Les Amoureux by mountain bike

View from the car park of Chanterane. We can see the Aigue Agnelle Valley and its peaks: the peaks of the Fond du Peynin, the Grand Queyras, the Foréant and the Pain de Sucre.

Better known under the name of Marigold, this plant is used in herbal medicine or cultivated in gardens to scare away insects. Its seeds can withstand very low temperatures (-25 °C / -13 °F) and are spread by the wind. These characteristics explain its presence here because it is not its natural distribution area. The Marigold has calming and healing properties. It is used for skin problems, various inflammations, gastric problems and liver diseases.

Just before arriving in Saint-Véran, in the foreground, Pic Cascavelier is not covered by snow as yet. In the background, from left to right, Pointe des Marcelettes, Rocher Blanc, Pic Marcel and Pointe des Avers.

You will find this type of wash fountain throughout the Queyras. In Saint Véran, each district has its own. Made from larch trees (rot-resistant wood), these wash fountains have two parts: the tino and the batchas. The tino, where the water arrives is round. It served as a drinking trough for animals. People also came there take water for their personal needs. The batchas is rectangular. It was used to do the laundry.

At the exit of Saint-Véran, view overlooking the ridge of the Rousse mountain and the Roche des Clots mountain. In the foreground a rowan tree (also known as mountain-ash), bears its dazzling fall colours.

The larch is a pioneer tree. It settles on poor soils. By losing its needles in winter, it enriches the substratum. With its spread out branches and the space left by the trees between them, the sun is able to break through while maintaining freshness and moisture. This pleasant combination allows many plants to grow. Taking advantage of the decrease of pastoral activity, the larch tree has taken over the areas that were once exploited. This way, it prepares the ground for the other conifers which will grow through it.

In spring, the larch starts to produce its cones. The male cones are small, brown-yellowish and gathered in catkins They hang from branches. When young, female cones are bright red. They become brown when mature. They are isolated and erect on the branches. Once the cones are produced, the tree develops its needles. At the end of summer, the mature seeds will be released by the tree. Female cones are used to make a delicious liquor.