The Bastidon Pradon

12 points of interest

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  Patrimony and history

  The village of Oppède

  The old village was built on a rocky outcrop at the foot of a castle from the Middle Ages now in ruins. Its Renaissance houses, some also ruined and its cobbled streets give it a timeless bucolic atmosphere. In the 19th century, seeking more land suitable for cultivation, the inhabitants settled in the plain little by little, where the district of Poulivets was developed, nowadays the new village centre.

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  Flora

  The landscaped garden of Sainte-Cécile

  Take the time to visit to the north side of the village, the landscaped garden of Saint-Cécile's terraces.! These fifteen dry stone terraces gather more than forty species of trees and shrubs, typical of the country. Shaped like an amphitheatre, it is a real collection of the Luberon jewels over 1.6ha.

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  Patrimony and history

  The covered market

  As evidenced by the inscription in one of the stone pillars, this covered market was built in 1772. Located at Place de la Croix and against the rampart, it hosted the meetings of the villagers including fairs. Simple, with an elongated lean-to roof, the care and precision brought to moulded capitals of the pillars is quite noticeable. It was restored in 1991 while missing three spans.

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  Fauna

  Old forests and tree sheds

  Here the atmosphere is special, and the ecological wealth is striking. A true social housing moss and fungi, older trees host a multitude of inhabitants; birds, insects, or bats ... In the cracks of branches, holes drilled by woodpeckers or under the ivy, they nest or flush out wood-eating insects (xylophagous). The flora of the understory is also original. These old forests are precious.

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  Patrimony and history

  Here, it's all about climbing!

  To the right, above the path, lies a small rock climbing schoolpopular with climbers from all around the country. Itcontains about forty routes with difficulty levels ranging from 3a to 7b, fitted on limestone slabs over 16m. Located at the limit of the biotope protection, it is the only site open to climbers on the Petit Luberon. All the other cliffs are closed to climbing practices in order to preserve the tranquillity of raptors.

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  Fauna

  The Spiked Magician

  The Spiked magician (Saga pedo) is the largest bush cricket in France and among the largest insects. It may indeed measure up to 11cm. Very discreet, it enjoys the dry grassland and scrubland of southern France that we see here. Rather a rare fact, there is no male of this species. The females reproduce with parthenogenesis (asexual reproduction) and the offsprings of each female are therefore clones.

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  Refuge

  The Bastidon Pradon

  The small unguarded hut you will see is called "Bastidon Pradon". Open to hikers or passing riders, it is freely available. Inside, no mattresses or blankets but enough dishes to eat and warm up. Perfect for a break or a step, the days of big mistral!

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  Geology

  A tropical sea

  The summit plateau of the Petit Luberon consists of limestone that formed in the seabed, about 130 million years ago. At that time, France and especially Provence were further south. The climate was therefore warmer than today and the seabed populated by corals, rudist (bivalve molluscs disappeared there 66 million years ago), sea urchins, snails ...

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  Flora

  Archaic Ephedra Major

  In this limestone habitat develops the Ephedra Major, a bush origin to the vegetation of the town’s Mediterranean hills. This twigged plant, completely covered by layers of long, thin leaves, is one of the oldest plants alive today. Favoring extreme conditions related to the mistral in particular, it is confined to the western end of the Massif du Luberon. You may notice bright red ripe fruit from August to September.

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  Flora

  Exceptional lawns on the ridges

  From the traditional practice of grazing and constraints combined with Mediterranean and Alpine climates, lawns are home to many of the Luberon heritage species of plants and insects. They are also hunting areas for large raptors. With sheep grazing in spring, combined with bush clearing, shrubs continue to grow. Scientific monitoring of rare and sensitive species are conducted on several sites.

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  Fauna

  The Ocellated Lizard

  The Ocellated lizard is the largest lizard in Europe, individuals may reach 90 cm including the tail. It is easily recognized by its large triangular head, his yellow-green hue and circles or "eyespots" bright blue on its sides. It appreciates the open areas and dry soils such as rocky scrubland. This lizard feeds on large insects, spiders and small rodents. It is now under threat because of the loss of open areas.

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  Fauna

  The iconic Egyptian Vulture

  The Luberon is one of the safe havens for this rare and protected vulture. A true natural knacker, it is threatened by the decline of herds and the depletion of food resources. To ensure the survival of this species, the Luberon Park has placed the supply of several feeding stations and ensures close monitoring. Respecting the quiet of this area in the spring and summer will allow the Vulture to nest again in nearby cliffs.