[lukeyboy]

I'm heading out to Ceuse in a few weeks, having spent a couple of days there last year on the way back from Ailefroide.

The ticklist is nearing completion, psyche is sky high, however I've got no idea what there is to do on rest days. Anything from active (canyoning / lake swimming / nice rivers) to cultural to nice towns to visit would be great. Any recommendations much appreciated.

Another crucial concern (more so for my other half) is the proximity and quality or delicious french pastries. We will be at this campsite, which of the local boulangeries is best?

Cheers

[JohnM]

I have been swimming in Lac de Pelleautier which is very nice but that is all I can offer!

[lukeyboy]

Ok cheers for that. I see from google that Lac de Serre-Poncon is also nearby, anyone been in it?

[SA Chris]

Friends who live in Gap go swimming there often, I think there is a beach / lido thing.

[ChrisC]

There is a lovely gorge place for swimming near Orpierre (), I think its here: Châteauneuf-de-Chabre but may well be wrong as it was a while ago...

[ChrisC]

Lac de Serre Poncon is gorgeous, good beach area towards its far end, over the long bridge.

[Paul B]

If you decide to hitch from the campsite to Gap or anywhere else and a peugeout estate with a brunette woman stops to offer you a lift (as she did for me and a few friends many times), smile politely and pass for she appears to think she's related to Alain Prost.

For an active rest day do a multi-pitch on the Grand Face, for a less active rest day climb the (condemned?) via ferratta to the summit and enjoy the view.

[abarro81]

There is a lovely gorge place for swimming near Orpierre (), I think its here: Châteauneuf-de-Chabre but may well be wrong as it was a while ago...

Might be thinking of the place where you can jump in off a few things that's popular with the locals? If so I think it's called gorges de la meouge or similar..

Screw walking up the hill on a rest day.

[lukeyboy]

Cheers guys. Yes, I think anything involving walking on a rest day will be vetoed.

[lukeyboy]

On a side note, forgot to ask - what is the best guidebook for Ceuse?

I've borrowed a french guide from a friend before, which I still have, but it is pretty terrible. It's the one shown at the bottom of this page.

On the other hand, I'm loathed to purchase the wankfax. Are there any alternatives?

[Paul B]

In the current spirit of things, I'd say that anything other than the 'local' (available in the shop in Gap and from the campsite shop last time I was there) is bad form.

Certainly, people at the camp site at the time the RF was being researched pointed out the rise in popularity of the Grand Face and argued for its inclusion, the answer was that it wasn't worth the 'extra time' to include. Given the total time* involved (*my understanding of, and thus may be incorrect) was extremely short (i.e. a matter of a couple of days), I'd say again, this is poor form.

[BenF]

Might be thinking of the place where you can jump in off a few things that's popular with the locals? If so I think it's called gorges de la meouge or similar..

Yeah its on the D942 just west of Chateauneuf de Chabre.  About an hour from Ceuse.  It gets very busy but is a quality spot to swim and sunbathe.  The futher up stream you walk, the quieter it gets, althoug the most impressive rock and water features are near the main parking spot.

[Nike Air]

There is a new locals guide out in a week or two I think. Keep an eye out on moon climbing Facebook.

[lukeyboy]

There is a new locals guide out in a week or two I think. Keep an eye out on moon climbing Facebook.

Interesting news, thanks for that. Will keep an eye out...

[yorkshirewarcry]

Lac Serre Poncon is indeed great for swimming and there's an awesome little place up the road from the Guerins campsite that makes it's own goat's cheese, saucisson and stuff like that.  Nice for a sport of lunch on a rest day.

If you do head to Lac Serre Poncon and you don't mind a bit of extra driving, go over the bridge and head round to the far side of the lake, where it's much quieter...truly stunning place and an awesome spot to kip in your van if you have one.  Loads of drfitwood for fires on the beach and totally deserted.

That river for swimming/jumping in close to Orpierre is also top class. 

I got pretty sick after swimming in the lake in Pellautier - maybe something to do with the place that keeps horses over the other side taking pony trekkers through the shallow side of the lake on a daily basis.  The pizza place in Pelleautier is also top notch...little shack by the road.  Great for some serious refuelling after slogging up the hill to the crag on a daily basis.  Enjoy!

[ChrisC]

I got pretty sick after swimming in the lake in Pellautier

Think I remember something about algae problems in the past.  That said, we survived without getting ill and spent over a month periodically swimming in it a couple of years ago.

[Muenchener]

Screw walking up the hill on a rest day.

I've never been to Ceuse, but I did once walk through the Verdon Gorge on a "rest" day. Equipped with a mighty one litre of water. Was, needless to say, completely fscked the next day.

[Paul B]

The pizza place in Pelleautier is also top notch...little shack by the road.  Great for some serious refuelling after slogging up the hill to the crag on a daily basis.  Enjoy!

How did I forget this place. Seconded. Ensure you save room for dessert (pizza).

[James Malloch]

Thought I'd ask here rather than start a new thread...

Heading out to Ceuse soon for the summer and wondering if it gets midges out there at all, if so I'll stock up on some spray.

[rosmat]

I've never noticed any when I've been there.

[James Malloch]

Cool - thanks! Been plagued by them recently and would have gone prepared haha!

[lukeyboy]

There is a new locals guide out in a week or two I think. Keep an eye out on moon climbing Facebook.

A quick update on this if anyone is interested - I emailed moonclimbing to find out more details, and apparently the new topo is now for sale at the campsite. As far as I can see it's not available online.

[lukeyboy]

Hi all,

I'm back from Ceuse, thought it may be helpful to post a bit of feedback.

Gorges de Meouges and Lac de Serre Poncon were both awesome for swimming (and jumping off the waterfall at the Gorge) and lazing in the sun, would definitely recommend.

In terms of towns, we went to Sisteron which was reasonably nice. Quite easy to get to, has a fort on a hill, lots of quirky little shops. Very arty place. We also went to Tallard a couple of times, which is a small town only 10 mins or so from the campsite, and again is pretty with a fort on a hill. The pizzeria (called Citadel?) was decent.

P.S. James - if you see this, we were the guys camped next to you. I thought I recognised your name and it only twigged when I got home that it was from here. Hope you enjoy the rest of your trip, good luck crushing!