Provence / South of France Rock Climbing

Climbing Areas

Buis les Baronnies

From the town of Buis, we have quick access (5 to 20 minutes driving) to the following crags: Rocher St. Julien (1 – 4 pitches), Beaumes Rousses (1 – 3 pitches), Beaume Noir (1 – 3 pitches), Ubrieux (1 – 3 pitches), St. Leger (single pitch, harder climbs), and more.

Additional world-class limestone climbing areas like Orpierre or Dentelles de Montmirail can be reached within a 50-minute drive and offer multi-pitch climbing to seven pitches at all grades on mainly east and southerly aspects.

Calanques National Park

Mostly involving approaches of 30-60 minutes and ranging from 1 to 12 pitches in length. The area offers a large number of moderate white limestone routes directly above the spectacular Mediterranean sea. The exposed sea cliff traverses are memorable! Driving time from Cassis is about 30 minutes every day in each direction.

Curriculum

Our beginners’ course will have you following moderate routes and leading sport climbs. You will learn everything you need to know about climbing multi-pitch routes safely and efficiently. Our advanced level courses will get you leading moderate routes and establishing anchors using traditional gear.

On our climbing camps, the guide acts more like a coach: helping to choose the best route for a given day and skill level of the participants; sharing tips on route-finding, leading, and belaying; and accompanying the climbers to ensure a safe, fun, and successful day. Having a guide in your group assures optimal use of your vacation time and peace of mind should the going get rough.

For our courses, we strongly believe in the “Learning by Doing” concept. Expect lots of climbing!

Rock Climbing Beginners’ Course

• Follow moderate and lead easy bolted multi-pitch climbs, lead (or mock-lead) bolted sport climbs
• Knots, rock climbing technique, belay technique, communication, rappelling, cleaning anchors, introduction to the placement of removable climbing protection (i.e. nuts and cams), hazard evaluation, and risk management

Rock Climbing Advanced Course

• Lead moderate multi-pitch climbs on gear safely and efficiently, lead sport climbs
• Review of beginner’s course contents plus: advanced climbing technique, placement of removable protection (i.e. cams and nuts), building safe belay stations/anchors, basic self-rescue techniques, route selection, and trip planning

Rock Climbing Camp

• A combination of any of the above contents, advancing at a rate in accordance with your personal skill level and preferences

The Climbing Camps are Private Courses requiring a minimum commitment of 5 days and 3 – 6 climbers.

Trips can depart any day between the last week of May and Mid-September.

Pricing and inclusions

Price is per person

2 Participants: US $3070
3 Participants: US $2620
4 Participants: US $2270
5 Participants: US $1930
6 Participants: US $1890

Included: 

• 5 x days of guiding by an internationally certified (UIAGM / IFMGA), English-speaking mountain guide or guide aspirant under supervision
• guide’s expenses
• Six nights lodging in double rooms in B&Bs and hotels at the 3-star level
• breakfast each morning
• Helmet and climbing harness rental

Not Included:

• Single hotel room supplement ($50 USD per night x 6)
• Airfares
• Lunches
• Dinners
• Drinks
• Gratuities
• Admission fees for museums, castles, etc.
• Participants are encouraged to share rental vehicles, or land transport can be quoted on request.
• Any additional costs in case of itinerary changes regardless if those changes were made due to adverse weather or mountain conditions, or due to personal or group preferences.

Can I Do It?

1) Beginner Course 

Requires good physical fitness for spending active days in the mountains and you should not be afraid of heights. Previous hiking and indoor climbing experience advantageous. Objective: Follow multi-pitch climbs, lead sport climbs.

2) Advanced Course 

See under 1), plus outdoor climbing experience following routes up to grade 5.8 (French grade 5a / 5b). Objective: Lead multi-pitch climbs on gear self sufficiently.

3) Climbing Camp 

See under 1) and 2) plus the ability to safely lead up to grade 5.6 (French grade 3 or 4) on multi-pitch climbs. If you sign up as a rope team of two, at least one of the partners must be a competent leader. Your guide will coach you on the climbs, ensure you set up safe belays, assure good route-finding and will step in if the going gets tough.

Private Guiding

As with all of our private guiding weeks, you can enjoy optimal flexibility! The areas that we can visit in Provence are very diverse: From sport climbing to traditional climbing, from single pitch to 15 pitch routes, from a semi-alpine environment to sea cliffs over the Mediterranean. We are certain that we can find the right itinerary for you, regardless whether you are a beginner or you have been climbing for decades and want to trade leads with your guide.

Climate, Weather, Temperatures

The best seasons for climbing in Southern France are in the spring and fall (i.e. March to mid-May and mid-September to mid-November), with temperatures normally ranging from 20 to 25°C. Most of the climbing faces south and east which makes it a perfect rock climbing destination even at either end of the seasons. Summer is generally hot, but we can always find options for climbing in shady, protected areas.

Getting There

Meeting Point

Our meeting point will be either at our hotel in Buis les Baronnies, about a one hour drive north-east of Avignon in the hill country of the Drome Provencale, or at our pickup location in Avignon – see below.

Getting There

The closest international airports are in Marseille (2 hours driving) and Lyon (3 hours driving). From there, you can take the TGV train to Avignon, Bolene, or Aix en Provence – each about 1 to 1.5 hours drive to Buis les Baronnies.

We can pick you up at the Avignon train station or downtown Avignon at 3PM on Day 1 of the itinerary without extra cost. Alternatively, for a fee, we can pick you up and drop you off at either airport as well as at the TGV train stations of Bolene or Aix en Provence. Other meeting points can be arranged in accordance with your individual travel plans.

You can research your options and make train bookings at thetrainline.com. Try and book your train tickets as early as possible, as they become more expensive closer to the travel date.

Technical Equipment

Technical Gear

 Bring the following:

• Rock climbing shoes
• Light approach shoes for easier approaches (recommended) or sturdy approach shoes or light trekking boot with ankle support (personal option)
• Lightweight, collapsible hiking poles (optional)
• Climbing backpack (20-30 litres) with rain cover specific to the pack
• Leather belay/rappel gloves (optional)

Bring the following or ask us for a quote to supply the items:

• Climbing helmet
• Climbing harness with gear loop

Clothing

We recommend the ‘layering system’: Bring light, technical clothing that doesn’t take much space in your backpack and dries quickly when sweaty or wet. Layers must be put on and taken off quickly as weather conditions change during the day. There may be days when you can wear cotton, but your main clothing choices should be synthetic or wool. Merino wool is a nice material for base layers and t-shirts because it is comfortable, warm, and it does not retain odours even after many days of use.

• Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex or similar)
• Lightweight wind and water-resistant over pants (Gore-Tex or similar)
• Lightweight synthetic climbing pants or zip-offs
• Medium weight Primaloft jacket with hood
• Medium weight fleece sweater
• Synthetic or wool base layers – top and bottom
• Synthetic shorts and t-shirt
• Quick-drying sports bra
• 2-3 pairs good quality trekking socks
• Warm hat that covers your ears
• Lightweight synthetic gloves
• Sun hat, preferably with a wide rim
• Bandana or Buff (optional)

Lodging and around town

• Casual clothing, spare socks and underwear, and comfortable footwear for the nightly accommodations
• Toiletries

Other items

• Sunglasses with high UV protection
• Sunscreen and lip protection with high SPF
• Small container bug spray or cream
• One-litre water bottle
• Headlamp with spare battery
• Your favourite snacks – candy bars, dried fruit, nuts, etc.
• Personal first aid kit and other needs (eg. blister kit, prescription medicine, anti-inflammatory, contact lenses, prescription glasses, etc.)
• Pocket knife (optional)
• Health and travel insurance documents
• Light stuff sacs or Ziploc bags to keep your backpack organized and

important items (optional, but recommended)

• Camera, spare batteries
• Ear plugs
• Maps, GPS, altimeter watch
• Hand sanitizer or sanitary hand wipes (small personal amount)
• Adaptor for European charging system

Climbing grade conversion

FAQ

Do I need to sign a Release of Liability & Assumption of Risk Agreement (a.ka. liability waiver)?

Yes, you do. Mountaineering, skiing, climbing, hiking, via ferrata and all other wilderness and adventure travel activities are inherently risky with potential for injuries or even death.
It is very important to us that you are aware of those risks before you start the booking process, which includes filling out a booking form and paying a deposit.
With signing the liability waiver, you confirm that you understand the potential risks and hazards, and are willing to accept the risks, which includes giving up legal rights you may have.
This would also be the time to ask questions or address concerns before you book.
For your reference here is a link to our Liability Waiver. Our booking terms & cancellation policy with more details can be found here

I don’t own my pair of climbing shoes, what should I do? 

Not a problem! the Sport Shop in Buis Les Barronies is open 7 days a week and rent climbing shoes www.baronnies-sport.com along with other climbing gear.

Feedback

“Franck was really great.  On a personal level, he was fun to be with, interesting and interested in us.  He did a really great job at picking climbs and organizing the days so that we could do the climbing that we wanted to do.  He balanced our requests and the weather so that we could have fun climbing on days where the weather wasn’t always the best.  He clearly has a great depth of knowledge about the areas we were in.  His enthusiasm for climbing and the outdoors is inspiring.

On a technical level, the climbs he chose were well suited for us.  The belays and rappels were well set up, and quickly, and Franck was always willing to explain what he was doing and why.

The itinerary and communication from you all was excellent.  It’s a great mix of climbing inland and on the sea.

The lodging was good and the dinners we had were very good.

Thanks for all your help setting this up and picking Franck.  I hope to be in touch again in the future.”

 – Jon B.  USA