Seven Days of Languedoc Sport Climbing

Keith had invited a small gang to the Languedoc region of southern France to sample some of his favourite local sport climbing … So after easily booking some budget flights from Leeds/Bradford airport to Montpellier and a cheap hire car for the week, we’d reached our base of operations – St Jean de la Blaquière. From here we drove out each day to seven of Keith’s carefully selected sunny, super attractive, and fun climbing venues itemised in the following table and map.

A great website that can help provide more detail on all of these venues is Climb Away. The site can also help with sourcing local guidebooks to these venues. An important factor to consider as these locally produced guidebooks, often sold in local bars and caf̩s, provide the revenue to support development and maintenance of these small climbing destinations. Without these initiatives, and the tourism they generate for the local areas, this kind of climbing would likely vanish. In short Рdo not buy commercial guidebooks Рsupport the locals!

Anyway, here are some pictures and tales from our week…

Day 1, Joncas

We kicked off the week with a relatively short drive to the Joncas gorge. A sunny and sheltered location with a fun approach down the water sculpted gorge, often assisted by various via-ferrata on the steep [dry] waterfalls.

Day 2, Thaurac, sector Romane

Thaurac is perhaps the biggest and most well known climbing venue in the Languedoc region, offering everything from multi-pitch monster routes with aid and traditional pitches. The deep and wide gorge also hosts a fast flowing clear watered river with a range of water-sports on offer.

Day 3, St Jean de Bueges

The lovely village of St Jean de Bueges sits below these impressive crags. Paul and I opted for a mini-adventure on a three-pitch route, Le Coup de Grisou. When we got back to the base of the route we met another team looking to start the same route and tried to start a conversation with our poor French. We soon realised they were English speakers too – and then that they were Keith’s friends John and Dee.

After joining the others at the single-pitch sector we later headed down for a beer (coffee for the drivers) in the quaint village where we also caught up again with John and Dee, who planned to come out with his friends Maddie and Rachel to join us climbing elsewhere later in the week.

Day 4, Caussanel

Caussanel is a brilliant little venue with pocketed steep limestone where we climbed – probably – the funnest route of the week Mais où Sont Passés les Nains, a long (35m) pitch up a vertical sea of jugs and pockets 😛 …

Day 5, Thaurac

We returned to the regions major venue Thaurac in search of shade from the fierce heat of the sun. Unfortunately we didn’t find much shade or cool. So after just a few routes (perhaps our arms were in need of a little rest anyhow) we retreated to a café for after tea (read beer)!

Day 6, Clape

It’s quite a long drive to Clape but the views out towards the Mediterranean were worth it!

Day 7, Vissou

The rock at Vissou is unlike any limestone I’ve come across before. It’s more like a conglomerate. What this means is that combined with our tiring arms we didn’t do very well! However, it was our last day, and a short day too before we headed off to the airport and wet and windy Britain… 🙁

Friends and The Climbers’ Club

The Climbers’ Club – an institution, club, organisation, whatever you want to call it – is truly amazing! Most of my closest friends are thanks to the Club. And where else could one hope to meet such a diverse group of people, let alone get to go on such fun climbing trips? However, the final thanks must go to Keith, the best networker and friend-maker I’ve ever known. Thanks for having us over Keith!