a winter's walk from Beaumes de Venise to Le Barroux

On a mission to update our Roadbook for our self-guided walking tour:
Under the Silhouette of Mont Ventoux

The morning was a cold one, as it has been for the past week, with frost on the ground. By the end of the day I'd wind up in a t-shirt though, which is why I love walking in Provence at this time of year.

A short but steep climb took me atop the Plateau de Courens, a hill above the village of Beaumes de Venise, with wide-sweeping views of the plains.

The first inhabitants of the village lived atop this hill. And below is its primitive 6th century St. Hilaire church, now being restored by a group of volunteers. I spoke at length with the president of the restoration committee, pictured below. He and his wife, well into their 70s, were busy taking out weeds and enjoying a very pleasant day in the sun. He spoke to me with great passion about the peace and quiet of the place, and why his work is a labour of love -- which of course reminded me of the privilege I have to spend many a day walking along the quiet trails.  As a paid job.
 

Here is the church seen from farther along the plateau:

Heading eastward, the famed silhouette of Mont Ventoux in view:

Along the quiet paths:

Reaching my destination, with the afternoon sun highlighting the perched village of Le Barroux and its renaissance castle (one of the few intact in Provence).