Provence Rock Climbing

Provence Rock Climbing Itinerary

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.

Climbing Course & Camp Curriculum

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.

Transportation

Guide Meeting Point

Our meeting point is often at your hotel in either Cassis, Buis les Baronnies, or Marseille. Location will be determined based on your preference.

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.

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.

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.

Medical/Rescue and Trip Cancellation Insurance

We strongly recommend the purchase of a travel insurance package that does cover adventure travel. Common policies sold by travel agents or policies included in your credit card contract tend to exclude “mountaineering”  if you read through the fine print. We recommend an adventure travel policy on our website at http://ontopmountaineering.com/travel-insurance/  which our clients had good experiences with in the past. *NEW: we now recommend including covid-19/pandemic coverage with your insurance policy.

Trip Details

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.

Medical/Rescue and Trip Cancellation Insurance

We strongly recommend the purchase of a travel insurance package that does cover adventure travel. Common policies sold by travel agents or policies included in your credit card contract tend to exclude “mountaineering”  if you read through the fine print. We recommend an adventure travel policy on our website at http://ontopmountaineering.com/travel-insurance/  which our clients had good experiences with in the past. *NEW: we now recommend including covid-19/pandemic coverage with your insurance policy.

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.

Climbing Grade Conversion