face to face. Dizzying and fascinating! Like a farandole of golden pyramids, sculpted by erosion, the series of gigantic cliffs stretches over 2 kilometers. The hooded “monks” do penance, stoic, petrified for three million years. 100 meters of empty space on both sides, the dizzying path draws us to the crest of this natural monument. The panoramic view of the valley dominates the Durance and the Lure mountain. The scents of thyme, rosemary, lavender and wild sage immerse us in Provence.
The Penitents of Les Mées
Curiosities of nature listed in UNESCO Geopark of Haute Provence, the legendary site has an explanation: “ monks who would have been punished for having laid eyes on young women they were escorting. They were petrified for having succumbed to sin ».
Western atmosphere in Haute-Provence
Piercing eyes, golden manes, a horde of stallions neighed to welcome us. Here the immense Fenière equestrian center transports you into a western ranch atmosphere. The smells of horses and scrubland subtly intertwine. The most curious greet us with a nod, the more playful ones move and stomp around waiting for us to stroll through this authentic Provence setting.
Seen from the sky, the equestrian center forms a horse's head engraved in nature. We guess the contours, according to the paths that crisscross this head of Pegasus.
On the hillside to the rhythm of the horses
" You are ready ? » The excitement is building! Apprehension too. Helmet in hand, we set off to get our impatient mounts. In the saddle, we wind slowly along the side of the hill in a forest of olive trees, these sacred and legendary trees, full of history. Lulled by the rhythm of the horses, our contemplation is even sweeter. The view overlooking the green Val de Durance is magnificent.
A vast meadow lights up, a flora nuanced with colors is printed before our eyes like a Cézanne painting. The clopping of hooves intensifies, hair blowing in the wind, it’s breathtaking! My acolytes, shaken in all directions, feet in the air, legs outstretched, what a laugh! A real breath of fresh air and good humor. All these olive fields give us ideas: “shall we stop at the penitents’ mill?”
AOP & AOC
Olive oil from Haute Provence
At the olive oil museum, tasting causes an explosion of tastes that awakens our senses. Our host, with a 100% Provence cicada accent, describes to us: “ Artichoke, spicy, fruity and acidic ". In front of the oil bar, he offers us a blind tasting of olive oils, spoon in mouth. A hurricane of flavors makes our taste buds waltz.
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