DAY 57 - LA MOTTE-DU-CAIRE TO SISTERON

To go from La Motte-du-Caire to Sisteron, we had a choice between a 38 kilometre walk in the mountains with the GR, starting with a climb over Dead Man's Passage, and a 25 kilometre valley walk on a country road.

Dead Man's Passage - very tempting . . . 

The road turned out to be very scenic, with interesting rock formations on both sides of the valley. 

Interesting rock formations near Nibles 

We stopped for morning tea in Nibles. There were no shops in the village, and while the water fountain was dry it did provide a resting place for us to sit and eat our pains aux raisins.

Despite a name which vaguely suggested it might be a good place to pick up some refreshments, there was no food or drink to be had in Nibles. Even the water fountain was dry.

We continued along the road, occasionally passing a car or a cyclist. 

The road was quiet and scenic 

The first lavender field of our trip reminded us that we are now in Provence. We crossed the departmental border from the Hautes Alpes to the Alpes de Haute Provence during yesterday's walk.

Lavender field - an indication that we are now in Provence 

After a few hours of easy walking, punctuated by a stop for lunch, we arrived in Sisteron. 

Looking across the Durance to the citadel at Sisteron 

We spent some time admiring the imposing citadel before venturing across the Durance and up into the town.

The old town of Sisteron, nestled into the hill under the citadel 

The signs indicate 4 separate GRs (long-distance walking paths) converge on Sisteron

Climbing into Sisteron 

We strolled through some of the streets of the old town. As it's Sunday, most of the shops were shut, but there were several bars and restaurants open. We chose a rather nondescript bar which turned out to be a gem. Around its walls were several glass-fronted cabinets displaying fossils from the area. 

The bar in Sisteron with fossils displayed in glass cages. There was also a cabinet with first and second century Roman pottery. 

They also serve beer

On the way out to our chambre d'hôte we had a great view back towards the town of Sisteron, and the citadel which dominates it.

Sisteron

We also saw our first olive grove of the trip - another indication that we are in Provence. 

Olive grove - another indication that we are in Provence 

Day:  57

Distance: 25.53 km
Walking time:  5hrs 16mins
Elevation gain:  291 metres
Cumulative distance:  1418.32 km